Independent Speaking 1: Structure 1

In the independent speaking section of the TOEFL test, there are two parts
1. the free response
2. the paired-choice rsponse
Both free-response and paired choice response can be approached in a similar fashion.
A The free response.
In the free response task you are given a topic. It will usually relate to your life, your experiences  or your opinions.  You  choose what you are going to speak about within that topic (this choice of yours is called the topic statement). An example topic could  be something like, "What is the most memorable event you have ever attended?"  An even simpler topic might be, "Which place in Japan would you like to visit?" After you are given the topic you have 15 seconds to prepare and 45 seconds to speak. It's not very long, especially the preparation time, so you must learn to  very quickly plan what you are going to say.
B Why do you have to plan?
Well, it's very simple: if you don't plan you will probably drift off the topic, run out ot time or even  finish too early.
C How do you  plan?
Don't try to write a speech, you don't have time. All you have time to do is write down your topic statement and two or maybe three main points.
D No 'shopping lists'.
It is important to remember that you must not make up a 'shopping list'. In your speech you have to explain why you answered as you did. For example, imagine your free response topic is "Would you rather watch a movie at the cinema or on TV at home?" If you answer like this -
Sample speech 1
I'd rather watch a movie at the cinema.
The screen is really big. I like a big screen. And the sound is better in the cinema. Cinema sound is really good. You can eat popcorn and drink cola. I love eating popcorn.  Movies at the cinema are always new movies. There is a good atmosphere at the cinema. We can buy movie goods at the cinema shop. Cinemas are in the city centre so we can go shopping after the movie.

This answer is no good at all. There is no structure and there is no explanation. It is what I call a 'shopping list'. What you need to do is choose two (or at the very maximum threeand only if you are a very fluent speaker) main points and explain why chose the response you did. For example, in Sample speech 1 the speaker says he  "we can buy movie goods at the cinema shop". Actually, I find this a strange answer. I think the merchandise that is old in movie shops is overpriced, has little practical value, and goes out of fashion almost immediately. As such, the speaker has to explain what it is about buying movie goods that makes him or her prefer the cinema.. The speaker should have said something like -
"We can buy movie goods at the cinema shop. My most important hobby is collecting movie-related merchandise. I still have the 'Lilo and Stich' pencil case that my father bought at my first movie. Now, I pens, vinyl folders, figures and cell-phone straps from more than a hundred movies. Buying these kinds of things is an important part of the movie-going experience for me."
Which answer do you think is better? Which one is more difficult to do? The people rating your TOEFL speech bknow this and give you a good score if you can make this kind of answer.
E Speech structure.
A well-structured speech should look like this -

Topic statement (your answer to the topic)

Main point 1 (reason for answer in topic statement)

Explanation of main point 1

Main point 2 (reason for answer in topic statement)

Explanation of main point 2

You DO NOT need a concluding statement. You DO NOT have time.

Look at this example speech. The topic is: Would you rather watch a movie at the cinema or on TV at home?
Sample speech 2
I’d much rather watch a movie at the cinema than on TV at home. The screen in a movie theatre is gigantic, much, much bigger than the tiny TV screen I have at home. With the bigger screen you can really appreciate the camera work in the movie. And special effects are much more special at the cinema. Computer graphics, especially, look fantastic on the big screen. Also, most cinemas have excellent sound systems with speakers all around the cinema. The effect is much better than even the best home stereo system. When you’re watching a movie at the cinema it almost seems like you are actually ‘in’ the movie. This creates such a great atmosphere that mediocre movies can often seem good and good movies become absolutely wonderful. (129 words, 45 seconds)

The speaker's first main point is that the screen is bigger in the cinema. Now, some people don't like the big screen, so it is important for the speaker to explain why a big screen is good.
 You have to explain your main points and it is the explanation that gets you a good score.

I'd much rather watcha movie at the cinema than on TV at home.

The screen in a movie theatre is gigantic, much, much bigger than the tiny TV screen I have at home.

With the bigger screen you can really appreciate the camera work in the movie. And special effects are much more special at the cinema. Computer graphics, especially, look fantastic on the big screen.

Also, most cinemas have excellent sound systems with speakers all around the cinema

The effect is much better than even the best home stereo system. When you’re watching a movie at the cinema it almost seems like you are actually ‘in’ the movie. This creates such a great atmosphere that mediocre movies can often seem good and good movies become absolutely wonderful.

No concluding statement

Here are two possible plans for Sample speech 2.  The long plan is obviously better, but could you write a plan like this in 15 seconds? I couldn't. That is why we need to use the short plan style.

Long plan	Short plan
Topic statement: cinema MP 1: big screen Explain: TV small              appreciate camera work              special effects amazing MP2: better sound than home Explain: speakers all round               feel like in movie               great atmosphere	Topic statement:  cinema MP 1: big screen MP2: good sound

F The steps in doing a TOEFL independent speaking task.. The steps are
1. Read the topic carefully
2. Decide your answer to the topic.
3. Plan your response by writing down a topic statement and the main points of what you want to say.
4. As you speak try to explain your main points and why they form your answer to the topic.
Important: watch the clock as you're speaking. It helps to get your timing right.