The Body of the TOEFL Essay
In my last post about writing a TOEFL essay, I talked about your introductory paragraph. Usually, people don’t have time for more than their thesis and two main points or reasons.
Today, I want to talk about the body of the essay - the main information section of the essay. In the body of the essay, you need at least two paragraphs. Each of these paragraphs explains one of your main points, using strong details. First, you repeat the main point in a new way and then you give a detail.
After the body, you have a conclusion. This final paragraph explains your main reasons in a new way and comes to a final conclusion. Therefore…
Let’s talk about the body of the essay. Let’s use gay marriage again since we’ve started with the introduction. Here is the introduction again:
Homosexuals should have the right to get married because sexual orientation is biologically predetermined in one’s genetic makeup and is not a choice. Therefore, discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation should not be permitted any more than discrimination on the basis of race. Furthermore, people who are in love should be allowed to get married, regardless of sexual orientation, because the institution of marriage provides more financial and emotional stability for children and families.
After this introduction, in my second paragraph, after I restate how I think homosexuality is natural, I need to give details. First I’ll give a scientific study detail. I’ll talk about homosexuality in the animal world. In over 500 species in the animal world, a varying percentage of the animals are homosexual or bisexual. Maybe I’ll talk about bonobos, 100 percent of which are bisexual.
In my third paragraph, I’ll give a personal story of a family I know with two moms.
You may completely disagree with me. That’s okay. It’s the same when you write a TOEFL essay. It doesn’t matter if the marker agrees or disagrees. It matters if you gave your reasons and details to prove those reasons. So, for your details, you can use a description, a personal story, an example or a scientific study.
How do you know if you gave a detail? If you left a picture in the reader’s mind, you gave a detail. If not, it was just more explanation.
The big mistake a lot of students make is they repeat their reason or explain it, but they don’t give an actual detail.
You go for it. Write your opinion on any issue, give two reasons, and explain these reasons with details.
Kim