Techniques to ace Independent Writing Test | Writing for TOEFL PDF Download

Within the TOEFL Writing Section, you will encounter two distinct writing tasks. The Independent Writing task assumes the position of the second task within the Writing Section and serves as the concluding task in the TOEFL Exam.
During the Independent Writing task, you are allotted a total of 30 minutes to devise an outline, compose your essay, and undertake the editing process. This essay revolves around your personal perspective on a given question. Prior to commencing your writing, it is crucial to grasp the requirements and expectations associated with this task.

What to do the Independent Writing Task

1. Agree/Disagree: The Agree/Disagree question format is the most frequently encountered type of question in the TOEFL Independent Writing task. In this format, you will typically be presented with a statement and asked to express whether you agree or disagree with it.
2. Pick a Side: The Pick a Side question format, also known as the "preference" question, requires you to indicate your personal preference or choice. Most often, the question provides two or three options, although there may be instances where the options are not explicitly given.
   For both the Agree/Disagree and Pick a Side question types, it is essential to clearly articulate your opinion in favor of one choice or side. This means that even if you do not hold a strong opinion on the topic or could be swayed in either direction, you still need to select a side and maintain consistency throughout your essay for the purpose of the test. It is more advantageous for your score to convincingly express passion for your chosen position. Avoid attempting to address both sides or choices in your essay.
3. Pros/Cons: Lastly, there is a less common question type in which you are required to discuss both sides of a topic. Typically, this question will ask you to explore the advantages and disadvantages of a particular subject. Unlike the previous question types, it is important to address both sides of the issue evenly in your essay. It is crucial to manage your time effectively and avoid allocating an excessive amount of your essay to just one side, as this will result in an unbalanced response.
   Now that you have a clear understanding of the task requirements, let's explore how to allocate time for brainstorming and outlining your essay.

How to prepare a outline for the Independent Writing Task

• It is of utmost importance to allocate a few initial minutes to outline your essay. Many students mistakenly believe that they do not have enough time for outlining, but this is a significant error. While 30 minutes may not appear to be a lengthy duration, a substantial portion of your score is determined by your ability to structure and articulate your opinion, which is best achieved through outlining. By following an outline, you will discover that writing your Independent essay becomes easier and flows more smoothly. Your outline will serve as a roadmap, ensuring that you stay focused on addressing the question effectively.
• The structure of your outline will depend on the type of question presented. For the Agree/Disagree and Pick a Side questions, it is recommended to outline two reasons supporting your opinion and two personal experiences—one for each reason. Your outline should adhere to the following structure:

While outlining your essay, it is advisable to refrain from writing in complete sentences. Instead, focus on using key words, shorthand words, or symbols. For instance, you can condense lengthy words by writing only a few letters, such as "information" to "info" or "technology" to "tech." Additionally, employ symbols to represent words, such as using "->" to signify cause, "<->" to denote contrast, or "^" to indicate an increase. The choice of shorthand words and symbols should be personalized to your understanding and preference.

How to Structure Your Independent Writing Task

• The recommended structure for the Independent Writing Task consists of four paragraphs: an introduction, two body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
• The introduction paragraph should be concise, comprising only two to four sentences. Within these sentences, you should clearly and passionately introduce the topic, state your opinion (for Agree/Disagree and Pick a Side questions) with conviction, and outline your two supporting reasons.
• In the first body paragraph, you will delve into your first supporting reason for your opinion (or discuss the advantages for the third Pros/Cons question type). Subsequently, provide 3 or 4 sentences sharing a personal experience or anecdote that further elucidates your supporting reason. The concluding sentence of the body paragraph should effectively link your personal experience to your overall opinion. The second body paragraph follows the same structure as the first, focusing on your second supporting reason (or the disadvantages for the third Pros/Cons question type).
• Lastly, the conclusion paragraph should encompass one or two sentences that summarize your opinion on the topic presented in the question, along with a recap of your two supporting reasons.

Here is a sample template of how your Independent essay should be structured:

Writing Techniques

1. Grammar
To demonstrate your proficiency in grammar, incorporate a diverse range of complex grammatical structures accurately in the Independent Writing task. This entails understanding when to use the appropriate verb tense in your essay.
Here are some guidelines for using verb tenses effectively:

• Present tense (simple or continuous): Utilize it to discuss general facts and ongoing situations.
• Present perfect tense (simple or continuous): Employ it for actions that commenced in the past and continue into the present.
• Past tense (simple and perfect): Use it to describe previous experiences, particularly when supporting your arguments with personal past events.
• Conditional sentences: Maximize their usage to discuss hypothetical scenarios, expressing actions you will/would do or would have done in response to specific conditions.

Furthermore, remember the importance of subject-verb agreement. Ensure that singular subjects are paired with singular verbs, while plural subjects are paired with plural verbs.

2. Vocabulary

• The Independent Writing task provides an excellent opportunity to showcase your vocabulary skills. However, it is crucial to use vocabulary that you genuinely comprehend. Students sometimes confuse similar words or attempt to incorporate words they don't fully grasp into their TOEFL essays. 
• It is essential to only utilize vocabulary that you are familiar with, confident in, and can spell accurately. Since the TOEFL test lacks a spell check function, it is advisable to refrain from using words whose spelling you are uncertain about. 
• Lastly, allocate an additional minute or two towards the end of your allotted time to review your essay and rectify any spelling errors.

3. Transitions

• To enhance your writing skills and elevate the sophistication of your essay, incorporating transitional words and phrases is a valuable technique. Conjunctions like "and," "but," "or," "so," and "because," along with connectors such as "therefore," "moreover," and "however," can greatly assist you in expressing and linking your ideas seamlessly. 
• Utilizing these transitional words and phrases effectively and abundantly in your independent essay will contribute to its overall cohesiveness and coherence.