Download Essay Writing for Beginners – PDF (high quality), audio, answer key

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Download Essay Writing for Beginners – PDF (high quality), audio, answer key

 

Essay Writing for Beginners by Compass Publishing: A Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering TOEFL iBT Essay Writing

Essay writing is a fundamental skill for students aiming to succeed in academic and standardized tests, and nowhere is this more critical than in the TOEFL iBT exam. For many students, mastering the art of essay writing can be a daunting challenge, especially when it comes to the TOEFL’s Integrated and Independent Writing tasks. Essay Writing for Beginners by Compass Publishing, authored by Kelli Ripatti and Lucy Han, is designed specifically for intermediate to upper-intermediate learners (CEFR B2) to navigate the complexities of TOEFL writing tasks with ease. This two-book series offers a structured, step-by-step approach that simplifies the writing process while providing invaluable practice and skills development.

In this detailed review, we’ll break down the features, structure, and benefits of the Essay Writing for Beginners series, discussing how each element contributes to enhancing writing skills, particularly for TOEFL iBT preparation. By the end, you will have a clear understanding of why this series is an indispensable resource for learners seeking to excel in their writing.

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Overview of Essay Writing for Beginners by Kelli Ripatti & Lucy Han

The Essay Writing for Beginners series consists of two books: Essay Writing for Beginners 1 (Integrated) and Essay Writing for Beginners 2 (Independent). Together, these books provide a complete writing course for students preparing for the TOEFL iBT test. The focus is on improving writing skills through interactive and systematic exercises that guide learners step-by-step from basic understanding to proficient essay writing.

Target Audience:

• Intermediate to Upper-Intermediate Learners (CEFR Level B2)
• Students preparing for the TOEFL iBT exam, especially those looking to enhance their writing scores.
• Anyone interested in improving their academic writing skills.

Authors: Kelli Ripatti and Lucy Han bring years of experience in English language teaching and TOEFL preparation to the series. Their approach is designed to engage learners with clear explanations, practical tips, and structured exercises that focus on both the writing process and the nuances of TOEFL tasks.

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Structure and Content Overview

The Essay Writing for Beginners series is methodically organized into two levels, each addressing distinct aspects of essay writing required for the TOEFL exam. Below is an overview of each book and its structure.

1. Essay Writing for Beginners 1 (Integrated Writing)

This first book in the series focuses on Integrated Writing, which involves writing an essay based on information from both a reading passage and a listening segment (usually a lecture). The goal is to synthesize information from both sources and present a clear, coherent response. Essay Writing for Beginners 1 introduces the fundamentals of integrated essay writing through the following steps:

Step 1: Quizzes to Introduce Essential Skills

The first step in each unit is a quiz designed to introduce the necessary skills for tackling the TOEFL iBT writing tasks. These quizzes test the student’s understanding of the task requirements and help familiarize them with the types of questions and prompts that are commonly found on the test. By engaging in these quizzes, students begin to build a foundational understanding of the structure and demands of integrated writing.

Step 2: Note-taking, Planning, and Writing Procedures

This step helps students develop the skills needed for taking effective notes during the reading and listening phases of the Integrated Writing task. Students are taught how to identify and record key points from both the reading and the lecture, which are crucial for the next step in the writing process. The book also emphasizes how to organize and plan responses based on the notes taken, setting the stage for structured, well-supported writing.

Step 3: Writing and Paraphrasing Techniques

The third step is perhaps the most critical aspect of Integrated Writing. In this section, students learn how to write introduction, body, and conclusion paragraphs. The authors guide students through writing techniques, particularly focusing on paraphrasing, which is a critical skill for synthesizing information from the reading passage and the lecture. Paraphrasing ensures that students can present ideas in their own words, demonstrating their understanding of the material while avoiding plagiarism.

Step 4: Guided Tests for Practice

To put everything they’ve learned into action, students practice writing their own Integrated Essays. The book includes guided tests that allow students to work through writing tasks independently, reinforcing the steps they’ve learned in the previous sections. These tests give students a valuable opportunity to build confidence and develop their writing fluency in preparation for the TOEFL iBT exam.

Key Features of Essay Writing for Beginners 1 (Integrated Writing):

• Full-color illustrations and photographs to clarify key writing concepts.
• Skill-building exercises to improve writing fluency.
• A wide range of practice quizzes, note-taking exercises, and writing tasks to hone Integrated Writing skills.
• Sample Integrated Essays to help students understand the application of writing techniques.
• A Free Audio CD (included in this book) for listening practice and pronunciation.

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2. Essay Writing for Beginners 2 (Independent Writing)

Building on the skills from the first book, Essay Writing for Beginners 2 (Independent Writing) shifts focus to Independent Writing. In this section, students write an essay based solely on a prompt provided by the exam. Unlike Integrated Writing, which requires synthesizing information from multiple sources, Independent Writing tasks require the writer to form and defend an opinion or argument based on personal knowledge or experience. This book is structured similarly to the first, with four core steps that guide students from understanding the task to producing a complete, polished essay.

Step 1: Quizzes and Introductions to Independent Writing

As with the first book, each unit begins with a quiz to familiarize students with the typical Independent Writing tasks they will encounter. These quizzes help learners assess their current understanding and highlight areas that need improvement.

Step 2: Planning and Structuring an Independent Essay

This step teaches students how to plan and organize their essay. In Independent Writing, the ability to structure an essay clearly and logically is crucial. Students learn how to organize their ideas into a cohesive introduction, body, and conclusion, with each paragraph supporting their main argument or opinion.

Step 3: Writing Techniques and Argument Development

In the third step, the focus shifts to the techniques used for developing strong arguments. Students learn how to express their opinions persuasively, provide relevant examples, and connect ideas seamlessly. They also practice crafting strong thesis statements and effective transitions between paragraphs.

Step 4: Guided Tests and Independent Practice

The final step in the book gives students ample practice in writing full essays independently. Through a variety of writing tests and activities, students apply the skills they’ve learned to produce essays that meet the requirements of the TOEFL iBT Independent Writing task. These practice essays help students build confidence and improve their writing proficiency over time.

Key Features of Essay Writing for Beginners 2 (Independent Writing):

• Clear, step-by-step instructions for crafting well-organized, coherent essays.
• A wide range of writing prompts to encourage critical thinking and opinion formation.
• Sample Independent Essays to guide students in writing persuasive arguments.
• Exercises to improve argument development, essay structure, and writing coherence.

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Key Features of the Essay Writing for Beginners Series

The Essay Writing for Beginners series is more than just a textbook—it is a comprehensive learning tool for anyone preparing for the TOEFL iBT exam. Below are some of the key features that make this series stand out:

1. Full-Color Illustrations and Photographs

Each book in the series is filled with full-color illustrations and photographs that help visually reinforce key concepts, making the content more engaging and easier to understand. The use of color also helps highlight important information, making it easier for learners to follow the steps.

2. Skill-Building Exercises

Each book includes a variety of skill-building exercises that target specific writing techniques. These exercises help students improve their ability to write clear, coherent essays, and develop the necessary skills for both Integrated and Independent Writing tasks.

3. A Wide Range of Sample Essays

Both books contain sample essays that demonstrate the correct way to structure and write responses for the TOEFL iBT writing tasks. These sample essays provide excellent models for students to emulate, showcasing strong argumentation, clear organization, and appropriate use of language.

4. Audio Support (Essay Writing 1)

For students looking to improve their listening and pronunciation skills, Essay Writing for Beginners 1 (Integrated Writing) comes with a free audio CD that features native English speaker pronunciations. The audio recordings help learners familiarize themselves with TOEFL-related listening tasks, which are an integral part of the Integrated Writing section.

5. Practical Teaching Tips and Lesson Plans

For teachers, the books come with an introduction containing helpful teaching tips and recommended lesson plans. These resources provide educators with practical guidance on how to use the books effectively in the classroom, whether in one-on-one sessions or group lessons.

6. TOEFL-Style Practice Tasks

Every section of the books is aligned with the TOEFL iBT exam format, ensuring that students are prepared for the specific tasks they will face. Whether it’s synthesizing information for Integrated Writing or developing an argument for Independent Writing, students are consistently exposed to authentic TOEFL-style tasks.

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Why Choose Essay Writing for Beginners?

The Essay Writing for Beginners series is an exceptional choice for anyone preparing for the TOEFL iBT exam, especially for students who need structured, step-by-step guidance in developing their writing skills. The two-book series covers both Integrated and Independent Writing tasks, ensuring that students are well-prepared for all aspects of the writing exam.

With its engaging, interactive format, clear explanations, and abundant practice exercises, this series makes essay writing less intimidating and more accessible.

 

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