IELTS Writing Task 2: Discussion Essay Guide (2025)

What is a Discussion Essay in IELTS Writing Task 2?

Discussion essays ask you to look at both sides of an issue and then give your own opinion. This type of prompt usually begins with:

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

To score well, you must:

• Present both viewpoints fairly and clearly
• Show your position clearly
• Support all points with explanations or examples

Where Does This Question Type Appear?

The discussion essay appears in both Academic and General Training versions of the IELTS exam. It’s Task 2 of the Writing section and is worth 66% of your total writing score.

What Does the Examiner Look For?

Your essay will be graded using four criteria:

• Task Response: Did you discuss both views and give a well-developed opinion?
• Coherence & Cohesion: Are your ideas logically organized and clearly linked?
• Lexical Resource: Are you using a wide range of vocabulary accurately?
• Grammatical Range & Accuracy: Are your sentence structures varied and correct?

Discussion Essay Structure

The key to success in a discussion essay is clarity. You need to explain both sides without bias, then clearly state what you believe and why.

Recommended Structure:

• Introduction:
  • Paraphrase the topic
  • Briefly introduce both views
  • Clearly state your opinion
• Body Paragraph 1: Discuss the first view
  • Explain why some people support it
  • Include an example if possible
• Body Paragraph 2: Discuss the second view
  • Explain the opposing argument
  • Add relevant examples
• Body Paragraph 3 (optional): Support your opinion
  • Explain why you agree more with one side
  • Provide additional support
• Conclusion:
  • Summarize both views
  • Restate your opinion

Examples of IELTS Discussion Essay Questions

• Some people believe that university education should be free, while others think students should pay. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
• Some people think the government should invest more in public transport, while others believe money should be spent on improving roads. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
• Some people think parents should teach children how to be good members of society. Others believe school is the best place for this. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

High-Scoring Vocabulary for Discussion Essays

• Introducing Viewpoints: One school of thought is that… / Others argue that… / Some believe…
• Presenting Your Opinion: In my view… / I personally believe… / I tend to agree with the view that…
• Balancing Both Sides: While it is true that… / On the other hand… / Nevertheless…
• Concluding: To sum up… / In conclusion… / After examining both sides…

Tips for a Band 7+ Discussion Essay

• ✅ Clearly introduce both views in your introduction
• ✅ Support each side with specific explanations or examples
• ✅ Make your own opinion clear and consistent
• ✅ Avoid presenting only one side
• ✅ Use transition words to organize your thoughts

How Is It Scored?

Discussion essays are evaluated using the same four IELTS criteria, but pay special attention to Task Response:

• ✅ Did you fully discuss both views?
• ✅ Did you give your own opinion and support it?
• ✅ Are your arguments clear and well-developed?

Want more detail? Read our full guide 👉: IELTS Band Descriptors Explained

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