TOEFL Integrated Writing Section in TOEFL is the first writing task the candidate will be encountering. This writing task involves the candidate using various skills along with writing skills. In a section like this, the candidate needs to use his skills of listening and reading to further support his writing.

In the TOEFL integrated writing section, there will be a paragraph of 250-300 words on an academic topic. This paragraph must be read in 3 minutes or less. After the paragraph, an audio clip of a professor reading a passage on the same topic will be played. The audio will be for two minutes. The passage that is read aloud is usually an opinion of the writer or whether they agree or disagree with the content given in the paragraph. After the audio is played the candidate is not allowed to hear it again but he or she can read the paragraph again. To make sure that the candidate does not forget or confuse the points of the passage while recollecting it, the candidate can and is advised to take notes about the passage.

The paragraph and passage are the question base for the candidate to write a 150-225 words essay compiling all the important points. The time limit for answering the essay is 20 minutes. The essay must be summarising the points of the paragraph while also incorporating the points from the passage. Depending on the nature of the passage read the candidate will have to accordingly show how the passage was supporting or challenging the points of the paragraph. The candidate must stick to the views of the passage read and not write their own opinion. As the marking scale is 0-5 where the marks are given for selecting important information, accurately and correctly presenting the information and how relevantly it has been placed, it is important that the person understands the material thoroughly and revises their work before finishing their answers.

Important Things to Remember for Writing a Good TOEFL Integrated Essay

1. To write a good essay, it is important to understand the structure of the article and lecture before the exam date

The structure of both the article and lecture are the same. It starts with an introductory paragraph that will introduce the main topic discussed. Next is the body which will be 2-3 paragraphs, each highlighting and illustrating either an argument, problem, or a solution. The body of the article and lecture will be related in terms of the point being discussed. Knowing the structure of these beforehand will prevent the candidate from wasting time by looking for points or meddling up the importance of the various points.

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2. Taking notes to organise the points for a clear structure

In TOEFL reading, in the article the candidate should take down the main point in a vertical line and then during or after the lecture, noting down all the points corresponding to the point in the article beside the article notes. To illustrate how the notes would look here is an image.

These notes are apart from the details taken down from the audio that supports the point being made.

3. Template for the essay

Like the article and audio the structure must be clearly defined in the essay written by the candidate, it should contain an introduction and a body of 2-3 paragraphs.

The introduction should start in a neat and informative manner. For example:- The reading and the lecture are both about "the topic being discussed" with the lecture supporting/ challenging the article

Each paragraph of the body should present a different point along with a supporting point to back what the lecture is talking about. A template for the body paragraph-

To begin with,

1. the author argues that ------
2. The article mentions that -----

Secondly,

1. The writer suggests that ------
2. The lecturer, however, rebuts the point by mentioning that -----

Finally,

1. The author posits that ------
2. He notes that ------

A conclusion is not necessary but it is helpful to bring a clear and distinct end to the essay which helps to tie all the points together.

4. The summary of the lecture is the most important part of the essay. 60% of the body should be the summary and a very small percent of the body should be the article summary. Keeping that in mind, it is essential to not copy the reading word to word and paraphrasing it in one's own words.
5. Proofreading before moving on from the essay.

Try finishing the essay with a min or more in hand. In this time go through the essay once again and correct any silly errors or adding any forgotten points.

6. Practice a lot before the final date.

Using the official or the unofficial materials of TOEFL one should understand and practice TOEFL integrated writing tasks to efficiently complete the essay. As this is extensive and time-based, practice will help the candidate to improve their skills and give their best on the final exam date. TOEFL preparation books are available and there is a lot of unofficial material to refer to. For improving TOEFL listening one can listen to English channels and lectures while taking notes at the same time. Reading a newspaper every day or good literature books can help the candidate increase their reading pace. Maintaining a daily journal or writing on a daily basis on a variety of topics is a good practice for writing skills. To connect ideas and points in the article and lecture the candidate will require transition phrases and must use the appropriate ones. To use the right phrases at the right places the candidate can read sample answers from solved previous year papers.

After enhancing these skills the candidate can also attempt to practice questions with the help of previous papers, online mock exams that are available on multiple sites for free and many other practice books.

In conclusion, understanding the task in itself and with proper TOEFL writing preparation, candidates can secure a good TOEFL writing score.