TOEFL, iBT, Independent Writing, More Homework for High School Students？ -rewrite-

☆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 -many students hanging out after school -the more relaxed education policy.	enough -too much homework already -cram schools
motivation	-As the saying goes, practice makes it perfect. -High school students need pressure to study.	-All work and not play makes Jack a dull boy. -Rest or refreshment is necessary for learning.
effects	They will spend more time on their studies.	-They will lose time for other activities.
related factors	Most 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

【Introduction = Outline】It is tempting to increase the amount of work for better results in general, but I disagree with the idea that high school students should be assigned more homework.

【Point 1】The problem is not in students but the whole educational system.

【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

Sample Paragraph Development of Point 2 in the Essay Plan above

Phase 1　【Main Idea】 and 【Specific Detail/Example】

【Main Idea】 A larger quantity does not always lead to better results.

【Specific Detail/Example】 For those who have not understood how to use relatives in English grammar, for example, answering dozens of related questions is a waste of time. The same is true with mathematical problems or science quizzes that involve calculation. Good students would want to do more challenging tasks, and can get frustrated or lose motivation for study by doing mind-numbing basics.

Phase 2  Phase 1 with explanation, transition, follow-up, and conclusion

【Main Idea】 A larger quantity does not always lead to better results.

【Explanation】Increasing the amount of homework might not work or　put some students off.

【Transition to Specific Detail/Example】Students vary in interests, capacity and timing in learning.

【Specific Detail/Example】 For those who have not understood how to use relatives in English grammar, for example, answering dozens of related questions is a waste of time. The same is true with mathematical problems or science quizzes that involve calculation. Good students would want to do more challenging tasks, and can get frustrated or lose motivation for study by doing mind-numbing basics.

【Follow-up / Counterargument-treatment】It is true that practice makes it perfect but just giving more assignment and hoping for the best is not scientific.

【Conclusion】More personalized assignments are necessary instead of more pages to cover in a single uniform way.

Another sample for the same main idea

【Main Idea】 A larger quantity does not always lead to better results.

【Transition to Specific Detail/Example】Additional homework make students lose time to motivate themselves for further study.

【Specific Detail/Example】 Without 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】In some cases, such as language learning, practice makes it perfect. However, in general, grades are not always proportional to the amount of study. Many students who spent most of their high school year participating in club activities can still graduate with high scores.

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

Your Sample Paragraph Development

【Main Idea】

【Explanation】

【Transition to Specific Detail/Example】

【Specific Detail / Example】

【Follow-up / Counterargument-treatment】

【Conclusion】