How to Write an IELTS Discussion Essay
Discuss both views questions require genuine balance — then a clear personal position. Most students lose marks by doing one and not the other.
Question format: Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
What is a Discussion Essay?
A discussion essay presents two opposing perspectives on an issue and asks you to discuss both before giving your own opinion. Unlike an opinion essay, you must genuinely represent both sides — not just mention one briefly. Your personal view must also be stated clearly, usually in the introduction and reinforced in the conclusion.
Essay Structure
The four-paragraph structure
Introduction
50–65 wordsAcknowledge that people hold different views on this issue. State both perspectives briefly, then clearly indicate which you personally support.
Body Paragraph 1
90–110 wordsPresent the first viewpoint fairly and fully. Explain the reasoning behind it and support it with an example. Do not dismiss or undermine it — examiners check for genuine balance.
Body Paragraph 2
90–110 wordsPresent the second viewpoint — ideally the one you personally agree with. Develop it fully with reasoning and an example. Your own opinion should come through naturally here.
Conclusion
40–55 wordsSummarise both perspectives briefly, then restate your own position clearly. Do not introduce new arguments.
Real Examples
Sample introductions compared
Sample question
Some people believe that children should be taught to be competitive at school. Others feel that cooperation is more important. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
✗ Band 5–6
“There are two different opinions about children at school. Some say competition is important and others say cooperation is better. Both sides have good and bad points. In this essay I will discuss both views.”
Weak: vague, no real paraphrase, no personal opinion stated, the phrase 'I will discuss both views' adds no value and wastes words.
✓ Band 7+
“The question of whether schools should prioritise competition or cooperation has long divided educators. While competitive environments can motivate high achievement, I am more persuaded that collaborative skills better prepare children for the realities of modern workplaces and communities.”
Strong: genuine paraphrase, both views acknowledged, personal opinion clearly stated with a hint of the reasoning to follow.
Vocabulary
Key phrases for discussion essays
Introducing the first view
- Proponents of this view argue that
- Those who support this position believe that
- One school of thought holds that
- Advocates of this approach claim that
Introducing the second view
- On the other hand,
- In contrast,
- However, others maintain that
- An opposing perspective suggests that
- Conversely,
Giving your opinion
- Personally, I am more persuaded by
- In my view,
- Having considered both perspectives, I believe
- I would argue that the second view is more convincing because
Balancing language
- While there is merit in both positions,
- Both arguments have validity, yet
- Although the first view has some justification,
Conclusion
- In conclusion, while both views have merit,
- To summarise, although X, I remain convinced that
- Having examined both sides,
Mistakes to avoid
Common discussion essay errors
Only discussing one view in detail while barely mentioning the other
Give each view a full body paragraph. Examiners award Task Achievement based on genuine discussion of both — not a tokenistic mention.
Forgetting to state a personal opinion
The question says 'give your own opinion'. You must state which view you find more convincing. A clear sentence in the introduction and conclusion is essential.
Starting body paragraphs with 'I think' when presenting someone else's view
Use third-person framing: 'Proponents argue...' or 'Those who favour this view believe...'. Save first-person for your own opinion.
Spending 75% of the essay on your preferred view
Even if you disagree with View A, give it a fair paragraph. Balance is assessed — an imbalanced essay loses CC marks.
Examiner tip
The most common mistake in discussion essays is treating 'give your own opinion' as optional. It is not. Examiners specifically check that you state a personal position — vague conclusions like 'both views have merit' will not satisfy this requirement.
FAQ
Common questions about discussion essays
Does my opinion have to go in a separate paragraph?
No. The most common and effective structure is to weave your opinion into the introduction and conclusion, while Body Paragraph 2 presents the view you personally agree with. A separate 'opinion paragraph' can work but often leads to repetition.
What if I genuinely agree with both views equally?
In IELTS, you still need to pick a side. Choose the view with stronger supporting points and commit to it. The exam is testing your ability to construct an argument, not to accurately report your personal beliefs.
Can I disagree with both views and suggest a third position?
Technically yes, but this is risky. Examiners expect you to engage with the two views presented. A third position is only safe if you still discuss both original views in full first.
How is a discussion essay different from an opinion essay?
An opinion essay (agree/disagree) expects you to defend one position throughout. A discussion essay requires genuine presentation of two views before stating your preference. The key difference is that discussion essays need balanced coverage of both sides.
Band 7.5 Model Answer
See a full annotated discussion essay with paragraph-by-paragraph examiner notes.
Other Task 2 essay types