Writing for an Academic Discussion - Engaging with others’ p...

Learning Outcomes

After studying this article, you will be able to write clear, relevant responses in the TOEFL Writing Academic Discussion task by directly engaging with other students’ posts. You will learn to reference and extend classmates’ ideas, show agreement or disagreement effectively, and contribute meaningful new points, all using appropriate language for academic English.

TOEFL iBT Syllabus

For TOEFL, you are expected to demonstrate the skill of engaging with discussion posts in the Academic Discussion Writing task. For revision, focus on these syllabus points:

• Reference other students’ posts with specific examples or paraphrased points.
• Express clear agreement or disagreement and explain your reasoning.
• Add new observations or related points, not just repeat previous information.
• Use appropriate academic language and vocabulary suitable for group discussions.
• Write a response that is well-connected, relevant to the prompt, and at least 100 words in length.

Test Your Knowledge

Attempt these questions before reading this article. If you find some difficult or cannot remember the answers, remember to look more closely at that area during your revision.

1. When replying to an academic discussion, how should you reference another student’s post?
2. What is one effective phrase for disagreeing with a previous post while sounding academically polite?
3. True or false: Merely repeating a classmate’s idea, without adding new points, is enough for a high TOEFL score.
4. What should you include when you expand on a prior comment in an academic discussion setting?

Introduction

In the TOEFL iBT Writing Academic Discussion question, you will see a prompt from a professor and two posts from your peers. Your task is to write a response that contributes to the conversation. To score well, you must engage directly with others’ comments—either by referencing, agreeing or disagreeing, and always adding something relevant and new.

Key Term: Academic Discussion Response
A short essay in TOEFL where you answer a prompt by replying to other students’ posts, developing your own opinion, and furthering the discussion.

Key Term: Reference (in Discussion)
Citing or mentioning another student’s idea specifically so your contribution shows clear engagement with prior posts.

Referencing Others’ Posts

To show you are part of the conversation, use phrases that show what you are replying to. Start by directly mentioning the classmate’s idea:

Examples:

• "I agree with [Name] that increased public transportation is important..."
• "While I understand Tom’s point about the costs, I believe..."

This makes your response relevant and targeted.

Key Term: Paraphrase
Restating someone else’s idea in your own words, keeping the same meaning, to make your response original and clear.

Agreeing or Disagreeing Effectively

Simply saying "I agree" or "I disagree" is rarely sufficient. Always support your position with a reason or an example.

Agreeing:

• "I agree with Anna that investing in green energy will benefit the economy, especially because..."

Disagreeing (politely):

• "Although I understand Joe’s concern about expenses, I disagree because..."
• "I see Mary’s point, but I would argue that..."

These expressions are polite and academic.

Key Term: Academic Tone
The use of formal, respectful, and precise language that is typical in university writing.

Adding New Points to the Discussion

The best posts do not just repeat earlier points but extend the discussion by:

• Offering a new viewpoint or example,
• Asking a relevant question,
• Making a suggestion related to a previous idea.

Example:

• "In addition to Mary’s observation about student motivation, I think teacher support also plays a key role. For instance..."

Paraphrasing for TOEFL

When you reference posts, paraphrase classmates’ ideas rather than copying their words. This shows your command of English and avoids plagiarism.

Example:

• Instead of: "Tom says public transport is essential."
• Write: "Tom points out that transportation for everyone is essential to city life."

Responding to Multiple Views

You may agree with one student and disagree with another. Make your stance clear and connect your thoughts to what has already been discussed.

Example:

• "While I share Alex’s view that exam stress is a problem, I disagree with Lisa’s opinion that longer holidays are the solution. I think better study habits could help more."

Worked Example 1.1

Scenario: Professor: Cities should invest more in parks. Do you agree?
Anna: Parks make cities healthier, helping people relax and reducing stress.
Luis: I think city budgets are too tight to spend much on parks now.

Your Task:
Write a response engaging with both posts.

Sample Response:

"I agree with Anna that parks are valuable for public health, since green spaces encourage exercise and community activities. However, I understand Luis’s concern about costs. In my opinion, cities can partner with local businesses to help fund parks, making improvements more affordable for everyone."

Answer:
Notice the student references both Anna and Luis specifically, agrees with one, shows understanding of the other's concern, and suggests a new idea.

Worked Example 1.2

Scenario:
Professor: Should technology replace textbooks in schools?
Mina: Yes, because tablets are lighter and can be updated easily.
Sam: I disagree. Reading on screens can be tiring, and not all students have devices at home.

Your Task:
Write a suitable response.

Sample Response:

"I support Mina’s argument about the convenience of tablets, but I also agree with Sam that digital access is unequal. Perhaps schools could provide both resources, so students can choose what works best for them."

Answer:
This reply references both previous posts, agrees in part with both, and introduces a practical solution.

Exam Warning

On TOEFL, copying classmates’ wording or failing to add any new information can result in a low score. Always paraphrase and contribute a unique point.

Revision Tip

When you review your written post, underline each reference to other students or ideas in the prompt. Check that each one is phrased in your own words and that you offer a new comment or example.

Summary

• Always reference others' posts by name or idea.
• Agree or disagree with specific reasons.
• Paraphrase classmates’ points to show originality.
• Extend the discussion by adding new ideas, examples, or questions.
• Aim for formal, respectful, and precise language suited to an academic setting.

Key Point Checklist

This article has covered the following key knowledge points:

• How to reference other students’ posts directly in TOEFL Academic Discussion Writing
• Expressing agreement or disagreement with clear supporting reasons
• Adding new points, examples, or questions to extend the discussion
• Paraphrasing posts for originality and academic tone
• Using formal language appropriate for academic group writing

Key Terms and Concepts

• Academic Discussion Response
• Reference (in Discussion)
• Paraphrase
• Academic Tone