BOOKS Princeton Review & ETS are the best books for writing preparation.

n. Barron's gives good hints about how to structure the essay

INDEPENDENT WRITING
LENGTH IS IMPORTANT. Secret of scoring a perfect score = LENGTH, GRAMMAR & SPELLING. Make sure these are perfect high score. Be as relevent as possible My essay in 2004 (5.5/6) - 350 words. My 2007 essays (30) - over 600.

SUPPORTING IDEAS
Approach to improve length: + Start with General Examples: Borrow as much as u can from the prompt to write out general examples. + Specific Examples: Borrow as many relevent examples from Art, Literature, Shakespeare, History, World War II, Business, Science, Technology Have a few examples ready recycle in any essay. + Get stuck for General & Specific Examples use PERSONAL EXAMPLES. Come up with a story of an imaginary aunt, uncle or distant cousin relevant to TOEFL essay

explain a lot in one particular example plausible argument I use only one example for one essay to cover all concerning aspects. I write 2 supporting points & 2 undermining points. I try my best to substantiate my argument & negate my opponent's argument with only 1 example

defend ur argument + undermine ur opponent side Some fancy & big words for essays: + Contend, assert, argue, claim

+ Plausible, convincing, compelling (= believable) + Undermine, weaken, negate , nullify, cast doubt ( = make it not believable/ not reasonable) + Substantiate, support, strengthen (= make it stronger) PRACTICE
write as much as possible on previous toefl topics. At least 2-3 essays/week increase ur typing speed more time to proof read ur essay...

INTEGRATED WRITING
Task: U will read something, then be exposed to a university lecture. But it seems that what u read & what u hear contradict each other. How would u describe that it may cast doubt on what u read? (Model question may vary). My topic about teamwork. On passage, teamwork is very rewarding, etc but infact when u listen to the professor talking, there are many disadvantage in teamwork. Write why such doubt causes concern to teamwork (comparison?) YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO STATE OPINION. Response is pretty short. (between 135 - 225 words)

READING
Spend time organizing the thoughts in the passage. + Write down 1 sentence summarizing each paragraph on scrap paper i.e. Paragraph 1: Paragraph2: Paragraph3:

LISTENING
+ take down as many notes as physically possible. + organize notes into relevant paragraphs. + Take down all the words in the recording if possible.

WRITING
+ U're not supposed to copy from the passage word to word.

type out the jist of each paragraph.

+ add from ur listening notes. U can copy the listening exactly with quotes like the lecturer said XYZ add length to ur essay + Type ur INTRODUCTION in 3 MINS TYPE UR CONCLUSION & FILL UP IN BETWEEN ensure that UR PASSAGE IS STRUCTURALLY CORRECT (IMPORTANT) + U DONT FACE A SITUATION IN WHICH UR ESSAY CAN BE SUBMITTED WITHOUT A CONCLUSION. Clearly portray the message u want to send out. Capture main point & clearly state them. Effective contrasting of points will get u a higher score.