1.2 Interpreting Writing Prompts

OUTLINE

• Comparing standardized writing exam to academic writing
• Analyzing academic writing prompts

A. TOEFL/IELTS Examination --Writing Experience

In groups of 3-4, discuss your writing experience in the past taking TOEFL/IELTS:

• Was the writing exam under a strict time limit? How much time did you have on completing your composition?
• While writing the TOEFL/IELTS composition, did you have sources from books, websites or elsewhere?
• Do you use personal experience while composing your TOEFL/IELTS essays? 

B. Sample TOEFL essay V.S. Sample academic writing --they have significant differences!

Read through the two writing materials on your own first

Sample TOEFL Writing

Sample academic writing

With a partner, discuss how the two types of writing are different, and complete the table together.

TOEFL V.S. Academic Writing Table

C. Analyzing writing Prompts

In groups of 3-4, review the three prompts for written assignments in Economics, Statistics, and Civil and Environmental engineering. Fill out the chart below comparing the three prompts. Notice that some information may not be available in each prompt. 

Prompts and activity chart

Homework:
Fill out a writing prompt analysis chart for an assignment from a course in your own major.