Tài liệu Toefl exam success in only 6 step part 10 pdf

to present those reasons is by rank. Organize ideas from the least important to the most important reason,

from the least compelling to the most compelling example.

Order of importance is the structure writers most often use when they are developing an argument. And

that’s essentially what your TOEFL essay will be: a brief argument expressing and explaining your opinion.

The least-to-most important structure works well in arguments because it creates a “snowball” effect. Each

idea builds upon the ones that came before it. And when you save your best (strongest) idea for last, your con￾clusion will have more impact.

Notice, for example, how we might organize the support for the movie essay brainstorming above:

Introduction: I prefer movies that do both.

Thesis: To me, a good movie is one that both entertains me and makes me think.

Body:

Reason 1: I don’t like to feel like I’ve wasted time.

Reason 2: I like getting lost in another world for two hours.

Reason 3: I like having something new or interesting to think about.

Example 1: Planet of the Apes

Example 2: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Example 3: AI

Conclusion:

Concluding Statement: As illustrated by my examples, I prefer movies that entertain me and

make me think.

Here, the most important reason and the most compelling example come third in each list.

STRONG SUPPORTING PARAGRAPHS

Outlining your ideas not only sets up an effective organization. It can also show you if your essay is sufficiently

developed. For an essay to be effective, each paragraph needs to be effective, too. And that means each para￾graph needs to be sufficiently developed.

While there is no magic formula, there are some general guidelines regarding paragraph length. A para￾graph with just one sentence—unless that sentence is specifically set off to create a special effect—is too short.

It doesn’t sufficiently develop its idea. A paragraph with ten sentences, on the other hand, is probably too long.

There’s likely to be more than one idea developed in that paragraph. (Remember, a paragraph, by definition,

is a group of sentences about the same idea.) For an essay of this type, paragraphs of three or four sentences

each should be enough to explain and provide specific details and examples for each of your supporting ideas.

To help develop your paragraphs, expand your outline. For each main supporting idea, list at least one

specific detail or example. Imagine each paragraph as a mini-essay, with its own thesis (topic sentence) and

support (specific examples and details). Notice how the outline above can be expanded as follows:

–WRITING–

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