Complete TOEFL Essay Templates (2025 Update)

Integrated Essay Template (Writing Question One)

Here’s the full template for the “casting doubt” style integrated essay.  This is the most common style.

• The reading and the lecture are both about ______________.
• While the author of the article argues that _________, the lecturer disputes the claims presented in the article.
• His position is that ____________. 

• First, the author argues that ______________.
• The article states that ______.
• The lecturer’s response is that _________.
• Moreover, ____________. 

• Second, the author mentions that ______________.
• According to the article, ______.
• In contrast, the lecturer argues that ____________.
• He notes that _______. 

• Finally, the article notes that ______________.
• The author suggests that ______.
• However, the lecturer points out that ______.
• He says ____________.

If you get an integrated writing question that is about problems and solutions to them, you can swap in this introduction:

• The reading and the lecture are both about ______________.
• While the article describes three associated problems, the lecturer suggests possible solutions to each of them.
• His position is that ____________.

If you get a question which is about solutions and problems with them,  you can use this one:

• The reading and the lecture are both about ______________.
• While the article describes three solutions to this problem, the lecturer explains why they aren’t effective.
• His position is that ____________.

Your whole essay should be about 280 to 300 words. To see this template in use, check out my collection of sample essays.  You don’t need a conclusion.

Academic Discussion Template (Writing Question Two)

Here’s a really straightforward template that is easy to use no matter what the question looks like:

• While I appreciate the points made by both [student 1] and [student 2], I strongly believe that [my opinion].
• This is because _____.
• For example, ______.
• Some people may argue that [a different opinion], but they overlook the fact that ______.

Here’s a slightly different template that does the same sort of thing:

• While some people might think [opposite of my opinion], I really believe that [my opinion]
• First of all, [elaborate on the opinion].
• Actually, I have some experience with this.
• [a quick personal example]

Your response should be about 120 words. 

To practice, you can check out my collection of sample questions.

Demonstration Video

Further Reading – Need More Help? Need Speaking Templates?

We also have in-depth guides to the academic discussion and integrated writing tasks.  Check them out!  We also have TOEFL speaking templates.