As a TOEFL instructor and TOEFL author, I often see this problem in independent and in integrated essays. That problem is a lack of a warrant.
What is a warrant? A warrant is what can be inferred from a reversed cause-and-effect relationship, for example:
1. Because I want a high TOEFL score... (effect or "grounds")
2. I should study hard (cause or "claim")
3. Studying hard will help me get a high TOEFL score (warrant or "conclusion").
Because I want a high TOEFL score, I should study hard. Studying hard will help me get a high TOEFL score.
As you can see, a warrant is the inference (the conclusion) we make when we add the effect (grounds) and the cause (claim). Look at the another example.
1. Because I am hungry... (grounds/effect)
2. I should each something (claim/cause)
3. Eating something will satisfy my hunger (warrant).
Because I am hungry, I should eat something. Eating something will satisfy my hunger.
Look at another example.
1. Since it is raining today... (grounds)
2. I should take my umbrella (claim)
3. Taking my umbrella will keep me dry (warrant).
Since it is raining today, I should take my umbrella. Taking (using) my umbrella will keep me dry.
A warrant is very important. It answers the question why (you should do something). In other words, a warrant is a reason ("Give reasons to support your opinion"!)
In writing (and speaking), a warrant acts as a concluding sentence.
WARNING! Many TOEFL students do not include concluding sentences (warrants) when writing and when speaking, for example:
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Prompt: Should you or shouldn't you take your umbrella today? Give reasons to support your opinion.
Since it is raining today, I should take my umbrella.
Notice how the warrant is missing. If the warrant is missing, the reason is missing. If the reason is missing, you will get a lower score. Compare the above-response with this response. Big difference, right? Right.
Since it is raining today, I should take my umbrella. Taking my umbrella will keep me dry.
In the above-example, note how the warrant completes the reasoning of your argument.
Now look at a sample independent essay. Note how each body paragraph is missing a concluding sentence (warrant).
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Prompt: Do you prefer a laptop or a desktop computer? Give reasons to support your opinion.
Personally, I prefer a laptop to a desktop.
For example, I’m a university student and I need a laptop for my classes. If I didn’t have a laptop, I’d have to take notes by hand, and that would be really slow. Also, my handwriting is really bad, but with my laptop I can quickly take notes. This saves me a lot of time. I couldn’t take notes with a desktop. It is too big and not made for carrying.
In addition, I can take my laptop anywhere to study. This is good because sometimes my roommate plays really loud music. When he plays his music, I can’t do any homework so I go the library or to Starbucks. There I can connect to the internet and do my homework.
Moreover, a few years ago laptops were very expensive but now you can get a really fast laptop with lots of memory, like my Sony, for cheaper than a desktop.
In the final analysis, I definitely prefer a laptop.
In the final analysis, I definitely prefer a laptop.
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Now look at the revised essay with a warrant (conclusion) added to the end of each body paragraph.
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Prompt: Do you prefer a laptop or a desktop computer? Give reasons to support your opinion.
Personally, I prefer a laptop to a desktop.
For example, I’m a university student and I need a laptop for my classes. If I didn’t have a laptop, I’d have to take notes by hand, and that would be really slow. Also, my handwriting is really bad, but with my laptop I can quickly take notes. This saves me a lot of time. I couldn’t take notes with a desktop. It is too big and not made for carrying. As you can see, a laptop is definitely best for note taking in class.
In addition, I can take my laptop anywhere to study. This is good because sometimes my roommate plays really loud music. When he plays his music, I can’t do any homework so I go the library or to Starbucks. There I can connect to the internet and do my homework. Because my laptop is small and portable, I can do these things. Best of all, I don’t have to listen to my roommate’s music.
Moreover, a few years ago laptops were very expensive but now you can get a really fast laptop with lots of memory, like my Sony, for cheaper than a desktop. This is good because I can save money. With this money, I can buy other school things like books.
In the final analysis, I definitely prefer a laptop.
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By adding a conclusion (warrant) to each body paragraph, each body paragraph now has three parts (transition-topic, example, conclusion). A three-part body paragraph will always score higher.
When developing written and spoken responses, don't forget the warrants!
Want to learn more speaking and writing strategies? It's all in the book.
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Don't Forget the Warrant!
© Bruce Stirling 2010-11
