TOEFL Writing instructions

When reading the passage, remember to search for 5 points before the 3 minutes are up 1) What is the discussion topic

2) What is the writer’s opinion on the topic 3) What is the writer’s first argument point? 4) What is the writer’s second argument point? 5) What is the writer’s third argument point?

From the listening passage, you would be able to know whether the speaker agrees or disagrees with the writer after a few sentences. If the speaker agrees/disagrees, you would need to listen to what is the supporting / counter points. When you listen to the support/counter points, do not just listen out for “What”, also listen out for “Why” The format for writing for disagreeing should be:

Both the reading and listening passage discusses about the (TOPIC). The writer from the reading passage believes that (WRITER’S OPINIONS) and supports it by saying/providing (WRITER’S 3 REASONS-BRIEFLY[optional] but the speaker from the listening passage disagrees by rebuking the points given.

Firstly, the writer suggests (FIRST REASON FOLLOWED BY EVIDENCE). However, the speaker says that (FIRST REASON FOLLOWED BY EVIDENCE)

Next, the writer states (SECOND FIRST REASON FOLLOWED BY EVIDENCE). Conversely, the speaker mentions that (SECOND REASON FOLLOWED BY EVIDENCE)

Lastly, the writer points out (THIRD REASON FOLLOWED BY EVIDENCE). In contrast, the speaker asserts that (THIRD REASON FOLLOWED BY EVIDENCE) Maintains/thinks/indicates/claims………………

The format for writing for agreeing should be:

Both the reading and listening passage discusses about the (TOPIC). The writer from the reading passage believes that (WRITER’S OPINIONS) and supports it by saying/giving (WRITER’S 3

REASONS-BRIEFLY) and the speaker from the listening passage agrees by providing supporting evidences.

Firstly, the writer suggests (FIRST REASON FOLLOWED BY EVIDENCE). To add on, the speaker says that (FIRST REASON FOLLOWED BY EVIDENCE)

Next, the writer states (SECOND FIRST REASON FOLLOWED BY EVIDENCE). Similarly, the speaker mentions that (SECOND REASON FOLLOWED BY EVIDENCE)

Lastly, the writer points out (THIRD REASON FOLLOWED BY EVIDENCE). Furthermore, the speaker asserts that (THIRD REASON FOLLOWED BY EVIDENCE)

Independent Writing Format:

Introduction

1) What do you understand from the question? (1-2) Provide your understanding with one/two of the following methods - Background - Paraphrase - Quotation - Definition - Metaphor/Analogy 2) What is your answer to the question? (1) Provide your answer in the clearest/simplest/most direct possible manner. 3) What are the reasons for your choice? (1-2) Provide two reasons BRIEFLY

Body (Paragraph 2 & 3)

4) Can you repeat your first reason in detail? (1-2) 5) Can you explain your first reason? (1-2)

6) Can you provide an example to support your first reason? (3-4) 7) Can you explain your first example? (1-2)

8) Can you repeat your answer in a paraphrase manner? (1-2) 9) Can you repeat your second reason in detail? (1-2) 10) Can you explain your second reason? (1-2)

11) Can you provide an example to support your second reason? (3-4) 12) Can you explain your second example? (1-2)

13) Can you repeat your answer in a paraphrase manner? (1-2)

Conclusion

14) Can you repeat your answer and two reasons in a paraphrasing manner? (2-3) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Remember to ensure you write at least 450 words.

Do not type and delete over and over again, type out whatever that is in your head before

correcting all your grammar and spelling mistakes at the same time for each paragraph. Last but not least, PLAN! If you fail to plan, you plan to fail!

SPEAKING

Qn 1 (15 seconds to prepare and 45 seconds to speak)

- Try not to write notes because you would not have the time to write, think and prepare!

- Always start off your answer by repeating the question and end off by saying “for the following reasons.”

- Always look at the time!

- Group your format into 5 sec, 20sec, 20 sec. first 5 sec – provide an answer next 20 sec – provide a reason and elaborate last 20 sec – provide a second reason or an example to support your first reason Qn 2 (15 seconds to prepare and 45 seconds to speak)

- Write notes based on personal preference but it should be really short.

- Always start off your answer by repeating the question and end off by saying “for the following reasons.”

- Always look at the time!

- Group your format into 5 sec, 20sec, 20 sec. first 5 sec – provide an answer next 20 sec – provide a reason and elaborate last 20 sec – provide a second reason or an example to support your first reason - if it is a preference question, you can give one example to say why the side you have chosen is good and another example to show why the side you have not chosen is bad.

Qn 3 (30 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak) - You HAVE to write notes!

- NO personal opinions!!! You are only REPORTING! - Always look at the time!

- From the reading passage, please find out if the article is an announcement, letter or notice, Know what are the two reasons behind the announcement, letter or notice.

- From the listening passage, please find out if one of the speakers agrees or disagrees with the announcement, letter or notice, and the two reasons behind agreeing/disagreeing. - Group your format into 10 sec, 10sec, 10 sec, 5 sec, 10 sec, 10 sec first 10 sec – tell us what is the article and what it talks about next 10 sec – tell us the first reason given in the article next 10 sec – tell us the second reason given in the article

next 5 sec – tell us whether the speaker in the conversation agrees/disagrees next 10 sec – tell us the first reason given by the speaker next 10 sec – tell us the second reason given by the speaker

The remaining 5 seconds is for you to control because you might overshot some of the recommended time

Qn 4 (30 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak) - You HAVE to write notes!

- NO personal opinion!!! You are only REPORTING!

- From the reading passage, note down the title and the definition, do remember the definition is usually found in one of the sentence that contains the title. - Group your format into 10 sec and two sets of 25sec first 10 sec – tell us what is the title and the definition for the remaining 50 seconds, group into two groups of 25 sec based on your notes, always remember to look at the time. If you do not really understand the listening passage, do not GIVE UP, just repeat by saying a story based on notes you have written.

Qn 5 (20 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak) - You HAVE to write notes!

- Half personal, half REPORTING!

From the listening passage, determine the problem one of the speaker is having and the two possible solutions he/she have. Remember to also note that with each solution, there is a drawback.

- Group your format into 10 sec, 10 sec, 10 sec and two sets of 15sec first 10 sec – tell us the problem next 10 sec – tell us the first solution with the drawback next 10 sec – tell us the second solution with the drawback

In your remaining 30 sec, group into two groups of 15 seconds, in one of the set, eradicate the disadvantage of the solution you have chosen and in the next set, make the disadvantage of the solution you did not choose to be even worse.

Take note, if you spend more than 30 sec on summarizing the listening passage, then just focus on why you have pick the chosen solution by eradicating the disadvantage.

Qn 6 (20 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak) - You HAVE to write notes!

- No personal opinions, only REPORTING! - Just take notes!!!!!!

- Group your format into 3 sets of 20 sec or 2 sets of 30 sec

always remember to look at the time. If you do not really understand the listening passage, do

not GIVE UP, just repeat a story based on notes you have written.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Overall, remember to speak, do not keep quiet, control your hand movements, speak loudly and confidently, open up your mouth The best way to practice your speaking is to speak into a mirror!