Many test-takers think the integrated writing task is harder than the independent essay. However, classroom experience proves that for most test-takers, the integrated essay is in fact (surprise, surprise!) easier to write. Why?
For starters, all the factual information you need for the integrated essay is provided in the reading and in the lecture. All you have to do is arrange those facts according to the prompt. However, for the independent essay, you have no facts. You are given nothing but a prompt. To answer the prompt, you must state your opinion, then think of examples to support your opinion. Thinking of examples and putting them in writing is a creative process that tests your automaticity (your ability to think and create without hesitation). Simply put, the independent essay tests your creativity when developing examples. It's true. And it is very challenging. I know. I see it all the time. In contrast, the integrated essay does not test creativity. That is one big difference between these two writing tasks. There are others, of course. Lots more.
Want to learn how to write a high-scoring integrated essay and a high-scoring independent essay? It's all in the book.
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