IELTS Writing Task 2
How to write an IELTS discussion essay (both views)
The discuss both views and give your own opinion question is one of the most common Task 2 prompts. You explain each side of an argument fairly, then make your own position clear. This guide shows the structure, the language, and the single mistake that costs candidates the most marks.
In short
- Discuss both views fairly, one view per body paragraph, then make your own opinion clear.
- State your opinion in the introduction and conclusion, and weave it through the essay.
- Write at least 250 words; forgetting your own opinion is the most common error.
Recognise the question type
A discussion essay almost always ends with the same instruction: Discuss both these views and give your own opinion. That wording is a contract. It asks for three things: an account of the first view, an account of the second view, and your personal position. Miss any one and your Task Response score falls.
A typical prompt looks like this: Some people think children should start school as early as possible. Others believe they should not start formal education until they are at least seven. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. The two views are handed to you. Your job is to explain each one and then decide which you find more convincing.
Do not confuse this with an opinion (agree or disagree) prompt, which gives you one statement to support or challenge. The discussion type explicitly requires you to cover both sides before you take a stance. If you only argue your own view, you have not discussed both, and the examiner cannot award the higher Task Response bands.
A four-paragraph structure that works
The cleanest structure for a both views essay is four paragraphs. It is predictable, easy to organise under time pressure, and helps your Coherence and Cohesion score because the reader always knows where they are.
| Paragraph | What it does | Useful phrase |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | Paraphrase the topic and state your own opinion | While some argue that..., I believe that... |
| Body 1 | Explain the first view with a reason and example | On the one hand, supporters of... point out that... |
| Body 2 | Explain the second view and why you favour it | On the other hand, I find it more convincing that... |
| Conclusion | Restate both sides briefly and confirm your position | In conclusion, although both views have merit, I maintain that... |
Keep one view per body paragraph. A common trap is splitting the same view across two paragraphs or mixing both views in one block, which confuses the reader and flattens your structure. Use a clear topic sentence at the start of each body paragraph so the examiner sees the shift from one view to the other.
The error that costs the most marks
The single biggest mistake in discussion essays is forgetting to give your own opinion. Candidates describe both views neatly, then stop, treating the essay as a balanced report. Because the instruction says and give your own opinion, a neutral answer only partly addresses the task, and Task Response is capped.
Fix this by deciding your position before you write a word. Then signal it in three places: in the introduction (I believe the second approach is more sensible), inside the body paragraph for the view you support (this is, in my view, the stronger argument), and again in the conclusion. Weaving your opinion through the essay also helps Coherence and Cohesion, because your position becomes the thread that ties the paragraphs together.
A balanced stance is allowed, but it must still be a decision, not a dodge. Saying both factors matter equally, so policy should address both is a clear position. Saying nothing about what you think is not. When in doubt, commit to one of the two views and defend it with a specific reason and example.
Language and how it is marked
IELTS Writing Task 2 is scored on four criteria, each weighted equally: Task Response, Coherence & Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range & Accuracy. In a discussion essay, Task Response rewards covering both views and stating your opinion; Coherence & Cohesion rewards clear paragraphing and linking; Lexical Resource rewards precise topic vocabulary; and Grammatical Range & Accuracy rewards a mix of accurate sentence types.
Lift your language above band 6 by replacing generic phrases with controlled, natural ones. Instead of Some people think, write Proponents of stricter regulation contend that. Instead of This is good for the economy, write This stimulates economic growth by encouraging investment. Avoid memorised templates that do not fit the question, since examiners spot them and they hurt Task Response.
IELTS discussion essay FAQ
What is an IELTS discussion (both views) essay?+
It is a Task 2 question that asks you to discuss both views on a topic and give your own opinion. You explain each side fairly, then state which view you support. The prompt usually reads: discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
Do I have to give my own opinion in a discussion essay?+
Yes. The instruction includes and give your own opinion, so a neutral answer loses marks on Task Response. State your position clearly in the introduction and conclusion, and let it guide which view you support. Forgetting your opinion is the most common error.
How should I structure a both views essay?+
Use four paragraphs: an introduction that paraphrases the topic and states your opinion, one body paragraph for the first view, one body paragraph for the second view, and a conclusion that restates your position. Keep one view per body paragraph.
How long should the essay be?+
Write at least 250 words for Task 2. Aim for roughly 260 to 290 words so you can develop both views with examples. Going far over wastes time you need for Task 1 and risks repetition, which weakens Coherence and Cohesion.
Should my opinion match one of the two views given?+
Usually yes. Most discussion prompts present two opposing views, and your opinion sides with one of them. You may take a balanced position, but it must still be a clear stance, not a refusal to choose. Examiners reward a consistent, well-supported opinion.