Do you Want to Reduce Mistakes in TOEFL Writing?
Hello! This is TestGlider, the world’s leading AI English test tutor, trusted by 720,000 users globally. Do you find yourself consistently losing points in the TOEFL writing section despite your hard work? If your scores aren’t improving even after solving writing prompts and receiving feedback, it might be time to check for some common mistakes in your writing. Unlike reading or listening sections, TOEFL writing requires more focus due to its subjective nature. To achieve a high score, it’s crucial to avoid some typical mistakes that even perfect scorers don’t make. By keeping these common pitfalls in mind and applying careful attention while writing, you can easily achieve your desired score. Today, let’s explore the top 5 mistakes TOEFL test-takers commonly make in the writing section, and check out some tips to improve!
Top 5 TOEFL Writing Mistakes!
1. Using Overly Complex Vocabulary
Vocabulary used in TOEFL writing significantly impacts your score.
Many students attempt to use complex vocabulary, which often results in words that don’t match their level. For example, changing “Learning plays an important role in life” to “Intellectual fortitude envelops each and every facet of our sentient experience” may not be effective. Overly complex words can make your writing sound awkward.
TOEFL Writing Tip: Use appropriate vocabulary and paraphrase sentences effectively!
Choose words that you understand and can use comfortably. When repeating vocabulary, try slight variations to introduce more complexity. For instance, you could change “in life” to “in all aspects of life” and “important” to “critical”, while replacing “Learning” with “Education”, resulting in “Education plays a critical role in all aspects of life.” This approach maintains clarity while introducing a suitable level of complexity.
2. Copying the Text Directly
In TOEFL’s new writing task types, such as ‘class discussion’, you need to add your opinion.
Many students simply copy the text, which won’t earn you a good score.
TOEFL Writing Tip: Add personal experiences and examples to build strong arguments.
Incorporate your own thoughts and provide personal experiences or examples to support your responses.
For example, let’s suppose that you’re faced with a discussion topic about the impact of digital communication on personal relationships.
[TOEFL writing, discussion type sample]
Your professor is teaching a class on communication studies.
Write a post responding to the professor’s question.
In your response, you should:
-express and support your opinion
-make a contribution to the discussion
An effective response will contain at least 100 words.
Dr. David
Over the next few weeks, we will delve into the impact of modern technology on interpersonal relationships. We will explore various materials discussing how technology shapes our social interactions. But first, I want to hear your thoughts on this topic. Here’s a question for our class discussion board:
Do you think that digital communication platforms (like social media, video calls, etc.) help or hinder the development of close personal relationships? Why do you think so?
When responding to such questions, make sure your answers do not duplicate examples provided by other students.
For instance, it’s beneficial to include personal experiences like, “Zoom meetups at my own job are just not enough to build close relationships.”
3. Submitting the Essay Immediately
With the TOEFL writing section time reduced from 50 minutes to 29 minutes, you might feel rushed.
Even with the shortened time, submitting immediately is not advisable.
TOEFL Writing Tip: Take a brief time to review the content and grammar.
Instead of rushing to the next question, review your essay to correct content and grammar errors. It’s essential to check these aspects separately, as trying to do both at once can lead to missed errors.
4. Including Extra Information in Integrated Tasks
For TOEFL-integrated writing tasks, you should only use information from the provided reading material and lecture.
Unlike discussion tasks, you should not include additional external information.
TOEFL Writing Tip: Paraphrase and summarize the reading material and lecture content.
Instead of copying text, summarize the material in your own words.
Make sure to reflect on how the lecture contradicts or supports specific points from the reading material.
If you’re interested in more tips on writing integrated TOEFL essays, be sure to check out the post below!
5. Confusing Verb Tenses
Confusing verb tenses is a common mistake in writing.
Correct use of past, present, and present perfect tenses is crucial in TOEFL writing.
TOEFL Writing Tip: Check verb tenses before submission!
Before submitting, review the tenses used in your essay.
Ensure that each tense is used appropriately for the context, as mistakes in tense usage are a common issue.
By avoiding these mistakes and employing the right practice strategies, you can improve your TOEFL writing scores. If you need further assistance, consider joining TestGlider for comprehensive TOEFL preparation!