Should Social Media Be Used as a Tool for Political Advocacy - TOEFL Writing for Academic Discussion

The TOEFL Writing Academic Discussion task challenges you to evaluate academic lectures critically. You’ll be required to form clear, well-supported opinions and present them effectively. This practice test is designed to enhance your ability to think critically and write persuasively. Let's begin your practice with our TOEFL Academic Discussion sample test on "Should Social Media Be Used as a Tool for Political Advocacy".

Writing Instructions

• You will read a discussion related to an academic topic in class where your classmates have written their opinions on the said topic.
• You have 10 minutes to prepare and write your personal opinion on the academic topic.
• Try to answer the question based on the discussion. You can also take ideas from the opinions posted by your classmates.
• There is no maximum word limit. However, an effective response should be a minimum of 100 words.
• Your response will be judged on the quality and clarity of your writing with well-supported reasons.

Instructions: Your professor is teaching a class on environmental science. Write a post responding to the professor's question. In your response, you should -

1. express and support your personal opinion,
2. make a contribution to the discussion in your own words.

An effective response will contain at least 100 words.

Professor: Social media has become a powerful platform for communication and information sharing. Today, I want to discuss whether social media should be used as a tool for political support. What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of using social media for this purpose?

Emily: I believe that social media should definitely be used as a tool for political support. It allows for the rapid spread of information and can engage a wide audience, especially younger people who are more active on these platforms. For example, movements like #MeToo and Black Lives Matter gained significant support through social media, raising awareness and prompting real-world action. But it is crucial to ensure that the information shared is accurate to avoid misinformation.

Oliver: While I see Emily's point, I think the drawbacks of using social media for political support outweigh the benefits. Social media platforms are often full of misinformation and closed groups. In these groups, people only see content that reinforces their existing beliefs. This can lead to increased division and a less informed public. Also, the anonymity of social media can result in harmful behaviors like trolling and harassment, which can undermine constructive political discussions.

Wait! Let's learn more about the TOEFL Exam Pattern and Syllabus before checking out the sample answers to the Academic Discussion Writing task!

Sample Response for the Academic Discussion Writing Task on - Should Social Media Be Used as a Tool for Political Advocacy

We’ve included two sample responses for the Writing Academic Discussion Task—one illustrating a high-level response and the other a mid-level response. Reviewing these examples will help you understand the scoring criteria for each level and enhance your writing skills as a result.

High-level Response

I believe that social media should be used as a tool for political support but with caution and responsibility. Emily makes a compelling point about the ability of social media to rapidly disseminate information and engage a broad audience, particularly younger demographics. Movements like #MeToo and Black Lives Matter have indeed leveraged social media to raise awareness and mobilize support, leading to significant real-world impacts. These platforms can democratize political participation by giving a voice to those who might otherwise be marginalized in traditional media.

Moreover, the anonymity of social media can indeed lead to harmful behaviors like trolling and harassment, which can undermine constructive political discussions. Encouraging respectful dialogue and holding users accountable for their actions can help create a more positive and productive environment for political discourse. In conclusion, while social media has the potential to be a powerful tool for political support, it is crucial to address its drawbacks through education, platform regulation, and promoting respectful dialogue.

Rater’s Comment

This response merits a high score due to its clear and well-developed argument. The writer effectively addresses the prompt by presenting a balanced view on the use of social media for political support. The response is well-organized, with each paragraph focusing on a specific aspect of the argument. The first paragraph discusses the benefits of social media in raising awareness and engaging a broad audience, while the second paragraph addresses the issues of misinformation and echo chambers. The writer also proposes solutions to mitigate these drawbacks, such as promoting digital literacy and respectful dialogue. The language is formal and appropriate for an academic discussion, and the response is free from major grammatical errors. Overall, the writer provides a compelling and coherent argument that contributes meaningfully to the discussion.

Mid-level Response

Social media has become an influential tool for political support, with both advantages and disadvantages. Emily’s argument highlights that social media can engage a large audience quickly, particularly younger people.

On the other hand, Oliver points out several significant drawbacks. Social media often fosters echo chambers, where people only see content that aligns with their pre-existing views. This limits their understanding of diverse perspectives and can contribute to political polarization.

Rater’s Comment

This response demonstrates a mid-level performance. The student presents both sides of the argument by summarizing Emily and Oliver’s perspectives. However, the response lacks depth in analysis and original insight. The language is clear but basic, with occasional repetition of ideas. To improve, the student should provide more detailed examples and develop their own stance on the issue. Grammatical structures are generally correct but could be more varied for better coherence.

Strategies for Taking the Academic Discussion Writing Task on - Should Social Media Be Used as a Tool for Political Advocacy

It's time to examine the tips our experts have developed and put them to work as we practice with TOEFL Writing mock tests. Check the following strategies for taking an academic discussion task.

• Carefully read the professor's questions and responses from other students. Identify key arguments presented on both sides of the debate—both the benefits and drawbacks of using social media for political advocacy.

• Note the advantages, such as broad reach and engagement, and the disadvantages, like misinformation and polarization. This will help you address the prompt fully.

• Decide whether you agree more with the benefits or the drawbacks. Make sure your stance is clear from the beginning and supported throughout your response.

• Strengthen your argument with relevant examples, like how social media platforms have been used in real-world movements (e.g., #MeToo, Black Lives Matter), or mention incidents of misinformation spreading online.

Feeling confident after exploring the sample response and writing strategies? Put your knowledge into practice! All the best!

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