2020-04-03 TOEFL: int writing

Greg Malivuk
gmalivuk@staffordhouse.com
http://www.pastebin.com/u/gmalivuk - notes from all classes
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https://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-the-world-s-longest-underwater-tunnel-was-built-alex-gendler
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Writing Section: fourth and final section, 2 tasks, 55 minutes total, 20+30 minutes of writing time
1 integrated: read a passage, listen to a lecture, write about how they relate
2 independent: write and support your answer to a choice question
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https://www.ets.org/s/toefl/free-practice/writing.html - To see what the writing section looks like on the TOEFL.
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Integrated:
- 3 minutes to read a passage about a topic (you’ll see the text again while you write)
- listen to a lecture about the same topic, which probably disagrees with the passage (you’ll hear it once)
- 20 minutes to summarize the points from the listening and explain how they relate to points from the text (150-225 words)
Independent:
- 30 minutes to read a choice question, prepare and outline a response, then write and revise your response
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University info session at 3pm with Erin and Jose
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Delta practice test 6 - workplace friendships - take 3 minutes to do the reading
R0 = main idea = workplace friendships are bad
R1 = less engaged and productive when they work with friends; too much talking
R2 = affects the whole workplace; can cause drama if friends have problems; other people feel excluded
R3 = increase dissatisfaction, especially if friends get together to complain about work; can create tension that negatively affects everyone
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Remember that the lecture usually contradicts the text, so while you’re reading you can try to anticipate opposing points you might hear in the lecture
Now listen to the lecture and note the main points:
L0 = friendships at work are good (advantages outweigh the problems)
L1 = when you have a best friend at work, you’re more engaged and productive and have better job outcomes
L2 = a healthy workplace has friends; feel more informed and connected; more loyalty to a company where they have friends
L3 = friends at work increase satisfaction by up to 50% according to studies
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The most straightforward way to organize your response is point-by-point. This is the same way that the text and (usually) the lecture organize their points:
paragraph 1 = Introduction: State the topic, summarize the main ideas from the reading and the listening, and be sure it’s clear how those ideas are related
paragraph 2 = First point: Summarize R1, then explain how L1 relates to it
paragraph 3 = Second point: Summarize R2, then explain how L2 relates to it
paragraph 4 = Third point: Summarize R3, then explain how L3 relates to it
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example:
	The reading and the lecture are about workplace friendships. The reading gives three reasons to conclude that workplace friendships are bad. The lecture, on the other hand, argues that the advantages of having friends at work outweigh any disadvantages of friendships between coworkers.
	First, the text states that workers are less engaged and less productive when they have friends at work. However, the speaker explains that when you have a best friend at work, all workplace outcomes are better, including engagement and productivity.
	Second,
	Third,
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Note that this example has no conclusion. You don’t need to write a conclusion for integrated writing. (Your own conclusion or opinion doesn’t matter.)
- If you have extra time after writing your fourth paragraph, look for mistakes that you can fix.
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In addition to the usual transition signals (“first”, “in addition”, “furthermore”), the integrated writing should always include some citation language and contrast language:
Citation Language (to show where ideas come from):
- According to the reading / the text / the article / the author // the listening / the lecture / the speaker
- The [source] states / claims / argues / explains / says / mentions / points out / etc.
- The author/speaker thinks / believes
Contrast Language (to show that the ideas are opposed):
- However, / Nevertheless, / On the other hand, / In contrast
- This contradicts/opposes/casts doubt on/challenges the point from the reading that…
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BREAK
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ETS Guide test 1 - Integrated writing practice.
After you read the text, listen to the audio on your computer, and then take 20 minutes to write your response.
Email me when you’re done.
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Look at the sample responses
A - 4 - This at least mentions all the points from the lecture, although the one about the sentinal meerkat eating is unclear.
B - 5 - Even though it’s all one paragraph the separate ideas are clear enough that it doesn’t lose any points for organization.
C - 2 - This starts out misstating what altruism is and frequently contradicts itself in the rest of the points. However, what the lecture says about organ donation is correct and mostly clear, so this earns a 2 rather than a 1.
D - 3 - This includes the facts from the lecture, but is vague in how it relates to the reading.
E - 1 - This includes almost no information from the lecture and seems to misunderstand the entire point.
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https://www.ets.org/s/toefl/pdf/toefl_writing_rubrics.pdf - If you get 3 on both writings, your TOEFL writing score will probably be 20 or 21.
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Homework: If you want more detailed feedback (including corrections), send me a self-evaluation of your own writing from today.