Essay Writing

An essay is a short piece of writing that generally shows the author's view on a particular subject. There are many different kinds of essays, including narrative, descriptive, and persuasive. Here are some tips for writing essays.

Introduction

Every essay or paper is made up of three parts: introduction, body and conclusion. The introduction is the first paragraph of the essay or paper. It often begins with a general statement about the topic and ends with a more specific statement of the main idea of your essay. The purpose of the introduction is to let the reader know what the topic is. It should inform the reader about your point of view and arouse the reader's curiosity so that he or she will want to read your essay.

The body

The introduction is followed by the body of the essay. It consists of a number of paragraphs in which you develop your ideas in detail. Limit each paragraph to one main idea. Prove your points continually by using specific examples and quotations. Use transition words to ensure a smooth flow of ideas from paragraph to paragraph.

Conclusion

The conclusion is the last paragraph of the paper. Its purpose is to summarize your main points, leaving out specific examples. It should restate the main idea of the essay.

Revise the First Draft

Once you have prepared the first draft, revise it. This involves rethinking your ideas, refining your arguments, reorganizing paragraphs, and rewording sentences. You may need to develop your ideas in more detail, give more evidence to support your claims, or delete material that is unnecessary. Read your essay out loud. This sometimes makes it easier to identify writing that is awkward or unclear. Have somebody else read the paper and tell you if there's anything that's unclear or confusing.

Proofread the Final Draft

Look for careless errors such as misspelled words, incorrect punctuation and capitalization. Errors are harder to spot on a computer screen than on paper. If you type your essay on a computer, print out a copy to proofread. Remember, spell checkers and grammar checkers don't always catch errors, so it is best not to rely on them too much.

Tips for writing essays

1. Use simple language. Avoid the use of bombastic and archaic words and terminology.

2. Avoid the use of lengthy sentences consisting of many clauses. Let your sentences be short and pithy. However, for the sake of variety and emphasis, a long complex sentence can be added here and there. It will add to the beauty and total effect of the essay.

3. Give relevant facts and avoid circumlocution, repetitions and digressions. However, some elements of illustrative matter are fine, provided that they fit tightly into the frame-work of the essay.

4. The essay should be neatly divided into paragraphs. Each paragraph should arise naturally out of the earlier one and give a distinct idea which is generally an advancement of the ideas expressed earlier. Give proper attention to the introductory and concluding paragraphs.

5. Let the language be your own though you may make some use of proverbs, quotations and poetical tags, if necessary.

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By Manjusha Nambiar
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Manjusha_Nambiar

How to Discuss a Past Downsizing During an Interview (Part 1)

The key to successful interviewing is being prepared. Certain questions are considered "standard", yet few people think about their responses ahead of time. When candidates are unprepared, their answers may showcase emotions that are valid, but could be damaging to reveal during an interview. One of the most common interview questions is "Why are you currently in a job search?" When you have been downsized and you need to communicate your situation to a hiring manager, your response should combine a positive reflection regarding your previous employer with a brief discussion of the business reasons why you are no longer employed by them. Below are five strategies for crafting an effective statement.

Examine your emotions

Was your position off-shored to a country where labor costs are one-third of what they are at home? Did management reduce their front line staff while increasing executive bonuses? Did your position become redundant after a company merger? When jobs are lost because of these types of situations, people can become angry and feel betrayed by their former employer. If this anger comes across in the interview, you will not be seen as the top candidate, even if you are the most qualified. Nobody wants to hire someone who's carrying around excess baggage or has a chip on their shoulder.

Prior to your interview, you need to separate your emotions from the business reasons for a job loss. Acknowledge your emotions to yourself and those close to you, but prepare a statement that conveys the business reasons for why you are currently in a job search.

Say something positive

Before you discuss the situation that led to your job loss, say something positive about your experience with that employer.

Example I was fortunate enough to work with company X for seven years. I had the opportunity to work with some exceptional programmers and hone my technical skills. I was proud to provide quality customer service to clients at XYZ company. They stood by their products and rewarded employees that made a favorable impression on their customers.

Discuss the business reason for the job loss

Discuss your job loss in the general context of the company. Rather than personalizing the situation by saying things like "I was let go", "My job was eliminated" or "My position was outsourced", discuss how a department, business group or particular type of professional responsibility was eliminated. This shows the hiring manager that others lost their jobs as well and that the loss was not due to your individual performance.

Example Unfortunately my entire department of 20 was eliminated. As a result of a global company restructuring, the company had to reduce their NY workforce by 25%. The accounting function was outsourced and all ten accounting professionals were let go.

Prepare multiple level responses

If you were let go, but your co-worker who performs the same job function was not, it is wise to create two responses. Part one is a general response and part two is used if the interviewer probes further about your situation.

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By Barbara Safani
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

How to Discuss a Past Downsizing During an Interview (Part 2)

Level One A business decision was made to reduce the help desk staff by 50%.

Level Two

For some interviewers the previous answer satisfies their curiosity. Others may probe and ask: How many were in your department and how many were let go? Why were you let go rather than your co-worker?

Assure the interviewer that the job loss was not performance based. Don't discuss any speculations you may have about the company or your manager's motives.

Example: The company suffered low 4th quarter earnings which translated into a 50% reduction of staff in four departments. In my group the 50% reduction represented the elimination of one position. The specific reasons for the decision were not communicated to me; however I can assure you that the decision was not performance related. My manager was extremely satisfied with my performance and has offered to serve as a reference on my behalf.

Keep in mind that if your company's workforce reduction was significant, the situation may have received widespread media attention. If this is the case, the interviewer may comment on what they've read in the papers or say something like "I recently read that company X laid off 3,000 employees in the 4th quarter...that must have been an extremely difficult time." Stick to your original story, be sure to say something positive about the company, and don't turn it into an emotional exchange.

Practice

Write out what you plan to say and make revisions. Practice your response with someone close to your situation such as a family member, friend or colleague. Record your response on your telephone answering machine, play it back and critique it. Have you personalized your situation or discussed it in a business context? Do your words flow and do you sound sincere?

Preparing an effective statement to explain the reason you are in a job search is critical to the overall success of your search campaign. Reflect on the positive aspects of your work experience and take the time to create a statement that explains your reasons for being in a job search. You will enhance your confidence during the interview and improve your credibility with the hiring manager.

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By Barbara Safani
Article Source: http://www.articlebiz.com/

The 10 Worst Answers to Job Interview Questions

Let me start by saying that these might not be the ten worst answers to job interview questions of all time. They are, however, among the ten worst responses that I have ever heard. That’s right -- these are all true.

Some of these responses I heard from students in career development classes and others actually came from people who were interviewing with me for real jobs. Hopefully you won’t recognize yourself in any of these examples.

1. What interests you in this job?
Answer: I don’t know. I couldn’t possibly afford to work here for the amount of money you are paying.

2. How would you respond if a student asked you XYZ?
Answer: You’ve got to be kidding. No one would ever ask me anything that stupid.

3. Why are you interested in working in sales? (Note: It was a sales job.)
Answer: Oh, I’m not. I hate sales. I would never work in sales.

4. Are the hours of this job convenient for you?
Answer: Oh yes. I’ll just get my boyfriend to drop the kids off here when he picks them up after school.

5. Why did you leave your last job?
Answer: Everybody there hated me. They accused me of stealing and I got sick of it so I walked out and never went back.

6. How would your last boss describe you?
Answer: Lazy

7. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Answer: I don’t understand the question.

8. What did you like best about your last job?
Answer: It sure wasn’t my boss. I hated her. I don’t know who she thought she was, firing me.

9. How would you handle an irate customer?
Answer: Come get you to deal with it. Stuff like that isn’t my job.

10. What’s the most important thing to you in a job:
Answer: Plenty of sick time. I’ve got three kids who are always sick and nobody to help me.

While this list may make you chuckle, the point here is that people actually chose to answer job interview questions in this manner. It really isn’t funny when people don’t know better than to talk themselves out of even being considered for jobs they might otherwise be qualified for.

The people who were my students just kept answering the same questions over again until they came up with acceptable responses. The other ones? I hope that at some point they figured out better ways to respond in job interview situations.

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By Mary G. White
Article Source: http://www.articleset.com/

How to Prepare For an Interview

Once you get the call for the interview, the next thing that you have to do is prepare for it. You can never over prepare for an interview. The more prepared you are, the harder it will be to make mistakes. It is best to prepare yourself emotionally as well as intellectually for an interview. Giving a great interview is not as hard as some may think, but not as easy as others do either. Here are a few things that must be done in order to prepare for your next interview.

Remember, during an interview, you are a salesman. You are there to sell yourself to your prospective employer. You want to market yourself in the most interesting way possible. Great preparation for the interview is your best bet. A salesman that is knowledgeable, friendly and positive always gets the close.

Do Your Research

It doesn’t matter how much knowledge or experience you have about the position that you are trying to get in a company if you don’t have a clue who the company is or what they do. It is disastrous to enter into an interview and not be able to tell your interviewer what their company is about. How else are you going to tell them why you feel that you would be a good addition to their company?

A good and less time consuming way to get to know about a company is to look up their website. You can get all of the general knowledge about them that way, including the names of key people and their job titles. You should sift through most of their pages, including the pages that show samples of their work and/or products. You can also look them up in the media files if there are any. Read the articles about them and soak in as much information as possible.

Another thing that would be nice to do is to check out the surrounding area around the company. It makes for a nice breaker during the interview. You can make a comment about a particular monument or resting place nearby.

A trickier way to get a little extra information about the company is to call them on the phone and ask general questions, without referring to yourself as a potential employee. It’s a nice way to get the goods on upcoming promotions etc.

Know Your Contact

When called for an interview, ask to whom you will be talking to. It is nice to be able to greet your interviewer by name at the beginning of the interview without first being told who they are. It shows that you are on top of things, and have prepared before hand.

You will also want to do some research on the person that will be conducting your interview. Learn what they do for the company and try to get some samples of their work or achievements in the company.

If you know what department that you are going to work in you may want to get the names of your potential colleagues and superiors prior to the interview as well. This way you can get some information about their roles in the company and the types of work that they have done.

Mention some of the things that you learn about your potential colleagues in the interview and about how much you look forward to working with them in the future. If you can, give an example of their work so that you will appear more sincere.

Practice Your Responses

It is best, if you are prone to nervousness, to practice giving your responses to the questions that may be asked of you. You should practice your wording and the tone of voice that you plan to use; Try keeping your responses as brief as possible, but with as much detail as you can.

When you are trying to work out the proper responses to the interviewer’s questions, you will also want to practice the art of getting your nerves under control as well as ridding yourself of any other odd habits while talking; like expressing yourself with your hands.

Practice answering your interview questions with a friend. Get his or her opinion about your delivery and gestures. Perhaps your friend will have some nice insights for you to use during the real interview.

Dress the Part

Pre-select your attire the day before your interview. You want to make sure that your clothes do not have any wrinkles or stains on them. Pick an outfit that best suits the type of job that you are applying for. If you are going to work in an office setting, you should dress conservatively. Soft earth tones are best for women. Try to avoid mini skirts and shirts that show too much skin. A nice dark suit is good for a male.

Of course if you are planning to work outdoors or in an artistic environment, you can dress a little more casually. Just be certain to avoid wearing denim jeans, over sized clothing, and under sized clothing. Women should try and avoid wearing too much make-up as well. It gives the wrong impression.

Even in the hotter seasons, you should not wear sandals or gym shoes to an interview. It sends an unprofessional message. The same goes for hats and other accessories.

Get Organized

Make sure that all of the things that you will need for the interview are prepared the day before. Make a checklist of the things that you will need if you have to. You should always have an extra resume handy during the interview. You should also bring with you a note pad to take notes during the interview if needed. (Only write down the important things that you think you will need to remember)If you have a business card, have one handy, it makes for easy contact later, and it also shows that you are professional and may help the employer to remember your name.

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By Calvin Golden

Article Source: http://www.free-articles-zone.com/author/965

How To Ace An Interview: Planner And Check List

The interview is a very important part of the job search process. It is, however, only part of the process. The first step of the interview is to prepare for the interview. The key to a successful interview is advance preparation. Solidifying yourself as the best candidate comes after the interview. This interview planner covers the three stages of a successful interview –before, during and after.

Before the Interview

You should not go into an interview without preparing for it. It is important to anticipate what the interviewer will ask and expect. The more prepared, poised and confident you are the smoother the interview will go.

Create a job “shopping list.”

Determine what would be the ideal job. This should be your wish list of your expectations. Don't sell yourself short or reduce your expectations to fit a particular job.

Prepare your interview portfolio - include current company literature, current job description (if similar), personal compensation history, extra resumes, references (peers, employers, subordinates, clients, vendors, etc), actual letters of reference, performance appraisals, memos/letters confirming achievements, college or continuing education transcripts, articles written by or about you, text of speeches you have given, non-proprietary designs, drawings and reports you have developed, press releases detailing awards you have won, testimonials about you.

Set up a separate file for each company with whom you interview. Then you can customize accordingly the materials to be presented accordingly.

Prepare and study an interview cheat sheet. List the key elements you wish to discuss. Note key points and questions about the company.

Research the company, industry and the product or service they offer. Keep key facts or points fresh in your mind to utilize in the interview. Know the company philosophy.

Prepare a list of questions to ask the interviewer. Study these carefully and prepare your answers accordingly. They interviewer WILL ask if you have any questions. Make them good ones. Allow your questions to give them more insight into your fit for the job.

Prepare a list of questions you expect the interviewer to ask you.

Have a friend do a dry run interview. Test your answers. Sit still and think give answers that present you best. If there are any questionable areas in your background, you need to be well prepared to answer these confidently and with conviction. Do not be defensive.

Purchase correspondence stationery and thank you notes. Have these ready to go for the post interview stage.

Identify your basic interview wardrobe and select an outfit (and back up) that is considered fairly conservative for your field. Consider your accessories carefully, no flashy jewelry or outlandish ties. It’s always better to err on the conservative side.

Polish your shoes. Get the heels replaced if necessary. Make sure to wear appropriate business shoes. If expected to visit the plant or manufacturing facilities, check on the shoe regulations and bring and extra pair. This also helps you to look well prepared and efficient.

Get a manicure and haircut.

Call the assistant or secretary to confirm your appointment.

Confirm the address and directions. Know where you are going in advance. If you are unfamiliar with the location, consider a dry run (especially if its during peak traffic times.)

Get a good night’s sleep.

Day of the Interview

What to take:

Take your portfolio and extra resumes.

Take the name(s) of the person(s) with whom you are meeting with as well as the assistant you spoke with previously.

Take a comb, tissues, emery board and breath mints. If necessary take an extra pair of reading glasses.

Take a few pens, a tablet and business cards.

Take an appointment book to record follow up interviews and prevent over-booking.

TIP: Don't schedule one interview after another. Interviewing is an exhaustive process you will want time to rejuvenate in between appointments.

What to Do:

Be calm. Don’t stress or panic. Be confident and remember your preparation. Get organized.

Call the assistant or secretary to confirm your appointment with X.

Confirm the address and directions.

Check your materials.

Put everything in one small briefcase or professional folder.

Leave yourself plenty of time to get there. Plan to arrive early.

Before you check in visit the washroom.

Let the receptionist know you are there and take a seat.

Mentally review your assets.

Smile. Shake hands firmly.

Go get ‘em!

After the Interview

Send a thank you note immediately. Reinforce your attributes. Make sure you sell yourself again.

Keep track of all career related written and verbal correspondence. Set each up contact in a separate file.

Make yourself available. Ensure you can be reached at the number(s), fax and email you listed.

Note: Make sure these numbers are not your current place of employment.

If you do not hear from the potential new employer within one week, follow up. Make a phone call to inquire about the position. Ask how far along they are in the decision making process and reiterate your interest.

If you do not get the position, send another letter of thanks and ask that they keep you in consideration for any other comparable openings.

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By JoAnn Hines
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=JoAnn_Hines

NY Times Crossword

Crossword of the Day

Dell Hangman

Dell Match 'Em

Puzzles by Razzle

Pandaf Sudoku

Scrabble

Sudoku Puzzles

What Word? Game

WordHunter Xtreme

Match Up (Synonym Test)

Tips for a Great Job Interview

Submitting a great resume to a job posting is only the first step in landing your ideal position. The interview becomes the next high priority. On paper, many people appear qualified, but it is what you communicate during the interview that will make or break your chances of receiving an offer. The interview is the step that can set you apart from the other applicants - for better or for worse. Hiring personnel make their decisions based largely on how you answer their questions, how you look, and how you conduct yourself. This is where it pays to be well informed on what you should do and, just as importantly, what you should not do during the interview process.

You must make a great first impression. That means dressing appropriately in a suit and tie for men, or a pantsuit or skirt and blouse for a woman. Even if you are applying for an entry level position, you should dress in a business-like fashion that portrays confidence and business sense. You also want to walk in with confidence, and shake hands immediately with all present, using a firm grip. A first impression is something that your future employer will remember long after they have met with many candidates.

Next, "wow" them with your research of the company. Always come to the discussion knowing the basics of what the company does, how long they have been in business, their top executive, and what the job you are applying for entails. That prior knowledge will help you to articulate what you can do for the business in the role for which you have applied. It may also impress the person conducting the interview when you bring up a company related topic with which not many people are familiar. However do so subtlety and only when the opportunity is presented. Forcing such knowledge into the conversation comes across as phoney.

Another tip to have a great job interview is to be cautious about your body language. As with almost any relationship, it can be more important how you say something than what you actually say. If you are slumped down in your chair and not enthusiastically showing your interest, then no matter what you say could be perceived as disinterest in the job. That is why you need to sit up straight, keep good eye contact, smile routinely, and allow your body language to communicate your honesty, enthusiasm and openness.

Finally, portray your confidence level. Answer questions with a purpose and don't hem or haw during the interview. Even if you do not know the answer, just say so instead of making something up or elaborating on something that is not asked. Your answers should get to the point while simultaneously providing some level of detail. Confidence often reflects competence, and that is a trait all employers desire.

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By Mort Ferguson
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mort_Ferguson

Common Answers To Job Interview Questions

Interviews can be the most daunting part of the job application process for most job seekers. For those job hunters that have encountered many arduous interviews, the best way to reduce stress is to be well prepared and confident of your skills and abilities.

How To Prepare For A Job Interview

A good way to prepare yourself for a job interview is to gain knowledge through research and to think of as many questions as possible that may be asked. It is advisable to go through the most commonly asked questions, as the chances of these questions springing up during the interview are strong. It is also wise for you to research and collect any information you can about the history of the company. In doing so, you are preparing yourself to come up with smart and intellectual answers for any question that might be asked.

Most Commonly Asked Questions In An Interview

To give you an idea of some of the most commonly asked questions, here are a few standard interview questions along with some of the most appropriate answers:

· The first standard question will always involve the interviewer asking you to give some information about yourself. This includes your name, your address, past experience, position title in previous companies and job description. You should always give the exact details about your previous company and position.

· Next, the interviewer will generally ask you about your job expectations and what you have to offer to the company. You should be prepared with an answer about your expectations for the job and what you plan on doing for the company if you are hired. Always be confident when answering and try not to sound like you have memorized the answer.

· You might be asked about salary and how much you expect to be offered. You should never be the first to discuss numbers. If they want a range, simply say that you are open to negotiate and wait for them to bring up a number first.

· You will be asked about your roles and responsibilities with your present or previous company. You should always be positive and precise when it comes to describing your former employer and work duties. You might also want to describe your previous work experience and explain how it relates to the position that you are applying for.

· Many companies are extremely particular when it comes to your abilities and how well you handle challenges and problems. You may be asked to answer certain situational problems just to test how you resolve issues and how effective you are at coming up with solutions to problems.

There are plenty of questions that you may be asked about yourself as well as your expectations. Always make sure that you are well prepared. More importantly, show the interviewers that you are confident and knowledgeable. Always make it a point to be positive during the interview. An optimistic attitude will ultimately help you land the job.

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By Tony Jacowski
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_Jacowski

Improve Your Speaking Skills For The TOEFL Test

Are you ready to speak? I’m sure that most of the students ARE NOT. The TOEFL Test is actually stressful and when you’ll get to the speaking part you’ll starting to be tired. The reading and listening part use much of your energy and last more or less 2 hours. Your concentration is important, but is NOT enough!

The first thing you have to know is that there are two different kinds of speaking:

• Independent
• Integrated

During the independent tasks you will get a topic (usually is a question) and you’ll have 15 seconds to prepare your response. Than you have 45 seconds to speak. Maybe you think is not that much, but… what if you get an unexpected question? Let’s try together! Read the following question…

Some universities require first-year students to live in dormitories on campus. Others allow students to live off campus. Which policy do you think is better for first-year students and why? Include details and examples in your explanation.

Ok, now you have 15 seconds to prepare your response…

Ok, ready to speak for 45 seconds?

I know it's difficult!

But let me go on… I want to tell you about the integrated speaking. In this task, before starting to speak, you’ll hear a conversation or a lecture. In addition to that, in some integrated speaking you’ll have to read a short text and combine all the information to prepare you response. Here’s an example of how it works:

1. read a short paragraph (and take notes)
2. listen to a conversation or a lecture (and take notes)
3. prepare you response (20 or 30 seconds)
4. speak, comparing what you read and what you heard (45 or 60 seconds)

It’s kind of complicated, isn’t it? YES, it is!

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By Nick Judge
Article source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Nick_Judge

7 Powerful Ways to Learn ANY Language

There are many people telling you over and over that the best way to actually learn a language is to practice with the language itself. They tell you the WHY's but do not tell you the HOW's. Today I'm going to tell you HOW to practice a language, from the comfort of your own home!

1. Determinate your current level of knowledge of that language. If you're intermediate speaker, you don't want to start with the alphabet! Actually, that leads to my second tip...
2. DO NOT START with the ALPHABET! Does a little child learn the alphabet before learning how to speak? NO! The best way to learn a language is using the natural approach.
3. You got to have a good foundation. I recommend Pimsleur as a resource if you plan to start learning any language. I would then recommend with Rosetta Stone and some grammar.
4. Be active at least every 2 days. The more frequent you are, the more you immerse yourself into the language. Do this until the language becomes a part of you.
5. For the language to become a part of you, it may take YEARS. Yes, forget about all the programs that promise you to teach you to speak a language within 10 days. They may teach you the basic phrases, but you won't master the language within such short period of time.
6. If something sounds too good to be true, it is! Don't believe in any miracles and promises if they sound impossible. Everything gets accomplished with hard and smart work. After that the results come naturally.
7. Keep it simple. And if you start with one language learning program stick to it. As I said, Pismleur is the best resource in the world to get started in my opinion. By the way, if you find a program that you think won't get you benefits, do not complete it. You don't want to waste your time on inefficient things.

Good luck!

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By Derren Geht

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Derren_Geht

TOEFL or IELTS - Which is Better?

Because universities want to make sure you have the English language skills necessary to study at their school, almost all institutes of higher learning require you to take a test of English. And TOEFL and IELTS are the two biggest standardized tests of the English language. One of the most frequent questions I hear is which test is easier or which test is better. The answer depends on what kinds of tests you excel at, as well as where you plan to apply. This article breaks down the differences between the two tests so that you can make your own decision.

Admissions

The IELTS test is administrated by the British Councils, the University of Cambridge, and IELTS Australia. That is to say, it is associated with the British government and traditionally was used by British universities, as well as New Zealand and Australian universities to determine the language capability of foreign students. TOEFL is administered by ETS, a US-based non-profit and is used widely by American and Canadian universities. However, these days, in order to make it easy on international students, universities all over the world take both TOEFL and IELTS. While you should check with the specific university you want to apply to, in general any school in the US, the UK, Australia or New Zealand will take either test score. So that's one worry off your mind. Pick the test you think will be easier for you to complete. To do that, you probably need to know the structure of each exam.

Structure of the TOEFL

As of last year, official TOEFL is almost universally given in the iBT (Internet Based Testing) format. It consists of four sections:

Reading

The TOEFL Reading section asks you to read 4-6 passages of university level and to answer multiple-choice questions about them (multiple-choice means you choose the answer from provided options). Questions test you on comprehension of the text, main ideas, important details, vocabulary, inferring, rhetorical devices and style.

Listening

The Listening Section presents long 2-3 conversations and 4-6 lectures. The situations are always related to university life i.e. a conversation between a student and a librarian about finding research materials or a lecture from a history class. The questions are multiple choice and ask you about important details, inferences, tone, and vocabulary. The conversations and lectures are very natural and include informal English, interruptions, filler noises like "uh" or "Uhm."

Speaking

The Speaking section is recorded. You will speak into a microphone and a grader will listen to your answers at a later date and grade you. Two questions will be on familiar topics and ask you to give your opinion and/or describe something familiar to you, like your town or your favorite teacher. Two questions will ask you to summarize information from a text and a conversation--and may ask your opinion as well. Two questions will ask you to summarize information from a short conversation. Again, the topics of the conversations are always university-related.

Writing

Finally, there are two short essays on the TOEFL. One will ask you to write your opinion on a broad topic, such as whether it is better to live in the country or the city. One will ask you to summarize information from a text and a lecture--often the two will disagree with each other and you will need to either compare and contrast, or synthesize conflicting information.

IELTS Structure

The IELTS contains the same 4 sections, Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing, but the format is very different.

Reading

The reading section of the IELTS gives you 3 texts, which may be from academic textbooks or from a newspaper or magazine--but all at the level of a university student. One will always be an opinion piece--i.e. a text arguing for one point of view. The variety of questions on the IELTS is quite broad, and not every text will have every question type. One question type asks you to match headings to paragraphs in the text. You may be asked to complete a summary of the passage using words from the text. Or you may have to fill in a table or chart or picture with words from the text. There may be multiple-choice questions that ask you about key details. One of the hardest question types presents statements and asks you whether these statements are true, false or not included in the text. You may also be asked to match words and ideas. Finally, some questions are short-answer but the answers will be taken directly from the text itself.

Some questions come before the text and may not require careful reading to answer. Others come after the text and may expect you to have read the text thoroughly.

Listening

The IELTS has four listening sections. The first is a "transactional conversation" in which someone may be applying for something (a driver's license, a library card) or asking for information (say calling for more details about an advertisement or a hotel). The second section is an informational lecture of some kind, possibly a dean explaining the rules of the university. Third is a conversation in an academic context and the final section will be an academic lecture. For all sections you may be asked to fill out a summary, fill in a table, answer multiple-choice questions, label a diagram or picture, or classify information into different categories. You will be expected to fill out answers as you listen.

Writing

There are two writing tasks on the academic IELTS. The first asks you to summarize a table or chart in about 300 words. You will have to identify important information, compare and contrast different figures or maybe describe a process. The second task asks you to present your opinion on a statement about a fairly open topic such as: "Women should look after children and not work" or "Too many people are moving to cities and rural areas are suffering."

Speaking

Finally, the speaking section will be held on a different day from the rest of the test and in the presence of a trained interviewer. The questions are the same for all examinees but some parts may be more in the form of a conversation than a monologue. The first part of the test will be a brief introductory conversation followed by some short questions about familiar topics. The interviewer may ask your name, your job, what kinds of sports you like, what your daily routine is, and so on. In the second part, you will be given a card with a topic and a few specific questions to address. You will have to speak for two minutes on this topic, which may be about your daily routine, the last time you went to the movies, your favorite part of the world or a similar familiar topic. In the last section, the interviewer will ask you to discuss a more abstract side of the topic in part 2--why do people prefer daily routines? Why do people like the movies? How does travel affect local life?

Which is Better for Me?

So now you have some understanding of what each test involves, but you might be wondering which is better for you. Maybe in reading about the structure, you thought, "Wow TOEFL sounds so easy," or, "Oh the IELTS sounds like it's kind of fun!" That might be a good sign that one test will be easier for you than the other. More concretely, there are a couple of key differences between the tests.

British versus American English

While both the UK and the US accept both tests, and while British English and American English are not as different as some think, the fact of the matter is the IELTS tends to use British English and the TOEFL uses exclusively American English. On the IELTS, this difference will have a larger effect because spelling counts, and that is one area where Britain and the US do not always see eye-to-eye. Obviously if you have problems with the British accent (and the test may include a wide variety of accents, including Australian, New Zealand, Irish and Scottish). On the other hand, American accents may throw you off. Certain terms are also different and you don't want to waste time in your speaking test asking what a flat or a lorry is. So whether you are used to British or American English is certainly a factor. If you are more comfortable with US English, the TOEFL is a good bet but if you are used to British English and accents, you'll do better on the IELTS.

Multiple choice versus Copying Down

For the reading and listening sections, TOEFL gives you multiple-choice questions, whereas IELTS generally expects you to copy down words from the text or the conversation word-for-word. Multiple-choice questions will tend to be require slightly better abstract thinking, but the IELTS favors people who have good memories and think more concretely. The good thing about multiple-choice is that it is easy to pick out wrong answers, whereas the good thing about copying down is that the answer is sitting there in the text. You just have to find it and repeat it. So, concrete thinkers will tend to do better on the IELTS and abstract thinkers will tend to excel on the TOEFL.

Predictable or Different Every Time

Of course, the TOEFL is also more predictable than the IELTS. The IELTS throws lots of different question types at you, and the instructions are often slightly different every time. That makes it harder to prepare for. The TOEFL, on the other hand, is pretty much the same test every time--pick A, B, C, D, or E. On the other hand, the IELTS certainly keeps you on your toes and that can keep you more alert.

Speaking to a Person or a Computer?

Another large difference is in how the speaking section is carried out. For some people, it's very relaxing to just record your answers into a computer because it feels like no one is listening. You just try your best and forget about it until you get your grades. Because the IELTS test is done in an interview format with a native speaker present, you might get nervous or feel you are being judged. And they take notes: Oh God, did he write down something good or something bad? On the other hand, you might feel more relaxed in a conversation, with a person there to explain if you don't understand a question, or simply having a face to look at, instead of a computer screen. Getting feedback from a native speaker can be helpful too, in order to correct mistakes and improve during the test. So it depends on what you are more comfortable with. If you like talking to people, the IELTS is a better bet. If you just want to be alone and not feel judged, the TOEFL will be more comfortable for you.

Holistic versus Criteria

Finally, the speaking and writing sections of the TOEFL are graded holistically. The grader gives you a score based on the overall quality of the essay, including vocabulary, logic, style, and grammar. The IELTS by contrast is marked by individual criteria and you are scored individually for grammar, word choice, fluency, logic, cohesion, and a dozen other criteria. In other words, if you write well but have a lot of small grammar mistakes, your TOEFL score might be quite good because graders will ignore small mistakes if the overall essay is logical and detailed. The IELTS will not overlook bad grammar. On the other hand, if your grammar and vocabulary are strong but you have trouble expressing your opinion or organizing an essay, you could end up with a low TOEFL score but the IELTS will give you good marks for language use. So while it may sound like the IELTS is much tougher since it grades you on everything, in fact you can get quite a good score if you are strong in a number of areas. The TOEFL emphasizes the ability to put together a logical and detailed argument (or summary) and looks at clarity, word choice, and style above all. If you don't feel comfortable writing essays but you think you have excellent grammar and vocabulary and overall are a decent writer, the IELTS will probably be easier for you.

I hope this essay was helpful in making your choice. In any case, I recommend you go to the websites of IELTS and TOEFL and get some more detail on each test, and also try out some practice problems on your own.

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By Walton Burns

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Walton_Burns

Effective TOEFL Strategies

Every year tens of thousands of students appear for the TOEFL. Most of these students study on their own, while a small percentage of them take coaching classes and tutorials. Here are some tips for studying for TOEFL.

Familiarize yourself with the three TOEFL formats
TOEFL has three formats: paper based, computer based and internet based. Make sure you find out which test you will be taking before you start studying for the TOEFL. If your country uses the iBT you have to take this test.

Research TOEFL score requirements
TOEFL is a source of anxiety for most international students who are not educated in English. But remember that it is almost unavoidable. Required TOEFL scores vary by institution, usually, the more prestigious the university, the higher the required TOEFL score.

So contact your selected university or college to determine their score requirements. On the TOEFL Web site at www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/codelists.html you'll find a list of 6,000 institutions that accept TOEFL scores. You can also view a list of score requirements for some representative universities.

Remember that the scores for the paper based test are different than the scores for the CBT and iBT. The average minimum score required is approximately 550 (paper test) or 215 (CBT) or 70 (iBT). Some schools will look at your scores from different sections. Many universities expect you to have better writing skills than speaking skills. TOEFL scores are only valid for two years.

Learn academic English
The TOEFL measures your ability to succeed in an American university or college. So your focus must be on studying language that you would hear on campus and terms that you would hear in the classroom. Read textbooks, newspapers, encyclopedias, journals and research articles.

Use practice tests
Take practice tests. If you attend a TOEFL class, your teacher should be able to provide you with plenty of study material. If you are studying for the TOEFL on your own, you will have to purchase a few key resources. Find a textbook that has grammar exercises, vocabulary, practice tests, and explanatory answers. Work on the sections that you find most challenging. Don't just rely on one book. Also make good use of the ESL resources available online.

Find a mentor
You will have many questions that your textbook can't answer for you. It is, therefore, important that you have someone who will answer your questions and encourage you when you feel down. If you cannot afford a tutor, find a student who has studied for the test before. Sometimes other students can give you excellent hints and help you with grammar questions. You might be able to help them with questions too. Teaching another person is a great way to learn.

Build up your stamina
The TOEFL test takes a long time to write. If you are appearing for the iBT or CBT, you can expect to be at the computer for 4 hours. Therefore, students who have a short attention span must work on building up their stamina. Start off with short study sessions, and work up to longer ones. It is absolutely necessary that you get a good night's sleep before this test. You cannot afford to be tired.

Arrive prepared
Arrive on time with all of the things you need. If you are writing the paper based test you should have a number of pencils, a pencil sharpener, and a few erasers that don't smudge. You will also need a pen to write the essay on the CBT if you choose not to type it. Don't forget any papers that ETS sends you to prove that you have registered.

Pace yourself
Never spend longer than a minute on one question. You will only have 30 minutes to write the essay at the end of the CBT. Spend at least 5 minutes planning your essay. Save at least 5 minutes to check your work.

Use the tutorials
On the CBT there are tutorials to help you understand how to answer the questions properly. Don't skip the tutorials. You get extra time to use them. They will help you to feel comfortable.

Learn about the CAT (computer adaptive testing)
The first two sections of the CBT are computer adaptive. That means that you will be given a few questions that are of medium difficulty. After you answer those questions, the computer will determine which questions to give you next. The first 10-15 questions in each part are extremely important. If you answer these correctly, your score will be much higher. The questions that come later are important, but do not count as much towards your score. Don't guess wrong in order to get easier questions!

Answer every question
Never skip a question. If you don't know the correct answer, make an educated guess. On the CBT, you cannot skip a question and go back to it. You have to answer a question and confirm that you are happy with your answer. You cannot change your answers, so double check to be sure. The reading section is not computer adaptive. You can skip or change questions, but only if you have extra time. You can always go back on the paper test, but students rarely find time to do this.

Make your corrections clear
If you are taking the paper test, remember that a machine will be marking your test. Only one circle must be filled in. Fill it in all the way using a sharp dark pencil. Do not use pen! If you erase something, make sure it is completely erased. Many students lose points for being sloppy with their pencils and erasers.

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By Manjusha Nambiar

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Manjusha_Nambiar