TOEFL Essay | Importance of Persuasive Language

TOEFL essays are an essential part of the Test of English as a Foreign Language exam. It is taken to test your ability to communicate effectively in written English. Persuasive language, in particular, plays a vital role in crafting a compelling essay. It is not just about grammar and vocabulary but also about how effectively you can convince the reader of your point of view.

Why is Persuasive Language Important in a TOEFL Essay?

In the TOEFL exam, the essay section, often called the writing section, demands that students provide clear and well-structured responses to given prompts. In 2022, it was reported that approximately 20% of TOEFL examinees scored less than their potential in the essay writing section because of their inability to employ persuasive language effectively.

Persuasive language is crucial for a couple of key reasons:

1. Expressing Opinions Effectively: TOEFL essay prompts, particularly those for the independent task, often require you to express an opinion on a given topic. Persuasive language helps you present your views convincingly, demonstrating your English proficiency.
2. Engaging the Reader: Persuasive language also ensures that your essay is engaging, making your argument appealing and your writing more compelling to the reader.
3. Scoring Criteria: The effective use of persuasive language is one of the critical criteria that TOEFL examiners look for when scoring essays. According to ETS, the organization that administers the TOEFL, the scoring rubric for the writing section includes “the development of the argument, the organization of the essay, and the quality and accuracy of the language used to express the ideas.”

How to Use Persuasive Language in a TOEFL Essay

Persuasive language involves a variety of tools that you can use in your TOEFL essay to express your ideas effectively and convince your reader.

1. Use Strong, Convincing Language: Words have power, and choosing the right words can significantly affect how your argument is perceived. Words like “important,” “significant,” “vital,” and “critical” can add weight to your argument.
2. Logical Reasoning: Your argument should be backed by solid reasoning. Providing a rationale for your ideas and views can significantly enhance your persuasive capacity. This demonstrates to your reader that you are not merely stating an opinion but can also substantiate it.
3. Concrete Examples: Concrete examples and factual evidence can significantly enhance the persuasiveness of your argument. Provide examples to illustrate your points using accurate data or relevant anecdotes.

Structuring Your Essay Effectively

An effectively structured essay is crucial in making your argument persuasive. In fact, according to ETS statistics, a well-organized essay can increase a test taker’s score by up to 25%. Here are a few tips for structuring your TOEFL essay:

1. Introduction: Your introduction should clearly state your thesis or main argument. This gives your reader a clear idea of what you will discuss in your essay.
2. Body Paragraphs: Each paragraph should focus on a single point supporting your thesis. Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence, followed by explanations, evidence, or examples that reinforce the topic sentence.
3. Conclusion: Your conclusion should summarize your main points and reiterate your thesis. Avoid introducing new information in conclusion.

Use of Counter-arguments in TOEFL Essay

Addressing counter-arguments is a persuasive tactic that can make your TOEFL essay more compelling. A counter-argument is an argument that opposes your main argument or thesis. 

The usage of counter-arguments in your essay shows that you have considered different viewpoints, and it strengthens your argument by demonstrating that even after considering other perspectives, you still stand by your initial viewpoint.

According to TOEFL resources, students who effectively use counter-arguments in their essays tend to score 10-15% higher than those who do not.

Here are a few steps on how to include counter-arguments in your essay:

• Introduce the Counter-argument: Start by acknowledging the opposing viewpoint. This shows your understanding of the issue from multiple perspectives.
• Refute the Counter-argument: Next, provide reasons or evidence why you believe this opposing viewpoint is not as strong or valid as your main argument.
• Reiterate Your Thesis: Finally, reinforce your main argument to remind the reader that despite the counter-argument, your viewpoint remains the most compelling.

A Sample TOEFL Essay

Let’s have a look at the TOEFL essay samples:

Title: Importance of Reading Books over Watching Movies

While many people prefer watching movies to reading books, it is my firm conviction that reading books is significantly more beneficial and rewarding. This essay will present several reasons to support this viewpoint.

Body Paragraph 1:

Firstly, reading books stimulates intellectual curiosity and imagination in a way that movies cannot. When we read, we interpret the written text and visualize the scenes, characters, and scenarios in our minds. This process encourages our imagination to flourish and allows us to explore different interpretations. For instance, a study conducted in 2023 discovered that students who regularly read books exhibited more creativity and problem-solving skills compared to those who primarily watched movies.

Body Paragraph 2:

Moreover, reading books allows us to delve deeper into characters’ minds, motivations, and emotions, enriching our understanding of the human psyche. Unlike movies, books offer an opportunity to gain a more detailed and nuanced understanding of character development. This feature of books encourages empathy, as we get to ‘walk in the shoes’ of different characters, experiencing their feelings and thoughts.

Counter-argument and Rebuttal:

Some might argue that watching movies can be more entertaining and visually engaging than reading books. While this can be true, the enjoyment derived from books tends to be longer-lasting. The imaginative journey that books offer often resonates with us even after we finish reading, leaving a profound impact on our thoughts and emotions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, reading books, due to their capacity to stimulate imagination, offer deeper character insights, and leave lasting impacts, is significantly more beneficial than watching movies. Thus, embracing the habit of reading can be a transformative experience, enriching our lives in multiple ways.

By employing these tactics, your TOEFL essay will demonstrate not only language proficiency but also critical thinking and persuasive reasoning, both of which are key to achieving a high score.

Key Takeaways

• Persuasive language is crucial in TOEFL essay writing for effectively expressing opinions, engaging the reader, and meeting scoring criteria.
• Tools for persuasive writing include using strong language, logical reasoning, concrete examples, and emotive language.
• An effectively structured essay with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion can increase your TOEFL score by up to 25%.
• Addressing and refuting counter-arguments in your essay can improve your score by 10-15%.

If you want to know more about the TOEFL exam and how to prepare for the same, you can definitely reach out to us for help.

FAQs:

Q1: Why is persuasive language important in a TOEFL essay?

Persuasive language helps to present your views convincingly, engages the reader, and is one of the scoring criteria for TOEFL essays.

Q2: How can I improve the structure of my TOEFL essay?

Ensure your essay has a clear introduction with a thesis, body paragraphs that each focus on a single point, and a conclusion summarizing your main points.

Q3: What is the role of counter-arguments in a TOEFL essay?

Counter-arguments show that you’ve considered different viewpoints, thereby strengthening your main argument. They can increase your TOEFL essay score by 10-15%.