Here’s how the TOEFL Integrated Essay works:
- It is the first writing task on the test.
- First, you will have three minutes to read an article (four paragraphs, 250-300 words) about an academic topic.
- Next, you will listen to a lecture (2-3 minutes) that opposes the main argument of the reading.
- Finally, you must write an essay (280-300 words) about the relationship between the two sources.
- You can read the article while writing your essay, but you cannot hear the lecture again.
- Note that the TOEFL no longer includes questions where the lecture supports the reading.
Styles of Questions
There are three styles of questions, the templates given below work for all three. The frequencies stated below are from a survey of about 400 students in 2020.
Opposition Style (80% of the time)
The reading makes a claim about a specific topic. It supports its claim using three specific arguments. The lecture opposes this claim and challenges the three arguments. The question will look something like this: “Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they oppose specific points made in the reading passage.”
Problems and Solutions Style (10% of the time)
The reading mentions three problems related to a topic or theory. The lecturer provides solutions to these three problems. The question will look something like this: “Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they answer the specific problems presented in the reading passage.”
Solutions and Problems Style (10% of the time)
The reading suggests three solutions to a problem. The lecturer feels that the solutions will not work. The question will look something like this: “Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they cast doubt on specific solutions presented in the reading passage.“
Understanding the Structure of the Article and Lecture
The article and lecture are structured the same way every week. The article begins with an introductory paragraph where the main topic is mentioned. Here the author describes his opinion or states which topic he will mention has problems.
The introduction of the article is followed by three body paragraphs. Each body paragraph contains one supporting argument (opposition style), one problem (problem and solution style), or one solution (solution and problem style).
After three minutes the article will disappear, and you will listen to a short lecture on the same topic. At the beginning of the lecture, you will hear the lecturer’s main idea. Here he states the opposite of the reading’s main argument, or says that there are solutions to the problems, or states that the given solutions are faulty.
The rest of the lecture consists of three opposing arguments, three solutions, or three problems. It is important to note that these counter-points directly challenge the three arguments/problems/solutions mentioned in the reading. Not only that, but they are in the same order.
This is illustrated in the following image. Note how the reading and lecture points match up perfectly in the same order.
Taking Notes
Now that you know how the sources are structured, note-taking should be easy. Do it just like this:
Remember that in addition to noting the points and counterpoints, you need to get some of the additional supporting details that are mentioned with them. In the sample essay below, I’ll show you some actual notes from a real question.
Writing Your Essay with Templates
Your TOEFL integrated essay must include an introduction and three body paragraphs. The following templates demonstrate how to write them. For more ideas about how to fill in the blanks, refer to the sample essay at the end of this article.
The Introduction
No matter what question style is used, write your introduction using the following template:
- The reading and the lecture are both about _____.
- The author of the article feels that ______. or: The author of the reading presents three theories about _____.
- The lecturer disputes the claims made in the article.
- His position is that _____.
The Body Paragraphs
Use the following templates for the body paragraphs:
- According to the reading _____.
- The article mentions that ____.
- This specific argument is challenged by the lecturer.
- He claims that ____.
- Additionally, he points out that ______.
–
- Secondly, the author suggests ______.
- In the article, it is said that _____.
- The lecturer, however, asserts that ______.
- He goes on to say that ______.
–
- Finally, the author posits that _____.
- The author contends that ____.
- In contrast, the lecturer’s stance is _____.
- He notes that _____.
You don’t need to write a conclusion.
Sample Essay Notes
To illustrate how to use these templates, this demonstrates a sample opposition-style question about Easter Island.
The notes about this question look like this:
You can see how the reading notes are on the left-hand side of the page, in the same order as the paragraphs in the article. You can also see how my listening notes are on the right-hand side of the page, in the same order as in the lecture. Arrows are used to make the connections clear. Remember that since you will be able to see the reading while you write the essay, you may not need to take detailed notes about it.
Sample Essay Paragraphs
The following essay is created using those notes, and the above templates.
The reading and the lecture are both about Easter Island. The author of the reading provides three theories about why the society on the island declined. The lecturer disputes the arguments made in the article. His position is that the theories do not explain what caused the collapse.
According to the reading, the collapse might have been caused by rats that ate the seeds of palm trees. The article mentions that this caused erosion and soil loss which made it difficult to grow food on the island. This specific argument is challenged by the lecturer. He claims that soil loss would not have totally disrupted the food supply because they were effective fishers and sixty percent of their diet came from the ocean. Additionally, he points out that they built special rock gardens with rich soil which were used to grow potatoes.
Secondly, the author suggests that the collapse may have been caused by warfare. In the article, it is said that the presence of thousands of blades used in large-scale conflicts have been found. The lecturer, however, asserts that the shape of the blades proves that they were not used as weapons. He goes on to say that they are neither sharp nor pointy, so they were probably just used to cut rocks during the construction of homes and statues.
Finally, the author posits that the population on the island could have been wiped out by diseases brought by foreign visitors . The author contends that the locals did not have immunity to these diseases. In contrast, the lecturer’s stance is that when contact was made, the population was only 3000. He notes that since the population was twenty thousand many years before then, the collapse must have started before Europeans arrived.
More Tips
- The lecture summary is the most important part of the essay. That should make up about 60% of each body paragraph. Shorten the reading summary if you need to save time.
- Aim for between 150 and 300 words in total.
- Avoid copying from the reading word for word. Paraphrase as much as you can.
- Save about one minute to proofread your work.
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