IELTS Writing — Task 2
IELTS Writing Task 2: Discussion Essay (Discuss Both Views)
How to write an IELTS discussion essay. Structure, paragraph templates, and Band 7+ tips for "Discuss both views and give your own opinion" questions.
What is a Discussion Essay?
Discussion essays ask you to examine two opposing views and give your own opinion. The prompt usually says "Discuss both views and give your own opinion." This is different from an opinion essay: you must represent both sides fairly before concluding with your own position.
Recommended Structure
Introduction
55–70 wordsIntroduce the debate. State that you will discuss both views. Give a brief indication of your final position (optional but shows strong Task Response).
Body Paragraph 1 — View 1
90–110 wordsPresent the first view. Use objective language: "Those who believe X argue that..." / "Proponents of X contend that..." Give one strong reason and a specific example.
Body Paragraph 2 — View 2
90–110 wordsPresent the second, contrasting view with equal weight. "On the other hand, those who favour Y argue that..." Do not dismiss this view.
Conclusion
55–70 wordsSummarise both views. Give your own position clearly. "While both arguments have merit, I believe X is more convincing because..."
Example Question & Thesis
Sample Prompt
Some people think that children should begin their formal education at a very early age and should spend most of their time on school studies. Others believe that young children should spend most of their time playing. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Band 7+ Thesis Statement
Both early academic instruction and play-based learning have clear proponents, and while I recognise the value of structured schooling, I believe that unstructured play is ultimately more important for children's holistic development in the early years.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Forgetting to give your own opinion — the prompt explicitly asks for it, and omitting it lowers your Task Response score.
- ✗Making one body paragraph much longer than the other — this suggests you favour one view, which can look unbalanced.
- ✗Using first person to describe other people's views: "I think some people say..." — Use "Proponents argue that...", "Critics of this view suggest..."
- ✗Weak conclusions that just repeat both views without giving a clear position.
Band 7+ Tips
- ✓Structure your body paragraphs as if you are a fair reporter — present each view's strongest argument, not a straw man version.
- ✓Use the final sentence of each body paragraph to link back to the debate: "This suggests that X has significant advantages for..."
- ✓Your opinion in the conclusion should connect to the evidence you presented, not introduce a new reason.
- ✓Useful phrases: "advocates of X maintain that", "critics argue that", "a compelling argument can be made for", "the evidence leans towards".
Frequently Asked Questions
How many body paragraphs should a discussion essay have?▼
The standard structure is: introduction + View 1 body paragraph + View 2 body paragraph + conclusion. Some candidates write 3 body paragraphs (View 1, View 2, Own opinion) but this risks making the conclusion feel like an afterthought. Two body paragraphs plus a strong conclusion is generally preferable.
Do I have to agree with one side in a discussion essay?▼
Yes — you must state your own opinion. You can partially agree with both sides, but you need to make a final position clear in the conclusion. Saying "both views have merit" without choosing is penalised on Task Response.
Can I use impersonal language throughout?▼
Yes, and it is often more appropriate for formal academic writing. "It can be argued that", "There is a strong case for", "Evidence suggests that" are all valid alternatives to "I think".
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