In the current issue, we will discuss the writing module of TOEFL.

Description of TOEFL iBT Writing module

The total time for the module is 50 minutes for a maximum score of 30 points. It consists of two tasks. The responses are typed on the computer and sent to ETS’ Online Score Network.

Task I

Integrated Writing Task
Read/Listen/Write

Task Description

1. About three minutes time is allowed to a test taker to read a short text of about 230-300 words.

2. The test taker may take down important points while reading the text.

3. The reading text then goes off the computer screen and a short listening passage on a related topic follows. The test taker is advised to take down important points while listening to the audio. The reading passage reappears when it is time for the test taker to begin typing so that he can refer to the text.

4. The speaker in the listening passage discusses the same topic from a different perspective.  It lasts for about 2 minutes.
 
5. Test takers are supposed to write a summary in connecting language explaining how the points or issues discussed in listening passage relate to the points made in the reading passage. Suggested length of the typed passage should be in the range of 225 to 250.

6. It must be learnt that the listening passage will not be played for a second time.

Task 2 

Independent Writing Task
Write

Task Description

Test takers are asked to write an essay that states, explains, and supports their opinion on an issue. A well-written essay usually contains a minimum of 300 words. However, test takers may write more if they so wish.

Test takers need to develop support for their opinions or choices, rather than simply listing personal preferences or choices.
Typical essay questions begin with statements such as:
· Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Use reasons and specific details to support your answers.

· Some people believe X. Others people believe Y. Which of these two positions do you prefer/agree with? Give reasons and specific details.
 In the current issue, we will restrict our discussion to Independent Writing. 

Kinds of Essays in Independent Writing 

1. Compare and Contrast Essay
  
             This type of essay begins with the following statement:  

· Some people believe X. Others people believe Y. Which of these two positions do you prefer/agree with? Give reasons and specific details.

2. Persuasive Essay

This type of essay begins with the following questions.

· Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Use reasons and specific details to support your answers.

PARTS of an essay

The following are the three most important parts of an essay:

1. Introduction (about 50 words)
2. Examples of personal experiences or others’ experiences or instances picked up from newspapers or magazines (three to four examples each consisting of 30 to 40 words)
3. Conclusion (about 50 words)
 
Tips on writing essays

The writing module evaluates a test taker’s language abilities to write in an academic setup.  Students need to present their ideas through clear, well-organized language.

The students need to keep in mind the following points while attempting to write essays.

· Identify the main idea and important points to support the idea.

· Spend first few minutes in organizing the essay.

· Use reasons, examples and details to develop the essay.

· Use connecting language to help the evaluator understand the flow of ideas.

· Use simple but effective language. Avoid using bombastic language in order to impress the evaluator.

· Use idiomatic expressions to enhance the quality of language and lend force to your ideas.

· Care must be taken to avoid grammatical errors. At times, simple mistakes could significantly alter the meaning of a sentence or a phrase. 
· It is imperative to maintain brevity of language.
The following are two model essays for reference:

Model essay 1

“A large factory near your community will bring in a lot of well being of the people” Do you agree to the proposal? Give reasons to support your answers.

If a company intends to build a large factory near my community, it would indeed be heartening because this would generate new employment opportunities to the people who are unemployed.

It would also result in the all round development of the area with new facilities coming up to cater to the needs of the large number of people working in the factory. It can be hoped that improved medical facilities would be available to the people, public transport system would educational institutions, entertainment center, cyber cafes, restaurants, and shopping malls etc. would be established thereby leading to the increase in the real estate value of the area.

But one cannot be very sure whether the establishment of a factory in a residential area would be entirely advantageous because it may also have an adverse effect on the community.

Usually factories are segregated from residential areas because the effluents released from factories, particularly those factories which manufacture chemicals, pharmaceuticals etc, result in pollution of the atmosphere and in the contamination of water bodies present in the area and sometimes, it would also result in noise pollution, all this would result in the deterioration of the health of the people belonging to that area.
I personally would welcome the establishment of a large factory near my community as long as it does not have a negative impact on the health and well-being of the people.

Model essay 2

“Some people prefer to live in small town while others prefer to live in a big city” Which of these two positions do you prefer/agree with? Give reasons and specific details.

Some people prefer to live in small town while others prefer to live in a big city because each has got its own advantages and disadvantages.

Preferring to live in a big or a small town is a relatively personal concept because it depends on a person’s mental makeup and the type of life which he is accustomed to.

Living in a small town has got its own advantages because it is less polluted compared to a city, people are more simple and modest in contrast to city dwellers and the pace of life is slower, cost of living is relatively lesser and criminal activities are comparatively fewer.
I personally prefer to live in a big city because it offers many facilities like well-equipped super-specialty hospitals, educational institutions, commercial establishments, shopping malls, entertainments centers, well connected roads and railway lines, better roads and public transport system. Employment opportunities are also better in cities than in towns.

Most cities are happening places and life moves at a faster pace in a city, unlike in towns where life is laidback, leaving little time for people to gossip.