Writing+Skill+9

 listen [|here] INDEPENDENT TASK Writing Skill 9: PLAN BEFORE YOU WRITE The first and most important step in the independent task in the Writing section of the TOEFL iBT is to decode the essay topic to determine what the intended outline is. Writing topics generally give very clear clues about how your answer should be constructed. It is important to follow the clear clues that are given in the topic when you are planning your answer. You will probably not be given too much credit for a response that does not cover the topic in the way that is intended. Study the following essay topic. Essay Topic **Some people prefer to work in groups on projects, while other people prefer to work alone. What are the advantages of each, and which do you prefer? Use details and examples support your response.** As you read this topic, you should quickly determine that the overall organization of your response should be **an introduction, supporting paragraphs about the advantages of working in groups and the advantages of working alone on projects (with examples showing the advan­tages), and a conclusion.** You should take a few minutes before you begin to plan your ideas. Study the following plan for an essay on the given topic. [. //INTRODUCTION: advantages of working individually and in groups SUPPORTING PARAGRAPH 1: advantages of working in groups (advantages): • opportunity to learn from others •. less work for individual members (example): • group project in history (four people, some know things others don't. one quarter of the work for each one) SUPPORTING PARAGRAPH 2: advantages of working individually (advantages): • previous success in working this way • enjoyment of doing work when and how r want (example): • individual project in history (working alone, doing work my way, getting good grade) CONCLUSION: • better for me to work individually In this example. there are 'two advantages of working in groups and two advantages of work­ing individually, and examples are provided.// WRITING SKILLS 273 The following chart outlines the key information that you should remember about plan­ning before you write.