TOEFL template (Writing task 1)

1. Begin with a topic sentence that summarizes the main point of the lecture.

Examples:
According to the lecture,
Based on the lecture,
The lecturer states/believes that
The lecturer talks about
The lecturer discusses

2. Next, explain whether the passage refutes or supports the main point of the
lecture.
3.
Examples (Contrast):
By contrast, the author of the passage explains/states/posits that
The author of the passage, however, disagrees with this idea/belief. Instead, he/she
believes that
The author of the passage, however, doubts this idea/belief and thinks that
The author challenges this point, however, by explaining/suggesting/positing that

Examples (Agreement):
This line of thinking agrees with that of the author, who states that
The author of the passage agrees with this notion/idea/belief, stating that
Likewise, the author of the passage explains/states/posits that
The author of the passage supports this idea/belief, explaining that

PARAGRAPH 2 (BODY)

In this paragraph, youll want to focus on one of the key points in the lecture and
explain whether the passage refutes or supports this idea.

1. Introduce the main point youll be discussing.

Examples:
First, the lecturer asserts/claims/suggests that
For one, the lecturer thinks/believes that
The first point the lecturer makes is that

2. Next, describe this particular point in more detail and then discuss how the passage
either refutes or supports it. I suggest using one to two sentences here.

Examples:
On the other hand, the author asserts/claims/suggests that
Likewise, the author thinks/believes that
This concept is refuted/supported by the passage, which asserts/claims/suggests that
3. Finally, conclude your paragraph by explaining what this difference or similarity
means.

Examples:
This difference/similarity ultimately means/indicates that
Basically, the lecturer/author is saying that
The lecturer and author are essentially in agreement with each other. Both think/believe
that
Clearly, the lecturer and author maintain different views on

PARAGRAPH 3 (BODY)

In this paragraph, youll focus on another key point in the lecture and again discuss how
the passage either agrees or disagrees with this idea. The structure here is essentially
identical to that of paragraph 2, so make sure you are using new transitions and varying
your word choice.

1. Start by introducing the second point in the lecture youll be discussing. Because
this is your second body paragraph, do not use transitions such as first or first of
all.

Examples:
Second, the lecturer argues/contends/asserts that
Next, the lecturer suggests/proposes that
Another key point the lecturer makes is that

2. Next, explain this key point in more detail and elaborate on how it is either
refuted or supported by the passage. As with paragraph 2, I recommend using one
to two sentences here.

Examples:
In other words, the lecturer is suggesting/proposing that
The author, however, agrees/disagrees with this idea/belief, suggesting/proposing that

Similarly, the author argues/contends/asserts that

3. Finally, explain what this difference or similarity means.

Examples:
What this difference/similarity means is that
This difference/similarity in thinking tells us that
Evidently, the lecturer thinks/believes that , whereas the author thinks/believes that