What TOEFL Writing asks you to do
In the current TOEFL iBT, the Writing section takes about 23 minutes and has about 12 items, split across three task types. You type your answers on a computer.
Writing is a linear section: everyone taking the same test form gets the same tasks, in the same order. So your job is simple to describe — do each task well and manage your short time. For the whole test, section by section, see our full TOEFL guide.
| Task | What you do | Roughly how many |
|---|---|---|
| Build a Sentence | Arrange or rebuild words into one grammatically correct sentence | About 10 items |
| Write an Email | Write a short, suitably-worded email for a given situation | 1 task |
| Write for an Academic Discussion | Read a short discussion prompt and write a clear paragraph that states and defends your view | 1 task |
The three tasks, and the skill each one needs
Each task tests a different skill. Practise them separately, because what wins points is different for each one.
Build a Sentence — grammar and word order
You are given the pieces of a sentence and must put them in the right order to make one correct sentence. There is no opinion here — it is a pure grammar skill. The way to get better is to drill sentence patterns: subject, verb, object, and where small words (the, of, to, is) go. Read your finished sentence back once to check it sounds natural.
Write an Email — the right tone for the situation
You write a short email that fits a given situation — for example, asking for information, explaining a problem, or replying to a request. The skill is matching your words to the reader: polite and a little formal for someone you do not know, warmer for a friend. Cover everything the situation asks for, keep it clear, and stay on topic.
Write for an Academic Discussion — state a view and back it up
You read a short discussion prompt — often a question with two sample opinions — and write one clear paragraph that states your own view and defends it. The skill is giving a clear opinion and supporting it with a reason and a specific example, in an organised paragraph. This is the longest piece of writing on the test, so it deserves the most care.
The two longer tasks — the email and the academic discussion — are read and judged on how clearly and correctly you express your ideas, not on how long or fancy your answer is. To see how graded feedback works and what a reader looks for, read how Aflo scores your English.
A simple way to plan the two longer tasks
The email and the academic-discussion paragraph both improve from a few seconds of planning. Rushing straight in is the most common way to miss part of the prompt. Use these four steps:
- Understand. Read the prompt twice. Note exactly what it asks — who you are writing to, what you must include, or what question you must answer. Answering a slightly different question is the biggest, easiest-to-avoid score loss.
- Plan fast. Take 30 to 60 seconds. For the email, list the points you must cover. For the discussion, decide your view and one reason plus one example to support it.
- Write clearly. Start with your main idea, then add your reason and example. One clear idea, well explained, beats several half-ideas. Use short paragraphs or clear breaks so the reader can follow you.
- Check. Save the last minute to read it back. Look for a missing part of the prompt, an unclear sentence, and small grammar or spelling slips. Quick fixes here often lift your score.
Simple and correct beats complex and wrong
On a short, typed test, clear and accurate English scores better than long, risky English. A big word used wrongly costs you more than a plain word used well. Aim to be understood on the first read.
- Use words you control. Pick vocabulary you are sure about. A correct simple sentence is worth more than a fancy one with mistakes.
- Type accurately. Small typing slips add up. Leave a moment to fix obvious spelling and spacing errors — clean text is easier to read and grade.
- Keep sentences short. Shorter sentences have fewer places to go wrong. Break a long, tangled sentence into two clear ones.
- Stay on topic. Every sentence should serve the task. Extra, off-topic detail wastes your short time and can hide your main point.
- Mind the clock. With about 23 minutes for the whole section, protect enough time for the academic-discussion paragraph — it is your longest piece of writing.
Keep reading
Go deeper on the rest of the test and on how your writing is judged:
Frequently asked questions
How long is the TOEFL Writing section?
About 23 minutes, with about 12 items across three task types. You type your answers, and everyone on the same test form gets the same tasks. Timings can change, so confirm the current format on the official ETS TOEFL website.
What are the TOEFL writing tasks?
Three types: Build a Sentence (put words in the right order to make one correct sentence, about 10 items), Write an Email (a short, suitably-worded email for a given situation), and Write for an Academic Discussion (a clear paragraph that states and defends your view on a short prompt).
How can I do well on the Write an Email task?
Match your tone to the reader and situation — polite and a little formal for someone you do not know, warmer for a friend — and make sure you cover every point the situation asks for. Keep it clear and on topic.
Is it better to use advanced words or simple ones?
Simple and correct beats complex and wrong. On a short, typed test, clear and accurate English scores better than long, risky sentences. Use words you are sure of, keep sentences short, and fix small typing and grammar slips before you finish.