Integrated Writing Question Experience Needed

[sinachi]

Hi there,

Can anyone answer my question please?

Can we eliminate one of the arguments between reading and listening in the integrated writing task? (having two body paragraph insted of three).

[TOEFL Corey]

It does seem that there are two distinct styles to summarizing the reading and listening key points (arguments). If R1, R2, and R3 represent the three reading key points while L1, L2 and L3 represent the three corresponding points from the lecture, then you could either group all your reading and listening points separately and put them into separate paragraphs (Introduction, R1/R2/R3 body paragraph, and L1/L2/L3 paragaph) or match them up in pairs as you said (introduction, R1/L1, R2/L2, and R3/L3).

Personally, I think the second method is much better since it seems like the whole purpose of the task is not just summarizing but also comparing and contrasting between the two views of whatever the topic may be.

To answer the previous question, I would say "NO" -- I wouldn't skip one of the three body paragraphs. I recommend that students present all three pairs of corresponding key points (and also include at least one supporting detail or example with each).

[Englishraven]

I support Corey's recommendation above, and would go so far as to say that it is HIGHLY preferable for you to write paragraphs that match up the related R/L points section by section (rather than summarizing all the reading points in one paragraph and all the listening points in another).

This is because you need to remember that this task is all about integrating information - not simply summarizing it. If you put all your reading points in one paragraph and all the listening points in another, all you really have is an effective summary of two different sections of information. You are not showing any real ability to understand how the information in both sources works together (i.e. you're not really integrating the information!).

I also highly recommend that - for each paragraph - you relate information about a main idea from the lecture first, in detail, and then connect it to a short summarized version of the related point in the reading. The task will always get a higher score if you show more attention/emphasis to the lecture information. The reading passage is already on your screen, so it is easy to copy or paraphrase it in detail, but this will detract from your attention to detail from the lecture and result in a lower score.

[Maverick69]

Originally Posted by ivanstanchev

Hey ,anyone else ?
What do you think about the integrated essay ?Which way is better ?

To write about point A from the reading ,and then Point A from the listening ,explaining how the two points are related IN ONE PARAGRAPH,
then the same about point B ,in other paragraph ,and eventually point C in another paragraph

[sopotcela]

PUT CONTRADICTING/SUPPORTING POINTS IN ONE PARAGRAPH.

if you write two summary paragraphs you DONT CONTRADICT/SUPPORT points with each other.

this technique got me 28 (lots of spelling errors)

[gosha00]

Hi All!
I would strongly recommend to do standard intro, then 2-3 paras L1/R1-L2/R2-L3/R3. Don't use the template R1-R2-R3 in one para, and then L1-L2-L3 in second para.

I've took first exam 3 weeks ago and failed writing, got only 24 (R29, L30, S24), because I used R1-R2-R3 and L1-L2-L3 template suggested by barron's. I got only Fair for integrated writing, while Good for independent. I think the Fair grade was due to the wrong template, as the essay was overal good and I feel very comfortable writing in english (my job is connected with lot of writing in english). Anyway, I am atempting to rescore this writing?

Now I have a question regarding the length of integrated writing. should the length be in the recommended 150-225 range? Will it hurt if the length is >225? TOEFL Corey, Jason Renshaw what do you think?
thanks

[TOEFL Corey]

No Gosha00,

I don't think that's a problem at all. Word counts will vary depending on style (as well as how much specific support you add to each reading and/or lecture key point).

I recommend that my students follow the template you suggested: introduction, R1/L1, R2/L2, and R3/L3. When doing so, I notice that the word count is usually somewhere between 210 and 240 (for most students).

I also agree with you about the Barron's book when it comes to integrated writing -- the templates are not what I would recommend, and the tasks themselves don't match the true pattern of the ibt.

[gosha00]

Originally Posted by TOEFL Corey

No Gosha00,

I don't think that's a problem at all. Word counts will vary depending on style (as well as how much specific support you add to each reading and/or lecture key point).

I recommend that my students follow the template you suggested: introduction, R1/L1, R2/L2, and R3/L3. When doing so, I notice that the word count is usually somewhere between 210 and 240 (for most students).

I also agree with you about the Barron's book when it comes to integrated writing -- the templates are not what I would recommend, and the tasks themselves don't match the true pattern of the ibt.

Thanks for your reply!
But there is no additional poins for writing as much as possible in the integrated task, right? I.e. writing 300 or even more words..
I have heard that that in the case of independent task it makes sense to write as much as possiblle (400-500 words)

[TOEFL Corey]

No, I don't think that's true (for either the independent or the integrated essay). The number of words you type is no way correlates to the quality of the essay or your personal command of English grammar and/or vocabulary.

I have read independent essays of 450 words or more that were comletely unfocused, overly general, lacking of specific details, and riddled with errors. On the other hand, I have seen brilliant independent essays between 290 and 320 words, so I really don't think achieving a high word count should be a top priority at all. (However, if your independent word count is below 290, then it's probably an indication that you failed to properly support your thesis in the body paragraphs -- but THAT would be the weakness of the essay rather than any arbitrary word count).