Template 1: Integrated Writing Task

Paragraph 1 (Introduction)
Your first paragraph will introduce the lecture and how it relates to the
reading. This paragraph doesn’t need to be long; a simple two or three
sentences should suffice.

1. Begin with a topic sentence that summarizes the main point of the lecture.

Examples:

 According to the lecture, …

 Based on the lecture, …

 The lecturer states/believes that …

 The lecturer talks about …

 The lecturer discusses …

2. Next, explain whether the passage refutes or supports the main point of the lecture.

Examples (Contrast):

By contrast, the author of the passage explains/states/posits that …

The author of the passage, however, disagrees with this idea/belief. Instead, he/she believes that
…

The author of the passage, however, doubts this idea/belief and thinks that …

The author challenges this point, however, by explaining/suggesting/positing that …

Examples (Agreement):

This line of thinking agrees with that of the author, who states that …

The author of the passage agrees with this notion/idea/belief, stating that …

Likewise, the author of the passage explains/states/posits that …

The author of the passage supports this idea/belief, explaining that …

Paragraph 2 (Body)
In this paragraph, you’ll want to focus on one of the key points in the lecture and explain whether
the passage refutes or supports this idea.

1. Introduce the main point you’ll be discussing.

Examples:

 First, the lecturer asserts/claims/suggests that …

 For one, the lecturer thinks/believes that …

 The first point the lecturer makes is that …

2. Next, describe this particular point in more detail and then discuss how the passage either
refutes or supports it. I suggest using one to two sentences here.

Examples:

On the other hand, the author asserts/claims/suggests that …

Likewise, the author thinks/believes that …

This concept is refuted/supported by the passage, which asserts/claims/suggests that …

3. Finally, conclude your paragraph by explaining what this difference or similarity means.

Examples:

 This difference/similarity ultimately means/indicates that …

 Basically, the lecturer/author is saying that …

 The lecturer and author are essentially in agreement with each other. Both think/believe
that …

 Clearly, the lecturer and author maintain different views on …

Paragraph 3 (Body)
In this paragraph, you’ll focus on another key point in the lecture and again discuss how the
passage either agrees or disagrees with this idea. The structure here is essentially identical to that
of paragraph 2, so make sure you are using new transitions and varying your word choice.

1. Start by introducing the second point in the lecture you’ll be discussing. Because this is your
second body paragraph, do not use transitions such as “first” or “first of all.”

Examples:

 Second, the lecturer argues/contends/asserts that …

 Next, the lecturer suggests/proposes that …

 Another key point the lecturer makes is that …

2. Next, explain this key point in more detail and elaborate on how it is either refuted or
supported by the passage. As with paragraph 2, I recommend using one to two sentences here.

Examples:

 In other words, the lecturer is suggesting/proposing that …

 The author, however, agrees/disagrees with this idea/belief, suggesting/proposing that …

 Similarly, the author argues/contends/asserts that …

3. Finally, explain what this difference or similarity means.

Examples:

 What this difference/similarity means is that …

 This difference/similarity in thinking tells us that …

 Evidently, the lecturer thinks/believes that … , whereas the author thinks/believes that …
Paragraph 4 (Body + Conclusion)
This final body paragraph will offer your last key point in addition to a brief conclusion. Once
again, try to vary your transitions and words here so that your body paragraphs do not sound
redundant.

1. Introduce and summarize the third point in the lecture. This is your third and final body
paragraph, so do not use transitions such as “first” or “next.” Instead, use transitions such as
“third,” “finally,” “last,” and “lastly.”

Examples:

 Third, the lecturer explains/states that …

 Finally, the lecturer introduces the idea that …

 Lastly, the lecturer goes on to say that …

2. Then, explain this point in more detail and discuss whether the passage matches or challenges
it. Use one or two sentences here.

Examples:

 This point is also made in the passage, which argues/contends/asserts that …

 The passage supports this idea, suggesting/proposing that …

 On the contrary, the author writes that …

3. Finally, conclude your paragraph by explaining the significance of this similarity or difference.
You should also look at this sentence as the conclusion to your entire response. Remember, you
do not need to write a separate concluding paragraph for this task; it’s perfectly OK to combine it
with your last body paragraph!

Examples:

In conclusion, the lecturer and author appear to be in agreement/disagreement about …

All in all, the lecturer argues/contends/asserts that … , whereas the author

argues/contends/asserts that …
Template 2: Independent Writing Task
For this task, you will read a short prompt and then write a response explaining whether you agree
or disagree with the issue or idea. Unlike the Integrated task, here you’ll be writing an opinionated
response (though you do not have to write about your actual opinion).

You’ll have 30 minutes to write an essay of at least 300 words. Because this essay should be longer
than the Integrated task, it’s best to use the basic five-paragraph structure, with an introduction,
three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Note that many of the example sentences below are based on the sample Independent Writing
prompt used above. This means that these sentences will not apply exactly to other prompts! So
don’t simply copy the sentences onto your test; instead, use them as a general guide to help you
develop a better sense of style and flow in your writing.

Now, let’s take a look at our Independent Writing TOEFL template.

Paragraph 1 (Introduction)
In this paragraph, you’ll introduce the main issue or idea and rephrase the prompt in your own
words. Then, you’ll state whether you agree or disagree with the statement and why.

1. For your first sentence, you’ll want to come up with a hook that introduces the topic of your
essay in a unique and creative way. Most people start broad and then get specific. This sentence is
also a great opportunity to insert a hypothetical question.

Examples:

 There is great debate about ...

 It is said that ... But is this always true?

 Many people wonder whether telling the truth at all times is necessary in order to
maintain a healthy relationship with someone.

2. Next, introduce your opinion on the topic. You may list your specific reasons for your opinion
here or in the following sentence(s). Remember, this doesn’t need to be your real opinion!

Examples:

 In my opinion, …

 I believe that … is important because …

 I agree/disagree with this idea/suggestion because …

  For me, although telling the truth is important, there are many cases in which it’s OK to lie.

3. Here, state how many points (three is ideal) you’ll be discussing in your essay and then briefly
summarize what these reasons for agreeing or disagreeing are. Your reasons may come from facts,
predictions, personal beliefs, experiences, etc.

Examples:

 In this essay, I will address three potential problems with lying in relationships.

 Lying is never a smart idea because it undermines trust in relationships, causes feelings of
betrayal, and often leads to more lying.

Paragraph 2 (Body)
In this paragraph, you’ll introduce your first key point about the issue and offer specific examples
illustrating why you agree or disagree.

1. For the first sentence, introduce the key point you want to talk about.

Example:

 First of all, lying can make it difficult to trust someone in a relationship.

2. Next, provide an example to explain why you believe this is the case. I suggest using a
hypothetical situation somewhere in your essay to help illustrate one of your points.

Example:

 For example, if a father lied to his daughter by telling her she was good at drawing,
the daughter might begin to wonder whether her father has lied to her about other things,
too.

3. Continue your paragraph by elaborating on your example. Explain any effect or consequence of
the example and discuss how this outcome supports your viewpoint.

Example:

 The next time the father praises his daughter for something, she might believe he is lying,
even if he isn’t. In other words, the daughter might find it difficult to trust her father,
thereby damaging their relationship.
Paragraph 3 (Body)
This paragraph will follow a similar structure to that of paragraph 2, only this time you’ll
discussyour second key point. To prevent this paragraph from sounding too similar to the one
before it, vary your word choice and choose a different type of example on which to focus.

1. In the first sentence, introduce your second key point. Because this is your second body
paragraph (and second point), make sure you employ appropriate transitions, such as “second,”
“secondly,” and “next.”

Example:

 Second, lying can cause feelings of betrayal in relationships.

2. As you did in paragraph 2, use these next few sentences to elaborate on your point and
offer specific examples. Always clarify how your examples support your stance (agree or
disagree) and how they relate back to the issue stated in the prompt.

Example:

 When I was young, I lied to my best friend about being able to attend her birthday party.
She later told me I’d betrayed her and that we couldn’t be friends anymore. Essentially,
because I’d lied to her, I destroyed our relationship.

Paragraph 4 (Body)
This is the last body paragraph in which you will introduce and explain your third and final key
point.

1. First, introduce your third point. As this is your final body paragraph, make sure you’re
using appropriate transitions, such as “finally,” “last,” “lastly,” and “third,” to introduce your point.

Example:

 Lastly, lying often begets more lying. This means that once you tell a lie, you will
become more likely to tell other lies.
2. As you did in paragraphs 2 and 3, elaborate on this point by providing new evidence, details,
and/or examples. Explain why this point is important and how it supports your stance on the issue.

Example:

 If you lie but nobody knows you’ve lied, you might begin to believe it’s OK to lie. As a
result, you start to lie more and more. However, once people realize how often you
lie, they’ll likely lose all trust in you and might even decide to end their relationships with
you.

Paragraph 5 (Conclusion)
Like the Integrated Writing task, a separate concluding paragraph isn’t always necessary here. That
said, if you have time, I recommend quickly wrapping up your points in a concise yet effective
conclusion. One to three sentences should suffice.

1. In the first sentence or two, summarize your stance and explain why you feel this way. You may
re-introduce your three main points here. You may also paraphrase the prompt and explain once
more whether you agree or disagree with the issue and why.

Examples:

 In the end, I believe telling the truth is the most important consideration in a relationship.

 Ultimately, lying can easily destroy relationships because it weakens trust, results
in feelings of betrayal, and often causes more lying.

2. Finally, if you have time, bring together your concluding paragraph with a single general
statement about your viewpoint.

Examples:

 This is why it is imperative we always refrain from lying.

 Thus, the only way to ensure your relationships with others are healthy is to always tell
the truth.