10 Tips to Improve Your TOEFL Essays

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8. Learn how to use the comma (,) in English

Using the comma correctly will bring your writing to life. The good news is that many languages use the comma. The bad news is that the rules for using the comma are often different in each language! Learn the rules for using them in English--it will make your writing much easier to understand.

9. Use the active voice

There are two "voices" in English: active and passive. Here they are:

ACTIVE:	Cats eat birds.
PASSIVE:	Birds are eaten by cats.

The active voice is much stronger than the passive voice. Use the active voice as much as possible.

10. Use transitional words and phrases

Transitional words and phrases make your writing easier to understand. They connect ideas and present them to the reader in a logical order. Here are some examples: First of all..., In addition..., More importantly..., In closing..., In conclusion....