Tuesday, April 12, 2011

How to format an essay for TOEFL

One of the most common problems we see from the essays published here is incorrect formatting.So we created a list of formatting tips to comply before submitting an essay on this forum for others to read and comment on it.Remember that the true test of TOEFL scorers read hundreds of essays every week and I really appreciate a nicely formatted.The essays presented here does not follow these formatting rules will receive lower scores (if someone has a score) and will bear the scorn of other forum members.Yes, believe it or not, punctuation is very, very important in English. There's a lot more for me to say, so check this topic regularly for updates.


TOEFL most important formatting rules

1. Click "Enter" twice at the end of each paragraph. This will create space between paragraphs and make your essay a lot easier to read. Remember that the true test of TOEFL scorers read hundreds of essays every week and I really appreciate a nicely formatted.

How about the bleeding?

"Sangria" refers to the number of seats at the beginning of the paragraph. "Standard" or traditional format requires five spaces at the beginning of each paragraph, but there are two ways. The other common method is not used at all places. The third way is to use two spaces instead of five.
You will find in these forums that I (Erin Billy), usually skip lines between paragraphs, but do not use spaces at the beginning of a new paragraph. I do this because it is the Internet discussion group. When I write a formal document, but I skip a line between paragraphs and indent five spaces.

2. Capitalize every sentence, the pronoun "I" and other names.

    Good: Because I was sleepy, I went to bed a little early.
    Bad: I was sleepy, I went to bed a little early.

3. Press the space bar, after almost a punctuation mark. This applies in particular periods, commas and colons. However, DO NOT press the space before the punctuation mark law.

    Good: Because I was sleepy, I went to bed a little early.
    Bad: Because I was sleepy, I went to bed a little early.
    Bad: Because I was sleepy, I went to bed a little early.



4. Do not use only letters or only lower case letters.

    Good: Because I was sleepy, I went to bed a little early.
    Bad: Because I was sleeping, I went to bed a little early.
    Bad: I was sleepy, I went to bed a little early.

It would be great for those recommendations.