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TOEFL Writing Syllabus
Every chapter and topic of Writing examined in TOEFL — 2 chapters, 4 topics, plus 51 flashcards written against it.
Writing syllabus — full chapter and topic list
Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Writing in TOEFL, not a summary of it.
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Integrated Writing Task
3 topics- Reading a passage
- Listening to a related lecture
- Writing a response
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Independent Writing Task
1 topic- Writing an essay expressing personal views
Writing flashcards for TOEFL
19 of 51 cards from the Writing deck — real questions with worked answers.
How many tasks are on the TOEFL iBT Writing section, and what are they?
Two tasks: (1) the Integrated Writing task (read–listen–write) and (2) the Writing for an Academic Discussion task (formerly the Independent essay expressing personal views).
What is the total time allotted for the TOEFL iBT Writing section?
Approximately 29 minutes total: about 20 minutes for the Integrated task and about 10 minutes for the Academic Discussion task.
In the Integrated Writing task, how long do you have to read the passage before it disappears?
3 minutes. The passage then disappears while you listen to the lecture, but it reappears on screen when you begin writing.
What is the typical length of the reading passage in the Integrated Writing task?
About 230–300 words, organized around a main point supported by three subpoints, usually in three body paragraphs.
What is the recommended word count for a strong Integrated Writing response?
About 150–225 words. Quality and completeness of the summary matter more than length, but effective responses usually fall in this range.
What is the recommended minimum word count for the Writing for an Academic Discussion task?
At least 100 words; strong responses are typically about 100–200 words, written in the ~10-minute limit.
What is the relationship between the reading and the lecture in the Integrated Writing task?
They are almost always in opposition: the lecture challenges, casts doubt on, or contradicts the specific points made in the reading (a 'casting doubt' relationship). Occasionally the lecture supports the reading, but opposition is standard.
On the TOEFL, what score scale is each Writing task rated on before conversion?
Each task is scored 0–5 by raters (human and automated), then the average is converted to the section's 0–30 scaled score.
What is the scaled score range for the TOEFL Writing section?
0 to 30, contributing to the total TOEFL iBT score of 0–120 (four sections of 0–30 each).
In the Integrated task, what should the thesis/first sentence of your response do?
State the general relationship: that the lecture disputes (or supports) the claims made in the reading passage, without yet giving specific details.
How should an Integrated Writing response be organized paragraph by paragraph?
Typically 4 paragraphs: a brief introduction stating the overall relationship, then three body paragraphs, each pairing one reading point with the corresponding lecture point that opposes or supports it.
In the Integrated task, which source should your response emphasize more, and why?
The lecture, because the lecture provides the newer, decisive information that responds to the reading. Raters want to see that you accurately captured the professor's points and connected them to the reading's claims.
Is it acceptable to insert your own opinion in the Integrated Writing task?
No. It is a summary/synthesis task; you must objectively report what the reading and lecture say and how they relate, without adding personal opinions or outside information.
What note-taking strategy is recommended during the Integrated task's lecture?
Note the lecture's three counterpoints in parallel with the reading's three points, capturing key reasons and examples so you can pair each reading claim with the matching lecture rebuttal.
Name three transition phrases useful for signaling the lecture's opposition in an Integrated response.
'However, the professor argues that...', 'In contrast, the lecture points out that...', and 'The speaker casts doubt on this by explaining that...'.
What reporting verbs help attribute ideas to the reading vs. the lecture?
For the reading: 'the passage states/claims/asserts.' For the lecture: 'the professor argues/contends/points out/counters/refutes.' Varying these shows range and clarifies attribution.
What is the single most common reason Integrated responses lose points?
Failing to accurately convey the lecture's points or omitting the connection between each lecture point and the corresponding reading point (incomplete or inaccurate content).
What is the prompt format of the Writing for an Academic Discussion task?
A professor poses a question on an online class discussion board, and two students (e.g., Andrew and Claire) post short opinions. You must contribute your own well-supported response to the discussion.
In the Academic Discussion task, do you have to agree with one of the two students shown?
No. You may agree with one, disagree with both, or introduce an entirely new position, as long as you clearly state and support your own view and engage with the discussion.
Planning Writing for TOEFL
Writing is about 20% of the TOEFL syllabus by topic count — 4 of 20 topics, spread over 2 chapters. At roughly 45 minutes per topic plus 12 minutes per sub-topic, a first pass runs to about 3 hours.
Work top-down: read the chapter, then tick topics off individually rather than marking the whole chapter done. Sub-topics are where silent gaps hide.
Writing (TOEFL) FAQ
What is in the TOEFL Writing syllabus?
Writing is split into 2 chapters — Integrated Writing Task and Independent Writing Task, containing 4 topics and 0 sub-topics in total.
How many chapters are there in Writing for TOEFL?
2 chapters. Writing accounts for about 20% of the topics in the whole TOEFL syllabus (4 of 20).
How long should I spend on Writing for TOEFL?
Budget around 3 hours for a first pass through Writing — about 45 minutes per topic plus 12 minutes per sub-topic across its 4 topics. Add revision cycles on top.
Are there flashcards for TOEFL Writing?
Yes — a 51-card Writing deck. Sample cards are printed on this page, and the full deck is free in the Examius app with spaced repetition scheduling.