Helpful Tips on How to Get a High TOEFL iBT Score:  www.bettertoeflscores.com

7-Step System to Passing the TOEFL IBT http://www.michaelbuckhoff.com 

Step 1 - Learn English Vocabulary Skills to Super-Size Your Vocabulary TOEFL iBT Vocabulary 

Step 2 - Learn English Pronunciation Skills to Target and Improve Your Pronunciation Weaknesses TOEFL iBT Pronunciation 

Step 3 - Learn English Grammar Skills to Evaluate Your Grammar Competencies TOEFL iBT Grammar 

Step 4 - Learn English Listening Skills to Analyze Your Listening Strengths and Weaknesses TOEFL iBT Listening 

Step 5 - Learn English Reading Skills to Develop Effective Reading Strategies TOEFL iBT Reading 

Step 6 - Learn English Writing Skills to Target and Improve Your Writing Weaknesses  TOEFL iBT Writing 

Step 7 -  Learn English Speaking Skills to Have an Organized Approach to Speaking TOEFL iBT Speaking 

January 2009

Notify MeboutNew TOEFL Tips
Name:
Email:

Michael Buckhoff's

English 306: Expository Writing

General Strategies for taking Essay Exams
Home (ESL Web Page)

 Home (English 306)

English 306 Syllabus 

Extra Credit

Assignment # 1

Assignment # 2

Assignment # 3

Editing exercises

Taking in-class essay examinations

Student comments about class 

 

 When answering essay exams, be sure that you follow these steps:

Read the question very carefully. Determine what the writing task is and how you will organize your answer.

After you read the question, restate the question in the form of a thesis. That way, you will frame your essay around the demands of the assignment. Your thesis statement should include three or four key points that will be discussed in the essay. Do not copy the question word for word. Restate the question in your own words as you create your thesis sentence. Be patient; this skill takes a lot of practice.

Because of the imposed time constraint, do not create a formal outline of your answer. However, do create a short shopping list of ideas that relate to the key points stated in your thesis.

Limit your focus. Do not say too much. General statements without support are not good. Detail statements without general statements are not good either. You must keep a balance.

Remember it is not how much you say but rather how you say it. The quality of your writing is more important than the quantity of your writing. I recommend that you follow the five paragraph essay format. That will show your readers that you have strong organizational skills in your writing.
Copyright (C) By Michael Buckhoff (MBuckhoff@aol.com)