Questions and Answers about TOEFL Writing Mentor!

I recently got this question sent to me by email from a TOEFL Writing Mentor subscriber, and thought it would be a good idea to include it and my response here in the forum for anyone curious about the TOEFL Writing Mentor subscription service :-)
 
 
Hello Jason,
 I signed up for the writing mentor and I REALLY liked it. Thank you so much for your effort. I would like to know if there is something new every month or that's it? So why should I pay every month? please explain.
 
 
There are 10 test writing tasks there and 25 detailed tutorials. Not everybody can get through them and review them all properly and apply them well in a single month - so many people prefer to access them constantly over 2-3 months (especially to review again after they take the actual test). Also, people can re-write and re-submit their essays for scoring from me as many times as they want, so this could take more than one month. If they finish their subscription, I no longer check/rate any essays they submit.
 
I am adding 4 new iBTv tutorials each month for writing as well. They do appear for free on the iBTv page, but only the "current/new" tutorial. TOEFL Writing Mentor subscribers can access the complete archive of all extra writing tutorials added.
 
The general idea, however, is for flexibility. Some people who study and apply themselves very hard may only need TOEFL writing mentor for a single month, and they can cancel the subscription and only pay $15 in total. People who want it for longer than that can pay for the extended access for as many months as they need. I have to say that with all those tutorials, to really make sure you understand them and can put them into practice, it would take more than a month - but everyone is different! What I have generally found is that people who look for a "quick fix" - like a quick magic solution, and try to pay as little (or nothing) as possible for professional material and help - these people generally don't end up raising their score all that much, and end up spending even more money re-taking the test again and again and again, going through the same frustrated cycle!
 
To all that, I would just add that I've made a very genuine effort to make something like TOEFL Writing Mentor very accessible and reasonably priced for people. The model test items and the detailed tutorials and samples took months to make, and are based on 10 years experience with TOEFL teaching and materials writing. I see many other sites charging anywhere from $50 to $200 for access to this sort of training and material. To work with me 1-1 live, it would take 5-10 hours to explain it all to you - and as a professional educator and writer my going hourly rate is $50-$100 per hour (do the math and you'll see how expensive that could be!). I think those sorts of fees are too hard on average test-takers trying to prepare for the test on a limited budget with many living and school costs to worry about.
 
Hence, I offer TOEFL Writing Mentor at the very modest fee of just US$15 per month. That's the cost of 3-4 decent cups of coffee... so if you're happy to buy me 3-4 nice coffees per month, I'm happy to give you access to all of my TOEFL writing expertise!
 
 
Anyway, thanks to the member (anonymous here) who posted the question to me, and I'm absolutely delighted you really like the program and materials!
 
 
Best wishes to all,
 
~ Jason
 
:-D

Hi jason:

I have just bought this mentor and sent you my password and usermane.But I do not know the next step.Can you help me?I have to get 100 in toefl ibt and my writing is really bad.

Hi jason:
I have just bought this mentor and sent you my password and usermane.But I do not know the next step.Can you help me?I have to get 100 in toefl ibt and my writing is really bad.

-metuecon86

I've already replied with your membership login details.

Stay calm and focus!

Start by working through the tutorials and make sure you understand the key points in each. Read the examples given very carefully.

Then start using the five practice tests and submitting your essays for me to score. Remember you can re-post new drafts, too (after I've scored the previous ones) to see if you're improving!

All the best,

~ Jason

Hi jason;

It is me again:)I like this mentor.I think the key language expressions is very useful when the passage and the lecture are contrast to each other.I wonder that if they are similar to each other,What are the key language expressions useful for us?

Hi jason;
It is me again:)I like this mentor.I think the key language expressions is very useful when the passage and the lecture are contrast to each other.I wonder that if they are similar to each other,What are the key language expressions useful for us?

-metuecon86

Hi Jason,
I submitted my answers to the Independent and Integrated writing tasks 1 on wednesday and i still didn't get a score for the integrated writing. When should i expect a score?
Thanks for your help.

Sorry about that!
so my questino is here again.

If I want to use some data or observation in a essay, how can I use them? It is more conveninet for me to use them to exapnd and develope essays and to prevent to state only my experiences.   

Sorry about that!so my questino is here again.
If I want to use some data or observation in a essay, how can I use them? It is more conveninet for me to use them to exapnd and develope essays and to prevent to state only my experiences.   

-mikitty

It's fine to use data or observations, but be careful with them. They need to sound believable.

For example:

I recently saw some research findings in a newspaper report that claimed that more than 2 hours of television per day can actually have harmful effects on young children's capacity to learn and socialize.

This would be okay - it's clear that this is based on your memory of seeing something, rather than stating this as universal truth.

Some people "make up" research data to support their arguments, and it's obvious to a reader that it is fabricated and convenient to the argument.

So yes, use data/research findings, but be careful how you report it and frame it!

All the best,

~ Jason