The TOEFL iBT Writing section looks very different from the version many preparation books describe. The long integrated essay is gone. In its place are three shorter tasks that test grammar, practical writing and academic argument. Each one needs its own approach.
The section at a glance
| Task | Items | Time | What it tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build a Sentence | 10 | Part of the section timer | Grammar and word order in a conversational reply |
| Write an Email | 1 | 7 minutes | Practical writing: purpose, tone, clarity |
| Writing for an Academic Discussion | 1 | 10 minutes | Stating and supporting an opinion in an academic context |
The Writing section comes third in the test, after Reading and Listening and before Speaking. Unlike Reading and Listening, it is not adaptive: every test taker gets the same task structure.
Task 1: Build a Sentence
How it works
You see one speaker's sentence or question in full. Below it is the other speaker's reply, broken into word groups in the wrong order. You arrange the groups to make a grammatical reply that fits the conversation. Each of the 10 items is machine-scored as right or wrong.
Example (illustrative):
Speaker A: Did you manage to finish the lab report? Word groups: [I still] [the results section] [need to] [check] Answer: I still need to check the results section.
Tips
- Find the verb first. Identify the subject and main verb, then build outward.
- Use the question to guide the answer. A "did you" question usually gets a reply in the past or a present-perfect form; a "where" question needs a place.
- Watch question word order. If the reply is itself a question, the auxiliary comes before the subject ("Could you tell me...", "Have you seen...").
- Read the finished sentence once before moving on. If it sounds wrong, it probably is.
Practise with common patterns: indirect questions ("Do you know where the library is?"), phrasal verbs, adverb placement ("I have already sent it"), and relative clauses.
Task 2: Write an Email
How it works
You read a short scenario in an academic or social setting, for example writing to a professor about a missed deadline or to a club organiser about an event. The scenario tells you who you are writing to and what you need to include. You have 7 minutes. ETS does not set a word range; what counts is covering the required points clearly in an appropriate tone.
The response is assessed on how well it achieves its communicative goal, its tone and conventions, how clearly and coherently it develops the points, and the accuracy of grammar, vocabulary and mechanics.
A reliable structure
- Greeting: match the reader ("Dear Professor Lin," / "Hi Jordan,")
- Purpose: one sentence saying why you are writing
- Required points: one or two sentences for each point in the prompt, with a detail or reason
- Closing request or next step: what you want the reader to do
- Sign-off: "Best regards," / "Thanks," plus your name
Tips
- Check off every required point. Missing one is the most expensive mistake in this task.
- Tone follows the relationship. A professor or administrator needs polite, formal phrasing; a classmate can be friendly.
- Use your last minute to proofread for spelling, capitalisation and punctuation.
Task 3: Writing for an Academic Discussion
How it works
You see a professor's question posted to an online class discussion and two short replies from students with different views. You write your own contribution in 10 minutes. ETS guidance says an effective response contains at least 100 words.
A reliable structure
- Your position in the first sentence, answering the professor's question directly
- Engage with a classmate: briefly agree or disagree with one of the student posts, and say why
- Your main reason, developed with an explanation or a specific example
- A brief closing sentence that ties back to the question
Sample opening: "I think universities should require students to take at least one course outside their major. While Priya makes a fair point that this delays graduation, broader courses often teach skills that specialised programs miss..."
Tips
- Add something new. Repeating a classmate's idea in different words is weak. Contribute your own reason or example.
- Specific beats general. A concrete example (a class you took, a situation you observed) is more convincing than a list of general claims.
- Keep to the time. Plan for one minute, write for eight, check for one.
A sample Write an Email response
Scenario (illustrative): You missed a group project meeting because of a doctor's appointment. Write an email to your classmate, Daniel. Apologise for missing the meeting, ask what was decided, and offer to take on a task.
Hi Daniel,
Sorry I missed yesterday's project meeting. I had a doctor's appointment that I couldn't reschedule, and I should have let everyone know earlier.
Could you tell me what the group decided? In particular, I'd like to know which sections of the presentation have been assigned and when we are meeting next.
I'm happy to take on the data analysis, since I've already collected most of the survey results. If someone else is working on that, I could prepare the slides instead.
Thanks, and sorry again for the short notice.
Best, Mina
This response states its purpose immediately, covers all three required points in order, adds a relevant detail to each, and keeps a friendly tone suitable for a classmate.
A sample Academic Discussion response
Professor's question (illustrative): Should cities invest more in public transport or in building new roads? Kofi argues for roads because many people still rely on cars. Lena argues for public transport because it reduces pollution.
In my view, cities should prioritise public transport, although I understand Kofi's point that many residents currently depend on cars. The problem is that new roads often fill up with more traffic within a few years, so they rarely solve congestion for long. Reliable buses and trains, on the other hand, can move far more people through the same space. In my hometown, for example, a new tram line made it possible for many commuters to leave their cars at home, and traffic in the centre became noticeably lighter. Investing in public transport also brings the environmental benefits Lena mentioned, but for me the strongest argument is simply that it uses limited city space more efficiently.
This response (about 120 words) takes a clear position, engages with both classmates, and adds a new argument supported by a specific example.
Common mistakes across the section
- Spending too long on one Build a Sentence item
- Writing an email that never states its purpose clearly
- Copying phrases from the student posts in the discussion task
- Skipping the final proofread; mechanics are part of the assessment
How Writing is scored
Your Writing section receives a band from 1 to 6 in half-point steps, which feeds into your overall band. Our TOEFL score scale guide explains how the bands and CEFR levels line up. For the full picture of what changed in January 2026, read TOEFL iBT 2026 changes.
Practise all three tasks under time
These tasks are short, so timing is everything. Practise Build a Sentence in sets of 10, and the email and discussion tasks with a strict countdown.
EnglishHub's TOEFL iBT simulator follows the updated 2026 format, with 50 full mock tests, 200 practice sets and AI feedback on your email and discussion responses. Your first mock is free: start a TOEFL mock test, or practise on the TOEFL hub.
EnglishHub is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by ETS. TOEFL and TOEFL iBT are trademarks of ETS. Always check the official ETS website for the latest format.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the TOEFL Writing section in 2026?
About 23 minutes. It contains 12 items: 10 Build a Sentence items, one Write an Email task (7 minutes) and one Writing for an Academic Discussion task (10 minutes).
How many words should I write for the TOEFL Academic Discussion task?
ETS guidance says an effective response contains at least 100 words. Quality matters more than length, so aim for a well-developed response of roughly 100 to 150 words in the 10 minutes.
Is there a word count for the TOEFL email task?
ETS does not set a fixed word range for Write an Email. You write a multi-sentence email that covers everything the scenario asks for, in a tone that suits the reader, within 7 minutes.
Is the old TOEFL integrated writing task still in the test?
No. The version of TOEFL iBT launched on 21 January 2026 no longer includes the integrated reading-listening-writing task. The Writing section now has Build a Sentence, Write an Email and Academic Discussion.
