What the Academic Discussion Task Is
The Academic Discussion is one of two writing tasks on the TOEFL 2026. You read a professor's question and two student responses, then write your own contribution to the discussion within 10 minutes. ETS recommends a minimum of 100 words.
You should reference what the professor or students said while adding your own perspective. The key difference from the old Integrated Writing: you're joining a conversation, not summarizing a lecture.
Task Format
- Read a professor's question
- Read two student responses
- Write your own contribution (10 min)
- Recommended minimum: 100 words
- Reference others while adding your perspective
Scoring Criteria
- Relevant contribution to the discussion
- Clear position or stance
- Support and development of ideas
- Language control and accuracy
Best 4-Part Response Structure
This 4-part framework keeps you organized, ensures you engage with the prompt, and helps you hit 100+ words naturally.
Part 1: Take a Position (1–2 sentences)
State whether you agree with Student A, Student B, or have a different view.
Part 2: Acknowledge What Was Said (1 sentence)
Reference the professor's question or a student's point to show engagement.
Part 3: Support Your Position (3–4 sentences)
Give a reason and a specific example with concrete details.
Part 4: Conclude or Extend (1–2 sentences)
Wrap up your argument or add a second supporting point.
Copyable Academic Discussion Template
Academic Discussion Response Template
1. Position: 'I agree with [Student A/B] that [paraphrase their point]. However, I would add that [your own angle].'
2. Acknowledge: 'As [Professor/Student] mentioned, [reference their key point]. This connects to my view because...'
3. Support: 'In my experience, [specific example]. For instance, [details — who, what, when, result]. This shows that [connect back to position].'
4. Conclude: 'Overall, I believe [restate position slightly differently] because [brief summary of reasoning].'
How to Respond to the Professor and Student Ideas
This is the unique skill of the Academic Discussion task. You must engage with what others have said while contributing your own ideas.
Key Tips
- Read the professor's question carefully — your answer must address it directly.
- You don't have to choose a student's side. You can partially agree with both or offer a new perspective.
- When referencing students, paraphrase instead of copying their exact words.
- Show critical thinking:
- Don't just summarize what the students said — the point is to ADD to the discussion.
Example Openings
Agreeing
\u201cI largely agree with Alex\u2019s point about online learning flexibility. Building on that idea, I\u2019d argue that...\u201d
Partially Disagreeing
\u201cWhile Maria raises a fair concern about AI in education, I think she overlooks...\u201d
New Angle
\u201cBoth students focus on cost, but I believe the more relevant issue is...\u201d
High-Scoring Example Response
Discussion Prompt
Professor: \u201cDo you think universities should require all students to take at least one course in a field completely different from their major? Why or why not?\u201d
Student A (Jordan): \u201cI think it\u2019s a waste of time. Students are paying for a specific degree, and forcing them to take unrelated courses delays graduation.\u201d
Student B (Priya): \u201cI believe exposure to different fields helps students become more creative thinkers and better problem-solvers.\u201d
Template-Based Response
I agree with Priya that interdisciplinary exposure has significant benefits, though I\u2019d frame the value somewhat differently than she does. As the professor\u2019s question suggests, there\u2019s a debate between efficiency and breadth in university education.
From my own experience as a computer science student, taking a required philosophy course in my sophomore year fundamentally changed how I approach problem-solving. The course taught me to analyze arguments logically and consider ethical implications — skills that directly improved my work in software design. I wouldn\u2019t have chosen that course on my own, but it became one of the most valuable classes I took.
While I understand Jordan\u2019s concern about delayed graduation, most universities only require one or two such courses, which doesn\u2019t significantly extend the time to a degree. The long-term benefit of broader thinking skills far outweighs a few extra credit hours.
Why This Scores High
- ✓142 words — well above the 100-word minimum
- ✓References both students and the professor
- ✓Includes a personal example with specific details
- ✓Clear position stated in the first sentence
- ✓Addresses the counter-argument (Jordan\u2019s concern)
Language Boosters and Sentence Starters
Academic Discussion Phrase Bank
Taking a Position
- “I strongly agree with [Student]\u2019s argument that...”
- “While I see merit in both perspectives, I lean toward...”
- “I respectfully disagree with [Student] because...”
- “My view is somewhat different from both students.”
Acknowledging Others
- “As [Student] pointed out,...”
- “Building on [Student]\u2019s idea,...”
- “The professor raises an important question about...”
- “[Student] makes a valid point; however,...”
Supporting with Evidence
- “In my own experience,...”
- “A clear example of this is...”
- “Research in [field] has shown that...”
- “This is evident when you consider...”
Concluding
- “Ultimately, I believe...”
- “Taking everything into account,...”
- “For these reasons, I maintain that...”
- “This is why I think [restate position].”
Common Discussion-Task Mistakes
Avoid These Mistakes
Just restating what the students said without adding your own ideas
Fix: Reference their points briefly, then spend most of your response developing YOUR perspective with new reasoning.
Ignoring both students entirely
Fix: Mention at least one student\u2019s point to show you\u2019re engaging with the discussion. This is what separates a strong response from an off-topic essay.
Writing fewer than 100 words
Fix: Use the template to guarantee structure. Position (2 sentences) + Acknowledgment (1) + Support (3\u20134) + Conclusion (1\u20132) = 120+ words easily.
Using the first 5 minutes to plan and then rushing to write
Fix: Spend 1\u20132 minutes planning, then write for 7\u20138 minutes. The template gives you a built-in plan.
Copying phrases directly from the student responses
Fix: Always paraphrase. If Student A says \u2018waste of time,\u2019 you write \u2018may not be the most efficient use of credits.\u2019
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LingoLeap gives you real TOEFL 2026 Academic Discussion prompts with professor questions and student responses. AI scores your contribution on relevance, development, and language quality.
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