Speaking and Writing Strategies for the TOEFL iBT Paperback – January 2, 2018

Stirling is a no-nonsense analyst who identifies the important structures of the essay and other presentation practices which are distinctly English and which must be learned if a test-taker is to pass. His use of acronyms is a bit annoying as he presents organizational elements but, in the end, these initials become good memory devices for the learner. It is common for me to work with intermediate students whose grammar and vocabulary are expanding but who haven't learned how to write a "good essay." Not only is knowing the preferred construction essential but test-takers will speed up their ability to produce a quality written or verbal statement by learning this author's strategies. The author also describes with samples what is a satisfactory versus an outstanding example of English facility - and how to move from one to the other.

I have been reviewing for TOEFL exam. I already used the ETS review book, which is also very useful in getting general tips and ideas on specific parts of the test, but I am using this one to develop my speaking and writing skills. The materials presented in this book are very specific and strategical in teaching students on how to coherently and proficiently demonstrate constructive tasks in the TOEFL test. Argument mapping, which was presented in this book, is very helpful for these tasks. This book will teach you two major things that relate specifically to writing and speaking parts of TOEFL: how to present your argument with automaticity, coherence and efficiency; and how to analyze and rate your essay or speech which should demonstrate OPDUL=C, a guide which will assist you to significantly raise your speaking and writing scores as you learn how to think and analyze like an ETS rater. What is "OPDUL=C"? That, you will find out, as you study this highly recommended book for TOEFL (writing and speaking) review.

I actually have been teaching TOEFL in Korea and found the strategies in this book quite good. I have been able to improve my own teaching and strategies that I develop for my students. I would give this five stars, but there are a few parts that I just disagree with as being good strategies on the speaking section. For example, the approach Question 5 uses seems to contradict every other TOEFL book I have ever gone through. It is still a decent strategy but it made me question the validity of this book when the 10+ highly recommended TOEFL speaking books I use all approach the same question in a way that are similar to each other and this book does not. However, if your issues are Question 2, 3, 4, or 5 on the Speaking section or the writing section of the TOEFL test that you need help with then this book is perfect. It teaches a strategy that is simple to remember but complex enough to approach almost any question the TOEFL test can throw at you. I would only recommend this as a good supplement to other, more in depth books that concentrate on single parts of the TOEFL exam (Reading, Writing, etc).

i love this book! it helped me score 28/30 for both writing and speaking. it will give you tips on how to answer better. i used the OPDUL=C especially on the speaking section. and it made me answer the questions easier and faster since i have a guide on how i should answer it. i made sure i have an intro, at least 2 examples with details and a conclusion. it's also very helpful when you're trying to map out the conversation and/or lectures. i also liked how they showed samples on how you can improve the paragraphs on the writing section. i find it hard to write about the part where there's a lecture and a reading combined, and the techniques the book gave plus sample paragraphs helped me get thru it! i wasn't able to use most of the techniques, but i made sure i used the OPDUL=C and i am so satisfied with my scores!

Weather you are doing TOEFL for the first time or not this is THE must-have book!!! I was preparing for the first time so did not know what to expect on test day. Through this book i did not Improve my English skills essentially but It taught me how to handle the time pressure, which I found as the hardest challenge. It has a great structure and examples perfectly matching the real TOEFL as well as models teaching you how to be efficient.If you want to perform great, this book will teach you how to through lots of practices. Mix it up with a vocabulary book so that you are preparing urself also for the reading. I did this and got above100 the first time.Good luck!

There were highlights in the book and the front page has a line there which seems this books has been opened more than 100 times.

Beware, the Kindle Edition for PC does not give you the indispensable Audio CD.I do not see any warning in the description of the Kindle edition of the product that the audio part which usually accompanies the paperback version, would not be included in the Kindle edition. I wish Amazon should have given clear warning about the significant difference which a customer would get from the product between the paperback version and Kindle edition. For me, the content which the author has deliberately put in is most important. Without the audio tracks, the value of the text in the product is less than half. In fact, what I get from the Kindle for PC version, is that the image of the front cover shows misleading message "Audio CD included".The audio CD (or any other media) intentionally provided with the paperback version is certainly indispensable for the product. Otherwise, the author of the product would not have made it. I wish Amazon would seriously consider rectifying this limitation of any products on Kindle. There should be a downloadable link or any supplements to perfect the product of the Kindle for PC edition.Although Amazon's representative offers the option of a return of such misleading defective Kindle edtion of the perfect 5 star paperback edition, I would still keep it since I put on a dim hope that Amazon would correct such defects of all Kindle products including this one soon.