TOEFL Task 1

[walktheline]

* Parental control on television and the Internet should be encouraged .Do you agree or disagree?( In my opinion, I'm not good at explaining the "reason")?
My explanation is very poor, how can I improve this? Anyway, I'm a high school student who lives in a country with an obsolete education!
Such as:
Reason 1: They can help you to control time (1)
I can express ideas about more about (1)
or
Reason 2: We can spend many times on some other activities! (2)

I understand the question but I can't write the supporting paragraphs easily. It's very hard!:banghead:

I'm also lack of idea, how can I find more information about how to write a paragraph?

[DocHeart]

Try the following steps:

1. Decide which side of the fence you stand on. *REALLY*, do you agree or disagree?
2. Think of three reasons why you agree / disagree (you don't need more for TOEFL). Write them down in your own words in three separate pieces of paper. These reasons are your "support" ideas.
3. Now it's time to write your supporting paragraphs. You will write as many paragraphs as the separate reasons you identified. *ALWAYS* give each reason its own paragraph and don't cram them all together in one. Always begin a paragraph with a TOPIC SENTENCE. Check this out: http://www2.actden.com/writ_den/tips/paragrap/topic.htm
4. After your topic sentence, add the stuff you put down in the three pieces of paper. Make sure you don't repeat the topic sentence in those.
5. Now you have the body of your composition. It's time to write a brief introductory paragraph. An introductory paragraph should do three things: (a) state the issue; (b) say why the issue is important, (c) state your opinion. It's not easy to get it right -- you'll need to practice a lot. Here's an example of an introductory paragraph on the topic you cite:

Should we allow children to watch TV or go on the internet as much as they want? These days, with TVs and computers inside almost every single home, this is a question in the mind of every parent. I believe these things should be enjoyed by children, but the parents should indeed monitor their use.

Question for you: can you see the three things (a), (b) and (c) in the above paragraph? Identify them.

6. Finally, you have to write a brief concluding paragraph. The concluding paragraph has two functions: (a) it allows you to restate your opinion and (b) it ends your piece smoothly. Both these functions can be carried out by a single sentence. For instance:

All in all, I believe parents should monitor kids' use of the Internet and the length of time they spend watching TV, both for reasons of safety but also to ensure that their children live well-rounded lives.

*YOU'RE NOT DONE YET*

7. Check your work. Read it. Fix any spelling / grammar errors you spot. What can you improve? Are you using words such as "good", "bad", "nice" too often? What can you replace them with? If this piece had been written by a classmate of yours, what grade would you give them? Why? What advice would you give them?

I know this drill will take you hours at first. You have to do it many times to get it right and to be able to do it in the time you have in the exam. But I'm afraid that's life -- you have to practice for a long time before you learn to do something well.

You can also use google to browse the internet for more advice like this. Don't be lazy now.

Best,
DH

[walktheline]

Thanks!

[walktheline]

Thanks!