2017-10-13 TOEFL: independent writing

Greg Malivuk
[email protected]
http://www.pastebin.com/u/gmalivuk - notes from all classes
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Writing Section: fourth section of the test, after speaking
- two tasks, about 1 hour total, 50 minutes of writing time
1 integrated - 3 minutes to read, listen to a lecture on the same topic, 20 minutes to write about the points from the lecture and how they relate to the points from the reading
	“Typically an effective response has 150-225 words.”
2 independent - read a prompt (choice question), 30 minutes to write your answer to the question
	“Typically, an effective essay will have a minimum of 300 words.”
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Independent Writing
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DELTA p. 464 - sample independent writing prompt
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
Subjects such as art, music, and drama should be a part of every child’s basic education.
Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.
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Brainstorming: think or write as many reasons as you can think of for one or both positions
What are some reasons to agree with this statement?
- ability to play an instrument can help with concentration
- culture
- group participation
- develop your own personality
- developing imagination and creativity
- release/reduce stress
- it’s a different way of thinking than other academic subjects
- explore expressive ways to communicate and think
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After brainstorming (for up to 3 minutes), you might also want to prepare with an outline
- Choose about 3 reasons which you think are the strongest or the easiest to explain in writing.
- Decide what order you’ll talk about those reasons.
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Your response will typically be a five-paragraph essay.
1 Introduction
2 First reason
3 Second reason
4 Third reason
5 Conclusion
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Introduction:
- (optional) “Hook” to get readers interested (general background and context for the question)
- Explain the options you’re choosing between
- State your opinion (directly, without saying you agree or disagree with something)
- (optional) Lead-in (“I have three reasons for this opinion.”)
Body Paragraphs (one for each main point or reason):
- State the reason (“The first reason is that art, music, and drama give students a chance to participate in group activities.”)
- Convince readers that this point is true. (Examples of band, choir, drama club, etc.)
- Convince readers that this point supports your thesis. (Details about how children do better in school when they have group activities.)
Conclusion:
- Restate the thesis (your opinion) and summarize the reasons.
- Give the reader something to take away from your essay (advice, prediction, plan for the future)
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DELTA p. 419 - Description of independent writing scores.
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BREAK
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Writing Practice (2 independent writings) - Email your responses to me when you finish.