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TOEFL写作十点建议
1. Express yourself in positive language. Say what
is, not what is not.
2. Use transitions between paragraphs.
Transitions tie one
paragraph to the next. *A transition can be a word,
like later, furthermore, additionally, or moreover;
a phrase like After this incident...; or an entire
sentence. *If you are writing about Topic A and
now want to discuss Topic B, you can begin the new
paragraph with a transition such as "Like (or
unlike) Topic A, Topic B..."
3. Vary your sentence structure.
It's boring to see
subject, verb, object all the time. Mix simple,
complex, and compound sentences.
4. Understand the words you write.
You write to communicate,
not to impress the admissions staff with your vocabulary.When
you choose a word that means something other than
what you intend, you neither communicate nor impress.
You do convey the wrong message or convince the
admissions committee that you are inarticulate.
5. Look up synonyms in a thesaurus when you use
the same word repeatedly.
After the DELETE key,
the thesaurus is your best friend. As long as you
follow Tip 4, using one will make your writing more
interesting.
6. Be succinct.
Compare: *During my
sophomore and junior years, there was significant
development of my maturity and markedly improved
self-discipline towards school work. *During my
sophomore and junior years, I matured and my self-discipline
improved tremendously. The first example takes many
more words to give the same information. The admissions
people are swamped; they do not want to spend more
time than necessary reading your essay. Say what
you have to say in as few words as possible. Tips
7, 8, and 9 will help you to implement this suggestion.
7. Make every word count.
Do not repeat yourself.
Each sentence and every word should state something
new.
8. Avoid qualifiers such as rather, quite, somewhat,
probably, possibly, etc.
*You might improve
your writing somewhat if you sometimes try to follow
this suggestion. The example contains nonsense.
Deleting unnecessary qualifiers will strengthen
your writing 1000%. Equivocating reveals a lack
of confidence. If you do not believe what you write,
why should the admissions officer?
9. Use the active voice.
Compare: *The application
was sent by the student.
Passive voice *The student sent the application.
Active voice They both communicate the same information.
The active voice, however, is more concise; it specifies
who is performing the action and what is the object.
The passive voice is wordier and frequently less
clear.
10. Read and reread 'Elements of Style' by William
Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White. Containing basic rules
of grammar, punctuation, composition, and style,
this indispensable classic is available in paperback
and is only eighty-five pages long.
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