The first step in writing is prewriting. In this stage, you take times to generate ideas on the topic. Some types of prewriting are listing, clustering and free writing. For listing, you simply start to list ideas that come to mind. In clustering, you begin with the topic written in an oval, and then branch out and write ideas in ovals, linking ideas and examples. In freewriting, you simply begin writing without stopping on the topic. Writers might also use an outline to help keep them on topic and provide specific examples.
While prewriting is important, the TOEFL essay framework limits the amount of space and time for prewriting. Test-takers are given one piece of paper only, and instructed to write single-spaced essays. Test-takers work with these limitations by using one or two lines for prewriting, quickly deciding on a reply to the test topic, and generating specific examples. This is not the time to develop lots of ideas and a long essay. The TOEFL essay graders are quickly searching for a solid essay, not for lots of prewriting.
Once you have begun writing the TOEFL essay, it's best to keep on topic and focus on finishing. With about five minutes for pre-writing, you have about 20 minutes to complete an essay of about one page.
During this time, you should remember the time limits. Keep to the topic, and add specific examples for every statement. For example, if you say that parents help childen, then provide a specific instance. One writer might give the example of a parent encouraging a child to stay in school. Another writer might explain how a parent helped to handle a bully. The most important part of the essay writing is to stay on topic and avoid drifting to new, unrelated topics.
Post writing often takes a long time for regular essays in which you have time to review and edit an essay. However, the TOEFL essay time limit does not allow for lengthy revisions. Typically, the writer only has about five minutes to review and edit the Test of Written English.
With only a short time for editing, you are advised to be aware of your own typical grammatical errors and to search for the most serious or glaring mistakes, and avoid the smaller ones. For example, the articles "a," "an" and "the" are not considered major errors, and writers can ignore these mistakes. However, verb forms are considered major. A writer can check for errors such as "I am run," and change the form to "I run" or "I am running." You should avoid crossing out large parts of their essay and, generally leave the essay looking clean for the grader.