How to write a TOEFL independent essay with a template
How to write and plan a TOEFL Independent essay with a template.
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Written by Mr. Richard Forrest
Stages of planning
- Question Analysis
- Write out the structure
- Decide your thesis
- Thinking of ideas - The Cafe method
- Synonyms and paraphrasing
- Start writing!
Stage 1. TOEFL Question Analysis - First you must analyse the question.
Many students lose a lot of easy points because they fail to correctly analyse the question.
It is essential that you understand what the examiner wants you to do.
There are three stages to this process.
1. Topic – what is the general topic?
2. Micro topic - What is the question / statement / debate you are trying to qualify?
3. Instruction words - What words tell you how to answer the question ?
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Stage 2. Next you must write out the TOEFL essay structure.
Use the guide below.
Introduction
Oliver Eats Onions – use this anagram to help you memorise the structure.
Opinion
Explanation
Outline
Main body paragraph 1
Tom enjoys eating delicious dinosaurs – use this anagram to help you memorise the structure.
1 Topic 1
2 Explanation
3 Example
4 Detail
5 Detail
6 Summarise your point and link it back to your thesis
Main body paragraph 2
1 Topic 2
2 Explanation
3 Example
4 Detail
5 Detail
6 Link back to your thesis
Conclusion
Sentence one: A restatement of your main point
Sentence two : A single-sentence summary of your two reasons
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For an example of what to do in each section look at the template below.
TOEFL independent essay Template
Introduction
Oliver Eats Onions – use this anagram to help you memorise the structure.
Opinion – In my opinion….
Explanation - This is because ……
Outline- Use this template- I feel vehemently this way for two reasons which I will endeavour to expound in the following essay.
Main body paragraph 1
Tom enjoys eating delicious dinosaurs – use this anagram to help you memorise the structure.
1 Topic 1 – You need to introduce your first topic
2 Explanation – explain why it is relevant to your thesis, make sure you use a transition word.
3 Example - Use this template - For example, in 2007 a study conducted by the University of Cambridge revealed that 85% of ……
4 Detail provide an additional detail, use a transition word
5 Detail Provide one more detail, use a transition word
6 Summarise your point and link it back to your thesis
Main body paragraph 2
1 Topic 2
2 Explanation
3 Example - Use this template - For instance, research carried out by Rio University in 2010 elucidated the fact that 76%........
4 Detail
5 Detail
6 Link back to your thesis
Conclusion
Sentence one: A restatement of your main point
Sentence two : A single-sentence summary of your two reasons
- Only use the phrases “In conclusion….” or “To conclude….”
- Try to also make a concession first. This will gain you points for grammar.
For example:
To conclude, whilst on the one hand... (opposite point)….. it is axiomatic that …..(your thesis).
Vocab: Axiomatic means self-evident or obviously true.
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STAGE 3. Decide your thesis statement
What is a thesis statement?
A thesis statement is the most important sentence in your essay. It will act as a guide for the rest of your essay. It allows the examiner to clearly understand your opinion and feelings about a particular topic. Moreover, it is in this sentence that you will aim to directly answer the TOEFL question. Importantly, you must remember that a thesis statement is not a fact but a claim. Make sure that your whole essay is consistent with your thesis and that your supporting paragraphs support this idea.
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Stage 4. Thinking of ideas - the cafe method
You need to change your thesis statement into a why question.
Imagine you are with a friend who has asked you this question in a café.
You need two answers that answer the question directly. Do not give a politician’s answer!
Why…….?
Answer 1 – Topic 1 - First main body paragraph
Answer 2 - Topic 2 - Second main body paragraph
Let's use the below question as an example.
The widespread use of the internet has given people access to information on a level never experienced before. How does this increase in the availability of information influence life in today's world?"
First we need to decide what our opinion is.
Let's say that we feel the increase in the availability of information has made life easier.
We must now change this to a why question.
Why... has the increase in the availability of information made life easier?
Answer 1 – Topic 1 - First main body paragraph - We can talk to people over long distances.
Answer 2 - Topic 2 - Second main body paragraph - It is easier to educate ourselves.
Stage 5. Synonyms and paraphrasing.
It is essential that you avoid copying words from the question. Instead you should try to use synonyms where possible.
For example:
The widespread use of the internet has given people access to information on a level never experienced before. How does this increase in the availability of information influence life in today's world?"
Take a look at this list of synonyms from the above question.
Widespread - common
Internet - the net
level - scale
Access - ability to obtain
Information - data
Today's world - nowadays
Increase - augment
Influence - effect
World - Earth
Dangers of synonyms
However, be careful that you do not change the meaning of the sentence.
For example:
Teenagers cause all the crime in the city.
Young people cause all the crime in the city.
Young people and teenagers are not exact synonyms. The meaning has been changed.
Teenagers – ages 13-19
Young people- ages 0 – 35
Not all words have good synonyms especially named nouns.
Microwave for example is a named noun. It will be very hard to think of a synonym for this.
In the exam only use synonyms that you are 100% sure are an exact synonym and that do not change the meaning.
Throughout your essays you should aim to vary your vocabulary as much as possible.
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Stage 6. Start writing!
Good luck in your TOEFL exams!
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Mr. Richard Forrest