## **Learning Outcomes**

After completing this article, you will confidently answer Academic Discussion writing tasks by clearly stating your opinion, providing logical reasons and supporting examples, and structuring your ideas effectively. You will understand essential key terms, common TOEFL expectations for this task type, and strategies for achieving a well-scored response.

## **TOEFL iBT Syllabus**

For TOEFL Academic Discussion writing, you are expected to write a post for an online discussion forum. For revision, pay special attention to these points:

- Clearly state your viewpoint in direct response to the professor's question.
- Support your position with logical reasons and specific, relevant examples.
- Organize your ideas into a brief, focused, and coherent response (100 words or more).
- Use language appropriate to an academic forum, avoiding informal expressions.
- Reference or react to classmates’ opinions to add new information or viewpoint where appropriate.
- Demonstrate a variety of vocabulary and grammar structures to express your ideas.

## **Test Your Knowledge**

_Attempt these questions before reading this article. If you find some difficult or cannot remember the answers, remember to look more closely at that area during your revision._

1. What is the first step when answering an Academic Discussion writing task on TOEFL iBT?
2. What are effective ways to support your opinion in an academic online discussion?
3. Why is it important to reference classmates’ ideas, and how should you do it?
4. How many words should you aim to write in a TOEFL Academic Discussion response?

## **Introduction**

Academic Discussion writing questions in the TOEFL iBT Writing section ask you to contribute to a discussion board by stating your opinion on a specific question, and responding to two classmates’ posts. This test your ability to express a clear viewpoint, structure an argument, and add relevant, original ideas in an academic context.

> **Key Term: Academic Discussion Task**
> A TOEFL writing prompt requiring you to write a short post stating and supporting your opinion in an online classroom forum.

## Stating a Position: The Basis

To respond well, always start with your own opinion or position. Make your view unmistakably clear in the first sentence.

> **Key Term: Stating a Position**
> Expressing your own opinion or viewpoint directly and explicitly, usually in the opening of your answer.

Direct phrases include:

- "I believe that..."
- "In my opinion..."
- "I think that..."
- "I agree that..."
- "I disagree that..."

Avoid ambiguous responses. Examiners look for a definite stance, not a balanced or undecided one.

## Giving Reasons and Examples

After stating your position, provide two or more reasons to support your view. Each reason should be logically connected to your opinion and directly answer the professor’s question.

> **Key Term: Reason**
> A statement that explains "why" you hold your opinion or position on the discussion topic.

For every reason, include a clear, specific example. Examples make your argument more convincing and help the reader follow your logic.

> **Key Term: Example**
> A specific situation, experience, or piece of evidence that illustrates or supports a reason in your answer.
>
> **Key Term: Supporting Detail**
> Any fact, illustration, or explanation that adds substance to your reasons and helps clarify your viewpoint.

You may use:

- Personal experiences ("For example, I once...")
- Facts or general knowledge ("For instance, many students...")
- Hypothetical scenarios ("Suppose a student...")

## Citing and Responding to Classmate Posts

You will often see two classmates’ posts before writing your answer. Refer briefly to ideas from those posts by agreeing, disagreeing, or adding to them, but do not simply repeat what they said.

Example referencing sentences:

- "I agree with Tom that technology is essential, but I feel that..."
- "Unlike Mary, I believe that online museums cannot replace the experience of seeing original art."

> **Key Term: Reference to Classmate**
> A sentence or phrase in your answer that acknowledges a previous classmate’s post and comments on their idea, either by supporting or challenging it.

## Paragraph Structure and Flow

Although not required to use full essay paragraphs, organize your writing as a clear, well-connected set of ideas. Begin with your opinion, move to reasons and examples, and end with a short summary or final comment if possible.

Use transition words for clarity:

- To introduce reasons: "First," "Second," "Another reason is..."
- To introduce examples: "For example," "For instance," "Such as..."
- To show contrast: "However," "On the other hand," "Although..."

## Language, Tone, and Length

Write in an appropriate academic tone. Avoid slang, abbreviations, or over-casual phrases. Be direct, concise, and respectful of classmates’ views even when disagreeing.

Aim for at least 100 words, but do not add irrelevant details to meet this minimum. Focus on covering each required element clearly.

### **Worked Example 1.1**

Read the following task and example response.

**Task:**  
Your professor posts: "Is it better for university students to live on campus or off campus? Explain your position." Two students respond, one supporting campus living, the other preferring apartments.

**Sample Answer:**  
In my opinion, living on campus is better for university students. First, it helps students make friends quickly because they can participate in many campus events. For example, I met my best friends at the university’s student club fair in my dorm building. Second, living on campus saves time because everything is close, such as classes, the library, and the dining hall. Unlike Anna, who likes apartments for privacy, I believe the convenience of campus life is more important for busy students. Therefore, I think living on campus is the best choice for most students.

> **Answer:**  
> This response immediately states the writer's position, gives two clear reasons ("make friends quickly," "saves time"), examples for each, references a classmate’s post ("Unlike Anna..."), and sums up the position. The tone is direct and the organization logical.

### **Worked Example 1.2**

**Task:**  
Do you think online classes can be as effective as traditional in-person classes? Why or why not?

**Sample Answer:**  
I believe that online classes can be just as effective as traditional in-person courses. One reason is that online classes are more flexible for students with work or family responsibilities. For instance, last year I could attend lectures in the evening because I did not have to travel to campus. Another reason is that online learning often includes helpful materials such as recorded videos and discussion boards. While some people, like Raj, argue that personal interaction is missing, I think technology can still provide good opportunities to interact with teachers and classmates.

> **Answer:**  
> The writer’s opinion is instantly clear, each reason is explained and illustrated, a classmate’s viewpoint is acknowledged and respectfully countered, and the language is academic.

### **Exam Warning**

> Some students write a general response without choosing a side or only restate classmates’ ideas. Always express your own viewpoint and add new information or viewpoint.

### **Revision Tip**

> Scan your finished answer to check:
>
> 1. Opinion stated in the first sentence
> 2. At least two logical reasons
> 3. A specific example for every reason
> 4. Any reference to classmates truly adds or responds, not just repeats.

## **Summary**

Writing for an Academic Discussion on TOEFL means expressing your opinion directly, explaining "why" with logical reasons, supporting each with examples, and explicitly responding to classmates’ ideas to add new understanding—not just repeating them.

## **Key Point Checklist**

_This article has covered the following key knowledge points:_

- How to state your opinion clearly in Academic Discussion writing
- The need to support your view with at least two reasons and examples
- How to reference classmates’ ideas and add new information
- Importance of logical, concise, academic organization
- Appropriate tone and word count for TOEFL Academic Discussion tasks

## **Key Terms and Concepts**

- Academic Discussion Task
- Stating a Position
- Reason
- Example
- Supporting Detail
- Reference to Classmate


Writing for an academic discussion - Stating a position with reasons and examples