IELTS Writing Task 2: How to Write a Discussion Essay

In various IELTS Writing Task 2 essay formats, ‘discuss both views and give your opinion’ is known to be somewhat perplexing for beginners. However, if you grasp the requirements and the approach, this type of IELTS discussion essay won’t pose a challenge.

Today’s article will delve into the details of the structure and writing approach for ‘discuss both views and give your opinion,’ as well as provide useful tips for tackling this type of essay.

1. What is a Discussion Essay?

The discussion essay format in IELTS Writing presents two contrasting issues or viewpoints and requires the writer to discuss both of these issues/viewpoints and provide their own opinion. It is essential to maintain objectivity when analyzing various aspects of the issue and then express your personal opinion. Below are some common prompt requirements:

• Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Discuss both these views and then give your own opinion.
• Discuss both sides of this argument and give your own opinion.

2. How to Recognize a Discussion Essay

If the essay prompt asks you to Discuss both these views…/Discuss both views…/Discuss both sides…, then it is a discussion essay format. The key to recognizing it is that the prompt presents an issue with two opposing viewpoints, and you need to discuss both of them while also presenting your perspective. Test-takers often confuse this type of essay with opinion essays and advantages/disadvantages essays.

• In an opinion essay, you are required to present a viewpoint and use arguments to analyze that viewpoint.

• In advantages/disadvantages essays, an issue is presented, possibly related to a certain development, and then you are asked to outline the advantages and disadvantages of this trend.

Opinion essay	Also known as an agree/disagree essay, it is typically presented as follows: What is your opinion? Do you agree or disagree? To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Advantages/Disadvantages Essay	The essay prompt typically presents a scenario and a question, often framed as follows: Computers are being used more and more in education. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your own opinion.

3. Common Mistakes

These three errors are common in IELTS discussion essays.

• Not stating your opinion.
• Not giving arguments for both views.
• Not developing both sides of the argument equally.

The most common mistake that students make is not giving their opinion. The question will clearly state that you must choose one side of the argument to agree with. If you fail to do this, you will get a low score for task achievement.

It doesn’t matter which side of the argument you take or even, whether agree with it.

However, you must give equal attention to both sides. A common error is to provide a stronger argument for the view you favor. This leads to an unbalanced essay and a low score for task achievement. 

4. Discussion Essay Structure

Now let’s look at a simple structure you can use to write IELTS discussion essays. It’s not the only possible structure but it’s the one I recommend because it’s easy to learn and will enable you to quickly plan and write a high-level essay.

1) Introduction Paraphrase the question State two supporting reasons Give your opinion  2) Main body paragraph 1 Topic sentence – outline the view you don’t agree with Explanation – explain why this view is held by some people Example – give an example  3) Main body paragraph 2 Topic sentence – outline the view you do agree with Explanation – explain why this view is held by some people Example – give an example  4) Conclusion Summarise the key points and state your opinion

This structure will help balance a discussion essay. Here are the standard preparation steps to help you write it effectively

5. Steps to prepare for writing a discussion essay

Step 1:  Analyse the question

Analyzing the essay prompt is an important step in the preparation process to ensure that you complete the essay according to the prompt’s requirements. This step is quite easy to carry out. You only need to identify the following three points:

Identify what the topic for discussion is.

Determine the viewpoint/issue related to the topic.

Understand the requirements of the essay prompt

Step 2: Select the viewpoint you agree with

Judges evaluate your essay based on your ability to write in English with a good structure, regardless of whether you agree with any viewpoint. Therefore, you can choose any viewpoint you agree with and ensure it is clear and consistent in your essay.

Step 3: Generating Ideas and Creating an Outline for a Discussion Essay

The next step is to come up with some ideas and create an outline for your essay.

To stay relaxed and think clearly while working on your essay, imagine that you are having a conversation with someone, and they ask you a common question. How would you respond to them? From there, create an outline for your essay based on the ideas from your responses.

This approach will help you provide straightforward answers with language that is not too complex. Give this technique a try!

Step 4: Vocabulary Preparation

In an IELTS essay, it is essential to be able to express the same meaning in different ways, either by paraphrasing or using synonyms. In the outline creation step, quickly jot down a few synonyms that you can use.

6. Common Sentence Structures Used in the Discussion Essay Writing Task 2

Some sentence patterns you can apply in the Introduction of a Discuss Both Views type essay:

1. People have different views about whether S + V.
2. Although some people think S + V, others disagree and believe that S + V.

Sentence structure using “While” to transition to your personal viewpoint on the issue:

Here are some suggested sentence structures that you can use to begin the Body section:

1. Furthermore,
2. To begin with,
3. The first opinion is that,
4. On the other hand, I believe that,
5. Another point in favor of… is….

Sample sentences used to support the main points of the Body section:

1. On the one hand, there are several reasons why people think that + S + V + in the short term/In some aspects/In some cases.
2. Firstly, S + V. One reason could be that + S + V.
3. This leads to + N. This + V. As a result, S + V.

A reference sentence structure for the conclusion of a Discuss Both Views essay:

1. In conclusion, while + S + V, I completely agree with those who believe that…
2. In conclusion, although it is partly true that + S + V + in some cases, I still support the view that + S + V.”

These sentence structures can be very useful for your IELTS essay writing, providing a clear and organized way to express your ideas.

7. Complete sample on how to write a Discuss Both Views Essay

Teachers used to convey information, but now with wide resources of information, some people think that there is no role for teachers to play in modern education. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

“It is widely believed that the increasing availability of self-study materials, both in libraries and online, has diminished the perceived significance of teachers within the education system. While recognizing the convenience and flexibility offered by these external sources, I firmly uphold the indispensable roles played by teachers.

The praise for libraries and online materials stems from their accessibility and adaptability. Students, instead of adhering to fixed schedules in traditional study sessions, can access a wealth of knowledge at their convenience in libraries. This allows them to explore books and supplementary materials aligned with their interests, providing a personalized learning experience. Additionally, online resources offer the ease of obtaining information with a simple mouse click, eliminating the need for transportation costs. These materials also come in diverse formats, ranging from visual graphics to text-based content.

However, the importance of teachers should not be underestimated. Armed with expertise in teaching methodologies, educators carefully curate and facilitate materials tailored to the unique needs of their students, thereby enhancing learning productivity. Direct communication between teachers and learners expedites the delivery of knowledge, enabling immediate clarification of queries. Furthermore, teachers serve as invaluable role models, imparting moral values that contribute to the development of well-rounded individuals. Virtues such as compassion and humanitarianism are best learned through the exemplary behavior demonstrated by teachers in the classroom.

In conclusion, while online and library materials offer accessible knowledge, the enduring significance of teachers lies in their roles as material selectors, classroom facilitators, and moral exemplars for their students.“

I hope this article can help you address concerns related to how to write and some important notes about the Discussion Essay format in the IELTS Writing Task 2 exam.