In a world increasingly driven by linguistic agility, the TOEFL Integrated Writing Task emerges not as a mere academic checkpoint but as a precise orchestration of intellectual synthesis. It is the point where a candidate’s ability to interpret, connect, and convey complex ideas in a second language is elegantly tested. But beyond the surface lies a dance of structure, comprehension, and eloquence—a test of both cognition and articulation.
The Essence of Integration: A Two-Lens Challenge
The TOEFL Integrated Writing Task introduces an intricate dual-lens exercise. First, a 250–300-word academic passage is presented, typically formal and assertive, laying down structured information. Then comes the auditory element: a 2-minute lecture that critically challenges or supplements the earlier reading. The task isn’t simply to summarize both. Instead, it’s a higher-order demand: to extract, compare, and contrast.
This nuanced balance is where most aspirants falter. They might lean too heavily into the reading or obsessively echo the lecture. But the crux lies in relation—how well one discerns the friction or flow between the two.
Unraveling the Mechanics: A Timed Mental Choreography
Once the reading passage disappears after three minutes, candidates must lean heavily on their notes. A well-notated reading phase becomes indispensable because the passage won’t be returned. The lecture begins immediately, revealing rebuttals or alternate theories. Every detail, every spoken nuance, potentially holds argumentative weight. The test is as much about listening accuracy as it is about interpretive synthesis.
From there, 20 minutes are granted to transform this dual exposure into a unified 150–225 word essay. Time ticks ruthlessly. There’s little room for pondering. It’s about discipline and execution.
Strategic Note-Taking: The Lost Art of Selective Capture
Many fail this test not due to misunderstanding, but due to poor notational discipline. Recording every detail is neither feasible nor wise. Instead, one must develop the skill of selective capture—a form of live transcription artistry.
From the reading: Capture the thesis, key supporting details, and the tone.
From the lecture: Jot down opposing claims, examples, counterarguments, and emotional cues in the speaker’s voice.
These fragments must later reassemble like puzzle pieces into coherent prose.
Paraphrasing Mastery: Avoiding the Mirage of Repetition
The Integrated Writing Task isn’t a copy-and-paste game. ETS explicitly discourages echoing source text verbatim. Thus, paraphrasing becomes not just useful but critical.
But paraphrasing is more than substitution. It’s about semantic reengineering—retaining the essence while reconstructing the expression. An idea cloaked in original structure reflects intellectual maturity. This practice doesn’t just appease examiners; it elevates your linguistic credibility.
Essay Structure: The Blueprint of Clarity
A disorganized response, no matter how insightful, will bleed points. The integrated writing essay must adhere to a time-tested structure:
- Introduction: A clear overview. Mention that the lecture challenges or supports the reading.
- Body Paragraph 1: First lecture point and its relation to the reading.
- Body Paragraph 2: Second point analysis.
- Body Paragraph 3: Third point (if time and content allow).
- Conclusion (optional): Brief re-statement if time permits.
Clarity, progression, and logic are non-negotiable.
Lexical Dexterity: The Quiet Score-Booster
What subtly distinguishes a good essay from a top-tier one? Vocabulary. Not flamboyance, but precision. Those who exhibit lexical dexterity, choosing the right word over the impressive one—shine brighter in the TOEFL rubric.
Words like “refute,” “contend,” “align,” “assert,” or “contradict” have semantic gravity. Use them wisely. However, eschew excessive flamboyance. Clarity over complexity, always.
Emotional Echoes: Listening Between the Lines
An often-overlooked element is the lecturer’s tonal delivery. Sarcasm, frustration, enthusiasm—these cues subtly guide interpretation. Did the professor dismiss the reading outright? Or offer balanced disagreement?
Detecting tone refines the relational thread between the texts. And weaving this into your essay showcases interpretive finesse.
Common Pitfalls: The Hidden Landmines
- Over-summarizing the reading: ETS has read their passage before. They’re testing your ability to analyze the relationship, not regurgitate content.
- Ignoring key lecture points: Lectures often carry more weight. Neglecting these invites deductions.
- Disorganized thoughts: Stream-of-consciousness writing erodes coherence.
- Grammar slip-ups: While minor issues may be forgiven, consistent tense errors or sentence fragments impact clarity and readability.
Synthesis over Summary: The Hidden Rubric Priority
TOEFL raters crave essays that go beyond summary. Integration means bridging—not isolating—the ideas from both sources. Use transition markers like:
- “In contrast to the reading, the lecturer argues…”
- “While the passage suggests…, the speaker challenges this by stating…”
- “The lecturer casts doubt on the passage’s claim by providing the example of…”
This reflective bridging is the fulcrum of a successful response.
Deep Cognition: Thinking Like an Examiner
Raters are trained to scan for cohesion, clarity, grammar, and accurate representation of source materials. But they also appreciate deeper nuance—subtle indicators that the writer has truly digested the material.
Adding your intellectual polish, without personal opinion, can elevate your response. For instance: “This divergence implies a broader skepticism toward the assumption proposed in the reading.”
These micro-reflections show maturity without subjectivity.
Practice Wisdom: Repetition with Reflection
True mastery isn’t born from endless repetition, but from reflective iteration. After each practice essay:
- Review the sources.
- Check what you missed.
- Analyze your structure.
- Reword your essay in new ways.
This recursive process builds fluency, not just familiarity.
Unlocking the Score Matrix: From Intermediate to Advanced
What separates a 3.5 from a 5.0? Often, it’s the consistency of clarity. You don’t need native-level flair. But you do need structure, control, and fluency. The high scorer is not the flashy writer but the controlled one. One who executes under pressure without linguistic flinching.
Concluding Chords: Why This Task Truly Matters
The TOEFL Integrated Writing Task is not just a section on a test—it is a microcosm of global communication. In our interconnected world, interpreting conflicting sources and presenting a coherent perspective is a professional imperative.
Thus, this task isn’t merely about academic survival. It reflects your ability to thrive in intellectual spaces, negotiate contrasting ideas, and express yourself with composed clarity. It is, in essence, a rehearsal for global citizenship.
The Architecture of Listening – Unveiling the Spoken Layer in TOEFL Integrated Writing
In the realm of academic challenges, listening is often overshadowed by reading and writing. Yet in the TOEFL Integrated Writing Task, listening doesn’t merely support understanding—it sculpts the entire narrative. What the lecturer conveys is not a supplement but a counterbalance. And how test-takers respond to that spoken nuance can decisively shape their scores.
In this essay, we deconstruct the delicate architecture of listening as it pertains to TOEFL’s most intellectually synthetic writing task, going far beyond passive hearing and into the terrain of strategic cognitive listening.
Understanding the Speaker’s Role: From Echo to Opposition
Unlike casual dialogues or even straightforward academic lectures, the spoken portion of the TOEFL Integrated Writing section serves a rhetorical function. It often provides a structured rebuttal, challenging the ideas posed in the written passage. Sometimes, the speaker may subtly support or provide exceptions to the written content, but disagreement is the prevailing pattern.
This opposition is not accidental. It’s crafted deliberately to measure the candidate’s ability to process dual perspectives and translate them into clear, relational prose. Recognizing this function is the first pillar in mastering listening within the TOEFL framework.
Active Listening vs Passive Absorption
Most test-takers fall into the trap of passive listening. They let the audio play while scribbling disconnected phrases, hoping to catch the essential points. But this approach is insufficient. Active listening means engaging with each sentence—predicting the structure, anticipating contrasts, and organizing spoken ideas mentally as they’re being delivered.
True active listening operates on three simultaneous levels:
- Lexical grasp: Understanding key academic vocabulary in real time.
- Structural prediction: Noting transitions like “however,” “in contrast,” “on the other hand,” which signal argumentative pivots.
- Emotional and tonal reading: Picking up on subtle vocal cues that reveal the speaker’s stance.
Structuring Your Notes: Creating a Listening Framework
While note-taking for reading is relatively static, listening notes must be dynamic and adaptable. Consider organizing your paper into two columns before the audio starts:
- Left Column: Title it “Reading Claim”
- Right Column: Title it “Lecture Rebuttal/Point”
This parallel format helps you immediately map contrast points, which is critical when drafting the essay. When the professor contradicts a reading statement, align it in your notes for easy reference during your writing phase.
Utilize shorthand symbols and abbreviations:
- “→” for cause-effect
- ≠” for contradiction
- “ex,” for example
- ↓” for increasing/decreasing trends
The more agile your notation system, the better your synthesis later.
The Hidden Curriculum: Speaker Intent and Academic Attitude
Not all disagreements are overt. Sometimes, the speaker undermines the reading subtly, perhaps by highlighting exceptions, casting doubt, or questioning the credibility of a source. Detecting this level of nuance requires listening beyond facts—it demands an ear for intent.
For instance, consider the professor who uses phrases like “While the reading makes a fair point, there’s reason to be skeptical…” Such phrasing reveals a measured skepticism rather than outright denial. Capturing this attitude accurately can enhance your writing’s depth.
This is where semantic sensitivity comes into play. High scorers are those who can reflect not just what was said but how it was positioned rhetorically.
Deconstructing Lecture Format: Recognizing Academic Patterns
Lectures follow predictable organizational patterns that you can leverage:
- Introduction: Often begins with a summary of the topic or problem.
- Point-by-point Refutation: Most commonly, three opposing points to the reading.
- Examples or Analogies: Provided to strengthen each argument.
- Conclusion (optional): Sometimes includes a summary or restatement.
By identifying these structural cues in real-time, you begin to pre-outline your essay before the lecture even ends.
Language Markers to Listen For
Certain phrases act as flashing signposts in TOEFL lectures. Train your ear for these:
- Contrast markers: “However,” “On the contrary,” “That’s not necessarily the case…”
- Supportive shifts: “In fact,” “Indeed,” “This supports the idea…”
- Examples: “For instance,” “Take the case of…”
- Doubt or skepticism: “We can’t be sure,” “There’s limited evidence,” “Critics argue…”
Incorporating these cues into your written response signals to the grader that you followed the lecture’s logic closely—an often-overlooked score-booster.
Cognitive Load and Listening Fatigue: A Real Barrier
Let’s not overlook the human factor. Listening to a dense, fast-paced academic lecture after already having digested a written passage can be mentally draining. Cognitive fatigue clouds note accuracy and reduces the writer’s ability to recall supporting examples.
Combat this by practicing listening endurance. Gradually build tolerance with TED Talks, university lectures, or podcasts on abstract topics. Focus on extracting argumentative flow rather than facts alone.
Even five minutes a day can improve your aural stamina, which directly impacts TOEFL performance.
Semantic Precision: Reconstructing, Not Repeating
In your writing, the goal is not to parrot the lecture. It’s to reconstruct the logic. This means capturing the essence of the speaker’s argument using your own words while maintaining fidelity to the original tone and point.
For example, if the professor says:
“The theory in the reading fails to consider recent archaeological findings that contradict its core premise.”
You could write:
“The lecturer counters the reading’s theory by referencing newer archaeological discoveries that undermine its foundational assumption.”
This kind of paraphrasing—grammatically varied, semantically precise—is a hallmark of advanced proficiency.
Micro-skills Within Listening: The Finer Mechanics
Listening is not one skill, it’s a compound of micro-skills that deserve focused attention:
- Chunking: Grouping words into meaningful units for faster comprehension.
- Shadowing: Repeating what you hear instantly to train auditory processing.
- Backtracking: Mentally replaying the last few seconds to confirm understanding (especially during pauses).
- Keyword anticipation: Predicting what comes next based on context.
Each of these skills can be honed individually, forming the substratum of excellent TOEFL listening performance.
Aesthetic of Listening: Beyond Mechanics
Listening, at its peak, becomes aesthetic—an act of empathy, focus, and interpretive grace. It transforms from utility to art. The speaker’s tone, phrasing, rhythm, even hesitations—all become part of the communicative puzzle.
In this light, TOEFL listening is not merely academic. It is deeply human. And those who treat it as such bring forth a response that resonates with natural insight and clarity.
Integrating Listening into Your Study Routine
Effective TOEFL preparation doesn’t treat listening as isolated. Instead, it blends listening with note-taking, paraphrasing, and writing in a spiral curriculum. Every practice round should follow this loop:
- Listen to a short academic lecture.
- Take notes in dual columns.
- Write a summary.
- Rewrite the summary using varied vocabulary.
- Compare it to sample responses or get feedback.
The loop, when done consistently, transforms passive learners into interpretive strategists.
High-Impact Listening Resources
While the TOEFL exam uses scripted audio, real-world resources can sharpen your edge:
- BBC In Our Time – dense academic dialogue.
- Yale Open Courses – real lectures with note-friendly pace.
- NPR Hidden Brain blends story and academic insight.
- Academic Earth – university-level content for synthesis practice.
Use these not just to absorb content but to simulate TOEFL tasks—note, write, reflect, repeat.
The Echo that Shapes the Essay
In the Integrated Writing Task, the lecture is not just another source, it is the pulse of the response. It challenges, disrupts, and expands the reading passage. Without grasping it fully, your writing becomes hollow, repetitive, or misaligned.
Listening, then, is not passive reception. It is active translation, a dynamic interaction between ear, mind, and pen. When you master this auditory architecture, your essay transcends regurgitation and becomes a refined demonstration of academic maturity.
Bridging the Divide – Crafting Seamless Synthesis in Integrated TOEFL Writing
One of the most challenging aspects of the TOEFL Integrated Writing Task is synthesis—the delicate art of weaving together information from both the reading passage and the lecture. While reading comprehension is often straightforward, the act of integrating two contrasting viewpoints into a cohesive response is where many candidates falter. This section explores the nuances of synthesis, breaking down strategies that can help you merge disparate ideas smoothly and effectively.
Understanding Synthesis: A Unified Whole
At its core, synthesis is the process of combining multiple sources of information into a single, unified response that is logical, accurate, and clear. In the TOEFL Integrated Writing Task, synthesis is not just about summarizing the reading and lecture; it’s about creating a dialogue between the two. This requires recognizing points of agreement, contrast, and nuance between the written text and the spoken lecture.
It’s essential to approach synthesis as more than a mechanical task of pulling information from both sources. Instead, it is about shaping an argument that reflects the relationships between those sources, all while maintaining a balanced and well-structured response.
Establishing a Logical Framework: Crafting a Blueprint for Synthesis
Before diving into writing, creating a framework is essential. When you listen to the lecture and read the passage, annotate and organize key ideas. One of the most effective strategies for synthesizing is using a two-column system for notes:
- Column 1: Main Points from the Reading
- Column 2: Corresponding or Contrasting Points from the Lecture
By writing the ideas in parallel columns, you can visually map out the relationships between the sources, noting areas of agreement or disagreement. This will not only help you avoid repetition but will also serve as a guide when you start crafting your response.
It’s also vital to be aware of the differences in perspective: the reading often presents a more theoretical or abstract viewpoint, while the lecture might include real-world examples or offer a more pragmatic interpretation of the issue. Recognizing these differences can be pivotal in creating a nuanced synthesis.
Using Transition Words for Seamless Connections
A major hurdle when synthesizing information from both sources is maintaining coherence and flow. Without the proper transitions, your essay can become a disjointed list of points rather than a fluid narrative. Transition words and phrases play a pivotal role in connecting ideas between the reading and the lecture.
For example:
- When showing contrast, use terms like “however,” “in contrast,” or “on the other hand.”
- For supporting ideas from both sources, you can use phrases like “similarly,” “in addition,” or “both sources agree.”
- When introducing examples from the lecture, use “for instance,” “for example,” or “this is illustrated by.”
These connectors guide the reader through the logical progression of your essay, making your argument easier to follow and ensuring that your synthesis feels natural rather than forced.
Deepening the Analysis: Beyond Surface-Level Synthesis
Many test-takers make the mistake of treating synthesis as a basic matching task, where they simply pair the reading’s claims with the lecture’s counterpoints. However, successful synthesis requires a deeper level of engagement. This means analyzing why the speaker might present a contrasting view and what implications that contrast has on the overall argument.
For example, if the reading claims that a certain theory is “widely accepted,” but the speaker offers a skeptical view or suggests that the theory is outdated, the synthesis should not just mention the disagreement. Instead, it should explore the reasons behind the speaker’s stance, reflecting on how these differing perspectives challenge or reshape the validity of the reading’s argument.
By embedding this analytical depth, your essay will demonstrate a higher level of critical thinking, which is highly valued in TOEFL evaluations.
Paraphrasing: The Bridge Between Ideas
A key component of successful synthesis is paraphrasing. Simply copying or repeating the lecture and reading content will lead to a mechanical and uninspired response. Instead, focus on restating the main ideas in your own words. This doesn’t mean stripping away the meaning; rather, it’s about reworking the information to make it fit seamlessly into the framework of your essay.
For instance, if the reading describes a theory as “universally accepted,” and the lecturer questions this with “many researchers have now cast doubt on its universality,” you might paraphrase the lecturer’s point as:
“While the reading suggests broad consensus, the lecturer introduces the idea that recent research challenges this assumption.”
This paraphrasing ensures that you demonstrate language proficiency and understanding while also keeping the essay more cohesive.
The Art of Balancing Sources
A common pitfall in the Integrated Writing Task is overemphasizing one source. Some test-takers focus too heavily on the reading, others on the lecture. Both sources are of equal importance, and your essay should reflect a balance between them.
- 50% reading, 50% lecture: Each source should be weighed equally, ensuring that your essay doesn’t feel biased or incomplete.
- Topic Development: Ensure that you develop your essay logically, with each new point building on the previous one. This creates a sense of progression in your argument.
It is also important to avoid falling into the trap of “parroting” both sources. The goal is not to simply repeat what the reading or lecture says, but to synthesize their ideas in a way that adds value and creates a cohesive argument.
Structuring Your Response: From Introduction to Conclusion
The organizational structure of your essay is crucial for clarity and coherence. Start by summarizing the main ideas of both sources—but remember, this is not about describing them in great detail. Instead, briefly mention the general points, then highlight how the lecture and the reading interact.
For instance:
- Introduction: Briefly introduce the reading and lecture, identifying their main claims and the contrasting perspectives.
- Body Paragraphs: Organize the body of your essay around the key points of contrast or agreement. Each paragraph should contain both the reading’s claim and the corresponding or opposing point from the lecture, along with your paraphrased explanation.
- Conclusion: Close with a brief reflection on how the reading and the lecture complement or challenge each other, tying everything together in a cohesive thought.
Each paragraph should naturally progress from one idea to the next, maintaining a logical flow and avoiding excessive repetition.
Reviewing and Editing: Polishing Your Synthesis
After drafting your essay, take a moment to review and edit. Check for clarity, coherence, and consistency between the reading and lecture. Have you connected the ideas effectively? Have you avoided redundant phrases? Is your synthesis truly synthesized or just a summary of both sources?
Additionally, watch for language precision. The TOEFL scoring rubric evaluates vocabulary usage, so ensure that your language is varied and academic. This doesn’t mean using overly complex words, but choosing appropriate academic terms that reflect a sophisticated understanding of the material.
The Power of Effective Synthesis
Mastering synthesis in TOEFL Integrated Writing is no easy feat, but it’s the cornerstone of a high-scoring response. By treating synthesis as an active, deliberate process—balancing the reading and lecture, paraphrasing effectively, and adding analytical depth—you’ll create a response that not only answers the prompt but also showcases your academic sophistication.
The ability to blend ideas into a cohesive argument is a powerful skill that transcends the TOEFL exam. By honing this skill, you’ll not only excel in TOEFL but also in any academic or professional context that requires critical thinking and written communication.
Mastering the Conclusion – Finalizing Your TOEFL Integrated Writing Strategy
In TOEFL Integrated Writing, the conclusion may appear as the last step of the task, but it is far from an afterthought. It is your opportunity to solidify the argument you’ve crafted, emphasize the key points, and leave a lasting impression on the examiner. Though it may seem like a mere summary, a well-written conclusion can greatly impact your score, demonstrating your ability to synthesize information cohesively and clearly. This article focuses on perfecting the conclusion and refining your overall strategy for TOEFL Integrated Writing.
The Role of the Conclusion: More Than Just a Summary
While many students might assume the conclusion serves only to summarize the content, its true purpose is much more profound. It serves as the final chance to reinforce your synthesis of the reading and lecture, clarify your argument, and wrap up your ideas in a way that feels complete and coherent. The examiner is looking to see if you can integrate all of your information and insights while ensuring that you bring your argument to a logical conclusion.
The conclusion in Integrated Writing goes beyond a simple repetition of what’s already been said. It’s about summarizing the relationship between the reading and lecture, reflecting on the contrasting or complementary ideas discussed, and leaving the reader with a sense of closure.
Key Elements of an Effective Conclusion
To write a strong conclusion, keep these critical components in mind:
- Restate the Relationship: This is the most direct part of your conclusion. You need to briefly reiterate how the reading and lecture interact. Is there an agreement, disagreement, or a more complex relationship between the two? Restating this relationship provides a final summary of your synthesis and reminds the examiner of the core points you have explored.
- Emphasize Main Points: Summarize the most crucial aspects of both sources, but avoid merely repeating details. Highlight the points that contribute most to your overall argument, and reiterate why they matter in the context of the question. This shows the examiner that you can not only integrate information but also prioritize it effectively.
- Provide Closure: The conclusion is the last paragraph of your essay, so it should provide a clear sense of closure. You don’t need to introduce new ideas here, but you can offer a final thought that cements the importance of your synthesis. This might involve offering insight into why the contrast between the reading and lecture is significant or emphasizing the relevance of the ideas discussed.
Common Mistakes in Conclusions
Many test-takers overlook the significance of the conclusion, either by making it too brief or too generic. Here are a few mistakes to avoid:
- Over-Summarizing: A common pitfall is repeating what’s already been said in the body of the essay without adding any new insights. The examiner wants to see how you can synthesize the information, not just regurgitate it.
- Weak Connection to the Reading and Lecture: Another mistake is neglecting to tie the conclusion back to the reading and lecture effectively. A good conclusion should link back to the sources, whether by restating their relationship or highlighting their key points.
- Unfocused or Vague Language: Be careful with your phrasing. Vague terms like “This shows that…” or “In conclusion…” don’t add any depth to your synthesis. Instead, focus on strong, precise language that communicates the main takeaway from your analysis.
Refining Your Synthesis: Reviewing Your Essay
After you have crafted your conclusion, it’s essential to review the entire essay for cohesion. Review whether the synthesis in your body paragraphs has been consistent and logical, and whether your conclusion ties everything together. Here are some tips for reviewing:
- Check for Clarity: Does each paragraph logically lead to the next? Is your synthesis of the reading and lecture clear and easy to follow? If you notice any sections that might confuse the reader, revise them for clarity.
- Eliminate Repetition: Avoid repeating the same phrases or points too often. Your conclusion should echo your argument without simply restating it verbatim. Look for opportunities to rephrase ideas in fresh ways, while still conveying the same meaning.
- Ensure Balanced Coverage: Did you give equal weight to both the reading and the lecture? Ensure that your synthesis reflects the full range of perspectives and that neither source dominates your essay. A balanced approach will demonstrate your ability to handle both sources impartially and thoughtfully.
Timing Your Response: Efficiency and Precision
In TOEFL Integrated Writing, timing is critical. You have just 20 minutes to complete your essay, which means you must manage your time wisely. The conclusion should take up the last few minutes of your writing time. To ensure you leave yourself enough time for a solid conclusion, consider the following time-management strategies:
- Pre-write Your Synthesis: Before you begin writing your essay, spend a few minutes organizing your thoughts. This will help you streamline your writing process and avoid wasting time figuring out what to say next.
- Allocate Time for Review: Dedicate at least two to three minutes at the end of your writing time to review your essay. This will allow you to catch any mistakes, improve phrasing, and polish your conclusion.
- Write Concisely: The conclusion doesn’t need to be long. A short, sharp conclusion that sums up your argument and restates the relationship between the sources is often more effective than a lengthy one.
Beyond the Conclusion: Final Strategies for Integrated Writing Success
As we conclude this series on TOEFL Integrated Writing, it’s important to note that mastery of synthesis requires consistent practice and strategic thinking. Writing a high-quality Integrated essay is about more than just knowing the right formula for structure. It’s about developing a comprehensive approach that includes:
- Effective Note-Taking: During the reading and lecture, make sure to take detailed, organized notes. These will serve as your foundation for synthesizing the ideas in the essay.
- Active Listening: When you listen to the lecture, focus on identifying the core points and arguments presented. Understanding the lecture’s key takeaways is essential for crafting a well-rounded response.
- Regular Practice: The more you practice TOEFL Integrated Writing, the more comfortable you will become with balancing and synthesizing information. Try writing essays on a variety of topics to strengthen your writing skills and ability to handle different types of content.
Conclusion
The TOEFL Integrated Writing Task is a critical component of the exam, and your conclusion plays an integral role in shaping the overall quality of your essay. By ensuring that your conclusion is clear, concise, and impactful, you will leave a strong impression on the examiner and solidify your argument.
Remember, your goal is not simply to demonstrate that you can write an essay, but to show that you can integrate diverse sources of information into a coherent and compelling response. With the right strategies, practice, and understanding of synthesis, you can approach the Integrated Writing Task with confidence and mastery.
