Independent(13)

iBT Writing Question: Independent - Outlining

Outlining is important for both essays on the Toefl test. However, it is doubly important when doing the independent writing task. This is because the integrated task already provides you with some structure; all you really have to do is follow the structure of the lecture, which is one reason why your time limit is shorter than it is with the independent task.

On the independent task, however, one of the things you will be graded on is your essay's structure. It is important that you follow standard essay-writing format, and not skip the outlining process.

A teacher (or test scorer) can spot an essay written without an outline almost immediately. The telltale signs are a rambling and disorganized structure, paragraphs that contain unrelated elements, assertions that aren't supported, and a general breakdown near the end, where the student always runs out of time.

It takes about 2 minutes to make a good outline, after you've brainstormed on the topic for a few minutes. Outlines don't have to be fancy; you needn't use complete sentences or write things in detail. Come up with a thesis statement first; make sure it states your opinion clearly. Then work on the topic sentences for each paragraph, and finally the support ideas. If you like you can also plan a conclusion, but since the conclusion is usually a restatement of the thesis, you don't have to spend much time on it.

And that's it; you've spent two minutes, but now you've mapped out the whole course of your writing. It's just a matter of taking the keywords and phrases in your outline and fleshing them out to full-length sentences. By following the outline like a blueprint, you are assuring yourself of a consistent structure, and will impress the graders that you understand the basic dynamics of essay writing.

POSTED BY TOEFL MONKEY AT 7:26 AM LINKS TO THIS POST    

LABELS: IBT WRITING QUESTION: INDEPENDENT

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2007