TOEFL Writing: Build a Clear Academic Discussion Response

Respond directly, add a useful idea and support your position with precise reasoning.

Understand the communication goal

In a TOEFL-style academic discussion, your response should contribute meaningfully to an existing exchange. It needs a clear position, relevant support and a logical connection to the question or earlier ideas.

Discussion prompt

A class is discussing whether companies should allow employees to work remotely most of the time. One student emphasises flexibility. Another worries about collaboration. What position would you add?

Use a three-part response

Position: answer the question directly.
Development: explain one strong reason or consequence.
Connection: refer to another idea, add a qualification or give a concrete example.

Model: I agree that remote work can improve flexibility, but companies should combine it with regular team sessions. Flexible schedules help employees concentrate, while planned collaboration prevents information from becoming isolated. For example, a weekly project meeting can protect teamwork without removing the benefits of working from home.

Useful language for interaction

I agree with the point that…, particularly because…
A further consideration is…
This argument is persuasive, although…
A practical example would be…
For this reason, I would argue that…

Guided practice

Question: Should universities require every student to complete a work placement?

Plan a position, one benefit or limitation, a connection to a likely opposing view and one example.

Your writing task

Write your own response to the remote-work discussion. Use 100 to 140 words as a practice target, not as an official rule. Underline your position, circle your supporting reason and place a box around the sentence that connects your contribution to the wider discussion.