| TOEFL - Writing |
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TOEFL Writing Test Preperation
Choosing the topic
Before you start writing your essay you should decide what
you are going to discuss in your paper. It does not matter whether you have
several topics to choose from or have your own, the topic should have something
to excite your interest.
This way you will make the writing process pleasant and enjoyable. For a start
you may acquaint yourself with several readings to find out if the topic is
interesting and to see the amount of the material available on this subject.
The scope of the topic is one of the most widespread problems for every student
who starts writing an essay paper. Many students regard such general words as
"love", "hate", or" peace" and "world" as topics. So, as the result they compose
a vague essay imbedded with platitudes and generalities, of no interest both to
the reader and the tutor.
Once you have come up with some general idea, you should narrow the subject. It
will you reduce the time spent on writing your paper as well as enormously
improve its quality.
First, you should think how you can narrow your topic, make it more specific,
divide it one several smaller topics. For example, if you would like to write an
article on "cats", you might ask several question s on this topic, such as:
The cats
Should I describe some specific specimen of cats, or the description of cats in
general would be sufficient?
What type of cats I would like to write about? Abyssinian? Oriental? Siberian?
What qualities of cats should be investigated and what types of their behavior
should be accessed?
Second, there is a contradiction: though the topic should be limited, do not
overdo it.
An extremely narrowed topic cannot make effective and efficient presentation.
Your topic may be organized as the following:
The subject investigated: The cats.
The specific topic of the investigation:
Problems with the basic health care for cats.
Brainstorming
Brainstorming is an effective and efficient activity to generate new ideas,
thoughts that eventually lead to the solutions of several problems at a time.
Brainstorming can be performed in groups or you can do it on you own. Start
brainstorming session, when you are refreshed and relaxed to produce ingenious,
original and creative ideas. Sit at the table and write down as many ideas on
this subject as possible - do not be afraid to sound silly, write everything
that occurs to you.
The next step is to bind your ideas and to assemble them into several topics,
which require more careful investigation. Then jettison all other ideas,
especially strange or irrelevant ones. Once you have finished this process you
will see that you have come up with the idea which can serve as the starting
point for the essay.
The following is more detailed process:
1. Come up with the existing problem that should be investigated. For many
people, the problem has some negative meaning. But here, you should present some
facts that should be explored; it does not mean that they have to be negative
ones. For example: "The efficiency of Basic Health Care for Cats".
2. Present it clearly, so that every person who reads it- understands what you
intend to say.
3. Discover as many solutions and answers to the problem as possible. Do not be
too shy - you should write down all solutions you have thought of, even if they
seem bizarre to you.
4. Select several (approximately five or six) ideas you like best. Select
several (approximately five or six) ideas you like best. Set several criteria
that give the best answer to the problem. Criteria may start with the word"
must" or "should".
5. Score every idea (from one to five for example), depending on how well it
corresponds to the criterion. Once all ideas have been scored, sum up the
points.
The idea with the highest score is actually the best one. Nevertheless, keep
notes of all the ideas, because even the best idea might not be workable in the
future.
If you still can not find the right topic, consult your tutor, he/she might be
able to help you.
Doing research
For most students the word” research “means surfing the Internet in search of
any relevant to their topic data. Such approach does not work for good academic
writing. First, because the internet does not control the quality of information
appearing on your screen. Second (more important), in most cases the search
engine will not lead you to the right type of information. So, how can you make
the best of your research? Read the following tips that will help you to
research efficiently. The research process involves four steps:
1. Find background information of your subject.
Once you’ve defined the topic of your writing, use references from the list of
the recommended literature to spot background information of your subject. First
do some preliminary reading of general reference material, like an encyclopedia,
dictionary, or other reference source.
2. Plan and search. Where can I find
information on my topic?
• In books or government documents ( use the library catalogue to find out what
books and documents are available )
• In periodicals (look up an article index to know what articles have been
published.)
• On the Internet.
This stage suggests processing a lot of information and finding the material
pertinent to your subject. So you will have to do extensive reading of the
sources you come across. Not to be tired and bored by looking through tons of
information use
the formula of “SQ3R”: Survey, Question, Read, Recall, Review.
Survey
– find the relevant sources of information. When you evaluate this or that book
or article, pay attention to: date of publication (you are not writing memoirs),
contents and index page; preface, first and last paragraphs.
Question-
before starting to read, ask yourself what you expect to find out
from this book( article). It will systematize your reading as you proceed.
Read –
The purpose of your reading is to find the vivid and powerful arguments to
support your idea in the shortest possible time. Using the following reading
techniques you will get the most of the material you have read:
Skimming the contents you get its general idea.
Scanning allows you find the material you need.
Doing search reading you concentrate on the meaning of the specific terms.
Perusing the text you should note down the information you are going to use in
your essay.
Reading may turn out to be a tiring and monotonous pastime for you. To refresh
your mind take regular breaks off. Your reading should be conscious. Make sure
you understand every idea presented in the book (article).
As you are researching compile a working bibliography (running list of the
material you read), later it will serve as a basis for your list of Works Cited.
3. Evaluate the information you have found.
The quality of your paper depends on the sources you have used for it. That is
why you should be able to differentiate between the authoritative and trivial
information. All the sources of information are divided into two large
categories: online or printed materials. As you evaluate the sources, mind the
following:
Magazines and newspapers are meant for general public rather than for academic
purposes. Do not support a significant argument or idea of your essay only with
a fact originated from the magazines as the data here is often invalid and
subjective.
Journal articles usually focus on research and experiment results and discuss
latest innovations in science as well as controversial issues in science.
Moreover they are peer-reviewed and carefully edited. Such approach guarantees
reliability and objectiveness of the information you are going to include into
your essay.
The Internet gives a more superficial look at the problem than the printed
editions, without the deep insight into the problem as in the printed academic
sources. But using organized subject directories, particularly those assembled
by professors and academic librarians you can come across useful information.
Subject directories are built by hand and usually contain only links screened
for quality and value.
4. Identify and include the most vivid and
convincing facts and evidence into your writing. Do not fail to note down
the source of every quote you are going to include in your essay when you are
still exploring the information.
Outline
The outline of the essay is the body of your paper. It can be presented either
in the form of diagram or in the point form. The point form gives you
opportunity to evaluate the order of presentation of the main ideas, to attest
the logic of your presentation and to spot down gaps or facts that are
irrelevant for your assignment.
The typical outline should comprise:
The statement of your thesis.
The most important points of your argument
Sub-points of your topic.
The evidence for each topic of the argument.
For example in our case with the topic: "The Basic Health Care for cats”- we
discuss if the medicine prescribed for humans might help in the treatment of
cats.
Once you have completed the investigation of your topic and have conducted all
necessary research you have discovered that it is not possible to come up with a
definite answer to this question. Your thesis might be that "It is not possible
to estimate the benefit of the human medicine for cats since very few evidence
is available".
Introduction
Some people cannot apprehend the aim of the introduction. They claim it is not
worth writing something you intend to describe later on in your paper. Yes, it
is an open secret that a work of fiction does not have any introduction telling
what is going to happen in the main part of the book. But an essay is not
fiction.
It is a detailed study of some facts or ideas that should be explored. Since all
major parts of the essay are built on the thesis, it is indispensable for the
researcher to acquaint the reader with the thesis and reveal its significance
and its relevance and meaning.
The introduction should be grabbing and impressive to induce the reader to read
further on. If the introduction is dull and mediocre the reader will not
proceed.
Present your introduction in a clear, precise and interesting way. Convince your
reader that your essay is worth reading.
Thesis statement
All papers that highlight controversial issues should comprise a thesis: a
statement that serves as the premise in the argument. Once you have come up with
the topic, the thesis should reveal your point of view on the subject and the
problem. Your point of view should be supported with reliable evidence. In the
process of developing the thesis, timing is one of the most crucial factors- so
develop your thesis at the very beginning of the essay writing process.
The thesis should guide in the course of writing; certainly you will acquire new
information and ideas as you go along but the thesis should serve you as one of
the starting points.
To formulate the thesis you should reconsider it several times and make some
preliminary readings and participate in the discussion of the problem. It is
necessary to ask several questions on the problem and prepare several answers.
Concentrate on the central issue, cynosure of the investigated problem. Thesis
is your answer to the main question.
Once you have formulated the thesis, convert it into a brief statement. The
thesis statement is put into the essay introduction and it should reveal your
point of view on the matter, or position you intend to support in your paper. A
well-formulated thesis is vital for your assignment - it is the central part of
your essay - all other parts of the essays are built on the basis of a strong
thesis.
A good thesis should neither be very long nor too short. One of the most
widespread mistakes that the students make in organizing their essays is the
simplification of the thesis (making statement that is well-known, banal or
obvious).
For example:
The topic: "The Basic healthcare for cats". The oversimplification of the
thesis: "Basic healthcare for cats is vital for these animals".
The thesis that is too broad:
"Basic health care for cats should comprise several services". (The writer might
wind up with the enumeration of the health care services that should be
provided, thus making the paper boring to read).
More perfected thesis:
"There is controversy as to whether human medicines are effective in treatment
of cats".
Body
Essay body is the main part of your writing where you present your thoughts and
evidence. Each body paragraph introduces a new idea, for example if you have
developed five ideas in your thesis you should present five paragraphs in the
body. You may begin by writing down one of your main ideas in the form of a
sentence. Consider you start research on the following topic: "The Current
Political Situation in Canada" you may start with the sentence: "The coming
elections will undoubtedly come up with the new faces".
Your paragraph should include supporting evidence to back up your ideas. In the
body of your essay you should show that you have examined, researched your topic
and that your arguments are reasonable and reliable.
Each paragraph should have an identical structure:
• Open it with a topic sentence bringing in the main idea of the paragraph.
• Write down the supporting points for the idea. They will make your thoughts
and assertions as much convincing as possible.
• You may include some conclusive or summary sentence, though it is not
obligatory.
Conclusion
Conclusion is the final part that summarizes your main points. It is the final
part that summarizes your main points. You should not face any difficulties in
this part, especially if you have had clear understanding of your thesis all way
through. If you experience some difficulties in summing up your main points,
then apparently you have not developed your thesis.
Your final part, conclusion, should correspond to your first part-introduction.
The main idea should be restated again (it should not be repeated or paraphrased
in the same words). The conclusion should emphasize the issue of your discourse.
Pay close attention to the main idea presented in the introduction. If the main
idea has been changed or modified during the process of writing the essay, then
you should reformulate your thesis in the introduction.
You may open your summary by reminding your thesis to the reader. First, you
must look trough the different components of your essay. Then emphasize your
thesis and convince your reader that you have made true and right assertions. In
the introduction you have acquainted your reader with your idea, you should
restate it, bearing in mind that the reader has already read the main part of
the paper. You should not repeat the introduction too closely - you must
remember the reader has already got your idea. Since the paragraph is conclusive
you should present your thesis in its conclusive and most compelling form.
One of the best ways to present the effective conclusion is to explain how
people can apply your solution to the bigger picture. The conclusion imbedded
with platitudes and generalities may weaken the final part of your essay.
This conclusion of the essay "The Efficiency of the US Aid to AIDS in Africa" is
an example how the thesis can be improved:
"Rather than use the AIDS epidemic as an opportunity to redress the under
financing of African health services, USAID would seem to be pursuing its
long-desired program goal of population control. The agency is insisting on the
nature of AIDS as an STD, the heterosexual transmission of AIDS in Africa, and
the importance of condom use to prevent HIV transmission. Of course condoms also
prevent conception. Although USAID projects a 30 to 50 percent increase in child
mortality as a result of the epidemic, it expects the population growth rate to
decline by only I percent, because total fertility is so high in Africa (Harris
1990). USAID concludes, "Not only is this not the time to diminish family
planning efforts, but instead such efforts could be redoubled . . ." (Merritt,
Lyerly, and Thomas 1988: 127)"
The broadening of your conclusion does not mean that you should present there
some new facts and materials you have not mentioned before. Your conclusion is
your last say. So, develop a strong conclusion to make a lasting impression on
the reader.
Editing and proofreading
“Writing is rewriting” D. Murray
Behind well-chosen words and cohesive structure of every elegant essay there are
hours of conscientious and thoughtful editing. Editing is what differs good from
poor writing and transforms a good essay into an excellent one.
Editing helps you to have a fresh and objective look at your essay and do away
with its weak points.
Editing is a careful process of going through your essay paragraph by paragraph,
sentence by sentence, word by word.
Proofreading and editing can seem an undertaking but if properly-organized they
will turn out to be a simple task.
Take a break between writing and proofreading. You should have a clear mind and
enough time to do a quality editing of your draft.
Follow these ten steps to conduct an effective editing:
1. Start editing your essay with the spellchecker and grammar checker option on
your computer.
2. The next stage aims to check on the content of your writing. Print out the
copy of your essay and edit it manually. Read the thesis and see if it:
• is clear and easy to grasp?
• reflects the content of the essay? If not, rewrite it.
3. Then go on to editing the introduction. Make sure that it is concise and
adequately developed. It should be not just a statement of your intentions and
opinion.
4. Check if each paragraph contains relevant information and is free of
meaningless sentences. There should be transition sentences linking the
paragraphs. Otherwise your writing will look jerky without a clear transition
from one point into the next. Try reading backwards, a sentence at a time. You
will be able to focus on the sentences, rather than on the content of your
essay. Refine your sentences and make them smooth and clear. Get rid of too long
sentences. Pay attention to the rhythm of your writing: vary sentence lengths
and patterns.
5. The conclusion is the last thing the professors read and the first thing they
remember. So make sure it is consistent with the structure of the essay and
refers to the thesis statement.
6. Once you have edited the content of your essay, manually check for spelling,
grammar, and punctuation errors, as computer checkers sometimes cannot guarantee
the absence of errors in your writing. Proofread for one type of error at a
time. If commas are your weak point, look through your paper checking only that
problem. Then proofread again for the next most frequent problem. Be especially
attentive when checking your references. Make sure all the cited and paraphrased
material is properly referenced.
7. Read your essay aloud. It will help you to see the difference between what
you intended to write and what you actually wrote.
8. Ask somebody to read through your paper and offer suggestions for polishing
it.
9. Use a word processor to perform one last spell and grammar check. If time
permits, read through it once more before submitting it.