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About
TOEFL Writing
Original Essay
I want to refresh my
memory and experiences about how Chinese-speaking students, as I
once was a long time ago, could learn to write a persuasive essay to
face the challenge of the TWE--test of written English, up to the
levels of TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS.
My first conviction is that reading constantly and extensively is a
never-failing step toward writing. Both reading and writing well can
be done almost by self-study. There is no shame at all if we are
Chinese-conscious in reading or writing English. This could not be
possibly avoided. I even go as far as to believe that no native
teachers of English are absolutely needed because they are mostly in
lack of cultural awareness needed to do the trick. Of course, it's
quite another story with learning to listen and to speak. Foreign
trainers always help in overcoming the fear of "losing face."
Then, talking about the TWE, it's just a test of English composition
of 30 or 40 minutes; but it requires a number of years of
preparation in both reading and writing, if necessarily all alone.
Once in the battle field, try to be more defensive than offensive.
Test takers will meet the No. 1 enemy: time limit. Don't plan a long
essay which you can't complete in time. In my opinion, just plan for
4 paragraphs which as a whole are well focused, well supported, well
organized, and well packaged.
1)Answer the question of a given topic by focusing a thesis,
2)Organize specific reasons to support the thesis,
3)Organize specific examples to support the thesis,
4)Conclude with a summary of mainpoints and re-state the thesis.
To follow this suggestion, it's important to plan your essay in
advance. Do not write straight away, but plan before you begin, by
jotting down briefly the mainpoints, supporting reasons and
examples. Write clear and simple sentences to express your meaning
in simple words. Stay focused on the thesis of your essay. Finally,
re-read your essay before the time limit.
The 4-paragraph format is also a traditional Chinese writing
form--start, continue, turn and conclude. There is no co-incidence,
though.
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Corrected Version
Taking a walk down
memory lane, I recall vividly the challenges I once faced as a
Chinese-speaking student in my attempt to write a persuasive essay
at the levels of
TOEFL,
TOEIC or IELTS.
I was convinced beyond
doubt that constant and extensive reading never fails to enhance our
writing skills. Unlike interactive activities like conversation,
both reading and writing skills can be accomplished without the need
of a facilitator. The fact that we sometimes struggle to break away
from the Chinese mindset even as we read or write
English essays should
not impede our efforts to make progress. I would even suggest that
native teachers of English, for their lack of cultural awareness and
sensitivities,
may not be the best
choice for students as a facilitator. On the other hand, speaking
and listening skills are best learned with the help of a foreign
teacher. Students tend
to be less
self-conscious when interacting with foreign teachers than with
their own peers.
Years of hard work and
diligence go into the preparation of TWE and the moment of truth is
revealed in the 30 minutes it takes to complete the test. Time is
the essence and proper planning will be crucial to your success. Do
not try to accomplish more than what you possibly can within the
given time. In my opinion, a four paragraph essay that is well
focused and substantiated is valued more than a lengthy essay that
rambles on without a clear direction.
1) Address the subject
in question with a clear focus on your hypothesis.
2 and 3) Provide
specific arguments with particular case studies to substantiate your
hypothesis.
4) Conclude with a
summary of the main points and reiterate your hypothesis.
Advance planning is
the key to success. Visualize your main points, supporting arguments
and case studies and have them jotted down. Do not use bombastic
words if
you cannot fit them
into your essay elegantly. Stay focused and review what you have
wriiten before submission time.
The four paragraph
approach to essay writing is also commonly found in Chinese essays,
and it shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone.
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Explanations
I want to refresh my
memory and experiences about how Chinese-speaking students, as I
once was a long time ago, could learn to write a persuasive essay to
face the challenge of the TWE--test of written English, up to the
levels of TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS.
Perfect
paragraph with no grammatical errors. Nevertheless, note the
following suggestions:
1)
"Refresh my memory" is great, but "Taking a walk down memory lane"
has a nostalgic feel.
2) "Vivid
memories" is a visual recall of past events that has had a deep
impression.
My first conviction (1) is that reading
constantly and extensively is a never-failing step toward writing.
Both reading and writing well can be done almost by self-study.
There is no shame (2) at all if we are
Chinese-conscious (3) in reading or
writing English. This could not be possibly avoided. I even go as
far as to believe that no native teachers of English are absolutely
needed because they are mostly in lack of cultural awareness needed
to do the trick (4) . Of course, it's
quite another story with learning to listen and to speak. Foreign
trainers always help in overcoming the fear of "losing face."
(1)
I think "conviction" is better used in matters of a more serious
nature.
eg: He
was obssessed by his religious convictions.
(2)
"Shame" would be too strong a word to use. Perhaps "embarrassment"
would be a better choice of words.
(3) "A
Chinese mindset" would better describe the manner of thinking here,
which is basically about how we are accustomed to think.
(4)
"Trick" would be a misplaced word here. Perhaps "... needed to
accomplish a task" would be preferrable.
(5)
"Losing face" is fine, within the Chinese context. Understand that
the concept of "losing face" may be something that other cultures
may fail to understand. Personally, I always believe we should write
with an international audience in mind.
Then, talking about the TWE, it's just a test of English composition
of 30 or 40 minutes; but it requires a number of years of
preparation in both reading and writing, if necessarily all alone.
Once in the battle field,(1) try
to be more defensive than offensive. Test takers will meet the No. 1
enemy: time limit. (2) Don't plan a
long essay which you can't complete in time. In my opinion, just
plan for 4 paragraphs which as a whole are well focused, well
supported (3), well organized, and well
packaged.
(1)
Not wrong, but to draw an analogy between a matter of academic
pursuit and doing battle in the battle field may be a little far
fetched.
(2) To
characterize "Time" as an enemy would be both fatalistic and
unhelpful.
(3)
"Supported" is great, but "Substantiate" is better.
1)Answer the question of a given topic by focusing a thesis,
(1)
2)Organize specific reasons to support the thesis,
3)Organize specific examples to support the thesis,
4)Conclude with a summary of mainpoints and re-state the thesis.
(1)
A "Thesis" or otherwise known as a "dissertation" would be a formal
academic undertaking, usually supported by irrefutable evidence. A
"hypothesis" would refer to an "assumption" or "conjecture" and is
more appropriate when an opinion is based more on a personal belief.
To follow this suggestion, it's important to plan your essay in
advance. Do not write straight away, but plan before you begin, by
jotting down briefly the mainpoints, supporting reasons and
examples. Write clear and simple sentences to express your meaning
in simple words. Stay focused on the thesis of your essay. Finally,
re-read your essay before the time limit.
The 4-paragraph format is also a traditional Chinese writing
form--start, continue, turn and conclude. There is no co-incidence,
though.
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