Discussion Essays in IELTS Academic Writing: Discuss Both Views Questions

Introduction

Discussion essays are a common question type in IELTS Academic Writing Task 2. These questions require candidates to examine two different opinions about a particular issue, explain the reasons behind each perspective, and provide their own opinion when requested.

Writing a successful discussion essay requires more than expressing personal beliefs. Candidates must organise their arguments logically, develop relevant ideas, use appropriate academic vocabulary, and maintain grammatical accuracy. Understanding the correct essay structure and learning how to discuss contrasting viewpoints can help learners improve their IELTS Writing performance and work towards their target band.

1. What Is a Discussion Essay?

A discussion essay, often called a Discuss Both Views essay, presents two contrasting opinions about a subject. Candidates are expected to discuss both perspectives and, in many questions, provide their own opinion.

For example:

IELTS Writing Task 2 Question

Some people believe that university students should study subjects related to their future careers, while others think they should be free to study any subject they are interested in. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

This question presents two different viewpoints. The first suggests that students should choose subjects according to their career goals, while the second supports students' freedom to pursue their academic interests.

To answer this question effectively, candidates must explain both viewpoints, support their arguments with relevant reasoning or examples, and clearly state their own position.

2. Understand the Question Before Writing

One of the most important steps in IELTS Writing Task 2 is understanding exactly what the question requires. Some candidates focus entirely on their preferred viewpoint and fail to discuss the opposing perspective adequately.

Before writing, identify the following elements:

• The first view: What does the first group believe, and why?

• The second view: What is the alternative opinion, and what arguments support it?

• Your opinion: Does the question explicitly ask you to express your own position?

Pay particular attention to the instruction “Discuss both views and give your own opinion.” This requires you to discuss both perspectives and communicate your personal position clearly.

Spend approximately three to five minutes analysing the question and planning your arguments. This preparation helps prevent irrelevant ideas and improves the logical organisation of the essay.

3. The Ideal Structure of a Discussion Essay

A four-paragraph structure is an effective approach for most IELTS discussion essays. It allows candidates to introduce the topic, examine both viewpoints, and provide a clear conclusion.

Paragraph 1: Introduction

The introduction should paraphrase the question and establish the direction of the essay. When the question asks for your opinion, you should indicate your position clearly.

A good introduction generally includes a paraphrase of the topic and a thesis statement that communicates your position.

Example:

People have different opinions about whether university students should select subjects according to their career goals or personal interests. Although career-focused education can improve employment prospects, I believe students should also have the freedom to pursue subjects that genuinely interest them.

This introduction presents the debate and establishes a clear opinion without including unnecessary background information.

Paragraph 2: Discuss the First View

The first body paragraph should explain the first viewpoint, develop its supporting arguments, and include a relevant example when appropriate.

For the university-subject question, one argument is that career-related subjects prepare students for employment.

Example:

On the one hand, some people argue that university students should prioritise subjects directly related to their future professions. This is because specialised education can provide the technical knowledge and practical skills required in the workplace. For example, students who intend to become engineers need to study mathematics, physics, and engineering principles to perform their professional responsibilities effectively. Therefore, choosing career-related subjects may improve graduates' employment opportunities.

This paragraph presents a central argument, explains its importance, and supports it with an example. Candidates should follow a similar approach rather than listing several ideas without developing them.

Paragraph 3: Discuss the Second View

The second body paragraph should examine the alternative viewpoint fairly and logically. Candidates should explain why people support this perspective and provide relevant supporting details.

Example:

On the other hand, allowing students to study subjects that interest them can encourage motivation, creativity, and independent thinking. Students are often more willing to participate actively when they enjoy what they are learning. For instance, a student interested in literature may develop strong analytical and communication skills that are valuable in several professional fields. Consequently, academic freedom can support both personal development and long-term career flexibility.

This paragraph explains the benefits of personal choice and illustrates how academic interests can contribute to professional development.

Paragraph 4: Conclusion

The conclusion should summarise the main arguments and restate your opinion if the question requires one. It should not introduce new arguments or examples.

Example:

In conclusion, career-related subjects can provide essential professional skills, whereas personal choice can increase motivation and encourage broader intellectual development. Although both approaches have advantages, I believe students should be encouraged to balance their career ambitions with their academic interests.

A concise conclusion ensures that the essay ends with a clear and consistent position.

4. Useful Vocabulary for Discussion Essays

Academic vocabulary helps candidates present contrasting viewpoints and develop arguments effectively. However, vocabulary should be used naturally rather than inserted merely to make the essay sound sophisticated.

To introduce the first view:

• Some people argue that…

• Supporters of this view believe that…

• One common argument is that…

To introduce the second view:

• On the other hand…

• Others maintain that…

• In contrast, some people believe that…

To explain reasons:

• This is primarily because…

• One possible explanation is that…

• This can be attributed to…

To provide examples:

• For instance…

• For example…

• A relevant example of this is…

To express an opinion:

• I believe that…

• From my perspective…

• I would argue that…

To conclude:

• In conclusion…

• Overall…

• Taking both views into account…

Candidates should select linking expressions according to their meaning. Repeating the same expressions throughout an essay may make the writing sound mechanical and reduce its natural flow.

5. How to Develop Strong Arguments

Many IELTS candidates introduce relevant ideas but fail to explain them sufficiently. A strong body paragraph should contain a clear central point, an explanation of why it matters, and a relevant example where appropriate.

For instance, consider the argument that career-related subjects improve employment prospects. Simply stating this idea is insufficient. Candidates should explain how specialised education develops professional knowledge and practical skills. They can then provide an example, such as engineering students applying scientific principles to workplace problems.

This method encourages candidates to develop meaningful arguments instead of relying on general statements.

It is also important to ensure that examples support the argument directly. Personal experiences, hypothetical situations, and general real-world examples can all be useful when they are relevant and clearly explained. Candidates do not need to memorise statistics or invent complicated evidence to write an effective essay.

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Several common mistakes can weaken the quality of a discussion essay.

Discussing only one viewpoint: Candidates must give adequate attention to both perspectives. Ignoring one side can result in an incomplete response.

Ignoring the requested opinion: When the question asks for a personal opinion, candidates should state it clearly and maintain a consistent position throughout the essay.

Listing ideas without explanation: Arguments should be developed through logical reasoning and relevant examples rather than presented as unsupported statements.

Using memorised templates excessively: Memorised phrases may help with organisation, but the essay must respond directly to the specific question. Generic introductions and conclusions can make the response less effective.

Repeating the same ideas: Each paragraph should contribute a distinct argument. Repetition wastes words and reduces the depth of discussion.

Using inappropriate vocabulary: Candidates should prioritise accurate, natural academic English instead of forcing advanced words into sentences where they do not fit.

Neglecting grammar and punctuation: Errors involving articles, verb tenses, subject–verb agreement, sentence structure, and punctuation can affect clarity and grammatical accuracy.

Writing fewer than 250 words: IELTS Writing Task 2 requires at least 250 words. Candidates should meet this minimum while focusing on relevant, well-developed arguments rather than unnecessary repetition.

7. Practical Strategies for Improving Your Band

Candidates should practise discussion essays regularly under timed conditions and evaluate their performance against the official IELTS Writing assessment criteria: Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy.

The following strategies can support improvement:

1. Analyse the question carefully: Identify both viewpoints and underline the key instructions.

2. Plan your arguments: Select one or two strong ideas for each perspective before writing.

3. Write a focused introduction: Paraphrase the topic and state your position when required.

4. Develop both body paragraphs: Explain each viewpoint fairly and use relevant examples.

5. Maintain logical progression: Ensure that every sentence contributes to the central argument of its paragraph.

6. Manage your time: Allocate approximately five minutes to planning, thirty minutes to writing, and five minutes to proofreading.

7. Review your essay: Check for grammatical errors, unclear arguments, repetition, and inconsistencies in your opinion.

Task 2 takes approximately 40 minutes and carries greater weight than Task 1 in the IELTS Writing test. Practising under realistic conditions can therefore help candidates develop the organisation, accuracy, and efficiency required for effective performance.

Conclusion

Discussion essays require candidates to understand contrasting perspectives, develop logical arguments, and express their opinions clearly when requested. A well-organised introduction, two developed body paragraphs, and a concise conclusion provide a reliable structure for answering these questions. By practising argument development, using academic vocabulary naturally, and checking grammatical accuracy, IELTS candidates can strengthen their writing skills and work towards their target band.

Further Reading / Reference List

1. British Council. The IELTS Writing Test: How It Works. Read the official guide.

2. IELTS. IELTS Writing Band Descriptors. Read the official assessment criteria (PDF).

3. British Council. IELTS Academic Writing Preparation. Explore writing preparation resources.