Writing a TOEIC Essay
Content & Organization
By
Mr. Lasley
Foreign Languages Teaching & Learning Center
Feng Chia University
The TOEIC Writing Test
1
The TOEIC writing test includes eight questions that measure different aspects of your English writing ability. The test lasts
approximately one hour.
Questions
Task
Evaluation Criteria
1-5
Write a sentence based on a picture
Grammar, Relevance of the sentences to the pictures
6-7
Respond to a written request
Quality and variety of your sentences; Vocabulary; Organization
8
Write an opinion essay
Whether your opinion is supported with reasons and/or examples;
Grammar; Vocabulary; Organization
For each type of question, you will be given specific instructions, including the time allowed for writing.
1. Write a sentence based on the picture.
You will have eight minutes to complete this part of the test. (Remember, there are 5 pictures in this part of
the test.)
2
2. Respond to a correspondence.
Directions: Respond to the e-mail. Respond as if you have recently moved to a new city. In your email to the committee, make at least TWO requests for information.
_____________________________________________________________________________
From: Dale City Welcome Committee
To:
New Dale city Resident
Subject: Welcome to your new home!
Sent:
July 23, 4:32 P.M.
Welcome! We would like to be the first to welcome you to Dale city. We know that there are many
things to do when you move, from finding your way around town to setting up your utilities. Please
contact us if you need any help at all.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Write your response in this space.
3
3. Write an opinion essay.
In this part of the test, you will write an essay in response to a question that asks you to state,
explain, and support your opinion on an issue. Typically, an effective essay will contain a minimum
of 300 words.
Your response will be scored on whether you opinion is supported with reasons and/or examples,
grammar, vocabulary, and organization. You will have 30 minutes to plan, write, and revise your
essay.
Directions: Read the question below. You have 30 minutes to plan, write, and revise your essay.
Typically, an effective response will contain a minimum of 300 words.
_____________________________________________________________________________
There are many ways to find a job: Internet job search websites, newspaper advertisements, and
personal recommendations. What do you think is the best way to find a job? Give reasons or
examples to support your opinion.
_____________________________________________________________________________
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5
Writing a TOEIC Essay
Content & Organization
6
Writing a TOEIC Essay
Content
Prompt: There are many ways to find a job: Internet job search websites, newspaper advertisements,
and personal contacts. What do you think is the best way to find a job? Give reasons or examples to
support your opinion.
Using a Mind Map
Looking
for a Job
7
Prompt: There are many ways to find a job: Internet job search websites, newspaper advertisements,
and personal contacts. What do you think is the best way to find a job? Give reasons or examples to
support your opinion.
Internet
Job Banks
Looking
for a Job
8
Prompt: There are many ways to find a job: Internet job search websites, newspaper advertisements,
and personal contacts. What do you think is the best way to find a job? Give reasons or examples to
support your opinion.
Internet
Job Banks
Looking
for a Job
Newspapers
9
Prompt: There are many ways to find a job: Internet job search websites, newspaper advertisements,
and personal contacts. What do you think is the best way to find a job? Give reasons or examples to
support your opinion.
Internet
Job Banks
Looking
for a Job
Personal
Contacts
Newspapers
10
11
Internet
Job Banks
Jr
High
High
College
Looking
for a Job
Classmates
Newspapers
Personal
Contacts
Friends of
Parents and
Relatives
Time
Available
24/7
NeedsSkills
matched
Internet
Job Banks
Large
volume
Jr
High
Daily
updates
High
College
Looking
for a Job
Classmates
Newspapers
Personal
Contacts
Friends of
Parents and
Relatives
Time
12
Available
24/7
NeedsSkills
matched
Internet
Job Banks
Large
volume
Jr
High
13
Daily
updates
High
College
Looking
for a Job
Classmates
Newspapers
Personal
Contacts
Friends of
Parents and
Relatives
Time
Local
Ads
$$
Time
Weekly
Updates
Available
24/7
NeedsSkills
matched
Internet
Job Banks
Large
volume
Jr
High
14
Daily
updates
High
College
Looking
for a Job
Classmates
Newspapers
Personal
Contacts
Friends of
Parents and
Relatives
Time
Local
Ads
$$
Time
Weekly
Updates
Available
24/7
NeedsSkills
matched
Internet
Job Banks
Large
volume
Jr
High
Daily
updates
High
College
Looking
for a Job
Classmates
Personal
Contacts
Friends of
Parents and
Relatives
Time
15
Available
24/7
NeedsSkills
matched
Internet
Job Banks
Large
volume
Jr
High
Daily
updates
High
College
Looking
for a Job
Classmates
little
experience;
few contacts
Personal
Contacts
Friends of
Parents and
Relatives
Too much trouble;
too dependent
Time
16
Available
24/7
Large
volume
NeedsSkills
matched
Internet
Job Banks
Daily
updates
Looking
for a Job
17
Prompt: There are many ways to find a job: Internet job search websites, newspaper advertisements,
and personal contacts. What do you think is the best way to find a job? Give reasons or examples to
support your opinion.
NeedsSkills
matched
Available
24/7
Large
volume
Finding a
Job at an
Internet
Job Bank
Daily
updates
18
Your First Stop in Finding the Ideal Job – The Internet Job Bank
19
NeedsSkills
matched
Available
24/7
Large
volume
Finding a
Job at an
Internet
Job Bank
Daily
updates
20
Writing a TOEIC Essay
Organization
Company Letterhead
21
Date
Inside Address
Reference
Salutation
Body
Why are we writing
Description of situation (history)
What we have done so far
What we would like them to do
Closing (Thank you; we look forward)
Complimentary Close
Signature Block
Notations
Title
22
Salutation
Body
Why are we writing
Description of situation (history)
What we have done so far
What we would like them to do
Closing (Thank you; we look forward)
Your First Stop in Finding the Ideal Job – The Internet Job Bank
23
Salutation
Body
Why are we writing
Description of situation (history)
What we have done so far
What we would like them to do
Closing (Thank you; we look forward)
Your First Stop in Finding the Ideal Job – The Internet Job Bank
24
Introduction – (Thesis Statement)
Body
Why are we writing
Description of situation (history)
What we have done so far
What we would like them to do
Closing (Thank you; we look forward)
Your First Stop in Finding the Ideal Job – The Internet Job Bank
25
Introduction – (Thesis Statement)
Body
Why are we writing
Description of situation (history)
What we have done so far
What we would like them to do
Conclusion
Your First Stop in Finding the Ideal Job – The Internet Job Bank
26
Introduction – (Thesis Statement)
Body
What we think
Idea 1
Idea 2
Idea 3
Idea 4
Conclusion
Your First Stop in Finding the Ideal Job – The Internet Job Bank
27
Introduction – (Thesis Statement)
Body
What we think
Idea 1
supporting sentence (example)
Idea 2
supporting sentence (anecdote)
Idea 3
supporting sentences (examples)
Idea 4
supporting sentences
Conclusion
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Writing an English Essay
Outline Format
Title
Introduction - (Thesis statement)
Body
Key point 1 (Topic statement in first sentence)
Supporting idea
Supporting detail
Supporting detail
Supporting idea - Supporting detail
(Transition sentence)
Key point 2 (Topic statement in first sentence)
Supporting idea
Supporting idea
(Transition sentence)
Key point 3 (Topic statement in first sentence)
Supporting idea
Supporting idea
(Transition sentence)
Key point 4 (Topic statement in first sentence)
Supporting idea
Supporting idea
(Concluding sentence)
Conclusion
Repeat thesis statement (reworded)
Summarize key points
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Your First Stop in Finding the Ideal Job – The Internet Job Bank
30
Introduction - (Thesis statement)
Body
Key point 1 (Topic statement in first sentence)
Supporting idea
Supporting detail
Supporting detail
Supporting idea - Supporting detail
(Transition sentence)
Key point 2 (Topic statement in first sentence)
Supporting idea
Supporting idea
(Transition sentence)
Key point 3 (Topic statement in first sentence)
Supporting idea
Supporting idea
(Transition sentence)
Key point 4 (Topic statement in first sentence)
Supporting idea
Supporting idea
(Concluding sentence)
Conclusion
Repeat thesis statement (reworded)
Summarize key points
Volume * 24/7 * Skills/Needs Match * Updated Daily
Your First Stop in Finding the Ideal Job – The Internet Job Bank
31
Introduction - (Thesis statement)
Body
Key point 1 (Topic statement in first sentence)
Supporting idea
Supporting detail
Supporting detail
Supporting idea - Supporting detail
(Transition sentence)
Key point 2 (Topic statement in first sentence)
Supporting idea
Supporting idea
(Transition sentence)
Key point 3 (Topic statement in first sentence)
Supporting idea
Supporting idea
(Transition sentence)
Key point 4 (Topic statement in first sentence)
Supporting idea
Supporting idea
(Concluding sentence)
Conclusion
Repeat thesis statement (reworded)
Summarize key points
Volume * 24/7 * Skills/Needs Match * Updated Daily
Your First Stop in Finding the Ideal Job – The Internet Job Bank
32
Introduction - (Thesis statement)
Body
Key point 1 (Topic statement in first sentence)
Supporting idea
Supporting detail
Supporting detail
Supporting idea - Supporting detail
(Transition sentence)
Key point 2 (Topic statement in first sentence)
Supporting idea
Supporting idea
(Transition sentence)
Key point 3 (Topic statement in first sentence)
Supporting idea
Supporting idea
(Transition sentence)
Key point 4 (Topic statement in first sentence)
Supporting idea
Supporting idea
(Concluding sentence)
Conclusion
Repeat thesis statement (reworded)
Summarize key points
Your First Stop in Finding the Ideal Job – The Internet Job Bank
33
Introduction - (Thesis statement)
Body
Key point 1 (Topic statement in first sentence)
Supporting idea
Supporting detail
Supporting detail
Supporting idea - Supporting detail
(Transition sentence)
Key point 2 (Topic statement in first sentence)
Supporting idea
Supporting idea
(Transition sentence)
Key point 3 (Topic statement in first sentence)
Supporting idea
Supporting idea
(Transition sentence)
Key point 4 (Topic statement in first sentence)
Supporting idea
Supporting idea
(Concluding sentence)
Conclusion
Repeat thesis statement (reworded)
Summarize key points
Your First Stop in Finding the Ideal Job – The Internet Job Bank
34
Introduction - (Thesis statement)
Body
Key point 1 (Topic statement in first sentence)
Supporting idea
Supporting detail
Supporting detail
Supporting idea - Supporting detail
(Transition sentence)
Key point 2 (Topic statement in first sentence)
Supporting idea
Supporting idea
(Transition sentence)
Key point 3 (Topic statement in first sentence)
Supporting idea
Supporting idea
(Transition sentence)
Key point 4 (Topic statement in first sentence)
Supporting idea
Supporting idea
(Concluding sentence)
Conclusion
Repeat thesis statement (reworded)
Summarize key points
Your First Stop in Finding the Ideal Job – The Internet Job Bank
35
Introduction - (Thesis statement)
Body
Key point 1 (Topic statement in first sentence)
Supporting idea
Supporting detail
Supporting detail
Supporting idea - Supporting detail
(Transition sentence)
Key point 2 (Topic statement in first sentence)
Supporting idea
Supporting idea
(Transition sentence)
Key point 3 (Topic statement in first sentence)
Supporting idea
Supporting idea
(Transition sentence)
Key point 4 (Topic statement in first sentence)
Supporting idea
Supporting idea
(Concluding sentence)
Conclusion
Repeat thesis statement (reworded)
Summarize key points
36
Remember
The most important things in your TOEIC essay are
• Your content– your ideas must support your thesis statement
• Your organization– how well your ideas are linked and how smoothly they
flow
Therefore,
The time to get your ideas and structure straight is BEFORE you begin writing
your essay!
If you have 30 minutes to write your essay, spend at least 15 minutes getting
your thinking straight. If you plan well, the writing will be easy!
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Writing a TOEIC Essay
Content & Organization
By
Mr. Lasley
Foreign Languages Teaching & Learning Center
Feng Chia University
Take your English writing questions to:
Mr. Lasley’s English Q & A
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