TOEFL iBT Independent Writing, High school students should be assigned more homework.

 

☆Writing Topic

Consider the following statement. High school students should be assigned more homework to achieve better grades. Do you agree or disagree with this idea? Support your response by including specific reasons and examples.

 

 

☆Let’s think

This statement includes comparative “more” without “than …” Thus this comparison is with the amount of homework in general. Do high school students in general seem to be assigned enough homework? If not, will assigning more homework lead to better grades?

 

 

☆Hints for points

Here is a sample of brainstorming point by point on this statement.

 

	agree	disagree
current amount	not enough  They seem to have a lot of time to play.  Assessment results have turned down since the introduction of the more relaxed education policy.	enough too much homework already   Most students go to cram schools and   they are assigned another set of homework.
motivation	High school students need pressure to study.	Rest or refreshment is necessary for effective learning.
effects	They can concentrate more on their studies.	They will lose opportunities for exercise, relationships, or participating in social activities.
related factors	Low level students do not know where to start. They are happy to be told what to do more.	More practical curriculum and student-oriented classroom environment will improve grades.

 

 

 

☆Essay Structure

♦Sample Essay Structure for today’s writing topic

【Introduction = Outline】I disagree with the idea that high school students should be assigned more homework.

【Point 1】High school teachers should be trusted in their decision of homework assignment.

【Point 2】A larger quantity does not always lead to better results.

【Point 3 / Counterargument-treatment】It is true that test scores have been on the downward trend since the 1980s, but tightening the curriculum does not guarantee better grades. Sweden has much lighter curriculum but higher test scores than my country, Japan. The cause of bad grades should be identified before increasing the amount of homework.　

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】It is important to focus on the quality of study, rather than the quantity, to improve academic performances of high school students.

 

 

 

 

 

 

♦Your Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction = Outline】

 

 

【Point 1】

 

 

【Point 2】

 

 

【Point 3 / Counterargument-treatment】

 

 

 

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】

 

 

 

 

Paragraph development

 

☆A paragraph of the body of an essay often develops its main idea as follows:

【Main Idea】 (主張)

【Explanation】 (主張の説明)

【Detail / Example in general】 (一般的な例)

【More Specific Detail / Example】 (より具体的な例)

【Follow-up / Counterargument-treatment】 (補足または反論の処理)

【Conclusion】 (結論)

 

 ♦Sample Paragraph Development of Point 2 in the Essay Plan above

【Main Idea】 (主張)

A larger quantity does not always lead to better results.

【Explanation】 (主張の説明)

Increasing the amount of homework may result in negative consequences.

【Detail / Example in general】 (一般的な例)

For example, students lose time to motivate themselves for further study.

【More Specific Detail / Example】 (より具体的な例)

If they lose time to rest or do other activities, they will become disoriented and lose sight of the meaning of study. When they have little motivation, a larger amount of homework will be nothing more than a heavier burden.

【Follow-up / Counterargument-treatment】 (補足または反論の処理)

In some cases, such as language learning, practice makes it perfect. However, in general, grades do not seem to be proportional to the amount of study. Many students who spent most of their high school years participating in club activities can still graduate with high scores.

【Conclusion】 (結論)

It is the quality, rather than the quantity, of education that makes students perform better.　

 

 

 

The actual paragraph:

A larger quantity does not always lead to better results. Increasing the amount of homework may result in negative consequences. For example, students lose time to motivate themselves for further study. If they lose time to rest or do other activities, they will become disoriented and lose sight of the meaning of study. When they have little motivation, a larger amount of homework will be nothing more than a heavier burden. In some cases, such as language learning, practice makes it perfect. However, in general, grades do not seem to be proportional to the amount of study. Many students who spent most of their high school years participating in club activities can still graduate with high scores. It is the quality, rather than the quantity, of education that makes students perform better.　

 

 

♦Your Sample Paragraph Development

【Main Idea】 (主張)

 

 

【Explanation】 (主張の説明)

 

 

 

 【Detail / Example in general】 (一般的な例) 

 

 

 

 

【More Specific Detail / Example】 (より具体的な例)

 

 

 

 

 

【Follow-up / Counterargument-treatment】 (補足または反論の処理)

 

 

 

 

 

【Conclusion】 (結論)