Tips for practicing TOEFL® essays at the beginning; Question for Yamilet!

[Aitorzl]

Hello guys,

I just started to practice writing essays last week, as I'm planning on taking the toefl in 2 months time; I'm wondering what the best way is to practice formal written essays at the beginning; I mean, should I concentrate all my effort in doing a good essay without paying attention to the 30 minute given in the real toefl exam? or maybe it's better to startt from the beginning like if I were in a real exam and get used to the time given in the toefl... at the moment it takes me about 40 minutes to structure, outline and write a proper essay of 350-400 words, but when it comes to do it in 30 minutes I end up thinking that I could have done much better if I'd had more time.

Yamilet: I see you write very very good essays; How long does it take you to write them?

hope you can help guys...

Thank you all....

Aitor

[Kitosdad]

Good morning Aitorzl, Yamilet is now reaping the fruit of her labours.

She has studied and practiced very hard for her rewards. She is now a fully-fledged
English essay writer.

Her subjects are always delivered with honesty and feeling.

Perhaps this is the secret of her success.

She sets out to set down her honest beliefs and thoughts about the subject in hand. Therefore her words flows smoothly, as in a normal, intelligent conversation.

Kitos.
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If you need me, I'm here.

[Richard]

Hello Kitos!
( Good morning Aitorzl, Yamilet is now reaping the fruit of her labours. ( reaping the fruit of her labors= beautiful expression, is it right? I think that it doesn't make sense in English) ( labour=British English , labor=American English)

She has studied and practiced very hard for her rewards( wasn't it better to use accomplishment or goal? ). She is now a (fully-fledged=compound adjective in British English, full-fledged=American English)
English essay writer.( English-Essay /or full-fledged at writing in English)

Her subjects are always delivered with honesty and feeling.

Perhaps this is the secret of her success.

She sets out to set down her honest beliefs and thoughts about the subject in hand. Therefore( we should use "," after it )her words flows smoothly, as in a normal, intelligent conversation.
since the majority of the members are trying to learn Am.E you should use American words and structures.

sorry for my rudeness and criticizing. It is undoubtedly clear that you are good at English. and even you might be a teacher.
I would like to be criticized by the others.
( yours sincerely- RICHARD)
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The limits of my language are the limits of my universe.
Ludwig Wittgenstein

[Yamilet]

Aitorzl
When I started to write few months ago, it would take me one hour to get my essays done, plus i didn't really time myself.
Now i can write 500 words in 30 mints. all my essays are done in 30 mints. What I do is
I take the first 3 mints to plan, write down any ideas about the subject that comes to mind, I start by writing a hook, which is the first thing you read in the introduction, something that gets the reader attention. Once I start the ideas start to flow and I end up writing a lot.
It is good to take your time at first depending on how long you have before the test, practice writing good essays, later on you can concentrate on getting faster at typing and writing the whole essay in the 30 mints. Good luck to you, sorry i took long to respond i didn't see this until today.
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Thank you so much Kitos for your comment, you honestly make me feel very secure of myself.
I think your corrections, advices and comments have helped me a great deal, and for that I will be forever greatful.
_________________________________________

Richard, I think it is nice of you to correct us, and give us your opinions for our writing, but correcting the way others comment is not really necessary.
I understand you want to make everyone understand the meaning of those difficult words, but if anyone is in doubt he/she will look it up in the diccionary, that way they have an opportunity at learning.

Thanks
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Yamilet

[Nzuahp]

Yamilet, thank you very much for the essay samples you have been writing. I had a lot of problems writing essays since I never did English Intensively in school but your writings have teached and reinstalled some hopes in me for the up coming TOEFL exam I will be going in for. Keep it up.
God will be your helper.
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Practice makes perfect

[Yamilet]

Nzuahp
Thank you for your comment, it is really sweet of you, and it means a lot to me, that i have been able to help others in the way, while learning myself. I'm sure you will write well, it takes a little time, believe me i know, at first i was a mess. So keep up the good work and you will reach your goal.
and i do need the help of god haha, very soon is my test so thank you for that.
Good luck to you too.
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Yamilet

[Nzuahp]

Don't mention Yamilet,
Hope your are going to be drilling me with with lots of information in order to prepare me for TOEFL exam I will be taking not long from now?

Best regards
Pierre
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Practice makes perfect

[Aitorzl]

[Yamilet]

HI dear, you are very welcome
I try to write one every day
sometimes i don't write any at all, but then i write for the days i miss. right now for example i had 24 days left, so i made a plan in which i have to write 12 independent and 12 integreted. 1 of each, i think it helps a lot, not only i get faster at typing, sometimes i start to write without even planning, which i don't suggest because then we get stock ha.Then i have done 18 speakings, and about 10 summarties from different writings. as well as litening to lectures in Youtube, the speak fast so this helps a lot, to listen,understand and it also helps to take notes. Now i'm not doing as many reading, so i will get to that today. But in may opinion, is best for you to make a plan, an schelude, time is very important for us and we need to manage it the right time.
Think where do you have the most problem? then start there, concentrate there. then move on. Or you can do 2 tasks of each reading, listening, speaking and writing every day.Read, listen to news, movies but i don't find they help as much, because we get busy looking and forget to hear, and litening and hearing is not the same, sometimes we listen but don't understand the meaning of things. We need to hear and get the main points of the talk.
I think if you can write that much in 40-45 mints you are getting there sweetheart, so don't worry. Very soon you will write faster and better then anyone here. Just try to practice, every day even if it is for a little while.
Good luck to you.
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Yamilet

[Nzuahp]

Thank you very much Yamilet,
I will do exactly as you say by making sure I take the above tips you have given into practice.
Stay bless
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Practice makes perfect

[Nzuahp]

All,

I have found this link containing good TOEFL tips. Hope I will help others!

http://www.englishclub.com/esl-exams/ets-toefl-tips.htm
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Practice makes perfect

[Richard]

Hi everybody.
Thanks for being helpful Nzuahp.
_________________
The limits of my language are the limits of my universe.
Ludwig Wittgenstein

[Nzuahp]

Thanks Richard,
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Practice makes perfect