Academic English preparation Academic Discussion Writing

Write for an Academic Discussion is the third and final TOEFL iBT Writing task, after Build a Sentence and Write an Email. According to the official ETS overview:

• You see an online classroom discussion forum. A professor briefly introduces a topic and asks for an opinion. Two students post short contributions with different positions.
• You state your own position, supporting it with your reasoning, experience or knowledge, and contribute to the discussion in your own words.
• Time: 10 minutes.
• The ETS sample directions say that an effective response will contain at least 100 words.
• Your response receives 0–5 points. ETS uses AI systems and human scoring for this task, according to the Technical Manual. The result contributes to the Writing section score on the 1–6 scale.
• Writing-assistance software is not allowed during the test.

Here is an original example of what the discussion looks like:

Professor: Many companies now let employees work fully remotely. In your view, is remote work good for young professionals? Maria: Remote work saves hours of commuting, so people have more energy for important tasks. Ken: I disagree. New employees learn office culture much faster when they sit next to experienced colleagues.

Notice that the professor directly asks for your position. The student posts provide ideas you can respond to. ETS does not publish a topic list, so practise discussing different social topics, including education, technology, work and society.

An effective response starts with careful reading. Complete these three steps in 60–90 seconds:

1. Find the actual question. Phrases such as In your view, Which do you support and What would you recommend in the professor's final sentence identify the task. Answer that specific question rather than discussing the general topic.
2. Summarise each student's position in one word. For example: Maria — supports, Ken — opposes. Capture each main argument in two or three words too: Maria — time, Ken — learning speed.
3. Choose your approach. You may agree with one student, disagree with both or introduce a third perspective. Make your position clear from the first sentence.

Paraphrase rather than copying long portions of the prompt. In the ETS rubric, one feature of the lowest scores is that most coherent language is borrowed from the prompt.

A four-part plan for a 10-minute response:

1. State your position. Answer directly: In my view, remote work benefits young professionals. To introduce a contrast: While Ken worries about mentoring, I believe remote work helps young professionals grow faster.
2. Explain and give a specific example. Develop one reason with a concrete detail: My cousin completed a six-month remote internship and was hired without ever relocating.
3. Join the conversation. Respond to at least one student: extend an idea you agree with, using Building on Maria’s point, …, or disagree politely with I see Ken’s concern, but ….
4. Close with an implication. Use one sentence to show the result or practical significance: That flexibility often matters more than a corner office.

ETS requirements and our advice. The directions ask you to state an opinion and contribute to the discussion. The Technical Manual describes developing an argument by responding to others' arguments and/or using information from short texts. It does not explicitly require naming a student, but engaging with the discussion can strengthen your response. We therefore recommend naming and responding to at least one student.

Our suggested timing: about 2 minutes to read and plan, 6 to write and 2 to edit. Practise this rhythm with a timer.