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Expect structure. The main point will come first followed by explanations, examples,
and reasons.
Put things in your own words. Avoid the trap of copying down exact phrases.
Make sure you've covered the 5W's and How. Do you know who, what, when,
where, why, and how? You must mention specific details in your answer.
Your next task is to show how the lecture challenges or supports the reading. Begin by typing out
an outline so your essay has a clear, coherent structure. You can fill it in and delete as you write.
Choose your words carefully so that you are answering the exact question that is asked. Just
writing generally about the subject will not get you high marks.
Here are some key phrases you can use in your essay.
Challenges the reading
contest, dispute, query, question
doubt, mistrust
object (to), protest
oppose, resist, defy, face
Supports the reading
advocate, back, champion
confirm, bear out, corroborate, substantiate
validate, verify, vindicate
help, boost, support
Okay. So without a doubt, the integrated writing section on the TOEFL is approached with apprehension
by students worldwide. How can I possibly understand the lecture? How do I link the reading and the
listening? How on Earth am I going to finish this essay in 20 minutes?
Fear not. Lets take a look at some of the aspects of the integrated writing section and break down some
myths that might surface around this topic.
Aspect #1: Reading vs. Listening: Which one matters the most?
Many students are often thrown off by this question. After all, isnt it an equal divide in terms of both
the reading and the listening? Well almost. To be quite honest, the prompt for the integrated writing
will always go as follows:
Summarize the lecture, making sure to cast doubt (or compliment) points made in the reading.
Remember this means your primary task is to summarize the lecture, bringing in information from the
reading when its relevant and worthy to do so.
Words of wisdom: Block format is a last resort. Strive for an integrated essay thats point by point; the
mark of an advanced writer!
Aspect #3: How should my Essay be Structured?
Technically, your essay should be anywhere from 150 225 words. That totals to about two long
paragraphs, or three moderately short ones. Do you need an introduction? Absolutely. But, my advice is
to keep it brief. A common way to begin the integrated essay is: Both the reading and the listening talk
about ______. Give us a general idea of what the topic is before we get into points of similarity or
contradiction.
A conclusion? Well, only if you have time. This essay is roughly half the length or two thirds the length of
your independent essay, so a conclusion several sentences long is not all that realistic in twenty
minutes. If you have time and are not sacrificing seconds from the editing stage, feel free to include a
general concluding sentence restating what you said in your introduction with more specifics. However,
if youre running out of time and want to make sure and leave two minutes to edit simply end your
integrated essay with your final point of similarity or contradiction.
Above all draw connections from the reading and the listening whenever possible.
Suggested Outline:
1st Paragraph:
Use:
2nd Paragraph:
Use:
The following TOEFL iBT Integrated Writing template is the template which I used when I answered the
question: Summarize the points made in the lecture you just heard, explaining how they cast doubt on
the points made in the reading.
Paragraph I
In this set of materials, the reading passage mentions/describes/explains the theory/research
result/....................... that ......................................................................... . On the other hand, the
lecturer is not sure/doubtful with the theory/research result/................. .
Paragraph II
According to the reading passage, the theory/research result/............... states that
............................................................................................................................................. by giving three
reasons as follows:
(1)....................................................................................................................................................................
.
(2)....................................................................................................................................................................
.
(3)....................................................................................................................................................................
..
Paragraph III
On the other hand/However, the lecturer/the professor in the listening passage is not sure with the
theory/research result mentioned in the reading passage by describing three reasons as follows:
(1)....................................................................................................................................................................
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(2)....................................................................................................................................................................
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(3)....................................................................................................................................................................
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Clues:
- The First paragraph is only the opening. So, just write it in brief.
- In the 2nd paragraph you summarize the reading passage content, but do not copy and paste it to your
writing. You should paraphrase it (use other words but it is still the same meaning as the reading). You
can also change the structure of the sentence, for example if the statement in the reading is active
voice you can make it in the passive voice. Again, just for your attention! Do not copy paste unless
you want to get zero score. And, do not type it too much here.
- In the 3rd paragraph you should elaborate the reasons why the lecturer/the professor is not sure with
the theory/the research result. Here, you should also connect the professor reasons with the reasons in
the reading passage. Focus and give more elaboration here. Based on my experience, I elaborate more
the professor explanation here, and I got the Good score in the Integrated Writing task. So, my
conclusion (correct me if I am wrong) is that the test rater gives more weight in this paragraph.
Paragraph 1 (introduction):
For the next two body paragraphs use the same template but substitute "second" and "third" at
the beginning.
Paragraph 5 (conclusion):
Note that I generally do not recommend that students write a conclusion to the integrated essay
(there is little time to do so), but if you feel that you must write one, you can use this short
template: