How to write an IELTS discussion essay (discuss both views)

A discussion question gives you two opinions and asks you to discuss both views and give your own opinion. It has three jobs, and missing any one of them limits your Task Response score: explain the first view, explain the second view, and say what you think.

Spot it

The question usually describes two groups: “Some people think… Others believe…”. The instruction is almost always Discuss both views and give your (own) opinion. If it only says “discuss both views”, you still gain by making your view clear in the conclusion.

Where does your opinion go?

You have two good options:

• State it in the introduction and again in the conclusion. This is the safest choice, because the examiner never has to search for your view.
• Show it in the second body paragraph. Explain the view you disagree with first, then the view you support, so the essay builds toward your opinion.

Either way, the reader should never have to guess. A common band 6 problem is an essay that describes both views fairly and then ends with “both have advantages”, which is not an opinion.

Discussing a view is not the same as agreeing with it. You can explain why people hold a view you reject: “Supporters of this idea argue that…”.

A four-paragraph plan

1. Introduction: paraphrase the topic, name both views, and give your opinion.
2. Body 1, view A: why some people hold it, with a reason and an example.
3. Body 2, view B: why others hold it, with a reason and an example. If this is your side, say so.
4. Conclusion: both views in one sentence, then your opinion clearly.

Planning takes three short lines: View A because… / View B because… / I believe… because…. The essay planner walks you through exactly this.

Language that keeps the views apart

• Introducing view A: Those who favour… argue that…, On the one hand,…
• Introducing view B: Others, however, maintain that…, On the other hand,…
• Giving your view: In my view,…, I am more persuaded by…, Overall, I side with…

Use these once each. Linkers are signposts; one per change of direction is enough. The linking words guide explains why too many can lower your score.

Mistakes to avoid

• Giving your opinion only in the last sentence, as an afterthought.
• Spending three quarters of the essay on one view.
• Adding a third view the question did not ask about.
• Writing “I agree” when the question did not give you one statement to agree with.

Practise

Read the model answer on taking a gap year, which comes with a band 6 version to compare, and the model answer on growth versus the environment. Then try a discuss both views question.