DISCUSSION ESSAYS FOR IELTS

Identify discuss questions

The question can be asked in different ways the usual format is typically:
Discuss both these points of view and give your opinion
If the question asks you to discuss, you do just that: discuss.
Discuss can mean two things
In fact, the question never ever says “write a discussion essay”. The reason
for this is that different teachers have different ideas about what a discussion essay
is. The idea is not to write a model “discussion essay”, rather it is to discuss the
topic in the question – something quite different.
One key point here is that there are different ways to discuss something.
Discuss includes both these ideas:
stating what people think (perhaps saying why they believe this – this is a
more objective approach)
commenting on what people think (perhaps saying what the pros and cons
of their view is – this a more subjective approach)
The better type of discussion essay is one that both states and comments on the
different views – if you do this you will discuss better.
Get a logical and clear essay structure
There is absolutely no one structure for a discuss question in IELTS. You
simply have to find a structure that is logical and allows you to answer the
question. You will find 3 different examples of how to do this below in my essays.
Whichever structure you choose, you need to decide first:
what is my introduction?
how am I going to write two/three clear topic paragraphs?
what is my conclusion?
 do all the parts of my essay fit together?
See two different ways how to write a discussion essay
You will find below 2 different discussion essays with detailed writing notes. What
you should see is that:
both essays answer the question: they discuss the issue and give an opinion
one essay keeps the opinion to the end and discusses only objectively
the other establishes the opinion in the introduction and comments on the
issues throughout the essay.
Sample essays
Almost everyone agrees that we should be training children to recycle waste to
save the Earth’s natural resources. Some believe that it is parents who should
teach their children to recycle waste. Others argue that school is the best place to
teach do this. Discuss both views and give your own opinion
Essay 1
Most people would agree that young people need to be taught about the
importance of recycling waste products and packaging. There is a difference of
opinion, however, whether this should happen at home or in schools. In this essay,
I will examine both points of view and then state my opinion.
The argument in favour of teaching children at school about recycling is
largely based around the idea that schools and other educational establishments are
the best environment for training children. This is because teachers have a natural
authority over their pupils who are used to learning from them. Additionally, the
need for recycling could easily be included in biology and geography classes.
There are two main reasons why people think parents taking responsibility
for this training could be more effective. The first is that the majority of recycling
takes place in the home and parents can therefore more easily control the recycling
habits of their children.  If, for example, parents see their child put a recyclable
bottle in the wrong bin, they can explain that it needs to go in another bin. The
other very practical point is that often children spend more time at home than at
school and so parents may have more effect.
My own view is that the best solution is for children to learn about recycling
both at home and at school. In this way, they would learn about both the theory and
the practice.
(277 words)
 Notes
Overview
This is a much more objective discussion essay.
 you separate out your opinion from what other people say. Your opinion
only comes at the end.
 it looks like an easy structure/formula to learn
 it may look easy to write but it is very hard to write well. The introduction
uses some dangerously formulaic language and is a very weak thesis
statement
 the conclusion is usually more difficult to write well as you need to refer to
the main body paragraphs to make the essay coherent. It is not really enough
jus tot say “this is what I think”. Rather, you need to link that conclusion
with the main ideas of the paragraph and that means giving reasons that are
found in the body paragraphs (both of them).
 be very careful about balance. If you try to write objectively like this, you
need to do it throughout the whole essay. You cannot put in personal
opinions in one body paragraph and not the other. If you do, your essay will
become incoherent. Your point of view must remain consistent. This
means that if you start out neutrally, you must continue neutrally.
Structure
 Introduction – 3 sentences normally
 Here is the issue.
 Here are the two views
 Here is what I’m going to say
Main body 1
 This is why people think school is the best place (i.e. main idea = one point
of view)
 Reasons with examples (support)
Main body 2
  This is why people think home is the best place (i.e. the other main idea =
the other point of view)
 Reasons with examples (support)
Conclusion
 Your opinion – also summarizing the main points of the essay to make it
coherent.

Essay 2
It is not easy to decide how to teach young people about the necessity to
recycle waste products. One school of thought is that they should be taught this in
school. Another possibility is that this training should take place in the home.
While teachers may have some part to play, my view is that parents are more likely
to be effective in achieving practical results.
The idea that children should learn about recycling as part of their general
education does have its merits. One reason why people propose this is that
recycling could easily fit in with other subjects on the curriculum such as
geography and biology. The general idea is that if children understand about the
effects that not recycling has on the environment, then they will naturally choose to
recycle waste and packaging themselves. The drawback is that children frequently
do not  apply what they learn as theory to life itself.
The alternative suggestion of giving the primary responsibility to parents
seems more likely to be effective in practice. This is partly because the majority of
recycling actually happens in the home where parents and teachers are present.
Parents can, for example, ensure that their children get into habit of sorting waste
and packaging and putting it into the correct bin. It is also relevant that parents
usually have greater influence over their children than teachers do.  A child is
typically going to listen to the advice of a parent than a teacher, simply because
their relationship is closer.
My conclusion is therefore that while it may seem better for children to learn
about recycling at school, in practice that training would be more effective when
given by parents.
(282 words)

Notes
Overview
This is a much more subjective/comment discussion essay.
 the point of view of the writer is clear throughout the essay
 it follows a logical structure
 the introduction avoids formula language and so requires more thought. It
has a strong thesis statement where you say exactly what you think.
 You must make sure that you also cover both points of view and not just
give your own opinions in the body paragraphs
  the conclusion matches the introduction almost exactly and is therefore
easier to write: you simply look back at the introduction before you write the
conclusion

Structure
 Introduction – 3 sentences normally
 Here is the issue.
 Here are the two views
 Here is my opinion [contrast this with the first essay where you do not give
your opinion in the introduction]
Main body 1
 This is why people think school is the best place (i.e. main idea = one point
of view)
 comment on whether you think it is a good idea or not
 Reasons with examples (support)
Main body 2
  This is why people think home is the best place (i.e. the other main idea =
the other point of view)
 comment on whether you think it is a good idea or not
 Reasons with examples (support)
Conclusion
 Your opinion – reflecting the introduction and the main points of the  body
paragraphs
ELTS Writing Task 2: when to give your opinion
Do the following questions ask for your opinion or not?
1. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
2. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages.
3. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
4. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
5. Is this a positive or negative development?
6. What are the benefits and drawbacks?
Answers:
- Numbers 2 and 6 are discussion questions. Discuss both sides of the issue, but
don't give an opinion about which side you agree with.
- Numbers 1 and 5 are opinion questions. Give your opinion and support it. If you
have a strong opinion, you don't need to mention the other side of the argument.
- Numbers 3 and 4 can be called discussion + opinion questions. Discuss both sides
and make your opinion clear too.

Thus, we have to identify, understand and analyse what to do based on the given
question.
1. DISCUSS both sides and don't give opinion for these kind of question: Discuss
the advantages and disadvantages, and What are the benefits and drawbacks?
2. Give our own OPINION with supporting information either both sides or just
one side only. Example on To what extent do you agree or disagree? and Is this a
positive or negative development?
3. DISCUSS and give our OPINION in such question: Discuss both views and give
your opinion, and Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
 PROBLEM & SOLUTION ESSAY
INTRODUCTION
Just write 2 sentences: one to introduce the topic, and one to give a basic answer.
Let's look at how to do this for a "problem and solution" question:
The number of plants and animals is declining. Describe some reasons for this
problem and suggest some solutions.
Here's the introduction:
It is undeniable that wildlife habitats are being destroyed and whole species of
plants and animals are disappearing. There are several causes of this alarming
trend, but measures could certainly be taken to tackle the problem.
Note:
In the second sentence you don't need to give any causes or solutions; save your
ideas for the main paragraphs.
In IELTS Task 2, you could get asked to write about the causes of some problem
and the possible ways to solve this problem.

You must remember to have:

1. An introduction
2. Discuss the main causes and effects of the problem
3. Suggest possible solutions to the problem
4. Give advice about who should take responsibility

For this reason, a four paragraph essay is a very good idea. This essay below will
give you an example of a good 250 word essay.
1. Nowadays many people eat very badly in spite of the information which is
available about ways to have a health, balanced diet. What could be the
possible causes of this?  Suggest some solutions which may improve the eating
habits of the young.

In the modern world, a wider variety of food choices are available to members of
society than ever before. It is possible to have an extremely healthy diet or to
consumer junk food on a daily basis. There are several undoubted reasons why
many choose the latter option and certain specific ways that such problems could
be addressed.

Primarily, eating badly can be due to a number of factors. To begin with, our
society is busier than ever before. Individuals are pressed to do things quicker and
quicker and one result of this may be that the majority do not have time to prepare
food or wait around for healthy food to be prepared. In other words, they feel
forced to eat on the go. The easiest food to eat under these circumstances is fast
food, which is usually unhealthy. Furthermore, fast food restaurants put more
financial investment into marketing and advertising than any other section of the
food industry. As a result, we are constantly bombarded with messages telling us to
eat fatty and sugary food. This has a huge influence on our choice of food,
especially the young.

Potential ways to tackle this problem may include the following. Initially, the
government should enforce rules which warn the general public about unhealthy
food. They could instruct companies to put warning signs on their products and
produce other, healthier food in the same restaurants. In addition to this, they could
prevent businesses from advertising which is focused on children and inhibit them
from selling toys and having play areas.

All things considered, eating badly is a serious problem for young and old alike. It
seems evident that the government ought to take a firm stand on this issue and
remind individuals constantly to take healthy eating seriously.

2. OBESITY
Childhood obesity is becoming a serious problem in many countries. Explain the
main causes and effects of this problem, and suggest some possible solutions.
Here are some more ideas for this topic:
Children's health are increasingly deteriorating by fatness throughout the world,
even condition is pretty alarming among the world's most affluent western
countries. There are a number of reasons causing this problem and each problem
needs to be dealt in a particular way.
It is likely that one of the most prominent causes giving rise to this problem is the
major change in our lifestyle due to remarkable advancement and sophistication in
technology, which has considerable impact on our daily life and health. This
advancement comes at a cast with the adverse impact on our health due to lack of
physical activity and laziness in office and home. At office most of the people
suffering from this illness spend many hours sitting in front of the computer
without any physical activity. Not only this, even at home most of us spend time
watching TV and taking rest at their bedroom. Even children nowadays give
preference to playing computer game or chatting on internet with their friends
rather than playing out door sports. In addition to that the quality of foods which
we consume every day made the matters worse. These foods, which are easily
available, oftenly contains ingredients that are high in calorie, cholesterol and fat,
while at the same time lack necessary vitamin, mineral and protein and these
factors are taking a toll on our health.
Moreover, these significant changes has begun showing up adverse effect on our
health. Children from many countries are suffering from obesity, fatness and
fatness related diseases such as heart disease, cancel and sugar. As a result it is
imperating that we should fight collectively hand in hand against this huge
problem before it poses a threat to our health system.
In my opinion, teachers, parent and government as a whole should take this issue
as a matter of urgency and take necessary step to overcome at every stage. For
instance parents are expected to keep an eye on their children's eating habit and
make sure they take healthy food while reducing the quantity of luring junk food.
Government can contribute by putting a ban on unhealthy items specially prepared
keeping in mind to children.
To conclude, although many countries are now a day’s falling prey to unhealthy
diet but we can fight and defeat this menace with strong will power and taking
some preventive actions as described above.

3. Every country has poor people and every country has different ways of
dealing with the poor.
What are some of the reasons for poverty? What can we do to help the poor?

One of the common observations in various societies around the world is that
citizens are classified by their financial position. Their governments usually have
to issue policies and provide funding to assist those who earn significantly less.
This essay will examine the root of problem and suggest solutions to improve the
situation.

The major reason of poverty is the lack of proper education. When they spent
insufficient time to be educated in their adolescences, probably they would
discover the extreme difficulty to get the well-paid jobs, as the prerequisite
typically includes a university level of education at the minimum. Consequently,
keeping their job is the major concern because it is unrealistic to invest a large
amount of money on getting a degree.

Another principal reason refers to the absence of sufficient natural resource. This
led to the reliance on the import of oil crude and other similar resources from
foreign countries, and in turn worsen their financial position due to the
skyrocketing and unpredictable inflation of the price. As a result, escaping from
poverty is supposedly impossible.

A practical solution on the education issue is to join fund-raising activities

introduced by charitable organizations. Joining a voluntary trip to teach the
financially disadvantaged people could be another excellent opinion. On the other
hand, to tackle with the resource concern, developed countries like United States
should import at a discounted price in order to fulfill the ethical responsibility.
Alternative resources, like solar power energy, should also be widespread
introduced to minimize the production cost.

Numerous reasons could be found and analyzed for why these people are getting
poorer. However, what we should do is to encourage personal funding on
education and introduce cheaper and other means of natural resources to them,
such that the situation could be vastly improved.

Total 297 words