2018-07-12 TOEFL: writing practice

Greg Malivuk
[email protected]
http://www.pastebin.com/u/gmalivuk - notes from all classes
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https://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-does-a-jellyfish-sting-neosha-s-kashef/review_open
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Writing Section: fourth and final section, about 60 minutes, two tasks
1 integrated: read (3 minutes) a short text, listen to a lecture about the same topic, 20 minutes to write about the points from the lecture and how they relate to the reading
2 independent: read a choice question prompt, 30 minutes to write and support your opinion about it
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DELTA p. 565 - Read the text about earthworms.
What are the main points of the text?
R0 (main idea/position) = earthworms are good
R1 = earthworms benefit the soil
R2 = earthworms benefit plants
R3 = earthworms benefit animals
Listen to the lecture about the same topic.
L0 = earthworms are bad
L1 = they’re bad for the soil: damage soil cover by removing duff and moving it deeper
L2 = they’re bad for plants: it moves nutrients out of reach for wildflowers, so none can grow
L3 = they’re bad for animals: the duff is a habitat for many animals, that disappear when duff disappears (this also affects everything that eats those animals)
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Response organization (point-by-point) - four paragraphs:
1 Introduction: state the topic and summarize the main idea of the lecture (L0) and the reading (R0), and how they relate
2 First point: summarize R1 and L1, and be sure to explain how L1 relates to R1
3 Second point: summarize R2 and L2, and be sure to explain how L2 relates to R2
4 Third point: summarize R3 and L3, and be sure to explain how L3 relates to R3
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Citation Language: to show where the ideas come from (especially for your introduction)
- according to the reading/listening/text/lecture / the author/speaker says
	(Remember that only authors and speakers can believe things, not texts and lectures.)
Contrast Language: to show how the lecture relates to the reading (if it opposes it)
- (to start a new sentence) On the other hand / However / In contrast / Despite this / Nevertheless
- (inside the same sentence) while / but / even though / although
- (verbs) refute / oppose / challenge / contradict / cast doubt on / disagree with
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Independent Writing: the prompt is almost always a choice question
- agree/disagree: “Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?”
- some people / other people: “Some students want to learn…. Others prefer…. Which is better?”
“Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.”
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The response can be a typical five-paragraph essay:
1 Introduction: give background and summarize the options you’re choosing between, state your opinion
2-4 Body (supporting paragraphs): state your reasons, convince me the reason is true, convince me the reason supports your opinion
5 Conclusion: restate your opinion and summarize your reasons, give a recommendation or prediction the reader can “take away” from your response
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BREAK
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Writing practice (2.4 integrated, 1.4 independent)
Email me your responses when you’re finished