both sides essay

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IELTS Discussion Essays [Discuss Both Views/Sides]

Posted by David S. Wills | Jun 14, 2021 | IELTS Tips , Writing | 3

In this lesson, I’m going to explain what an IELTS discussion essay is and how you can write a good one. I will talk about structure and content, as well as looking briefly at discussion essay thesis statements, which many people find tricky. I’ve also written a sample essay, which you can find at the bottom of this page.

What is a Discussion Essay?

As the name suggests, a discussion essay is an essay that discusses things! More specifically, it is a type of IELTS writing task 2 essay that requires you to look at two different points of view . You can easily recognise these essays by the following phrase:

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Sometimes it is phrased a little differently. It might say:

Discuss both sides and give your opinion

Discuss both points view and give your opinion

The important thing is that these all mean the same. When you see any of these, you know that you need to write a discussion essay. Importantly, this instruction tells you that you need to do two things:

• Discuss both views (there will have been 2 views mentioned in the previous sentence(s))
• Give your opinion (i.e. state which view you agree with)

If you failed to do either of these things, you would not have satisfied the basic criteria for Task Achievement .

Example Discussion Essay Questions

Here is a list of 5 discussion essay questions either from the IELTS exam, reportedly from the IELTS exam, or from reputable publications that have copied the IELTS question style. (Not that you absolutely should avoid fake IELTS questions when practising.)

Some people say that parents should encourage their children to take part in organised group activities in their free time. Others say that is important for children to learn how to occupy themselves on their own. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Some people prefer to spend their lives doing the same things and avoiding change. Others, however, think that change is always a good thing. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some people feel that manufacturers and supermarkets have the responsibility to reduce the amount of packaging of goods. Others argue that customers should avoid buying goods with a lot of packaging. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some people believe that higher education should be funded by the government. Others, however, argue that it is the responsibility of individuals to fund their higher education. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some people believe that it is important for children to attend extra classes outside school, while others believe that they should be allowed to play after school. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

You can see in these questions that there is a similar pattern. In each case, the question phrase (“Discuss both views and give your own opinion”) is the same and in the previous sentence or sentences, there are two opposing views. This, then, makes “discuss both views” questions a sort of opinion essay .

How to Answer IELTS Discussion Questions

First of all, it is important when answering any IELTS task 2 question that you read the question carefully so that you understand it, then provide an answer that directly responds to the question, following its instructions carefully.

As discussed above, you are required to do two things: 1) Discuss both views, and 2) Give your own opinion. You absolutely must do both of those. It doesn’t really matter what your opinion is or whether you give equal weighting to both sides of the argument. Instead, you must cover both sides and also give some sort of opinion. (It is important, though, according to the marking rubric , that you are consistent in your opinion.)

Your answer of course should be structured carefully so as to present your ideas in a thoroughly logical way that is easy for your reader to interpret. I almost always use a four-paragraph structure in my essays, but some people prefer to use five paragraphs in this sort of essay. The difference would look like this:

You might be wondering why I have given my opinion in the body of the five-paragraph essay but not in the four-paragraph essay. Well, actually I would give my opinion in the body of both. However, my opinion would be more subtly woven into the text of the four-paragraph essay. I personally find this to be a better method, but it is equally possible that you could write an amazing five-paragraph essay. That issue is discussed further in this video:

Discussion Essay Thesis Statement

In academic writing, a thesis statement (sometimes called an essay outline ) is the part of the essay where you insert your opinion. It typically comes at the end of the introduction and guides the reader by explaining your opinion on the issues that have been introduced.

But do you really need to provide one in such a short essay? Well, a 2018 study into successful IELTS essays concluded that thesis statements were “obligatory” – i.e. you absolutely do need one. In fact, that study found that thesis statements appeared in 100% of successful IELTS discussion essays! Therefore, we can conclude they are very important.

Because a discussion essay will tell you to “Discuss both views and give your opinion,” you must introduce the two views and then give your opinion in the introduction. Here is an example:

Introductory paragraph:

In some parts of the world, children are forced to go to cram schools and other facilities of extracurricular learning, but many people believe that this is unfair and that they should be allowed to enjoy their free time instead. This essay will look at both perspectives and then conclude that it is indeed unfair.

My first sentence clearly introduces two different ideas:

• Children should do extra classes
• Children should not do extra classes

Note how I have successfully used synonyms to avoid repeating anything from the question. I have also framed the issue in a new way so that I am not just paraphrasing. (You can learn why paraphrasing is not always helpful here .)

My second sentence is the thesis statement. In this sentence, I outline what the essay will do (“look at both perspectives”) and then give my opinion (“it is unfair”). This is a simple but effective thesis statement.

Thesis Statement Advice

Your IELTS discussion essay thesis statement should do two things:

• Tell the reader what the essay will do
• Present your opinion

Because this is a formal essay, it is best not to be too personal. Instead of saying “I will…” or “I think…” it is better to say “This essay will…” Here are some simple templates that you can follow most of the time:

• This essay will look at both sides and then argue that…
• This essay will discuss both views but ultimately side with…

Just make sure to avoid being overly vague. You are required to give your opinion consistently throughout the essay, so don’t say “This essay will look at both sides and then give my opinion .” It is not really the best approach because the examiner wants to see that you can be consistent in presenting an opinion. That is clearly stated in the marking rubric. For band 7, it says:

• presents a clear position throughout the response

It could be concluded, then, that your opinion is not clear from the start and so you have not done enough to warrant a band 7 for Task Achievement.

Body Paragraphs

As I mentioned above, there are really two main approaches you could take to the body paragraphs:

• Discuss one view per paragraph and incorporate your opinion into each.
• Discuss one view per paragraph and then have another for your opinion.

I suppose there is also a third option:

• Compare and contrast the two viewpoints in each paragraph.

This last one may be a little harder to do successfully without jeopardising your score for Task Achievement or Coherence and Cohesion , but advanced candidates may find it useful.

Remember that there is no single perfect formula for an IELTS essay. That’s not how languages work and that’s not how IELTS works. Different people could come up with different ways to present a successful essay. The most common essay structures are mere guidelines for particularly useful methods of approaching an essay.

Does a Discussion Essay Have to be Balanced?

Because the question says “Discuss both views,” it is quite logical to think that you must provide some degree of balance, but you certainly don’t need to give equal weighting to both sides. Remember that you are also going to give your opinion, so if you come down strongly on one side of the issue, it might be odd to give equal attention to both.

If you do feel very strongly about one side, you might want to present your discussion of the other side as quite negative. However, IELTS is a thinking exam as well as an English exam and an intelligent person can always look at both sides of an issue and explain – at the very least – why someone might believe a thing that is different to his own view. This seems quite important, but there is nothing explicitly mentioned in the marking rubric.

I would suggest that if you think a two-sided issue is basically one-sided (i.e. you strongly disagree with the other view), you should still write one or two sentences about why people believe that and then devote the rest of your essay to disputing their view.

Another approach is to write BP1 as a very short paragraph that explains why people might think one thing, but then have BP2 as a very long paragraph that debunks the opposing view and then explains why the other is correct.

(You can read more about IELTS essays and balance here .)

Sample Answer

Here is my full sample answer to the above question about whether or not children should be made to do extracurricular activities:

In some parts of the world, children are forced to go to cram schools and other facilities of extracurricular learning, but many people believe that this is unfair and that they should be allowed to enjoy their free time instead. This essay will look at both perspectives and then conclude that it is indeed unfair. In countries like South Korea, most children are made to go to an array of cram schools outside of regular school hours. Their parents do this in order to give their child a better future because it helps the child to learn more and thus gives them the academic advantages needed to apply to the best universities or jobs in future. These schools often provide children with an advantage over their peers because they improve their foreign language or math skills more quickly, and thus the children who do not attend these schools might have comparatively poor grades. However, whilst this attitude may result in better academic performance, it is certainly not good for the mental health of these children. It is no coincidence that places like South Korea have the highest rates of suicide among their young populations. The fact is that children are not equipped to spend fourteen or sixteen hours per day in classrooms, memorising facts and figures. In a sense, it is a form of child abuse. Children should be allowed to go home and spend time with friends and family to build social skills. They should be allowed to occupy themselves in order to become more creative and learn how to understand their own mind instead of being trained to repeat what they are told. In conclusion, it is understandable that some parents want their children to go to extra classes, but this is damaging to children and they should be given the freedom to play and socialise outside of regular school hours.

In BP1, I have looked at the topic of cram schools (ie the side of the argument in favour of extra lessons). I explored why parents might want their kids to do this and show the supposed benefits. Note that I never embraced any of these benefits. I was careful to use language that distanced these ideas from my own opinion, which was the opposite, so I said “Their parents do this in order to…”

In BP2, I looked at the opposite side. I was careful to make sure that my first sentence linked to the previous paragraph, highlighting that the benefits are quite minor compared to the drawbacks. All of my sentences here justify my position, which is that it is cruel to force these extra lessons on children.

My conclusion ties all of this together. The first clause references BP1 and the second summarises the main argument in BP2.

You can find two more sample essays here:

• A discussion essay about sports facilities
• A discussion essay about sports abilities

About The Author

David S. Wills

David S. Wills is the author of Scientologist! William S. Burroughs and the 'Weird Cult' and the founder/editor of Beatdom literary journal. He lives and works in rural Cambodia and loves to travel. He has worked as an IELTS tutor since 2010, has completed both TEFL and CELTA courses, and has a certificate from Cambridge for Teaching Writing. David has worked in many different countries, and for several years designed a writing course for the University of Worcester. In 2018, he wrote the popular IELTS handbook, Grammar for IELTS Writing and he has since written two other books about IELTS. His other IELTS website is called IELTS Teaching.

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It is sometimes debatable whether asking children to get extra education after school or letting them play that is actually beneficial for them. Even though both viewpoints have benefits and drawbacks but I believe ,in the childhood age, children have to take rough and discipline education after school to be succeed in the future.

To begin with, many educational experts believe that playing is one of the essential aspects that have to be gotten by children to grow and happy. By using the playing approach, children can have a good mental and psychic health. Besides, letting children play after school can also support them to increase their emotional stimuli and get a positive social interaction. With this way, experts believe children can grow as a better adult in the future and have a freedom to get a better life in the upcoming times.

However, I completely contra with the first idea because I believe childhood is a better time to train children about academic or other skills that benefits them in the future. Based on scientific journal that I read, the ability of children in learning new things are more spectacular compared to adults. A lot of artists, scientist, and even football player who currently becoming a superstar in this era is a string of process that is began since their in the childhood. For instance, nowadays, I am working in the field of election supervision, it because since in my childhood my father love to force me learning about social and political issues by getting additional class. Thus, making children to get extra class after school is an appropriate preference if parents desire to see their son getting a good future.

To conclude, based on experts children have to get a freedom to play after schools but in my viewpoint it will be more advantages if they utilize the playing time with joining additional class after school.

VERY GOOD MR DIRWAN But actually you mixed both of the ideas , you need to take one side for this sort of essay writting, as it is mentioned in the above instruction. By the way WELL DONE . love from Pakistan to my sweet brother.

I have not checked in here for some time because I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are really great quality so I guess I’ll add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend. ??

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IELTS Discuss Both Views Essay Structure + Sample Answers

The next big thing after learning about IELTS discuss both views essays is –  How do you structure them?

Please be aware though, the perfect structure alone will not make you a band 7+ achiever. Your vocabulary and English proficiency still plays a key role in IELTS writing task – 2.

But the good news is… Here we’ve outlined an easily comprehensible  step-by-step format  to logically present a discussion essay and give your opinion effectively.

This post will clear your doubts over:

• Essay Structure
• Sample Question(s)
• Task Explanation

Sample Answer

Discuss both views – essay structure.

There are hundreds of ways to structure a Discuss both views essay in the writing part . However, we’ll use this 4-paragraph foolproof band 7+ structure:

INTRODUCTION

• Paraphrase the question statement or use a general statement relevant to the topic.
• State both viewpoints
• Write your opinion statement (only if specified in the statement).
• Write an outline sentence

BODY PARAGRAPH 1

• State first viewpoint
• Explain the viewpoint
• Provide a logical example

BODY PARAGRAPH 2

• State second viewpoint
• Write concluding remarks and your opinion
• State which viewpoint is more significant

RELATED: IELTS Writing Task-1 Formal Letters With Sample Answers

Sample Questions

Now that you’ve understood the discussion essay structure, let’s look at some recently asked topics to give you an idea of how the ‘discuss both views and give your opinion’ essay looks like.

Some people believe that children should spend all of their leisure time with their families. Others believe that this is not required and a negative development. Discuss both viewpoints and give your opinion. Support your answer with the help of relevant examples.

Explanation of the Task

This is Opinion>Discussion type essay. Hence, You should introduce the topic, provide relevant ideas explaining arguments on both sides of the discussion, and then write your opinion in the conclusion. Always remember that these Opinion>Discussion tasks might be expressed differently; look for keyword ‘discuss’ and its synonyms like ‘debate’, ‘consider’ and ‘review’.

Topic Vocabulary

• foster parents – people who officially take a child into their family for a period of time, without becoming the child’s legal parents. The child is referred to as their foster child.
• guardians – people who are legally appointed to protect child’s interests in the absence of parents.
• role models – people that children look up to as examples
• ground rules – basic rules governing the peoples’ behaviour
• conventions – traditions or social norms that most people follow
• codes of conduct – voluntary rules acceptable to people
• bullying – when children attack and intimidate other children
• truancy – when a pupil leaves school without permission
• delinquency – minor crime
• dual-income – a situation when both mother and father working
• child-minding – informal care for children (outside of schools)
• peers – people in the same age group or level
• behavioural patterns – ways of acting and doing things
• well brought-up – to grow, educate and behave in a socially acceptable manner.

We hope that understanding this ‘Discuss both views essay structure’ will help you organize your writing task – 2 better and ultimately fetch you a high band score. And, don’t forget to download the IDP IELTS Writing answer sheets !

2 thoughts on “IELTS Discuss Both Views Essay Structure + Sample Answers”

Very good guidance. Could include one more sample answer.

Thanks! Yeah…sure. More stuff lined up 🙂

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• Task 2 (essay)

IELTS Writing Task 2: discuss both views + give your opinion

In this guide, you'll learn how to answer IELTS writing task 2 questions that ask you to discuss both points of view before giving your opinion . This type of question is often confused with an agree/disagree question or a give your opinion question. In the latter types of questions, you can choose an opinion and generate your arguments. However, for a discuss both views + give opinion question, you have to discuss both points of view impartially before giving your own view.

In this lesson you will see IELTS writing task 2 sample question + model answer and learn:

• how to impartially discuss the points of view
• how to present your own point of view
• how to give a band 9 answer

IELTS question - discuss both views + give opinion

Let's look at an example of IELTS writing task 2 question that asks you to discuss both views and give your opinion:

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

It is commonly believed that nowadays main factors that affect a child's development are media, pop culture and friends. A different point of view is that family plays the most significant role.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Write at least 250 words.

Generate arguments for each point of view:

First of all, you have to identify the two opinions . These are:

• External factors have more considerable influence on a child's development.
• The family has a greater influence on a child's development.

Next, let's brainstorm for arguments that support each side:

• External factors have a more considerable influence on a child's development.
• Children tend to copy the behaviour of their favourite fictional characters.
• Children spend a lot of time with their peers.
• Technology has an all-pervasive impact on children.
• Parents are always present in the life of a child.
• The younger the children are, the more malleable their character is.
• Parents can set boundaries and have more control over their children.

Choose your point of view:

For our essay, we will agree that although external factors influence the development of a child, parents and family still have the upper hand.

Our reason: A child's choice of friends, books or music depends on the values instilled in them by their parents.

Band 9 answer structure for discuss both views + give opinion essay

Though there are many ways to structure your IELTS essay, we’ll use this time-tested band 9 essay structure:

• Introduction
• Body paragraph 1 – discuss the first opinion
• Body paragraph 2 – discuss the second opinion
• Body paragraph 3 – give your own opinion

It is often held that teachers, peers and the media have a significant influence on the life of children. While some people argue that these factors are predominant in shaping a child's future, others believe that parents impact their offspring in more critical ways. This essay will discuss both these points of view and argue in favour of the latter.

On the one hand, the books children read and the music they listen to form their belief system. In other words, children tend to copy the behaviour of their favourite personality or fictional character. Moreover, when little ones work and play in groups, they are influenced by their peers. Finally, other factors, like the media, prompt children to want things regarded as fashionable. For instance, children demand toys that they see on television.

On the other hand, a child's personality is malleable at a very young age, and parents are always present in their life at this stage. Also, very young children love to imitate. For example, children who come from a dysfunctional family often exhibit behavioural problems at school. An emotionally secure environment at home is critical for the child's confidence. Moreover, parents also teach children about setting boundaries.

In my opinion, children's choice of friends, books or music depends on the values instilled in them by their parents. Therefore, parents hold more substantial sway over their offspring than media, pop culture and friends circle.

In conclusion, the outside world influences the intellectual and social development of children. However, I believe that it is parents who set the stage for these developments by laying a strong foundation from a very young age.

Band 9 answer sample

(273 words)

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IELTS Discussion Essay Sample Questions

Below is a list of IELTS discussion essay sample questions for IELTS writing task 2. These are also known as two sided essays.

Discussion Essay Tips

• identify both sides
• find supporting points for both side
• only give your opinion if the task asks for it
• use discussion essay language
• follow a safe discussion essay model

Discussion Essay Questions

Some people think that environmental problems should be solved on a global scale while others believe it is better to deal with them nationally. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

All parents want the best opportunities for their children. There are some people who think that schools should teach children skills but others think having a range of subjects is better for a children’s future. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

There seems to be an increasing number of serious crimes committed each year. While some think the best way is to use the death penalty as a deterrent, many people believe that other measures will be needed. Discuss both sides.

Completing university education is thought by some to be the best way to get a good job. On the other hand, other people think that getting experience and developing soft skills is more important. Discuss both sides and give your opinion. CLICK HERE: MODEL ESSAY ANSWER

Some people think that exercise is the key to health, while others feel that having a balanced diet is more important. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

It is thought by some that its is better to live in a city, while others  believe that life is better in the countryside. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

Some people think that the internet has brought people closer together, while others think that people and communities are become more isolated. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

• Discussion Essay Model Answer
• Essay Structure & Paragraphs
• ALL MODEL ESSAYS AND TIPS FOR WRITING TASK 2

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both sides essay

In an IELTS both sides and opinion essay you need to discuss each side of an argument using the third person (people believe). You should save your opinion and use the first person (I think) in the final paragraph.A typical question is shown below Computers are being used more and more in education. Some people say that learning online is the best way to learn, whereas some claim that it is still better to attend a class with a teacher .

Example question:

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task. Write about the following topic .

Some people believe that there should be fixed punishments for each type of crime. Others, however, argue that the circumstances of an individual crime, and the motivation for committing it, should always be taken into account when deciding on the punishment. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. You should write at least 250 words. You should use your own ideas, knowledge and experience and support your arguments with examples and relevant evidence .

Steps in Planning your Essay : 1.Underline key vocabulary in the question and write words with the same or related meaning. 2.Decide what kind of response is needed. 3.Brainstorm key points for the answer. 4.Decide on the structure of the essay.

Steps in writing your Essay  INTRODUCTION:   1.Paraphrase the question 2.This essay discusses [SIDE A], and [SIDE B], and then I will give my own opinion.

BODY: 3.Write topic sentences for each body paragraph [SIDE A] On one side of the argument there are people who argue that….. [SIDE B] On the other hand,…..  

CONCLUSION:  4.SIGNAL OPINION: “In conclusion, I believe that…” 5.Usually you can say that both sides have merits 6.State which side is stronger and the reason Some people believe that there should be fixed punishments for each type of crime. Others, however, argue that the circumstances of an individual crime, and the motivation for committing it, should always be taken into account when deciding on the punishment.

Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

One of the highly controversial issues today relates to   whether to use   standardised penalties   or   flexible ones. This essay examines this question from both points of view and then I will give my own perspective on the matter.

On one side of the argument   there are people who argue that the benefits of standardised punishments considerably outweigh its disadvantages. The main reason for believing this is that it is more efficient and cheaper to manage. One good illustration of this is parking tickets. If every one of these had to go to court and be ruled upon by a judge and jury this would be very expensive and waste a lot of people’s time. It is also possible to say that this system is fairer because every person is treated the same regardless of race or gender.

On the other hand, it is also possible to make the opposing case. It is often argued that in fact it is better to consider the situation and reason of a crime. People often have this opinion because sometimes people are forced to commit a crime such as murder due to reasons like self-defence. Clearly, this should be considered in sentencing for the crime. A second point is that the reason for a crime should be taken into account. A particularly good example here is that someone who steals food to feed their family shouldn’t be punished as someone who steals a watch because they want to look wealthy.

In conclusion, I believe both arguments have their merits. On balance, however, I tend to feel that it is better to decide the penalty on a case-by-case basis, as getting the right decision is more important than the justice system saving money. [288 words]

Structuring an IELTS essay using key vocabulary  The template below contains about 130 words for an IELTS essay! One of the highly controversial issues today relates to whether A or B [A + B =both sides of the argument]. ……………. In this essay, I am going to examine this question from both points of view and then give my own opinion on the matter. On one side of the argument there are people who argue that the benefits of ……………. considerably outweigh its disadvantages. The main reason for believing this is that …………………. It is also possible to say that …….One good illustration of this is …………. On the other hand, it is also possible to make the opposing case. It is often argued that in fact ……….. People often have this opinion because …………… A second point is that ………..A particularly good example here is………….. In conclusion, I believe that both arguments have their merits. On balance, however, I tend to feel that …………….. The language from this template is used in the essay below:

Some people believe that there should be the death penalty for extremely serious crimes. Others believe that it is not morally correct to kill criminals   Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

  One of the most controversial issues today relates to whether to use  capital punishment or not . In this essay, I am going to examine this question from both points of view and then give my own perspective on the matter.

On one side of the argument there are people who argue that the benefits of killing violent criminals considerably outweigh its disadvantages. The main reason for believing this is that the fear of execution acts as a deterrent to commit serious crimes such as rape and murder . It is also possible to say that the execution of a criminal may bring relief to the suffering victims. One good illustration of this is when Sadam Hussein was executed. Many of the victims who were persecuted under his rule expressed joy and relief when he was finally captured and killed. 

On the other hand, it is also possible to make the opposing case. It is often argued that in fact sentencing criminals to death is just committing another murder. People often have this opinion because they think that it is immoral to take another person’s life, no matter what the reason is. A second point is that many religions are opposed to any form of murder. A particularly good example here is from the bible, which lists killing another person as one of the Ten Commandments that should not be broken. 

In conclusion, I believe that both arguments have their merits. On balance, however, I tend to believe that capital punishment is justified in cases of extreme crime and that deterring violent crime is more important than taking the moral high ground espoused in the bible. 

[267 words]

27 thoughts on “both sides essay”

Does this essay qualifies in light of grammar esp with range of complex sentences.A timely reply would be really appreciated

Yes. There are plenty of complex sentences.

Hello, is this form also useful for the IELTS Academic?

This type of question is asked for the academic and general test and so it’s relevant for both. There aren’t a lot of differences between task two for the academic and general test. The key point for the academic test is that you need to write a report.

Hello Mike, in the “Task Analysis for a Both Sides and Opinion Essay” section on your website, you’ve said that “A typical error students make is to not say sufficient about their opinion. One sentence is clearly not enough to get to 7”. In writings on this section, you pointed your own opinion just in the last sentence of conclusion. I want to ask you an explanation of what exactly you mean by “one sentence”. Thanks a lot !

Yes Ok, I have changed it. Now, it is two sentences.

Does the examiners will understand that the examinees used a template, and give a low score? Please contact me, for I need to know more about your specific guidance.

I understand your concern and let me make a few key points and then if you still have some questions please ask me 1. Examiners will penalise for memorised language, but not for language used for structural purposes. “This essay discusses” is okay to use. “The world has become one big global village” is not okay to use because it’s an obvious memorise phrase that examiners have seen over and over again. 2. Templates work really well, but if you’re aiming for a score of eight or more you’re going to have to highly customise these to the specific task instructions. This is important. Getting to 8 requires a high degree of precision.

excuse me. “alot”

Sorry, I do not get the point of your message…please explain.

HI,thanks a late for your videos and useful tips. do you have temple for other type of question?

2 question essay: https://youtu.be/NIiLu8OUQKA

opinion essay: https://youtu.be/zXe6FyP6T_Q

Hi, Mr. Wattie. I just have a question about the question type in writing task 2. I’ve seen some topics with the question like “what are the advantages and disadvantages of it” or ” Do the advantages outweigh its disadvantages?” So what type of essay should it be and what structure should we use? Thank you ~

“what are the advantages and disadvantages of it” Best to use a two-question approach. Imagine advantages as one question and disadvantages as the other https://www.ieltsanswers.com/two-question-essay.html Do the advantages outweigh its disadvantages? This is best answered using the opinion essay approach. State in the introduction, which side outweighs the other. Have a body the has 2 main ideas for the side you support more strongly and 1 main idea for the other https://www.ieltsanswers.com/ielts-opinion-essay.html

Very well defined structure with ease in everything. I am a teacher and I have been following the same criteria for 7 months and it is amazing. Thank you Mike.

Thanks, and good luck with your teaching. Let me know if you ever need any IELTS specific guidance.

Excellent article, well organised structured. 140 words of standardized template. student now can focus on just 110+ Words, consisting of good vocabulary and sentence for the given topic(both-side-essay).

Thanks for your appreciation.

Hello sir, what template should we use for advantages and disadvantages essay? And also for Discuss both views essay???? Plz reply

If it’s it’s just both views without your opinion then use two question structure and if it’s both views and your opinion use a both sides and opinion essay… It might help you to see my video on this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VgBZB-0Juw&t=142s

But IELTS is a scam ND THEY will give 6.5 based on your profile. Racial profiling! They send all papers to India these days and no writing has been checked in Australia. In India, the remote robot will give you 6.5 straight or 6.0. Or they just give you the same what you had in the past. Dr Jay Jericho from Sydney has some good videos on youtube regarding this. One Australian Journalist ( a native speaker) sat the test by giving false info such as his first language code is XX ( not English). What a shock! He scored 6.5. He knows TR, CC, GR and Lex. He was also an ex examiner in China. Try PTE and forget IELTS. It is a money spinner. Many students studied smart and hard and worked on errors plus topic specific vocabulary ( given by Cambridge authors Pauline Cullen). Yet, the score remained the same.

Sorry, I don’t agree with your opinions. How do YOU know all the papers are marked in India? I have been marking paper recently and I have friends that are currently doing so and none of us are in India!

There is an ambiguity regarding the structure of this type of essays. The majority of websites assert that you should include your own opinion in the introduction also. I read the band 7 description which reveal that you should show your opinion (throuhout) the all essay .. I feel alert as i cannot decide which is the most appropriate approach. I wonder if you could possibly advice us on that matter. Thanks a lot

I hear what you are saying! The range of views, even amongst examiners, on this causes a problem. One solution is to modify the last sentence I propose for the introduction to “This essay discusses both sides of this argument and why I believe that [your opinion].” Now back to some other points. If the grading criteria do require your opinion in the introduction for every essay then this means you MUST also give your opinion when you are given a problem and solution essay. Doesn’t this seem ridiculous? You will give your opinion even though you’re not asked for it… and even though giving an opinion doesn’t fit with the task instructions. Absurd! Band seven says that your “position must be clear throughout” and not your opinion. These words have different meanings. A position can be more of a point of focus rather than an actual opinion.

Great ideas. Thanks a lot for sharing them with us. 🙂

Thank you Amr!

Always welcome. 🙂

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About Mike I’m Mike Wattie from Australia. I have been teaching IELTS for over 20 years in Asia and Australia.

I have written IELTS books and this enables me to be an effective tutor. This is because I understand the main problems that students have taking the test and also the ways to overcome them.

Maybe you would like me to teach you the necessary skills and strategies to pass your test.

IELTS is a registered trademark of University of Cambridge ESOL, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia and they jointly manage the IELTS test. This website is for test preparation only and has nothing to do with the administration of IELTS tests This website is not affiliated, approved or endorsed by the University of Cambridge ESOL, the British Council, and IDP Education Australia.

IELTS Writing Task 2: How to Structure a ‘Discuss Both Sides’ Essay

by Dave | IELTS Writing Task 2 Structuring your essay | 31 Comments

A lot of my IELTS students struggle with how many ideas they need and how to structure their essay.

This article will explain clearly what you need to do and why., it may also help your to read some sample essays from the real test to get a better sense for these types of questions., let’s look at an example:.

Some people think that governments should spend money on railways. Others believe that there should be more investment into new roads. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

Don’t miss out on my new Patreon exclusive essays here if you want to really improve on IELTS!

Clear position, the first thing to remember is that you need to discuss both sides., but you must also clearly state whether your opinion is agree or disagree.  this is very important for your task achievement score., if you don’t have a clear opinion, you will lose marks. therefore you must choose a side., if you don’t clearly choose a side you won’t score above a 5 for task achievement  – no matter how good the rest of your writing is., clear structure, i always recommend to my students that they give their opinion in the introduction as well as the conclusion (for all ielts task 2 questions)., technically, it’s ok to write a very general introduction and leave your opinion to the end., but i strongly suggest that you don’t do this because it’s not as clear., also, you might run out of time before you’ve got to your conclusion, so overall it’s a risky strategy.  , therefore my suggested task 2 essay structure is four paragraphs – an introduction, two main (or body) paragraphs and a conclusion., the opinion is presented in the introduction and re-stated in the conclusion., ideally each body paragraph should discuss one main idea., example essay structure, now let’s look at the essay structure in more detail., discuss both sides – you think one side is important but overall the other side is more important., you need one good reason for each side ., in the example below you feel the reason for supporting rail is more important than the reason supporting roads..

Notice that this essay has a clear structure and the opinion is clear throughout the essay.

A clear position and clear structure mean your essay is easier to mark which should mean a higher score., other similar types of questions than you can answer in the same way include:, – discuss both sides and give your opinion., – discuss the advantages and disadvantages., now it’s your turn put your answers in the comments., look at the question below then compare your ideas with this  sample answer (written by an ex-examiner)..

Check out our expert sample answer with line by line analysis and key vocabulary

Some are of the opinion that people are naturally born as good leaders while others feel that leadership skills can be learned. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Brainstorm some main ideas:

Can you think of some examples of leadership skills, what kind of a person makes a good leader, why do some people think great leaders are born that way, can you think of any famous leaders that appear to have natural talent, do you know anyone who became a better leader through taking a leadership course, do you think people can become a great leader through hard work, study and experience, recommended for you.

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31 Comments

Thank you so much for your assistance God bless you

You’re welcome and good luck in your IELTS preparation!

Thank you very much for your time. With reference to your statement about opinion essay that if you don’t clearly support one point of view, you will not get more than 5 band in task respond. The question is that can one partially support both that you agree to both on some extent or you agree to both opinions? Is this an error base on opinion essay?

Yes, that should also be fine but make sure that you have enough support. And make it very clear what your opinion is: http://howtodoielts.com/writing-task-2-ielts-sample-answer-museums/

I really appreciate your great work as a way of assisting us. The comment you made about two opinion essay that you state clearly the side agree to or else lower band score. It is right to partially support both sides and state in the opinion or you agree to some extent.

Yes, that is totally fine. It is similar to what I did here: http://howtodoielts.com/writing-task-2-ielts-sample-answer-museums/

sir I m Surbhi from Punjab ……..and I want to score more than 7 in my writing … nd can u tell me that …is it mandatory to write complex sentences in writing task 2 to achieve good bands…………..sir plzzz rply me .. -/\-

Yes, if you want to get a good grammar score around band 6 and above then you need at least some complex sentences: subordinate clauses, conditionals, passive voice, relative clauses, etc.!

I didn’t discuss both views. I only chose a view and had a conclusion. What band is that for my error

I had a question of discuss both views and state your opinion. Give examples if possible. I discussed just my opinion, I also had a good introduction and conclusion. What band will I fall into

That will limit you to a band 5 for task achievement – but your scores for cohesion/coherence, vocabulary, and grammar will not be impacted!

Hello dear dave would you please give a score to this essay? p.s. : I have exam on saturday 🙁

Some people say that the current obsession with technology and the internet means that we are creating a generation of people that have poor social skills. Do you agree with this statement?

A group of people believes that depending too much on technology and online networks in the internet result in having a society with people who lack proper communication abilities in the future. I reckon it is totally accurate as being constantly online, detach people from the real world and encourages youngsters to develop an uncivil style of communication. With the growing attachment of people to just-released technological devices and demand for internet, many people tend to spend the majority of their time online and the absence of face-to-face interaction results in not being able to share genuine feelings. For instance, a large number of people rely on emoticons to express their emotions. it has become a popular trend among people around the world to just express grieve or happiness buy posting an image with a caption full of emoticons. Therefore, it seems that people tend to confuse reality with the virtual world and cannot express how they really feel through meaningful words. Being able to react quickly to whatever is posted online through smartphones, develop uncivil and even aggressive style of communication among people who are reckless about how they would seem after leaving rude comments. However, it is useful to have a platform for sharing ideas, people should also engage in meaningful dialogues in social media and try to enhance their logical conversation abilities. For example, many teenagers make anonymous accounts and misbehave easily as they are sure no one cannot detect them. All in all, all people should be taught how to use online networks to improve their abilities rather than worsen them. In conclusion, I believe that squandering too much time on the internet and smartphones, put people off their immediate surround and allows them to be reckless about their manner which both result in poor social skills.

Good work Elaheh! My giving you a score can’t impact the score that you get on the weekend though!

It is good overall – in the band 6 range for most scores – but you should be more disciplined with your cohesion and coherence. Try to write shorter clearer topic sentences on the test. Then stick to developing those ideas with clear examples. Your second paragraph is a better example of structure than your 3rd. Can you see why?

yes i think i can. Basically, it lacked coherence and a clear topic sentence

hi，is it important to have body paragraph 1 and 2 to have a similar length?

Very good question! They should be generally the same length but don’t have to be exactly. If one paragraph is couple of lines longer that is ok. It is better if the paragraph that you agree with in your overall opinion is the longer one.

Thanks for your answer, it is really helpful!

Can anyone evaluate my essay? Have a good day friends!

“Some people say History is one of the most important school subjects. Other people think that, in today’s world, subjects like science and technology are more important than history. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.”

In our age, while group of people believe that History has the highest importance, for the others subjects like Science and Technology have more important as school subject. Importance of history than the other subjects is supported with numerous ideas and one of them is unterstanding process of facts. Besides, the belief which gives importance the subjects like science and technology can told with it’s effect on left brain that manage the numerical skills. History can be seen as most important subject because of it improves the childrens social skills and also provides to understand the process of life and reasons of facts. Understanding the process of life and recognizing the facts with their beginning and end, provide to understand the reasons and their conclusions. For example, in education system of Turkey doesn’t consist the evoluation of humanity, so, children grow up without knowledge about why, where and how they come to the earth. For some people, Science and Technology is the most important ones along the other subjects. Science and technology gives more intellectual thinking ability to students. Because of Science and Technology consists the numerical facts and calculations, it improves children’s left brain. Development of left brain is important for thinking complex. Japan education system based on scientific subjects, so that Japanese people good at solving complex and hard problems. In conclusion, a lot of supportive ideas about importance of history rather than science and technology, also various ideas about science and technology is most important than all subjects consist. In my opinion, thinking complex is more important than developing the social skills with learning the history. I think history is a area which people should focus who have interest in, it is so easy to forget history for whom doesn’t interest about it.

Here’s a bit of feedback!

Try to work more on fixed expressions we use in English. We don’t say ‘while group of people’ but you can say ‘Many believe that’ – those phrases will help raise your score.

Don’t capitalise science and technology.

A lot of your ideas and sentence structures are really hard to understand. For example this sentence is really tough to understand:

History can be seen as most important subject because of it improves the childrens social skills and also provides to understand the process of life and reasons of facts.

I would advise you to work on writing more simply, clearly and not use words that you aren’t 100% confident with!

Hi Dave , if i will write here essay’s answer can you will check and suggest me , how is that . Please reply me.

Hi, Babita. If you post here, I can help you out with some general feedback.

If you need more help you can try my correction service: course.howtodoielts.com/band-scores-corrections

Leadership is considered to be a most important interpersonal skill at work and school settings nowadays. Some believe leaders are born, while some argue that leadership skills could be learnt through education and experience. In my opinion, with proper practice and sufficient responsibility, everyone could become a leader. To start, many people accept a strong leadership is nature, since some people are demonstrating more developed interpersonal strategies from very early stages of life. By demonstrating leadership skills, I mean some children show a stronger ability to determine what the group’s best interests are and create game rules accordingly. Moreover, these kids often manage to follow through these rules, in the meanwhile making sure others are on the same page during the play. Therefore, not only their peers but also adults tend to rely on them and follow their lead. On the other hand, individuals could also acquire leadership skills by interacting with others in different settings. It is generally accepted that the more we exercise social skills, such as sharing and turn-taking, the more sociable we become. This also apply to leadership. Given enough responsibility, expectation and support, any individual could improve their social skills and moral development, which is essential to the forming of leadership skills. Therefore, I strongly believe that leaders could be nurtured as they grow up, or even in their mid age. In conclusion, many leaders are born since they begin to demonstrate better interpersonal skills from a young age, however leadership skills could also be taught in a proper environment. That is why some leaders were born, while some were nurtured. (270 words)

Well done, Jing!

i just came across your website and found how enriched it is with knowledge.It is really very helpful with your help i was able to score 8.5 in my ielts. Thank you so much for providing such a quality of education.

Thanks a lot – appreciate it!

Hello! for the discuss both views and give your opinion type essays, do we need to dedicate an extra paragraph before our conclusion to give our opinion. Is giving your opinion in the introduction and the conclusion sufficient?

Yes, that is sufficient.

Thank you so much for this article and for making others more acknowledged! I would be grateful if you can evaluate my essay on the related topic.

It is believed by some that people who lead others maybe only naturally born, whereas opponents take the view that learning leadership qualities also can be. I agree with the formers because some character traits of a leader cannot be learned.

To begin, a real leader possesses all the necessary qualities from his birthday. It is noticeable that from the beginning of life each person has a different character, moreover, what can distinguish a leader from others is their inspired soul and ability to see the bigger picture. In addition, these people would take balanced risks for the sake of the safety of their team. to illustrate, the second to none leader in Russia is czar Peter the Great who was persuasive, empathetic, and inspired people to follow him and renovate the country. Besides, none of the previous and present rulers couldn’t have the same influence on the nation.

The other view is that leadership cannot be learned, however some of the skills for making character stronger may be learned. In other words, such attributes as seeing the bigger picture and strong character are congenital, nonetheless, individuals have an opportunity to develop their persuasiveness, empathy, and self-confidence. For example, in Sweden, many courses are available for those who are seeking self-improvement, furthermore, after studying was finished, they becoming good supervisors.

In conclusion, some people think that leadership is a potential given naturally and cannot be acquired by learning, while the other part considers that ability to lead people could be mastered. In my opinion, I strongly believe that a leader is a person who innates to inspire others and predict what would happen in a particular situation that cannot be learned, however, individuals can improve and make stronger their character.

Good work, Khris!

Hello Dave Can you evaluate my essay I’m so nervous whether it can reach the band of 7.0

Some people think that the purpose of TV news programs is to entertain viewers. Others believe that news programs should be educational and informative.Discuss both views and support your opinion with reasons and any examples where relevant.

The argument around the notion of the way television programs appear to the audiences with educational program and real information, which should be a priority over recreational purpose, is a debatable issue. Personally, though many entertaining programs have its own benefit to some extent, the meaning of educating people, with factual news, which bring viewers much more valuable data, should be made as an ultimate purpose for televisions in informative transmission. In this essay, I am going to give reasons and related examples upon this opinion.

People who support the idea of TV producers should broadcast more programs for entertaining and even make it pervasive among audiences, may point out that many programs like game shows, comedies,… is fascinating and completely fulfill their sense of relaxation. The reason is the recreational factors of one program can have positive contributions to them in some cases, easing tensions for those who are under stress. Comedies, for instance, might bring temporary happiness by its funny plot, making people feel free to have optimistic emotions.

Nevertheless, the aim of educating people, especially teenagers, and the need to receive accurate information have turned the purpose of TVs to the significant one, which fully outweighs the objective of entertainment. It is said that because these funny programs, in fact, show a sole advantage of entertainment and seems to be no contributions to personal development, while educational programs can fulfill it. Scientific programs is the best example, which appreciably convey specific insights for students and help them in cultivation of knowledge. Furthermore, the demand for approaching precise news through an explicit illustration have increased remarkably in this turbulent period. As a consequence, the exposure to up-to-date information helps people to perceive the ongoing events in the globe, making them realise the influences of those news, in which can raise awareness among the society in all aspects of life.

In conclusion, although the contributions of recreational programs cannot be denied, TVs producers should focus more on educating people and broadcasting accurately informative news, which will create more benefits in the long run.

It is a little on the long side – try to write under 300 words.

It takes longer to write less, and is easier to write more.

You also have to be really careful with paraphrasing – a lot of the words you change make it too wordy and it doesn’t sound natural anymore.

Nice grammar generally though – include more short simple sentences for a better overall flow to your writing.

Keep working hard, Phuc!

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Writing Task 2 Discuss Both Views Lesson

How to write a Task 2 discussion essay: 

• Introduction: paraphrase the question, state both points of view, make a thesis statement and outline your sentence. 
• Main body paragraph 1: state the first viewpoint, discuss it, state whether you agree or disagree and give an example to support your view.
• Main body paragraph 2: state the second viewpoint, discuss it, state whether you agree or disagree and give an example to support your view.
• Conclusion: summarise and state which viewpoint is better or more important.
• Remember that each Task 2 essay requires a different structure. It is important to learn each structure and practise your writing at home.

Introduction

This lesson will help you answer IELTS Writing Task 2 discussion (or discuss both views and give your opinion) questions.

These particular questions require a different approach to opinion essays because you have to discuss both sides rather than argue in favour of one side.

This post will look at:

• Identifying the question

Example Questions

• Sample Answer

Task Achievement

Coherence and Cohesion

Lexical Resource

Many students fail to do well in these questions because they do not do what the question asks them to do and do not use an appropriate structure . This post will help you overcome these problems and give you a sample answer.

We will also look at ‘lexical resource’ and ‘coherence and cohesion’; two of the IELTS examiners’ marking criteria when marking your essays. Understanding the marking scheme will help you get inside an IELTS examiner’s head and give them exactly what they want.

Identifying the Question

Look at the three questions below and choose the one you think is a discussion question.

• Computers are being used more and more in education and so there will soon be no role for the teacher in education.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

• Computers are being used more and more in education.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your own opinion.

• Computers are being used more and more in education. Some people say that this is a positive trend, while others argue that it is leading to negative consequences.

Discuss both sides of this argument and then give your own opinion.

The first question is an opinion question, and we can tell this from the instructions ‘To what extent do you agree or disagree?’.

The second question is obviously an advantages and disadvantages question.

The third question is the discussion question. We can tell this from the typical instructions in the question, ‘Discuss both sides of the argument and then give your opinion’.

You may also be asked to ‘Discuss both views and give your opinion’ or ‘Discuss both sides of the argument and give your opinion’.

Each of these questions is asking us to do different things, and we, therefore, need a different structure for each question .

Here are a few other typical discussion questions:

• A growing number of people feel that animals should not be exploited by people and that they should have the same rights as humans, while others argue that humans must employ animals to satisfy their various needs, including uses for food and research.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

• Bloodsports have become a hot topic for debate in recent years. As society develops it is increasingly seen as an uncivilized activity and cruel to the helpless animals that are killed. All blood sports should be banned.

Discuss the main arguments for this statement and give your own opinion.

• Some people think that the best way to reduce crime is to give longer prison sentences. Others, however, believe there are better alternative ways of reducing crime.

As you can see, they typically state two opinions and then ask you to discuss both and give your opinion. Make sure you do these things in the essay. If you only discuss both views and fail to give your opinion you will lose marks.

For discussion questions, I suggest you use the following four-paragraph structure.

Introduction 

1- Paraphrase Question

2- State Both Points of View

2- Thesis Statement

3- Outline Sentence

Main Body Paragraph 1

1- State first viewpoint

2- Discuss first viewpoint

3- Reason why you agree or disagree with viewpoint

4- Example to support your view

Main Body Paragraph 2

1- State second viewpoint

2- Discuss second viewpoint

Conclusion  

Sentence 1- Summary

Sentence 2- State which one is better or more important

Practice  

Here is a sample answer, but I have mixed up the sentences. Can you match the sentences below to the structure above?

This exercise will help you understand the structure.

• In conclusion, while the benefits of technology, particularly the internet, allow students to tap into limitless sources of information, some still feel that people should be wary of this new phenomenon and not allow it to curb face-to-face interaction.
• There is an ever-increasing use of technology, such as tablets and laptops, in the classroom.
• The internet has provided students with access to more information than ever before.
• Moreover, learners can research and learn about any subject at the touch of a button. It is therefore agreed that technology is a very worthwhile tool for education.
• However, many disagree and feel that technology deprives people of real human interaction.
• Human interaction teaches people valuable skills such as discourse, debate and empathy.
• Despite this, human interaction is still possible through the internet, and this essay disagrees that technology should be dismissed for this reason.
• This essay agrees that an increase in technology is beneficial to students and teachers. This essay will discuss both points of view.
• For instance, Skype and Facebook allow people to interact in ways that were never before possible.
• Wikipedia is a prime example, where students can type in any keyword and gain access to in-depth knowledge quickly and easily.
• However, as long as we carefully consider the importance of human interaction in education, the educational benefits are clearly positive.
• It is often argued that this is a positive development, whilst others disagree and think it will lead to adverse ramifications.

Example Answer

Computers are being used more and more in education. Some people say this is a positive trend, while others argue that it leads to negative consequences.

There is an ever-increasing use of technology, such as tablets and laptops, in the classroom. It is often argued that this is a positive development, whilst others disagree and think it will lead to adverse ramifications. This essay agrees that an increase in technology is beneficial to students and teachers.

The internet has provided students with access to more information than ever before. Moreover, learners can research and learn about any subject at the touch of a button. It is therefore agreed that technology is a very worthwhile tool for education. Wikipedia is a prime example, where students can type in any keyword and gain access to in-depth knowledge quickly and easily.

However, many disagree and feel that technology deprives people of real human interaction. Human interaction teaches people valuable skills such as discourse, debate and empathy. Despite this, human interaction is still possible through the internet, and this essay disagrees that technology should be dismissed for this reason. For instance, Skype and Facebook allow people to interact in ways that were never before possible.

In conclusion, while the benefits of technology, particularly the internet, allow students to tap into limitless sources of information, some still feel that people should be wary of this new phenomenon and not allow it to curb face-to-face interaction. However, as long as we carefully consider the importance of human interaction in education, the educational benefits are clearly positive.

This is one of the four areas you will be assessed on in the IELTS writing test.

Task achievement refers to your ability to address all parts of the question and present a fully developed answer. By following the structure above, we have fully discussed both sides of the argument and given our opinion. This is exactly what the question asked us to do, no more, no less.

Discourse markers (words like ‘however’, ‘despite this’ and ‘In conclusion’) are also referred to as ‘linking words’ and ‘linking phrases’, or ‘sentence connectors’. They are quite formal and are used more in academic writing than informal speech.

You gain marks for using these under the ‘coherence and cohesion’ section of the marking scheme. These words ‘stick’ the other words together and lend continuity to sentences and paragraphs.

If you do not include discourse markers in your IELTS writing, your answer will appear illogical and more difficult to understand.

However, this does not mean that you should try to insert as many of these words into your writing as possible. This is a common mistake in IELTS writing.  Using too many of them, or using them inappropriately, can make your writing sound too heavy and unnatural. They are important but must only be used at the appropriate time.

Try to identify any discourse markers in the essay above . Don’t look at the essay below yet. How many can you find?

Student Sample Answer with Discourse Markers

Here is the sample answer again with the discourse markers in bold .

There is an ever-increasing use of technology, such as tablets and laptops, in the classroom. It is often argued that this is a positive development, whilst others disagree and think it will lead to adverse ramifications. This essay agrees that an increase in technology is beneficial to students and teachers.

The internet has provided students with access to more information than ever before. Moreover , learners can research and learn about any subject at the touch of a button. It is therefore agreed that technology is a very worthwhile tool for education. Wikipedia is a prime example , where students can type in any keyword and gain access to in-depth knowledge quickly and easily.

However , many disagree and feel that technology deprives people of real human interaction. Human interaction teaches people valuable skills such as discourse, debate and empathy.  Despite this , human interaction is still possible through the internet, and this essay disagrees that technology should be dismissed for this reason. For instance , Skype and Facebook allow people to interact in ways that were never before possible.

In conclusion , while the benefits of technology, particularly the internet, allow students to tap into limitless sources of information, some still feel that people should be wary of this new phenomenon and not allow it to curb face-to-face interaction. However , as long as we carefully consider the importance of human interaction in education, the educational benefits are clearly positive.

This is also one of the four criteria you will be marked on, and it refers to your ability to use a wide range of accurate vocabulary.

A common mistake is to repeat the same words over and over again. You will lose marks if you do this. A solution to this problem is to use synonyms. You can either think of synonyms as you are writing or leave time, in the end, to add them in.

Can you identify any synonyms in the essay above?

Here are some examples:

Computers- technology

Computers- the internet

Education- in the classroom

Education- students and teachers

Positive trend- positive development

Negative Consequences- adverse ramifications

By varying your vocabulary this way, you are demonstrating that you have a wide vocabulary, which will boost your band score. However, like discourse markers, be careful not to use inappropriate/inaccurate words. Only use words you are confident about. Mistakes will lead to fewer marks.

Do you need me to correct your essays and give you feedback on them? Check out our essay correction service .

I hope this post helps you with discussion questions, and if you have any questions, please comment below.

About Christopher Pell

My name is Christopher Pell and I'm the Managing Director of IELTS Advantage.

I started IELTS Advantage as a simple blog to help 16 students in my class. Several years later, I am very humbled that my VIP Course has been able to help thousands of people around the world to score a Band 7+ in their IELTS tests.

If you need my help with your IELTS preparation, you can send me an email using the contact us page.

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IELTS Writing Task 2 – Topic: DISCUSS BOTH VIEWS

ielts writing topics 2019

1.  In many countries, a small number of people earn extremely high salaries. Some people believe that this is good for the country, but others think that governments should not allow salaries above a certain level. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.   

Sample Answer

People have different views about whether governments should introduce a maximum wage. While in some ways it may seem reasonable to allow people to earn as much as companies are willing to pay, I personally believe that employee remuneration should be capped at a certain level.

There are various reasons why it might be considered beneficial to allow people to be paid extremely high salaries. If companies offer excellent pay packages, they can attract the most talented people in their fields to work for them. For example, technology companies like Google are able to employ the best programmers because of the huge sums that they are willing to pay. Furthermore, these well-paid employees are likely to be highly motivated to work hard and therefore drive their businesses successfully. In theory, this should result in a thriving economy and increased tax revenues, which means that paying high salaries benefits everyone.

However, I agree with those who argue that there should be a maximum wage. By introducing a limit on earnings, the pay-gap between bosses and employees can be reduced. Currently, the difference between normal and top salaries is huge, and this can demotivate workers who feel that the situation is unfair. With lower executive salaries, it might become feasible to introduce higher minimum wages, and everybody would be better off. One possible consequence of greater equality could be that poverty and crime rates fall because the general population will experience an improved standard of living.

In conclusion, it seems to me that it would be better, on balance, for governments to set a limit on the wages of the highest earners in society.

 (274 words, band 9)

2.  Many governments think that economic progress is their most important goal. Some people, however, think that other types of progress are equally important for a country. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

People have different views about how governments should measure their countries’ progress. While economic progress is of course essential, I agree with those who believe that other measures of progress are just as important.

There are three key reasons why economic growth is seen as a fundamental goal for countries. Firstly, a healthy economy results in job creation, a high level of employment, and better salaries for all citizens. Secondly, economic progress ensures that more money is available for governments to spend on infrastructure and public services. For example, a government with higher revenues can invest in the country’s transport network, its education system and its hospitals. Finally, a strong economy can help a country’s standing on the global stage, in terms of its political influence and trading power.

However, I would argue that various other forms of progress are just as significant as the economic factors mentioned above. In particular, we should consider the area of social justice, human rights, equality and democracy itself. For example, the treatment of minority groups is often seen as a reflection of the moral standards and level of development of a society. Perhaps another key consideration when judging the progress of a modern country should be how well that country protects the natural environment, and whether it is moving towards environmental sustainability. Alternatively, the success of a nation could be measured by looking at the health, well-being and happiness of its residents.

In conclusion, the economy is obviously a key marker of a country’s success, but social, environmental and health criteria are equally significant.

 (262 words, band 9)

3.  Some people think that all university students should study whatever they like. Others believe that they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

People have different views about how much choice students should have with regard to what they can study at university. While some argue that it would be better for students to be forced into certain key subject areas, I believe that everyone should be able to study the course of their choice.

There are various reasons why people believe that universities should only offer subjects that will be useful in the future. They may assert that university courses like medicine, engineering and information technology are more likely to be beneficial than certain art degrees. From a personal perspective, it can be argued that these courses provide more job opportunities, career progression, better salaries, and therefore an improved quality of life for students who take them. On the societal level, by forcing people to choose particular university subjects, governments can ensure that any knowledge and skill gaps in the economy are covered. Finally, a focus on technology in higher education could lead to new inventions, economic growth, and greater future prosperity.

In spite of these arguments, I believe that university students should be free to choose their preferred areas of study. In my opinion, society will benefit more if our students are passionate about what they are learning. Besides, nobody can really predict which areas of knowledge will be most useful to society in the future, and it may be that employers begin to value creative thinking skills above practical or technical skills. If this were the case, perhaps we would need more students of art, history and philosophy than of science or technology.

In conclusion, although it might seem sensible for universities to focus only on the most useful subjects, I personally prefer the current system in which people have the right to study whatever they like.

 (297 words, band 9)

4.  Some people think that a sense of competition in children should be encouraged. Others believe that children who are taught to co-operate rather than compete become more useful adults. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

People have different views about whether children should be taught to be competitive or co-operative. While a spirit of competition can sometimes be useful in life, I believe that the ability to co-operate is more important.

On the one hand, competition can be a great source of motivation for children. When teachers use games or prizes to introduce an element of competitiveness into lessons, it can encourage children to work harder to outdo the other pupils in the class. This kind of healthy rivalry may help to build children’s self confidence, while pushing them to work independently and progress more quickly. When these children leave school, their confidence and determination will help them in competitive situations such as job interviews. It can therefore be argued that competition should be encouraged in order to prepare children for adult life.

On the other hand, it is perhaps even more important to prepare children for the many aspects of adult life that require co-operation. In the workplace, adults are expected to work in teams, follow instructions given by their superiors, or supervise and support the more junior members of staff. Team collaboration skills are much more useful than a competitive determination to win. This is the attitude that I believe schools should foster in young people. Instead of promoting the idea that people are either winners or losers, teachers could show children that they gain more from working together.

In conclusion, I can understand why people might want to encourage competitiveness in children, but it seems to me that a co-operative attitude is much more desirable in adult life.

 (270 words, band 9)

5.  Some people think that museums should be enjoyable places to entertain people, while others believe that the purpose of museums is to educate. Discuss both views and give you own opinion.

People have different views about the role and function of museums. In my opinion, museums can and should be both entertaining and educational.

On the one hand, it can be argued that the main role of a museum is to entertain. Museums are tourist attractions, and their aim is to exhibit a collection of interesting objects that many people will want to see. The average visitor may become bored if he or she has to read or listen to too much educational content, so museums often put more of an emphasis on enjoyment rather than learning. This type of museum is designed to be visually spectacular, and may have interactive activities or even games as part of its exhibitions.

On the other hand, some people argue that museums should focus on education. The aim of any exhibition should be to teach visitors something that they did not previously know. Usually this means that the history behind the museum’s exhibits needs to be explained, and this can be done in various ways. Some museums employ professional guides to talk to their visitors, while other museums offer headsets so that visitors can listen to detailed commentary about the exhibition. In this way, museums can play an important role in teaching people about history, culture, science and many other aspects of life.

In conclusion, it seems to me that a good museum should be able to offer an interesting, enjoyable and educational experience so that people can have fun and learn something at the same time.

 (253 words, band 9)

6.  Some people believe that studying at university or college is the best route to a successful career, while others believe that it is better to get a job straight after school. Discuss both views and give your opinion.  

When they finish school, teenagers face the dilemma of whether to get a job or continue their education. While there are some benefits to getting a job straight after school, I would argue that it is better to go to college or university.

The option to start work straight after school is attractive for several reasons. Many young people want to start earning money as soon as possible. In this way, they can become independent, and they will be able to afford their own house or start a family. In terms of their career, young people who decide to find work, rather than continue their studies, may progress more quickly. They will have the chance to gain real experience and learn practical skills related to their chosen profession. This may lead to promotions and a successful career.

On the other hand, I believe that it is more beneficial for students to continue their studies. Firstly, academic qualifications are required in many professions. For example, it is impossible to become a doctor, teacher or lawyer without having the relevant degree. As a result, university graduates have access to more and better job opportunities, and they tend to earn higher salaries than those with fewer qualifications. Secondly, the job market is becoming increasingly competitive, and sometimes there are hundreds of applicants for one position in a company. Young people who do not have qualifications from a university or college will not be able to compete.

For the reasons mentioned above, it seems to me that students are more likely to be successful in their careers if they continue their studies beyond school level.

 (271 words, band 9)

7.  Several languages are in danger of extinction because they are spoken by very small numbers of people. Some people say that governments should spend public money on saving these languages, while others believe that would be a waste of money. Discuss both these views and give your opinion.

It is true that some minority languages may disappear in the near future. Although it can be argued that governments could save money by allowing this to happen, I believe that these languages should be protected and preserved.

There are several reasons why saving minority languages could be seen as a waste of money. Firstly, if a language is only spoken by a small number of people, expensive education programmes will be needed to make sure that more people learn it, and the state will have to pay for facilities, teachers and marketing. This money might be better spent on other public services. Secondly, it would be much cheaper and more efficient for countries to have just one language. Governments could cut all kinds of costs related to communicating with each minority group.

Despite the above arguments, I believe that governments should try to preserve languages that are less widely spoken. A language is much more than simply a means of communication; it has a vital connection with the cultural identity of the people who speak it. If a language disappears, a whole way of life will disappear with it, and we will lose the rich cultural diversity that makes societies more interesting. By spending money to protect minority languages, governments can also preserve traditions, customs and behaviours that are part of a country’s history.

In conclusion, it may save money in the short term if we allow minority languages to disappear, but in the long term this would have an extremely negative impact on our cultural heritage.

 (258 words, band 9)

8.  Some people think that governments should give financial support to creative artists such as painters and musicians. Others believe that creative artists should be funded by alternative sources. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

People have different views about the funding of creative artists. While some people disagree with the idea of government support for artists, I believe that money for art projects should come from both governments and other sources.

Some art projects definitely require help from the state. In the UK, there are many works of art in public spaces, such as streets or squares in city centres. In Liverpool, for example, there are several new statues and sculptures in the docks area of the city, which has been redeveloped recently. These artworks represent culture, heritage and history. They serve to educate people about the city, and act as landmarks or talking points for visitors and tourists. Governments and local councils should pay creative artists to produce this kind of art, because without their funding our cities would be much less interesting and attractive.

On the other hand, I can understand the arguments against government funding for art. The main reason for this view is that governments have more important concerns. For example, state budgets need to be spent on education, healthcare, infrastructure and security, among other areas. These public services are vital for a country to function properly, whereas the work of creative artists, even in public places, is a luxury. Another reason for this opinion is that artists do a job like any other professional, and they should therefore earn their own money by selling their work.

In conclusion, there are good reasons why artists should rely on alternative sources of financial support, but in my opinion government help is sometimes necessary.

9.  Nowadays animal experiments are widely used to develop new medicines and to test the safety of other products. Some people argue that these experiments should be banned because it is morally wrong to cause animals to suffer, while others are in favour of them because of their benefits to humanity. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

It is true that medicines and other products are routinely tested on animals before they are cleared for human use. While I tend towards the viewpoint that animal testing is morally wrong, I would have to support a limited amount of animal experimentation for the development of medicines.

On the one hand, there are clear ethical arguments against animal experimentation. To use a common example of this practice, laboratory mice may be given an illness so that the effectiveness of a new drug can be measured. Opponents of such research argue that humans have no right to subject animals to this kind of trauma, and that the lives of all creatures should be respected. They believe that the benefits to humans do not justify the suffering caused, and that scientists should use alternative methods of research.

On the other hand, reliable alternatives to animal experimentation may not always be available. Supporters of the use of animals in medical research believe that a certain amount of suffering on the part of mice or rats can be justified if human lives are saved. They argue that opponents of such research might feel differently if a member of their own families needed a medical treatment that had been developed through the use of animal experimentation. Personally, I agree with the banning of animal testing for non-medical products, but I feel that it may be a necessary evil where new drugs and medical procedures are concerned.

In conclusion, it seems to me that it would be wrong to ban testing on animals for vital medical research until equally effective alternatives have been developed.

10.  Some people think that strict punishments for driving offences are the key to reducing traffic accidents. Others, however, believe that other measures would be more effective in improving road safety. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

People have differing views with regard to the question of how to make our roads safer. In my view, both punishments and a range of other measures can be used together to promote better driving habits.

On the one hand, strict punishments can certainly help to encourage people to drive more safely. Penalties for dangerous drivers can act as a deterrent, meaning that people avoid repeating the same offence. There are various types of driving penalty, such as small fines, licence suspension, driver awareness courses, and even prison sentences. The aim of these punishments is to show dangerous drivers that their actions have negative consequences. As a result, we would hope that drivers become more disciplined and alert, and that they follow the rules more carefully.

On the other hand, I believe that safe driving can be promoted in several different ways that do not punish drivers. Firstly, it is vitally important to educate people properly before they start to drive, and this could be done in schools or even as part of an extended or more difficult driving test. Secondly, more attention could be paid to safe road design. For example, signs can be used to warn people, speed bumps and road bends can be added to calm traffic, and speed cameras can help to deter people from driving too quickly. Finally, governments or local councils could reduce road accidents by investing in better public transport, which would mean that fewer people would need to travel by car.

In conclusion, while punishments can help to prevent bad driving, I believe that other road safety measures should also be introduced.

 (269 words, band 9)

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IELTS Task 2: Discuss Both Sides and Give Your Opinion

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IELTS Writing

Ielts task 2 discuss both sides, and give your opinion, paragraph 1 structure.

In Task 2, you are asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. The issues raised are of general interest to, suitable for and easily understood by test takers entering university or seeking employment. Responses to IELTS writing Task 2 should be written in an academic, semi-formal style (similar to how you would write in university).

Example IELTS writing task 2 question:

Paragraph 1:

• A) Paraphrase/ restructure the question
• B) Overview: state how the essay will be structured

A) In all IELTS writings the first sentence(s) should attempt to express the question in another way. This can be done by using synonyms (paraphrasing) or by restructuring the grammar of the sentences.

Paraphrasing

“Some people believe that taking the IELTS is a fair way to decide who can attend a university course.”

Example of paraphrasing: Many people think that sitting the IELTS exam is a reasonable way to determine who i s able to take a third-level course in Dublin.

“Others believe it is not fair to stop people from attending a university course based on their level of English.”

Example of paraphrasing: Other people are of the opinion that it is unfair to block people taking part in a university course because of their English level.

Restructuring

“Some people believe that taking the IELTS is a fair way to decide who can attend a university course. Others believe it is not fair to stop people from attending a university course based on their level of English.” “Others believe it is not fair to stop people from attending a university course based on their level of English.”

Example of restructuring: It is commonly believed that taking an English exam should be used when assessing who can be accepted to university in Dublin. However, it is believed by others that it is unfair for someone to be stopped from attending university based on their level of English.

B) Example of an overview

In the following essay both sides of this argument will be examined and in the conclusion I will offer my opinion on the topic.

——-

In all writing tasks, you can structure your introduction paragraph in the same way. In the next lesson, we will move on to looking at the main body of the essay.

IELTS Main Body 1

Lesson 2: Main body One (featured on A Blog on IELTS )

Thank you to Khuu Hoang Nhat Minh for posting part 2 of this post.

Prepare for the IELTS Dublin

Book an IELTS exam in Dublin (Examination dates)

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IELTS Writing Task 2: Discuss Both Views Essay with Sample Answer

• Post author By IELTSAcademic
• Post date September 19, 2015
• 3 Comments on IELTS Writing Task 2: Discuss Both Views Essay with Sample Answer

IELTS Writing Task 2: Question

Try this IELTS Writing question which requires you to discuss both views of an issue. It’s basically the same as an argument essay that we studied previously. The wording of the question is different, that’s all.

The free movement of goods across national borders has long been a controversial issue. Some people argue that it is necessary for economic growth, while others claim that it damages local industries. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. You should write at least 250 words.

IELTS Writing Task 2: Model Answer

One of the most debatable issues of the last century has been the extent to which international trade benefits or harms national economies. Many arguments have been made for and against free trade between nations. In this essay, I will discuss both views and state my own position.

Those who support the expansion of global free trade claim that economies grow faster when they can specialise in just a few industries in which they have a strong advantage. As a result, each region or country produces something of value to the world economy. For example, East Asia manufactures electronic goods, the Middle East exports energy, and the EU produces luxury items. Free trade proponents claim that dependence on global trade helps to strengthen international cooperation and prevent wars.

Meanwhile, opponents of free trade—sometimes called ‘protectionists’—claim that the unrestricted movement of goods and services causes damage to local communities. This is because jobs are lost when it becomes cheaper to import a product than to produce it domestically. They also argue that the vast distances travelled by food, oil, and consumer goods is harming the environment and making our lives unsustainable. Protectionists are in favour of tighter controls on the movement of goods and services in order to protect jobs and livelihoods.

In conclusion, while there are convincing arguments on both sides of the debate, a return to protectionist policies would surely be a mistake. I believe that global trade is inevitable and should not be restricted. It is no longer realistic for nations to source all of their energy, food, and manufactured goods within their own borders.

(267 words; IELTS 9.0)

Why does this Task 2 answer get a Band 9 score?

Task response: The model answer discusses both sides of the argument in equal measure and ends with a clear opinion. The writer includes background information and examples. The essay meets the word requirement.

Coherence and cohesion: The model answer is clearly structured, with each body paragraph discussing a different side of the argument. The relationship between paragraphs is clearly signalled by words like Meanwhile and In conclusion . Ideas are developed further with logical links such as For example , because and also .

Lexical resource: The writer uses higher-level vocabulary relevant to the topic such as opponents, domestically,   unsustainable, and interdependence . The core concept of ‘free movement of goods across national borders’ is repeatedly paraphrased.   Spelling is correct throughout the model answer.

Grammatical range and accuracy: The writer uses a wide variety of grammatical features including concessive clauses ( while… ), relative clauses ( in which… ), and other complex forms ( It is no longer realistic for nations to… ). There are no grammatical errors in the model essay.

Teacher’s Note

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Two-sided Argument Essays

by AEUK | Oct 2, 2017 | Writing | 0 comments

 Two-Sided Argument Essays: Structure / Lessons

What is a two-sided argument essay?

A two-sided argument essay presents a balanced and objective analysis of both sides of an argument, and a one-sided argument presents a thesis which the writer sets out to prove in order to persuade the reader.  It is different from a one-sided argument essay because a one-sided argument (persuasive) essay is one in which the writer attempts to persuade the audience to agree with their thesis. It usually includes counter-arguments (the opposing views) which the writer refutes in order to make his/her arguments stronger. Go here for:   one-sided argument essays

Argument Essay Lesson

This blog discusses the elements of two-sided argument essays and includes a free download . It provides a variety of two-sided argument texts based on topical issues, an outline and answer section. These are four paragraph essay structures consisting of an introduction (general to specific, thesis and outline), two block type arguments (1 paragraph = for, 1 paragraph = against), and then a conclusion (summary, restate thesis, recommendation / suggestion). The texts are all written by AEUK on a variety of topics and divided into two types; general and academic.

More information on Introductions / Thesis statements / Topic sentences / Paragraphing / Linking words / Conclusions

A basic outline of a two-sided essay

Argument essay lessons: .

This text can be used in a variety of ways.

• a reading to highlight key arguments.  
• a writing where students use the empty outline to plan a writing and then compare to the model.
• a guided writing where the tutor provides the completed outline and the students write an essay using these ideas.
• a listening – the tutor reads out the essay and the students note down the key arguments.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Should parents educate their children at home.

In Britain some parents are now choosing to educate their children at home. This is often because some children find it difficult to fit into the school system because they are especially gifted or have problems of some kind. However, despite the various arguments that have been put forward for home tutoring, this essay will argue that it is better for a child to be educated at school.

Teaching children at home has a number of advantages. Firstly, parents feel that their children will be able to realise their potential better if they can work at their own rate and concentrate on specific subjects. For example, there have been cases of children who have gone to university as young as twelve or thirteen because they are especially gifted and have opted out of the school system. Parents feel that they will also be able to protect their children from harmful influences they may encounter at school if they keep them at home. Problems such as truancy and drugs are common and adolescents particularly can be led astray by their peers. Thus, school can prevent learning from taking place effectively.

However, there are also arguments in support of sending children to school rather than educating them at home. First of all, children are isolated at home. At school, on the other hand, they are able to socialise and meet people of different ages and so become increasingly independent. Children also need their peers to do subjects like sports and drama. Another important point is that schools have more resources and equipment than can be provided at home such as libraries, sports equipment and laboratories for science experiments. A final argument is that school can offer a much wider range of subjects and expertise than parents can provide on their own. Parents would need to have a whole range of professional knowledge in science subjects like physics and chemistry to English literature and economics. It is also questionable whether parents could keep a disciplined study atmosphere at home because of the friendly family atmosphere. In sum, home tuition can affect social independence and fail to provide the correct resources and professional teaching.

To sum up, it seems that education at school is preferable to learning at home. Although home education aids concentration and protection, it limits socialising, availability of resources and professional teaching. There may be particular cases where home tutoring would be advantageous, such as for severely disabled children; however, for the vast majority of children there are greater benefits from going to school.    

[440 words]

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Argument Essay: Home Education

 Question: ‘Should parents educate their children at home?’ This is the full lesson from the images above. The essay can be used in a number of different ways – see the lesson plan. Words: 440  Level ** *** [ C2/B1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Free Download

Argument Lesson Topics

2-sided general  arguments, home education, advertising, wind-energy, 5x general pdfs book, argument questions, 2-sided academic arguments, mobile phones, climate change, vegetarianism, social media, 5x academic pdfs book, 10x argument pdfs book , 1-sided argument essays, essay structure lesson, wind energy, british high street, 5x 1-sided pdfs book.

A two-sided argument essay presents a balanced and objective analysis of both sides of an argument, and a one-sided argument presents a thesis which the writer sets out to prove in order to persuade the reader. 

How is it different from a one-sided argument essay?

A one-sided argument (persuasive) essay is one in which the writer attempts to persuade the audience to agree with their thesis. It usually includes counter-arguments (the opposing views) which the writer refutes in order to make his/her arguments stronger. Go here for:   one-sided argument essays

Argument Essay Lessons

The argument essay lesson can be used in a number of different ways:

• A reading to highlight key arguments.  
• A writing where students use a blank outline to plan a writing and then compare with a model essay.
• A guided writing where the tutor provides the completed outline and the students write an essay using these ideas.
• A listening – the tutor reads out the essay and the students note down the key arguments.

2-sided General Argument Essays – no sources

Pay per download, terms & conditions of use, argument essay: advertising.

Question: Is advertising a benefit for society? This essay investigates the negatives of a materialistic focused society against the economic benefits of advertising.  Example . Words: 550  Level ** *** [ B1/B2] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

£5.00 – Add to cart Checkout Added to cart

Argument Essay: University

Question: Is a university degree worth the cost? This essay investigates the positive of university life and qualifications against high debt and competitive job markets.   Example . Words: 633  Level ** *** [ B1/B2] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Argument Essay: Gun Laws

Question: Should guns be banned? This essay investigates the US 2nd Amendment to bear arms against other  countries where guns have been banned.   Example . Words: 700  Level ** *** [ B1/B2] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Argument Essay: Wind Energy

Question: Can wind energy replace electricity power stations? This essay investigates the problems with wind energy against the economic and polluting problems of traditional energy production. Example .  Words: 720  Level ** *** [ B1/B2] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

5x General Argument Essays

Amazing value – buy these general essay lessons in one pdf book. example., teacher membership / institutional membership.

£15.00 – Add to cart Checkout Added to cart

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      Full access to everything -  £100 /  £200 /   £550

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2-sided Academic Argument Essays – with sources 

Academic argument essay: mobile phones.

Question: Are mobile phones a health risk? This essay investigates the academic research that suggests that mobile phones are safe and unsafe. Sources:6 / Words:550 / Example / Level *** ** [ B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Academic Argument Essay: Climate Change

Question: Is Climate Change a result of human activities? This essay investigates the key research behind Climate Change and the arguments that this research is bias and exaggerated. Sources:7 / Words:680 / Example /  Level *** ** [B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Academic Argument Essay: Vegetar ianism

Question: Is a vegetarian diet healthier and better for the environment? This essay examines the keys arguments around cruelty, human anatomy and environmental processes. Sources:10 / Words:750 / Example / Level *** ** [B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Academic  Argument  Essay: Obesity

Question: Is obesity a disease? This essay highlights the key evidence of why obesity is classified as a disease and also argues it is preventable and based on lifestyle choice. Sources:9 / Words:765 / Example / Level **** * [B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Academic Argument Essay: Social Media

Question: Is social media a benefit to society? This essay investigates a variety of key arguments on information sharing, employment and social behaviour. Sources:8 / Words:800 / Example / Level **** * [B2/C1] ] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

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One-sided Argument Essay Downloads

What is the difference between one-sided and two-sided argument essays? go here.

One-sided Argument Essay: Essa y Structure Lesson

This lesson will help  students’ ability to identify argument essay question words, to consider the different ways of structuring an essay (block or point-by-point) and to analyse two model essays for structure and language. Example .   Level ** *** [ B1/B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

• One-sided argument
• Two-sided argument

One-sided Argument Essay: Win d Energy  

Question: Can wind energy replace electricity power stations? This essay investigates the problems with wind energy against the economic and polluting problems of traditional energy production. This lesson includes two essays: one block and one point-by-point. Example .   Level ** *** [ B1/B2] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Two-sided Argument Essay: Wind Energy

One-sided academic argument essay: climate change.

Question: Is Climate Change a result of human activities? This essay investigates the key research behind Climate Change and the arguments that this research is bias and exaggerated. This lesson contains two essays: one block and one point-by-point.  Sources:7  / Example /  Level *** ** [B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Two-sided Academic Argument Essay: Climate Change

One-sided academic argument essay: veg etarianism  .

Question: Is a vegetarian diet healthier and better for the environment? This essay examines the keys arguments around cruelty, human anatomy and environmental processes.This lesson contains two essays: one block and one point-to-point.   Sources:10 / Example / Level *** ** [B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

Two-sided Academic Argument Essay: Vegetarianism

One-sided academic argument essay: museum.

Question: Should museums be free for everyone ? This essay examines the keys arguments around how museums encourage cultural awareness and public education. This lesson contains two essays: one block and one point-to-point.   Sources:6 / Example / Level *** ** [B2/C1]  TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

A brief overview of museums  

A short 9-minute listening lecture written by AEUK on museums. It discusses in detail the purpose of museums, how they are funded, their popularity and future evolution,  It includes a video, test questions, tapescript and PPT.   Exampl e.    / Video [9.10] /  MP3 / PPT link in download  / Level  *** **  [B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

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British High Street

• Listening Worksheet

One-Sided Academic Argument Essay: Is the British high street dying?

Question: Do you agree that the British high street is dying?   This essay examines the keys arguments that high business rates and the popularity of internet shopping have caused many physical shops to close. This lesson contains two essays: one block and one point-by-point.   Sources:4 / Example / Level *** ** [B2/C1] TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

The Decline of the British High Street  

A short 8-minute listening lecture written by AEUK on the high street. It discusses the history, the current situation and its economic and societal effects and finishes with some possible solutions.  It includes a video, test questions, tapescript and PPT.   Exampl e.  / Video [7.44] / MP3 /   PPT link in download  Level  *** **  [B2/C1]   TEACHER MEMBERSHIP / INSTITUTIONAL MEMBERSHIP

5x 1-sided Academic Argument Essays

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Wind energy, Climate Change, Vegetarianism, Museums, The High Street

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Discussion essays Considering both sides of the argument

Discussion essays are a common form of academic writing. This page gives information on what a discussion essay is and how to structure this type of essay. Some vocabulary for discussion essays is also given, and there is an example discussion essay on the topic of studying overseas.

What are discussion essays?

Many essay titles require you to examine both sides of a situation and to conclude by saying which side you favour. These are known as discussion or for and against essays. In this sense, the academic meaning of the word discuss is similar to its everyday meaning, of two people talking about a topic from different sides. For a discussion essay, a balanced view is normally essential. This makes discussion essays distinct from persuasion essays , for which only one side of the argument is given. When writing a discussion essay, it is important to ensure that facts and opinions are clearly separated. Often you will examine what other people have already said on the same subject and include this information using paraphrasing and summarising skills, as well as correct citations .

The following are examples of discussion essay topics.

• Examine the arguments for and against capital punishment.
• Schools should teach children not only academic subjects but also important life skills. Discuss.
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of technology in the classroom?

Although the structure of a discussion essay may vary according to length and subject, there are several components which most discussion essays have in common. In addition to general statements and thesis statement which all good essay introductions contain, the position of the writer will often be stated, along with relevant definitions . The main body will examine arguments for (in one or more paragraphs) and arguments against (also in one or more paragraphs). The conclusion will contain a summary of the main points, and will often conclude with recommendations , based on what you think are the most important ideas in the essay. The conclusion may also contain your opinion on the topic, also based on the preceding evidence.

An overview of this structure is given in the diagram below.

Discussion vocabulary

When summarising the stages in a discussion or in presenting your arguments, it can be useful to mark the order of the items or degrees of importance. The following words and phrases can be used.

• First..., First of all..., The most important...
• Second..., In the second place...
• Finally..., Lastly...

The following can be used when introducing your opinion.

• There is no doubt that...
• I believe that...
• One of the main arguments in favour of/against X is that...

It is important in English writing, including academic writing, to use synonyms rather than repeating the same word. The following are useful synonyms for 'advantage' and 'disadvantage'.

• advantage: benefit, a positive aspect/feature, pro (informal)
• disadvantage: drawback, a negative aspect/feature, con (informal)

Example essay

Below is an example discussion essay. Click on the different areas (in the shaded boxes to the right) to highlight the different structural aspects in this essay.

Title: An increasing number of students are going overseas for tertiary education. To what extent does this overseas study benefit the students?

Most people spend around fifteen years of their life in education, from primary school to university study. In the past, students only had the opportunity to study in their own country. Nowadays, however, it is increasingly easy to study overseas, especially at tertiary level. Tertiary education, also called post-secondary education, is the period of study spent at university. As the final aspect of schooling before a person begins their working life, it is arguably the most important stage of their education. While there are some undoubted benefits of this trend, such as the language environment and improved employment prospects , there is also a significant disadvantage, namely the high cost . The first and most important advantage of overseas study is the language learning environment. Students studying overseas will not only have to cope with the local language for their study, but will also have to use it outside the classroom for their everyday life. These factors should make it relatively easy for such students to advance their language abilities. Another important benefit is employability. Increasing globalisation means that there are more multinational companies setting up offices in all major countries. These companies will need employees who have a variety of skills, including the fluency in more than one language. Students who have studied abroad should find it much easier to obtain a job in this kind of company. There are, however, some disadvantages to overseas study which must be considered, the most notable of which is the expense. In addition to the cost of travel, which in itself is not inconsiderable, overseas students are required to pay tuition fees which are usually much higher than those of local students. Added to this is the cost of living, which is often much higher than in the students' own country. Although scholarships may be available for overseas students, there are usually very few of these, most of which will only cover a fraction of the cost. Overseas study therefore constitutes a considerable expense. In summary, studying abroad has some clear advantages, including the language environment and increased chances of employment , in addition to the main drawback, the heavy financial burden . I believe that this experience is worthwhile for those students whose families can readily afford the expense. Students without such strong financial support should consider carefully whether the high cost outweighs the benefits to be gained.

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Below is a checklist for discussion essays. Use it to check your own writing, or get a peer (another student) to help you.

Bailey, S. (2000). Academic Writing. Abingdon: RoutledgeFalmer

Cox, K. and D. Hill (2004). EAP now! Frenchs Forest: Pearson Education Australia

Jordan, R.R. (1999). Academic Writing Course. Cambridge: CUP

Roberts R., J. Gokanda, & A. Preshous (2004). IELTS Foundation. Oxford: Macmillian

Next section

Find out how to write persuasion essays in the next section.

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Go back to the previous section about different essay types .

Author: Sheldon Smith    ‖    Last modified: 16 January 2022.

Sheldon Smith is the founder and editor of EAPFoundation.com. He has been teaching English for Academic Purposes since 2004. Find out more about him in the about section and connect with him on Twitter , Facebook and LinkedIn .

Compare & contrast essays examine the similarities of two or more objects, and the differences.

Cause & effect essays consider the reasons (or causes) for something, then discuss the results (or effects).

Discussion essays require you to examine both sides of a situation and to conclude by saying which side you favour.

Problem-solution essays are a sub-type of SPSE essays (Situation, Problem, Solution, Evaluation).

Transition signals are useful in achieving good cohesion and coherence in your writing.

Reporting verbs are used to link your in-text citations to the information cited.

Unit 04: Seeing Both Sides – The Discussion Essay

“There are two sides to every story.”

That’s another familiar idiom in English, and it’s an easy way to describe your work in this unit. A discussion essay examines equally the pros and cons of a particular issue before giving an opinion. This assures the reader that you have considered both sides of an argument. It also allows your reader to consider your opinion but, in the end, make their own decision based on the evidence that you presented. A discussion essay resembles an argument, or persuasive, essay in many ways except that it is less biased. It tries to offer a more balanced representation of both sides and then, based on the evidence, formulate an opinion or come to a conclusion.

With so much biased opinion in news and on social media, this style of writing is important in order to promote healthy and constructive debate around questionable issues. However, it does not serve a topic well if the conclusion of that topic is obvious. For example, slavery is not a topic for debate. Free college education, however, is something that some people may argue about. The UDHR states that education is a right and it should be free for elementary and secondary education, but it is silent on post-secondary education (colleges and universities). Should that be free too? An examination of the pros and cons can help a reader come to a decision.

In order to provide the best evidence for both sides of an issue, you may need to start to include information from outside sources. This unit will introduce the basic guidelines for using outside information responsibly. To get started, first watch this video for a general view of writing a discussion essay.

Key academic vocabulary in this unit

• academic  /ˌækəˈdemɪk/  adjective – relating to college or university
• appropriate  /əˈproʊpriət/ adjective – suitable, a good choice
• benefit /ˈbenəfɪt/  noun – an advantage or something extra or useful
• challenge /ˈtʃælɪndʒ/  noun –  something difficult to do that requires skill or knowledge
• cite  /saɪt/ verb – to say where you found information; to name a source
• evidence / ˈevɪdəns /  noun  – proof
• issue  / ˈɪʃu / adjective – a topic that people discuss or argue 
• objective  /əbˈdʒektɪv/ noun – a goal
• option / ˈɑpʃ(ə)n /  noun  – a choice
• statistic / stəˈtɪstɪk /  noun  – information in number form

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Argumentative Essay

Definition of argumentative essay, models for argumentative essays, five types of argument claims in essay writing  , three major types of argument and how to apply them, classical argument, toulmin argument, rogerian argument, four steps to outline and argumentative essay, examples of argumentative essay in literature, example #1: put a little science in your life by brian greene.

“When we consider the ubiquity of cellphones, iPods, personal computers and the Internet, it’s easy to see how science (and the technology to which it leads) is woven into the fabric of our day-to-day activities . When we benefit from CT scanners, M.R.I. devices, pacemakers and arterial stents, we can immediately appreciate how science affects the quality of our lives. When we assess the state of the world, and identify looming challenges like climate change, global pandemics, security threats and diminishing resources, we don’t hesitate in turning to science to gauge the problems and find solutions. And when we look at the wealth of opportunities hovering on the horizon—stem cells, genomic sequencing, personalized medicine, longevity research, nanoscience, brain-machine interface, quantum computers, space technology—we realize how crucial it is to cultivate a general public that can engage with scientific issues; there’s simply no other way that as a society we will be prepared to make informed decisions on a range of issues that will shape the future.”

Example #2: Boys Here, Girls There: Sure, If Equality’s the Goal by Karen Stabiner

“The first objections last week came from the National Organization for Women and the New York Civil Liberties Union, both of which opposed the opening of TYWLS in the fall of 1996. The two groups continue to insist—as though it were 1896 and they were arguing Plessy v. Ferguson—that separate can never be equal. I appreciate NOW ’s wariness of the Bush administration’s endorsement of single-sex public schools, since I am of the generation that still considers the label “feminist” to be a compliment—and many feminists still fear that any public acknowledgment of differences between the sexes will hinder their fight for equality .”

Example #3: The Flight from Conversation by Sherry Turkle

“We’ve become accustomed to a new way of being “ alone together.” Technology-enabled, we are able to be with one another, and also elsewhere, connected to wherever we want to be. We want to customize our lives. We want to move in and out of where we are because the thing we value most is control over where we focus our attention. We have gotten used to the idea of being in a tribe of one, loyal to our own party.”

Function of Argumentative Essay

Synonyms of argumentative essay, related posts:, post navigation.

Thinking about...

The Faith of Our Times

Why does American television and press “both-sides” our politics?  Why are such different presidential candidates presented as equally flawed?  Why do the outrages of Trump, for example at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, lead to the humiliation of Biden?

Both-Sidesism is the habit of reducing the world into two perspectives, treating the two as fundamentally alike, and then ignoring or adjusting the data.  One cause of this odd behavior is the ownership of media companies.  Another is fear .   

But Both-Sidesism is not just a practice.  It passes in the United States for a principle of journalism.  Indeed, the dualism is almost unquestionable. Americans tends to take it for granted.

But it makes no sense.  No data from the world around us indicates that two is the correct number of perspectives, nor that any two perspectives, once chosen, would be equal. 

These are, rather, articles of faith.  Once accepted, they enable the public performance we wrongly call “media.”  Both-Sideism does not mediate but mystify.  Its practitioners, called “anchors” or “publishers,” are shamans or priests. Mystifiers.

To be sure, “media” people do not think that they are mystifying.  Nor are we in the habit of seeing them as practicing a religion. 

But let us step back.  Let us consider, for the sake of argument, that Both-Sidesism might be a dualist cult.  Let us place its beliefs and practices in the context of the history of religion, and see what happens.

The number two has helped humans make sense of the world, from distant times to the present.  It has had a powerful sway over human minds. 

The number two can address the mystery of creation.  In Indo-European societies, the universe sometimes began as a coupling of two entities, for example the Earth and the Sky.  Or the first Being could be of two sexes, or twinned.  In several myths, twin gods ride to the rescue of early humans in peril.

Duality can also help humans to frame the problem of evil, as in Manicheanism.  Its founder Mani (enlightened by a spiritual twin) claimed that the universe was divided into darkness and light.  Human action is then understood as struggle between these two forces.

The number two can also help us handle time. The Romans had a two-faced god, Janus, who was in charge of doors, passages, and thus transitions in general, beginnings and endings. He is very much present with us at the beginning of each year; January is named for him.

In Daoism we find something of all of the above in the notion of yin-yang: dark and light, chthonic and lively, female and male, wet and dry, which constantly join and give way to one another.  Their interaction brings the world into being, and also enables natural and guides human action.

Both-Sidesism is another dualism.  When confronting a phenomenon, for example an election or a party convention, the acolytes of Both Sides perform two steps.  They reduce events to two personalities, then treat them as equal aspects of the two-headed divinity known as Both Sides. 

Again: that there only two sides, and that the two aspects are the same, are unspoken articles of faith.

Once this initial ritual has been performed, the task of the priesthood is to sense disturbances that disrupt the apparent equality of the two aspects of Both Sides. The mythic utterances of the priests of Both Sides – bad journalism -- resolve the cultic tension that appears when a difference between the two aspects emerges. 

Equality is restored in a peculiar way, one that emphasizes the sacred character of the dual god, at the expense of understanding reality.  The priests cannot undo the deeds of one aspect of Both Sides – for example a coup attempt or a call to deport millions.  And if they described it accurately, they would only be deepening the mystical inequality between Both Sides’ two aspects.  They must normalize.

Our Both-Sides priests correct the mystical imbalance with two mantric maneuvers.  The first is to proclaim, groundlessly, that the perpetrator of the crime has learned his lesson, executed a pivot, turned a corner.  The second is to humiliate the other side, the one that did nothing.  And thus the mystical equilibrium between the two aspects of Both Sides is restored. 

This normalization has consequences.  If one of the two aspects of Both Sides seems to have done a great evil, the priests of Both Sides always ritually vituperate the other side.  The price of the restoration of mystical equality is the rehabilitation of the criminal and the degradation of the blameless.   

Our media people do not see it this way, of course.  The restoration of the mystical equilibrium of Both Sides brings our priests a pious satisfaction, visible on the red faces of correspondents in Milwaukee this last week.

If pressed, the shamans of Both Sides insists that their dualistic dances are nothing other than correct method to describe the universe.  The cult and its performance is protected from critique by the totemic terms “objectivity” and “balance.” 

All shamans do this: they insist that their dogma must be our reality.   But when we allow the cult of Both Sides to shape our own minds, ethical judgement and factual investigation disappear, and with them any chance for constitutional order and democracy.

Ethical judgement would involve a notion of right and wrong, which the activity of the priests erodes.  The worse the evil of one side, the more artfully it must be forgiven, and the more viciously the other side must be berated.  Believers in the cult of Both Sides experience this as moral action, whereas in fact the performative relativism erodes all morality.

Factual investigation would involve identifying other perspectives which the cult of Both Sides disregards.  It would necessitate separating the two aspects Both Sides from each other and confronting their words with the facts of the world.  To believers in the cult of Both Sides, it is a relief clothed in righteousness never to have to perform such labor.

Earlier dualistic faiths were no more outlandish than our own cult of Both Sides.  Indeed, they had something to say about foundational issues.  The Indo-European, Near Eastern and East Asian beliefs, to which I briefly referred above, generated stories about the world that inspired philosophy and science.  The cult of Both Sides is the dogmatic distraction from the bloody sacrifice of a republic.

Thinking about... is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

PS  I want to be clear: this essay concerns the dominant both-sides ritual in the American “media,” and not the work of actual investigative journalists, who follow very different methods, and whose work stands at the basis of what we now about Trump’s ongoing attempt at regime change.  I dedicated Road to Unfreedom to reporters as “the heroes of our time.”  They are.

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• How to write an argumentative essay | Examples & tips

How to Write an Argumentative Essay | Examples & Tips

Published on July 24, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

An argumentative essay expresses an extended argument for a particular thesis statement . The author takes a clearly defined stance on their subject and builds up an evidence-based case for it.

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Table of contents

When do you write an argumentative essay, approaches to argumentative essays, introducing your argument, the body: developing your argument, concluding your argument, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about argumentative essays.

You might be assigned an argumentative essay as a writing exercise in high school or in a composition class. The prompt will often ask you to argue for one of two positions, and may include terms like “argue” or “argument.” It will frequently take the form of a question.

The prompt may also be more open-ended in terms of the possible arguments you could make.

Argumentative writing at college level

At university, the vast majority of essays or papers you write will involve some form of argumentation. For example, both rhetorical analysis and literary analysis essays involve making arguments about texts.

In this context, you won’t necessarily be told to write an argumentative essay—but making an evidence-based argument is an essential goal of most academic writing, and this should be your default approach unless you’re told otherwise.

Examples of argumentative essay prompts

At a university level, all the prompts below imply an argumentative essay as the appropriate response.

Your research should lead you to develop a specific position on the topic. The essay then argues for that position and aims to convince the reader by presenting your evidence, evaluation and analysis.

• Don’t just list all the effects you can think of.
• Do develop a focused argument about the overall effect and why it matters, backed up by evidence from sources.
• Don’t just provide a selection of data on the measures’ effectiveness.
• Do build up your own argument about which kinds of measures have been most or least effective, and why.
• Don’t just analyze a random selection of doppelgänger characters.
• Do form an argument about specific texts, comparing and contrasting how they express their thematic concerns through doppelgänger characters.

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An argumentative essay should be objective in its approach; your arguments should rely on logic and evidence, not on exaggeration or appeals to emotion.

There are many possible approaches to argumentative essays, but there are two common models that can help you start outlining your arguments: The Toulmin model and the Rogerian model.

Toulmin arguments

The Toulmin model consists of four steps, which may be repeated as many times as necessary for the argument:

• Make a claim
• Provide the grounds (evidence) for the claim
• Explain the warrant (how the grounds support the claim)
• Discuss possible rebuttals to the claim, identifying the limits of the argument and showing that you have considered alternative perspectives

The Toulmin model is a common approach in academic essays. You don’t have to use these specific terms (grounds, warrants, rebuttals), but establishing a clear connection between your claims and the evidence supporting them is crucial in an argumentative essay.

Say you’re making an argument about the effectiveness of workplace anti-discrimination measures. You might:

• Claim that unconscious bias training does not have the desired results, and resources would be better spent on other approaches
• Cite data to support your claim
• Explain how the data indicates that the method is ineffective
• Anticipate objections to your claim based on other data, indicating whether these objections are valid, and if not, why not.

Rogerian arguments

The Rogerian model also consists of four steps you might repeat throughout your essay:

• Discuss what the opposing position gets right and why people might hold this position
• Highlight the problems with this position
• Present your own position , showing how it addresses these problems
• Suggest a possible compromise —what elements of your position would proponents of the opposing position benefit from adopting?

This model builds up a clear picture of both sides of an argument and seeks a compromise. It is particularly useful when people tend to disagree strongly on the issue discussed, allowing you to approach opposing arguments in good faith.

Say you want to argue that the internet has had a positive impact on education. You might:

• Acknowledge that students rely too much on websites like Wikipedia
• Argue that teachers view Wikipedia as more unreliable than it really is
• Suggest that Wikipedia’s system of citations can actually teach students about referencing
• Suggest critical engagement with Wikipedia as a possible assignment for teachers who are skeptical of its usefulness.

You don’t necessarily have to pick one of these models—you may even use elements of both in different parts of your essay—but it’s worth considering them if you struggle to structure your arguments.

Regardless of which approach you take, your essay should always be structured using an introduction , a body , and a conclusion .

Like other academic essays, an argumentative essay begins with an introduction . The introduction serves to capture the reader’s interest, provide background information, present your thesis statement , and (in longer essays) to summarize the structure of the body.

Hover over different parts of the example below to see how a typical introduction works.

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and educators—as a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source; a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives; and a highly flexible learning environment.

The body of an argumentative essay is where you develop your arguments in detail. Here you’ll present evidence, analysis, and reasoning to convince the reader that your thesis statement is true.

In the standard five-paragraph format for short essays, the body takes up three of your five paragraphs. In longer essays, it will be more paragraphs, and might be divided into sections with headings.

Each paragraph covers its own topic, introduced with a topic sentence . Each of these topics must contribute to your overall argument; don’t include irrelevant information.

This example paragraph takes a Rogerian approach: It first acknowledges the merits of the opposing position and then highlights problems with that position.

Hover over different parts of the example to see how a body paragraph is constructed.

A common frustration for teachers is students’ use of Wikipedia as a source in their writing. Its prevalence among students is not exaggerated; a survey found that the vast majority of the students surveyed used Wikipedia (Head & Eisenberg, 2010). An article in The Guardian stresses a common objection to its use: “a reliance on Wikipedia can discourage students from engaging with genuine academic writing” (Coomer, 2013). Teachers are clearly not mistaken in viewing Wikipedia usage as ubiquitous among their students; but the claim that it discourages engagement with academic sources requires further investigation. This point is treated as self-evident by many teachers, but Wikipedia itself explicitly encourages students to look into other sources. Its articles often provide references to academic publications and include warning notes where citations are missing; the site’s own guidelines for research make clear that it should be used as a starting point, emphasizing that users should always “read the references and check whether they really do support what the article says” (“Wikipedia:Researching with Wikipedia,” 2020). Indeed, for many students, Wikipedia is their first encounter with the concepts of citation and referencing. The use of Wikipedia therefore has a positive side that merits deeper consideration than it often receives.

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An argumentative essay ends with a conclusion that summarizes and reflects on the arguments made in the body.

No new arguments or evidence appear here, but in longer essays you may discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your argument and suggest topics for future research. In all conclusions, you should stress the relevance and importance of your argument.

Hover over the following example to see the typical elements of a conclusion.

The internet has had a major positive impact on the world of education; occasional pitfalls aside, its value is evident in numerous applications. The future of teaching lies in the possibilities the internet opens up for communication, research, and interactivity. As the popularity of distance learning shows, students value the flexibility and accessibility offered by digital education, and educators should fully embrace these advantages. The internet’s dangers, real and imaginary, have been documented exhaustively by skeptics, but the internet is here to stay; it is time to focus seriously on its potential for good.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.

An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesn’t have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.

At college level, you must properly cite your sources in all essays , research papers , and other academic texts (except exams and in-class exercises).

Add a citation whenever you quote , paraphrase , or summarize information or ideas from a source. You should also give full source details in a bibliography or reference list at the end of your text.

The exact format of your citations depends on which citation style you are instructed to use. The most common styles are APA , MLA , and Chicago .

The majority of the essays written at university are some sort of argumentative essay . Unless otherwise specified, you can assume that the goal of any essay you’re asked to write is argumentative: To convince the reader of your position using evidence and reasoning.

In composition classes you might be given assignments that specifically test your ability to write an argumentative essay. Look out for prompts including instructions like “argue,” “assess,” or “discuss” to see if this is the goal.

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Preparing an Argument Essay: Exploring Both Sides of an Issue

Choosing a Topic, Focusing an Argument, and Planning an Approach

• Writing Essays
• Writing Research Papers
• English Grammar
• Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
• M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
• B.A., English, State University of New York

What are the hot issues now being debated among your friends online or at your school: a new course requirement? a revision of the honor code? a proposal to construct a new recreation center or shut down a notorious nightspot?

As you think about possible topics for your argument assignment, consider issues being discussed by columnists in the local newspaper or by your classmates in the snack bar. Then prepare to explore one of these issues, examining both sides of the argument before you outline your own position.

Discovering an Issue to Argue About

Probably the best way to get started on an argumentative essay , whether you're working on your own or with others, is to list several possible topics for this project. Jot down as many current issues that you can think of, even if you haven't yet formed strong opinions about them. Just make sure that they are issues--matters open to discussion and debate. For example, "Cheating on Exams" is hardly an issue: few would dispute that cheating is wrong. More controversial, however, would be a proposal that students caught cheating should automatically be dismissed from school.

As you list possible topics , keep in mind that your eventual goal is not simply to vent your feelings on an issue but to support your views with valid information. For this reason, you might want to steer clear of topics that are highly charged with emotion or just too complicated to be dealt with in a short essay--topics such as capital punishment, for instance, or the war in Afghanistan.

Of course, this doesn't mean that you have to restrict yourself to trivial issues or to ones that you care nothing about. Rather, it means that you should consider topics you know something about and are prepared to deal with thoughtfully in a short essay of 500 or 600 words. A well-supported argument on the need for a campus child-care center, for instance, would probably be more effective than a collection of unsupported opinions on the need for free, universal child-care services in the United States.

Finally, if you still find yourself at a loss for what to argue about, check out this list of 40 Writing Topics: Argument and Persuasion .

Exploring an Issue

Once you have listed several possible topics, select one that appeals to you, and freewrite on this issue for ten or fifteen minutes. Put down some background information, your own views on the subject, and any opinions you have heard from others. You might then want to join a few other students in a brainstorming session: invite ideas on both sides of each issue you consider, and list them in separate columns.

As an example, the table below contains notes taken during a brainstorming session on a proposal that students should not be required to take physical-education courses. As you can see, some of the points are repetitious, and some may appear more convincing than others. As in any good brainstorming session, ideas have been proposed, not judged (that comes later). By first exploring your topic in this way, considering both sides of the issue, you should find it easier to focus and plan your argument in succeeding stages of the writing process.

Proposal: Physical Education Courses Should Not Be Required

Focusing an Argument

Focusing an argument begins with taking a clear stand on the issue. See if you can express your point of view in a one-sentence proposal, such as the following:

• Students should ( or should not) be required to pay for a campus parking permit.
• U.S. citizens should ( or should not) be allowed to cast their ballots online in all local, state, and national elections.
• Cell phones should ( or should not) be banned in all classrooms.

Of course, as you gather more information and develop your argument, you're quite likely to reword your proposal or even change your position on the issue. For now, though, this simple proposal statement will guide you in planning your approach.

Planning an Argument

Planning the argument means deciding on the three or four points that best support your proposal. You may find these points in the lists you have already drawn up, or you may combine certain points from these lists to form new ones. Compare the points below with the ones given earlier on the issue of required physical-education courses:

Proposal: Students should not be required to take physical-education courses.

• Although physical fitness is important for everyone, it can be achieved better through extracurricular activities than in required physical-education courses.
• Grades in physical-education courses may have a harmful effect on the GPAs of students who are academically strong but physically challenged.
• For students who are not athletically inclined, physical-education courses can be humiliating and even dangerous.

Notice how the writer has drawn on both of his original lists, "pro" and "con," to develop this three-point plan. Likewise, you may support a proposal by arguing against an opposing view as well as by arguing for your own.

As you draw up your list of key arguments , start thinking ahead to the next step, in which you must support each of these observations with specific facts and examples. In other words, you must be prepared to prove your points. If you're not ready to do that, you should explore your topic further, perhaps in a follow-up brainstorming session, before researching your topic online or in the library.

Remember that feeling strongly about an issue does not automatically enable you to argue about it effectively. You need to be able to back up your points clearly and convincingly with up-to-date, accurate information.

Practice: Exploring Both Sides of the Issue

Either on your own or in a brainstorming session with others, explore at least five of the following issues. Jot down as many supporting points as you can, both in favor of the proposal and in opposition to it.

• Final grades should be eliminated in all courses and replaced by grades of pass or fail .
• A year of national service with minimum-wage pay should be required of all 18-year-olds in the United States.
• States should be allowed to collect taxes on all items sold over the Internet.
• The production and sale of cigarettes should be made illegal.
• People should be allowed the freedom to exchange music files online without having to pay fees to a subscription service.
• To encourage people to maintain healthy eating habits, foods with a high-fat content and little nutritional value should carry a special "junk tax."
• Parents should discourage their young children from watching television on weekdays.
• Students should have complete freedom to select their own courses.
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