新托福写作在段落上，要求符合两个基本要求：一致性和连贯性。这两点要求对于大作文的主体段落尤为重要。
一、一致性（Unity）
所谓段落的一致性，指的是一个段落只讨论一个主题，每个支持主题的句子必须直接解释或者说明主要观点，与主要观点无关的内容不能有。一致性就是要求：
1.A paragraph discuss one and only one main idea from beginning toend.
2.A paragraph may discuss several closely-related aspects of thesame idea.
3.Every supporting sentence must directly explain or prove the mainidea.
（一）写主题句的技巧
1.All the following things should be noticed when you write aparagraph
2.The topic sentence must contain both topic and a controlling idea.
3.The position of topic sentences is usually at the beginning of aparagraph.
4.If a paragraph begins with examples, a topic sentence may come atthe end.
托福大作文段落主题句（topic sentence）的要求是：
1.一个段落总用一个主题句陈述该段唯一的主题。
2.主题句必须是涵盖主题词和该段中心的完整句。
3.主题句位于该段落的首句段落显得清晰和明确。
4.主题句放在最后则段落用例子或引用观点开始。
（二）写支持句的技巧
支持句可以是别人观点的批驳，可以是继续深入的讨论，可以是针对论点的解释，可以是支持论点的事例，还可以是提出论点的理由，或者是迂回曲折的让步。需要说明的是，在一个段落中，以下这些支持句的写作技巧往往是组合使用的，很少有段落用一种方法来完成。下面我们通过几个段落来分解叙述支持句展开的方式。
1.举例法（using examples tosupport）
However, national and international policies will only succeed ifindividual also change their lifestyles. For example, people could think more carefullyabout how they use energy in their homes. By using less electricity, installingenergy-efficient light bulbs and electrical appliances, or investing in solarpanels, individuals can make a real difference.
举例说明是最重要、最常见的扩展段落的方法。新托福大作文题目常常要求考生“Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.”托福独立作文的举例可以写自己的故事，尤其是生活中的事物，但是言简意赅，切记拉里拉杂眉目不清，以免低分。事实上，举例除了讲生活中的例子，还可以是概括性的例子，假设性的例子等等。简要一两句话，写出能证明观点的具体事例就可以。上面的段落就使用了概括性的例子。
2.反驳法（refuting an argument）
The view that students should contribute to the cost of their highereducation is gaining popularity as more young people opt to go to university.Although I have some sympathy with this idea, I believe that state funding ofhigher education is a genuine investment in the future, not only for students themselves,but also for the county as a whole.
该段反驳了大学生应当负担学费，理由是国家投资教育，国家日后也收益。
3.让步法（making concessions）
Secondly, only discussion between governments can ensure thatsolutions are successful. The Kyoto Agreement, for example, tried to reachglobal consensus on addressing the problem. Without such co-operation, it seemsto me that efforts to reduce fuel consumption are unlikely to be effective.
作者在段尾用了让步的写法，“假使没有国际合作，很难减少燃料消耗。”
4.原因法（giving some reasons）
A second major reason to reduce imports is the environmental cost.Currently, many food imports, such as fruit, are transported thousands of milesby roads, sea and air, making the product more expensive to buy and increasingpollution form exhaust fumes. Despite the fact that the trade in food exports hasexisted for many years, I am convinced that a reduction would bring significantfinancial and environmental gains,
本段论述减少进口食品的原因之一，即燃料消耗带来了环境成本上升。
5.解释法（using explanation assupport）
In addition, I think individual attitudes to transport need tochange. Instead of making short trips by car, people could choose to walk,cycle, or take a bus. Since cars are a major source of the problem, changingour behavior in this area would have a major impact.
解释法就是主题句的进一步解释的方法。本段中作者认为个人对于交通的态度应当转变，但是怎么转变，为什么转变？作者做了简要的解释：短途少开车，多步行，多乘坐功能公交车，汽车是（城市）问题的来源，所以改变态度很重要。
6.讨论法（expressing furtherdiscussion）
Research, relating to identical twins, has highlighted howsignificant inherited characteristics can be for an individual’s life. Butwhether these characteristics are able to develop within the personality of anindividual surely depends on whether the circumstances allow such adevelopment. It seems that the experiences we have in life are so unpredictableand so powerful, that they can boost or over-ride other influences, and thereseems to be plenty of research findings to confirm.
讨论法是就一个主题的正反两个方面展开辩论，并不断深入论证的写作技巧与方法。本段主题为“遗传性格的重要性”。作者将主题导入后，接着从反面说明：：“这些（遗传来的）性格能否发展肯定会依赖环境的作用”。环境改变性格，经历锻炼人生。作者继而谈到“我们来自于生活的经历如此强有力以致于胜过其他因素对于我们生活的影响”。写到此处，作者的观点不言自明：对于一个人的性格的影响，先天的遗传固然重要，后天的经验更有力！
二、连贯性（Coherence）
连贯性要求一个段落的每个句子要平稳且有逻辑地过渡到下一句。有三项技巧可以达到段落的连贯。1）支持性观点间过渡要使用逻辑连接词；2）句间使用指代，则代词人称和数要一致；3）重点名词要用同意替换等方式来表达。即：
1.Each sentence should flow into next one logically and smoothly.
2.To use transition signals(linker) to guide the readers form oneidea to the next.
3.To use the same person the number throughout the paragraph.
4.To report key nouns by using synonyms or expressions with the samemeaning.
（一）使用逻辑连接词保持连贯（Linkers/Transitional words）
1.比较（Comparison）
Correspondingly, similarly, equally, in the same way, likewise, incomparison, as
2.对照（Contrast）（中国人习惯叫“转折”）
However, nevertheless, whereas, in contrast, on the other hand,instead, unlike, even though, on the contrary, while, yet, otherwise, although,provided
3.原因（Cause）
Because, because of, for, since, due to, owing to, thanks to, forthis reason
4.结果（Effect）
Consequently, accordingly, therefore, hence, thus, as a result(of),so, so that
5.例证（Exemplification）
For example, for instance, to illustrate, such as, like, take…as anexample, that is, namely, in other words, in this case, by way of illustration,to clarify
6.增补（Addition）
In addition, furthermore, moreover, what’s more, besides, also,similarly
7.强调（Emphasis）
Primarily, essentially, chiefly, indeed, lesser, above all, surely,actually, as a matter of fact, especially, in particular, undoubtedly,absolutely, most important
8.总结（Conclusion）
To sum up, to conclude, in a word, in short, in brief, all in all,to put it in a nutshell, in summary
9.顺序（Sequence）
First of all, secondly, thirdly, the last, in the first place, then,finally…
10时间和空间（Time and Space）
Afterwards, after, first, later, then, soon, outside, near, beyond,above, below, on the right(left), in the middle, opposite, in front of
（二）人称代词和限定词替换名词保持连贯（Pronouns）
段落使用代词或限定词保持前后句连贯，也要注意其人称和数的一致。
（三）关键词的重复和替换保持句间连贯（Rephrasing）
总之，写作时，段落内容和句子之间保持“衔接和连贯”（Coherence and Cohesion），是英文写作必备的基本功，也是新托福综合作文和独立作文的要求。特别是在独立作文部分，由于是机器（E-rater）电子打分，对于作文的整体布局（Layout）和衔接连贯（C&C），显得尤为重要。
连接手段的使用与句子内部、句子之间、段落内部和段落之间的逻辑关系密不可分。要想准确使用连接词，除了区别表示相同逻辑的不同连接词之间的细微差别外，还应当特别注意句子或者段落之间究竟存在着什么样的逻辑关系，是对比、强调还是例证或增补，等等。逻辑连接词不可使用过度，有时句子之间连接紧密，不用连接词亦可。同样，有些段落也不能仅仅使用连接词来连贯上下文。
