Learning the Correct TOEFL Essay Structure

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Here's a brief explanation of the three main parts found in the TOEFL essay structure:

Introduction

The introduction is the first paragraph of your essay. The first few sentences of this paragraph simply introduce the the reader to the topic. The last sentence is called the thesis statement and clearly states your opinion. This is the most important sentence in the essay.

Body

The body of the essay is usually two paragraphs long. Each paragraph begins with a topic sentence that tells the reader what the rest of the paragraph is going to be about. The remaining sentences are called supporting ideas because their main function is to "support" the topic sentence.

Conclusion

The conclusion is the last paragraph of the essay. It restates the thesis and gives the reader a brief summary of the essay's main points. This paragraph is usually about 3 sentences long.