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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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Home > Blog > Escribir un essay en inglés: estructura y otros trucos

Escribir un essay en inglés: estructura y otros trucos

¿Conoces la estructura de un essay en inglés? Este tipo de producciones escritas en inglés son un tipo de redacción en el que el autor expone su opinión de manera ordenada y clara.

La estructura del essay es bastante concreta y es importante que la conozcas. En este artículo te damos las claves para que consigas una redacción de 10.

Essay: consejos para una redacción en inglés de 10

Como decíamos, un essay es una redacción en la que se expresa una opinión sobre un tema concreto. Para escribir un essay tienes que tener en cuenta algunos puntos.

• Debe tener una estructura clara : introducción, cuerpo y conclusión.
• El uso de conectores deben dar cohesión y coherencia al texto.
• Apréndete algunas frases tipo y también domina el vocabulario.
• Es interesante que menciones ejemplos y hechos que constrasten tu opinión.

Essay estructura típica

Un essay tiene una estructura muy marcada, y esto es una ventaja, porque si la sigues te garantizamos el éxito de tu redacción . Divide el texto en párrafos para que te sea más cómodo el desarrollo de tu escritura:

• Introducción.
• Ideas a favor de la tesis o tema de la redacción de tipo essay.
• Ideas en contra del tema de la redacción.
• Conclusión o síntesis.

¿Cómo empezar un essay?

En primer lugar para escribir tu essay en inglés o cualquier redacción necesitas establecer el tema. El asunto sobre el que tratará el essay para desarrollar tu opinión respecto a algo, podría ser una pregunta acerca de algún punto, por ejemplo. Es típico que después de una pequeña introducción sobre algún tema de actualidad o controvertido, se lance una pregunta para que se desarrolle una respuesta.

Conectores que te serán de utilidad a la hora de escribir tu essay en inglés

Para tu essay en inglés te recomendamos que emplees y tengas buen uso de conectores y frases para añadir información a lo que vas diciendo:

Añadir información

• In addition
• What is more
• Furthermore
• Not only… but also

Ordenar información

Para ordenar información en un essay estructura o en cualquier redacción, puedes usar:

• Another point
• To conclude
• Additionally
• In begin with

Explicar ideas con diferentes palabras

• In other words
• In that case
• To put it simply
• With this in mind
• To look at this another way

Argumentar tu tesis con ejemplos

Es muy importante que puedas aportar ejemplos de lo que estás sosteniendo y defendiendo. Por eso, te irán bien las siguientes frases y conectores:

• This is to say
• For instance, for example
• As in the following examples
• In particular

Mostrando contraste

Como hemos dicho, en un essay interesa dar argumentos a favor y en contra de un tema . Para introducir ideas diferentes a las ya presentadas puedes usar conectores como:

• By contrast
• Alternatively
• On the other hand
• On the contrary
• In comparison

Si necesitas introducir citas o referencias

Todo texto que se precie de estas características necesita basar los argumentos en citas o fuentes de diferente tipo. Algunas frases introductorias para ello son:

• According to this author
• To quote from X…
• Referring to this subject, X argues that…
• As X stated…

Para concluir y explicar los resultados de algo

• As a result
• It can be seen that
• The consequence is
• We can see that
• It is evident that
• This suggest that
• So, my conclusion is
• To sum up briefly
• To summarise

Con los tips que te hemos compartido en este artículo para escribir un essay en inglés. Recuerda, haz un esquema, síguelo y emplea frases cortas que no sean muy liosas. Seguro que tu próxima redacción será de 10.

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• Ejercicios de condicionales en ingles: actividades prácticas
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How to write a discussion essay

• September 21, 2023

A discussion essay, also called a controversial essay, is where you express your opinion about a topic. When writing one, 

• Cover both sides of the topic , present the key points that back your viewpoint and the opposing one.
• Ensure a multi-faceted understanding of the issues before presenting your own personal views and conclusions.

So let’s deeply explore the structure and components of a successful discussion paper.

Quick summary

• Carefully read and comprehend the essay prompt.
• Select a topic that leads to multiple viewpoints and debates.
• Begin with a clear introduction that includes a strong thesis statement.
• Discuss different viewpoints or/and arguments in separate body paragraphs.
• Maintain a balanced approach by presenting viewpoints fairly.
• Summarize the main ideas and restate your thesis statement , then end your essay.

Choose a controversial topic

Choosing a topic is the first step when starting your essay. When choosing a topic , make sure it is something that you are personally interested in as it will be easier for you to write.

Now let’s have a look at discussion essay topic examples. 

• Should Capital Punishment be Abolished?
• Is Genetic Engineering Ethical for Humans?
• Should Schools Implement Mandatory Vaccination Policies?
• Is Nuclear Energy a Viable Solution to the Energy Crisis?

After choosing the essay topic, you should create your outline to finish planning your essay.

Create an outline

The outline allows you to understand how to combine all the information and thesis statement to support claims of your essay.

Create a basic outline for your discussion essay. Start with a preliminary version of your thesis statement, main argument, opposing argument, and other main points.

Here is an outline example for a discussion essay.

Discussion essay outline example

Title: The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

• Start with a strong and engaging opening.
• Introduce the topic and its relevance.
• Present the thesis statement that highlights the ethical considerations in AI integration in healthcare.
• Begin with a clear topic sentence about AI's role in diagnosis.
• Explain AI's superiority in analyzing medical data and images.
• Provide an example of AI detecting diseases early.
• Discuss concerns about the potential effects on human expertise.
• Introduce the focus on personalized treatment.
• Explain how AI can customize therapies based on individual data.
• Give an example of optimizing medical outcomes.
• Raise ethical issues about privacy, consent, and data security.
• Start with a topic sentence about accountability.
• Discuss the challenge of assigning blame in AI-related errors.
• Address the importance of unbiased AI algorithms.
• Mention the need for regulation and oversight.
• Restate the significance of the ethical landscape of AI in healthcare.
• Summarize the core points discussed in the body paragraphs.
• Reiterate the importance of balancing AI advancements with ethical considerations.
• End with a call to uphold ethical principles in the integration of AI in healthcare.

So now that you’ve seen an outline example, l et’s start writing your essay with an introduction.

Write your introduction

• Start with an attention-grabbing opening ( hook sentence ) that piques the reader's curiosity and encourages them to continue reading.
• Provide a brief background or context for the topic you'll be discussing.
• Seamlessly transition from the general to the specific focus of your essay. Guide the reader to understand what to expect from the essay.
• End your introduction with a strong and clear thesis statement.

Discussion essay introduction example

Introduction

Now that we have written our introduction, we can move on to the discussion parts.

Compose the body of your essay

Write down the main points of the body paragraphs of your discussion paper. A well-written body paragraph illustrates, justifies, and/or supports your thesis statement. When writing body paragraphs:

• Typically, present each issue separately and discuss both sides of the argument in an unbiased manner.
• Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that transitions from the previous one to introduce the next topic.
• Start with your least convincing argument and work your way up to your strongest argument. This structure helps readers follow your logic consistently.
• Make sure your citation usage is consistent for each argument. If you cite three quotes that support your main argument, aim to use three quotes for the opposing view as well.

Discussion essay body paragraphs

Body Paragraph 1: Enhancing Diagnostics and Accuracy

Body Paragraph 2: Personalized Treatment and Privacy

Body Paragraph 3: Ethical Responsibility and Accountability

Now, let’s look at how to end your work.

Conclude your discussion essay

Writing a strong conclusion for a discussion essay is essential to leave a lasting impression on your readers and summarize the main points of your argument effectively. Here are the steps on how to write a good conclusion for your discussion paper:

• Begin your conclusion by restating your thesis statement in a slightly different way. This helps remind the reader of the main argument you've presented throughout the essay.
• Provide a brief summary of the key points you discussed in your essay.
• Emphasize the importance of the topic and the implications of your argument.

Things to avoid in conclusion

Let’s have a look at a conclusion example for a discussion essay..

Discussion essay conclusion example

Remember that a conclusion is your final opportunity to leave a strong impression, so make it memorable and impactful.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is a discussion essay different from other types of essays.

Unlike other common essays that might focus on presenting a single argument, a discussion essay presents multiple perspectives on a topic. It strives to remain neutral and balanced while analyzing different viewpoints.

Can I express my personal opinion in a discussion essay?

Yes, you can include your personal opinion, but it should be presented alongside other viewpoints. Your opinion should be supported by evidence and analysis, and you should strive for a balanced presentation.

Do I need to include counterarguments?

Yes, including counterarguments is essential in a discussion essay. Addressing opposing viewpoints demonstrates your understanding of the topic and strengthens your analysis.

How do I ensure a balanced presentation of viewpoints?

Present each viewpoint objectively and support it with evidence. Give equal attention to different perspectives and avoid using biased language.

How can I transition between different viewpoints in my essay?

Use transitional words and phrases like “however,” “on the other hand,” and “in contrast” to smoothly guide readers between paragraphs and viewpoints.

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How to Write a Discussion Essay

Last Updated: June 27, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Jake Adams . Jake Adams is an academic tutor and the owner of Simplifi EDU, a Santa Monica, California based online tutoring business offering learning resources and online tutors for academic subjects K-College, SAT & ACT prep, and college admissions applications. With over 14 years of professional tutoring experience, Jake is dedicated to providing his clients the very best online tutoring experience and access to a network of excellent undergraduate and graduate-level tutors from top colleges all over the nation. Jake holds a BS in International Business and Marketing from Pepperdine University. There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 445,832 times.

Discussion Essay Outline and Example

Planning Your Essay

• For instance, maybe the question is, "Immigration has been a heated topic on the national level for many years. With issues like the DREAM Act and President Trump's stances on policy, it's likely to remain a central issue. Using authoritative resources to back up your argument, take a stance on immigration policy, establishing whether you think it should be more or less strict and why."
• You can establish that the main topic is immigration policy from the sentence, "Take a stance on immigration policy."
• If you're having trouble understanding the question, don't be afraid to talk to the professor. They can help you better understand what they're asking for.

• If your essay will be based off a discussion had in class, ask your instructor if you can use class notes as a primary source.
• Look for respected news sources, as well as websites with ".edu" and ".gov" extensions.
• You may need to look up information on the DREAM Act or President Trump's policies to help you understand the question, for example. For this part, you don't need to take extensive notes, as you're just trying to get a feel for the subject.

• If you were given a text to base your essay on, make sure that text has enough evidence to support your chosen position.

• Use Roman numerals on your page to mark your main ideas. Write a main point by each Roman numeral. You should only cover 3 to 4 main points in a relatively short essay, such as one that's 3 to 5 pages.

• Your main sources should be books or ebooks, journal articles from academic journals, and credible websites. You can also use high quality news articles if they're applicable to your topic.

• For a book, you should include the author's name, the editor's name (if applicable), the title of the book, the publication year, the publication city, the edition, and the title of the book chapter in an anthology by multiple authors.
• For a journal, include the author's name, the journal title, the article title, the digital object identifier (DOI), the ISSN, the publication date, the volume (if applicable), the issue (if applicable), and the page numbers for the journal article.
• If you're searching in a database, you can often ask the database to save this information for you, but you should include identifiers on your notes.

• For example, if one of your main points is "Immigration increases diversity," some of your points underneath might be "Brings in new cuisines," and "Brings in new art."
• Find examples from your research, and add notes to each point to fill them in.

Writing the Introduction

• For an example or anecdote, start by telling a short story about something relevant to your topic. For instance, you might write the following for an essay on immigration, "When I was 4-years-old, my parents told me we were going on a long trip. After a bus ride, we spent nights walking, my dad carrying me most of the way. One day, we crossed a river. That day marked our first day in our new country."

• For example, you might write, "Immigration is a highly-debated issue. It is controversial because some people fear how it affects the resources of the country the people are immigrating to, while others believe the improved quality of life for immigrants is what’s most important."

• For instance, your thesis statement might be, "Immigration is good for the country because it increases diversity, infuses the country with new talent, and broadens the population's perspective, and it should be encouraged with a few basic safeguards in place."

Composing the Body of Your Essay

• For instance, if you're writing a short research paper, one paragraph might be your main point "Immigration increases diversity," where you cover all your bullet points in that paragraph.
• If you're digging deeper, you might create a section about diversity, and then use a paragraph to cover "brings in new cuisines," another to cover "brings in new art," and so on.

• Try not to set up a "straw man" argument, where you don't give the other side a fair chance. You should be able to support your position without purposefully creating a weak position on the other side.

• For instance, maybe you want to transition between a section about increasing diversity to one about bringing in new talent. You might write a sentence like, "Increasing diversity in our country doesn't just bring in new cuisines and art, it also brings in hard workers that have fresh perspectives on old problems in the workforce."

• You can paraphrase other ideas or use direct quotes, but only use a direct quote if the author said something in a unique way. Otherwise, put it in your own words.
• You may want to begin body paragraphs with a quote from a relevant source. Then, explain or provide commentary on the quote and show how it supports your position.
• You can also use statistics to back up your research. For instance, if one of your arguments is that immigration doesn't increase crime, use statistics to back that up.

Concluding Your Essay

• For instance, you might write, "A truly great country is one that celebrates differences and welcomes new ideas and perspectives. While immigration has some negative effects on a country, overall, allowing people from other countries to come in helps to spark new ideas and make the country a better and more interesting place to live. Rather than being a drain on society, immigrants are motivated to work hard and our citizens can only benefit from listening to their perspectives."

• Once you have the flow down, read it again to check for grammatical mistakes and typos. It can help to read it aloud, as it slows you down and forces you to read every word.

Expert Q&A

• Remember you can't research forever. Often, the research stage absorbs a student so fully that the upcoming submission date seems unimportant. Make sure to leave yourself at least a few days to write your essay. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ Jake Adams. Academic Tutor & Test Prep Specialist. Expert Interview. 20 May 2020.
• ↑ https://student.unsw.edu.au/answering-assignment-questions
• ↑ https://student.unsw.edu.au/essay-and-assignment-planning
• ↑ https://opentextbc.ca/writingforsuccess/chapter/chapter-11-developing-a-convincing-argument/
• ↑ https://student.unsw.edu.au/organising-your-ideas
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/introductions/
• ↑ https://www.umgc.edu/current-students/learning-resources/writing-center/writing-resources/parts-of-an-essay/essay-introductions
• ↑ https://wts.indiana.edu/writing-guides/how-to-write-a-thesis-statement.html
• ↑ https://www.student.unsw.edu.au/writing-your-essay
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/establishing_arguments/organizing_your_argument.html
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/establishing_arguments/research_and_evidence.html
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/conclusions/
• ↑ https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/conclusion
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/editing-and-proofreading/

About This Article

To write a discussion essay, start by taking a side on the issue you're writing about, like "Immigration is good for the country." Then, outline the main points that made you decide to take that position and do research to find evidence that backs them up. Look for credible sources that can help you make your argument, and don't forget to cite them. Then, when you're writing your essay, devote 1 paragraph to each main point and include your evidence. For help writing the introduction and conclusion to your essay, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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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

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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.

How to Write an IELTS Discussion Essay?

Updated On Aug 02, 2024

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The article guides on writing a Band 8+ IELTS Discussion Essay, emphasizing clear structure, balanced arguments, and evidence support. It outlines planning, writing, common mistakes, and provides sample questions with answers.

Table of Contents

How to plan an ielts discussion essay, structure of an ielts writing task 2 discuss both views and give your opinion essay, 3 common mistakes in ielts discuss both views and give your opinion essays, tips to write an ielts discussion essay, ielts discussion essay sample questions with sample answers, excel at ielts writing with ieltsmaterial.com, also check:.

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Just as the names suggest, discuss both views or discussion essays in IELTS Writing Task 2 expects you to discuss both sides of an argument, and then to give your own opinion on the matter.

You get 40 minutes to complete this discussion essay IELTS Writing task and you have to write at least 250 words on the topic given. So gear up, let us learn how to write a perfect band 8+ task 2, discuss both views and essays in no time in this blog!

There are a few key things to keep in mind when writing a discussion essay:

• Identify the two opposing views.

First, read the statement carefully and find the two opposing views. Then, think about how to support each one.

• Gather evidence to support both sides.

Once you know what the two opposing views are, you need to gather evidence to support each one.

This evidence can come from your own knowledge, experience, or research.

• Write a clear and organized essay.

Your essay should have a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.

• Start with an Introduction

Begin your essay with a clear introduction that tells the reader what the topic is and what your main points will be. Keep it simple and to the point. You might find some tips to write an effective introduction for IELTS Writing Task 2 below.

• Use Paragraphs

Break your essay into two paragraphs, with each one focusing on a different point. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that tells the reader what the paragraph is about.

• Give Examples

Use examples to support your points. This could be something you’ve read about, something you’ve seen, or something from your own experience.

Get your hands on 2024’s latest IELTS Writing Task 2 test papers!

Let us look at the three errors that are usually common in IELTS discussion essays.

• Imbalanced Discussion

Focusing too much on one viewpoint and neglecting the other, or failing to discuss both views equally.

• Weak Supporting Evidence

Using irrelevant examples, statistics, or facts to support your points in the body paragraphs.

• Overgeneralization

Making broad statements without providing specific examples or evidence to back them up.

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Since we’ve had a look at the three most common errors that might occur while you write an IELTS discussion essay, now let’s learn a few expert tips you can use to practice while writing them!

• Use neutral language

When discussing two opposing views, use neutral language that expresses your opinion presenting both sides of the argument fairly and without bias.

• Plan your essay properly

Take a few minutes to think about what points you want to make and how you’ll organize them. Try to jot down some notes before you start writing.

• Use connectors and transition words

Transition words and phrases can help to make your essay flow smoothly and signal to the reader when you are moving from one point to another.

We’ve collected a list of connectors/linking words for writing to present in your IELTS discussion essays. Have a look at them in the following table:

• Use evidence to support your claims

When writing supporting points in your body paragraphs, be sure to provide evidence as an example to support it. This can come from your knowledge, experience, or research.

• Proofread your essay carefully

Before you finish, take a few minutes to read over your essay and make sure there are no mistakes in spelling, grammar, or punctuation.

Here are a few sample questions and their ans wers for IELTS Writing Task 2 di scussion essays with a proper breakdown of them that will help you get an idea of how to achieve your desired IELTS band score .

IELTS Discussion Essay Model Answer 1

Some people believe that it is essential to learn a foreign language in school, while others believe that it is not necessary. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Introduction: The introduction sets the stage for the essay by presenting the topic and highlighting the opposing viewpoints.

Body Paragraph 1: This paragraph discusses the advantages of learning a foreign language, including cognitive, cultural, and practical benefits.

Body Paragraph 2: The second paragraph presents the counterargument that learning a foreign language is unnecessary due to technology and the prominence of English.

Conclusion: The conclusion provides a clear personal opinion that acknowledges the counterarguments but asserts that the benefits of foreign language learning are more significant.

Final Compilation

Learning a foreign language has been a topic of debate in educational circles, with proponents arguing its importance and opponents asserting its insignificance. Those who advocate for learning a foreign language in school argue that it has numerous cognitive, cultural, and practical benefits. Firstly, mastering another language enhances cognitive abilities, as it requires learners to think critically and adapt to different linguistic structures. Moreover, it promotes cultural understanding by allowing individuals to communicate with people from diverse backgrounds, fostering tolerance and open-mindedness. From a practical standpoint, in today’s globalized world, proficiency in a foreign language can boost job prospects and facilitate international interactions.

On the other hand, there are those who contend that learning a foreign language is unnecessary in the modern age due to the prevalence of translation tools and the predominance of English as a global lingua franca. They argue that the time spent on language acquisition could be better utilized for other subjects that are more directly applicable to students’ future careers. Additionally, some assert that the difficulty of becoming truly proficient in a foreign language often discourages students and leads to frustration.

To conclude, while the concerns raised against learning a foreign language hold some validity, the advantages far outweigh the drawbacks. The cognitive and cultural benefits of language learning are substantial and contribute not only to personal growth but also to building a more interconnected and harmonious society. Moreover, even though technology can aid in translation, it cannot replace the nuanced understanding and genuine human connections that result from speaking someone’s native language. Therefore, incorporating foreign language learning into the curriculum remains a valuable investment in students’ holistic development.

IELTS Discussion Essay Model Answer 2

Some people believe that it is better to live in a city, while others believe that it is better to live in the countryside. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Introduction: Introduces the topic and mentions the opposing views regarding city and countryside living.

Body Paragraph 1: Discusses the advantages of living in a city, including access to amenities, job opportunities, and cultural activities.

Body Paragraph 2: Presents the benefits of living in the countryside, such as tranquillity, connection to nature, and strong communities.

Conclusion: Offers a personal perspective that acknowledges the strengths of both options and suggests that the choice should be based on individual preferences.

Living preferences between urban and rural areas have long been a subject of debate. Supporters of city living argue that it offers greater access to amenities, career opportunities, and cultural activities. Cities are often hubs of economic activity, providing a wide range of job options and higher earning potential. Additionally, urban dwellers can enjoy a plethora of entertainment choices, from theatres and museums to restaurants and shopping centres.

On the other hand, proponents of rural living emphasize the tranquillity and connection to nature that the countryside provides. They contend that life in the countryside is less stressful, offering cleaner air, less noise pollution, and a slower pace of life. Moreover, the close-knit communities in rural areas foster a sense of belonging and interpersonal relationships that can be harder to find in bustling cities.

To conclude, in my opinion, both living environments have their merits, and the choice depends on individual preferences and priorities. While cities offer convenience and a vibrant social scene, they can also be overwhelming and stressful. On the contrary, the countryside provides a peaceful and close-to-nature existence, but it might lack the opportunities and amenities that cities offer. Therefore, the ideal choice should be based on a person’s lifestyle, values, and career aspirations.

IELTS Discussion Essay Model Answer 3

Some people believe that social media has a negative impact on society, while others believe that it has a positive effect. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Introduction: Introduces the topic and states that social media’s impact on society is debated.

Body Paragraph 1: Discusses the negative effects of social media, including impacts on mental health, privacy, and interpersonal relationships.

Body Paragraph 2: Presents the positive aspects of social media, focusing on connectivity, activism, information sharing, and education.

Conclusion: Offers a personal perspective that acknowledges both sides of the argument but emphasizes the potential positive impact of responsible social media use.

The influence of social media on society is a topic of ongoing debate. Detractors argue that social media has detrimental effects on mental health, privacy, and interpersonal relationships. They claim that the constant comparison to curated online personas can lead to feelings of inadequacy and anxiety. Furthermore, the erosion of privacy due to the widespread sharing of personal information and the rise of cyberbullying are serious concerns. Critics also point out that excessive screen time detracts from face-to-face interactions, potentially weakening real-life connections.

On the other hand, proponents of social media contend that it fosters global connectivity, information sharing, and activism. Platforms like Twitter and Instagram enable individuals to voice their opinions, raise awareness about important issues, and create positive change. Social media has played a pivotal role in various social movements and humanitarian efforts, mobilizing people on a scale previously unattainable. Additionally, it allows easy access to a wide range of educational content and facilitates networking opportunities.

In conclusion, while social media has its drawbacks, its potential positive impact is significant. The power of social media to amplify voices, disseminate information, and drive social change cannot be overlooked. However, its usage should be balanced and responsible, with individuals and society collectively addressing its negative aspects, such as online toxicity and privacy concerns.

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Here are the 10 examples for the IELTS Discussion Essay:

Take your time to understand this lesson well and keep practising IELTS discussion essays using past and latest exam questions as much as you need. Constant practice is the best way to get better at it. Way to go!

If you are preparing for the IELTS Writing exam, we would recommend you practice tasks like the above-given questions regularly. The more you practice, the better you will become at cracking the writing tasks for IELTS within the dedicated timeframe.

You can also enroll in our IELTS preparation online classes to get your hands on the latest IELTS writing questions or participate in our FREE online webinars to learn how to write them directly from our band 9 IELTS experts!

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I give my opinion in an IELTS discussion essay?

Are Opinion essays and Discussion essays the same?

How do you discuss both views and give your opinion?

What are the major mistakes test takers do in the IELTS Discussion essays?

How to write the IELTS Discussion Essay?

Practice IELTS Writing Task 2 based on Essay types

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How To Plan & Write IELTS Discussion Essays

Students can find it difficult to identify IELTS discussion essays and often confuse them with either opinion essays or advantage and disadvantage essays.

This is one of the issues I’ll be covering in this lesson. I’m also going to show you how to plan and write discussion essays step-by-step.

Here’s what we’ll be covering:

• Identifying IELTS discussion essays 
• 3 Common mistakes
• Essay structure
• How to plan
• How to write an introduction
• How to write main body paragraphs
• How to write a conclusion

Want to watch and listen to this lesson?

Click on this video.

Click the links to see lessons on each of these Task 2 essay writing topics. 

Once you understand the process, practice on past questions. Take your time at first and gradually speed up until you can plan and write an essay of at least 250 words in the 40 minutes allowed in the exam.

The Question

The first part of the question for an IELTS discussion essay will be a statement containing two opposing views.

You will then be asked to discuss both sides of the argument and give your own opinion. Here is some typical wording that might be used:

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

Here's a question from a past test paper.

Some people think that zoos are cruel and should be closed down. Others, however, believe that zoos can be useful in protecting wild animals.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.

I’ll be using this question to guide you through the process of planning and writing an IELTS discussion essay.

The key to identifying this type of question is the fact that you are required to discuss BOTH views. This is different to opinion questions where you must decide between two opposing views and make an argument to support your own opinion.

Opinion essays , also known as ‘agree or disagree’ essays, a generally worded in one of these ways:

What is your opinion? / Do you agree or disagree? / To what extent do you agree or disagree?

The other essay type that students mistake for discussion essays is advantages and disadvantages essays . With these, the statement will contain just one view and the question will typically be written as shown in this sample question.

School children are using computers in school more than ever.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this and give your own opinion.

The consequence of incorrectly identifying the question type is that you will use the wrong structure for your essay. This is a major reason why people make the mistakes we’ll now look at.

3 Common Mistakes

These three errors are common in IELTS discussion essays.

• Not stating your opinion.
• Not giving arguments for both views.
• Not developing both sides of the argument equally.

The most common mistake that students make is not giving their opinion. The question will clearly state that you must choose one side of the argument to agree with. If you fail to do this, you will get a low score for task achievement.

It doesn’t matter which side of the argument you take or even, that you actually agree with it.

However, you must give equal attention to both sides. A common error is to provide a stronger argument for the view you favour. This leads to an unbalanced essay and a low score for task achievement. 

Essay Structure

Now let’s look at a simple structure you can use to write IELTS discussion essays. It’s not the only possible structure but it’s the one I recommend because it’s easy to learn and will enable you to quickly plan and write a high-level essay.

1)  Introduction

• Paraphrase the question
• State two supporting reasons
• Give your opinion

  2)  Main body paragraph 1

• Topic sentence – outline the view you don’t agree with
• Explanation – explain why this view is held by some people
• Example – give an example

 3 )  Main body paragraph 2

• Topic sentence – outline the view you do agree with

  4)  Conclusion

• Summarise the key points and state your opinion

This structure will give us a well-balanced essay with 4 paragraphs.

We now need some ideas to add into the structure and we’ll have everything we need for our essay.

How To Plan IELTS Discussion Essays

# 1  analyse the question.

This is an essential step in the planning process and will ensure that you answer the question fully. It’s quick and easy to do. You just need to identify 3 different types of words:

1. Topic words

2.  Other keywords

3.  Instruction words

We’ve already considered the instruction words (the actual question) so we’ll focus on the first two.

Topics words are the ones that identify the general subject of the question.

Some people think that zoos  are cruel and should be closed down. Others, however, believe that  zoos  can be useful in protecting wild animals.

So, this question is about ‘ zoos ’.

Many people do this first step of the process and then write about the topic in general. This is a serious mistake and leads to low marks for task achievement.

What we need to do now that we know the general topic, is to understand exactly what aspect of zoos we're being asked to write about.

The other keywords in the question tell you the specific topic you must write about. They define the opinions stated in the statement.

Some people think tha t zoos are cruel and should be closed down . Others, however, believe that zoos c an be useful in protecting wild animals .

By highlighting these words, it’s easy to see that you are being asked to write about the opposing views that zoos are cruel and should be closed down and that zoos can be useful in protecting wild animals. Your essay must only include ideas relevant to these ideas.

# 2  Decide on your opinion

As already mentioned, it doesn’t matter if you genuinely agree with the view you take in your essay or not. IELTS discussion essays are about your ability to write a well-structured essay in the English language and you will not be assessed on any opinion you might hold.

So, choose one view and make sure that your opinion is clear throughout the essay.

For this model essay, I’m going to agree with the statement that zoos are cruel and should be closed down.

# 3  Generate ideas

The next task is to generate some ideas to write about.

There are several different ways to think up ideas. I cover them fully on the  IELTS Essay Planning  page.

We’re going to use the ‘friends technique’. This is my preferred method as it allows you to take a step back from the stress of the exam situation and think more calmly.

Here’s how it works. Imagine you are chatting with a friend and they ask you the question in a casual conversation. What answers would you give them off the top of your head? Plan your essay around these ideas.

Doing this will help you to come up with simple answers in everyday language rather than straining your brain to think of amazing ideas using high level-language, which isn’t necessary.

You might want to try this yourself before reading on for my ideas.

Here are my ideas:

Cruel  – closed down:

• Cramped cages – animals distressed
• Unnatural environments
• Most animals not endangered
• Animals become a public spectacle for entertainment

Useful – protect wild animals:

• Research work to learn more about wild animals
• Breeding programmes for endangered species
• Some species saved from extinction
• Seeing wild animals close up inspires people to want to help protect them

I’ve got more ideas here than I need so I’m going to pick two to develop in the essay – one for each of the main body paragraphs.

Idea 1  –  Cramped cages & unnatural environments, animals distressed.

Idea 2  –  Breeding programmes for endangered species, some species saved from extinction.

We’re almost ready to start writing our IELTS discussion essay but first, we have one other small task to do.

# 4  Vocabulary

In an IELTS essay, it’s important to be able to say the same things in different ways, either by paraphrasing and/or using synonyms. During the planning stage, quickly jot down a few synonyms of key words you could use to save you having to stop and think of the right language while you’re writing.

For example:

zoos  – animals in captivity, collections of wild animals, menagerie, wildlife park

cruel  – to cause suffering, inhumane

protect  – safeguard, preserve

animals  – creatures, species

With that done, we can focus on the first paragraph of the essay – the introduction.

How To Write an Introduction

Good introductions to IELTS discussion essays have a simple 3 part structure:

1)  Paraphrase the question

2)  State two supporting reasons (outline statement)

3)  Give your opinion (thesis statement)

• Have 2-3 sentences
• Be 40-60 words long
• Take 5 minutes to write

Start your introduction by paraphrasing the question.

Question:   Some people think that zoos are cruel and should be closed down. Others, however, believe that zoos can be useful in protecting wild animals.

There are various phrases you can use to do this. Here are three examples. They all say the same thing using different language.

• Some people argue that… while others say that…
• It is considered by some…. while there are others who think….
• It is often argued that... whilst others disagree and think...

Choose one and add the details in the question statement in a paraphrased form. I recommend putting the view you don’t agree with first.

Paraphrased question:  

Some people argue that zoos help to preserve wild creatures, while others say that they are inhumane and should be abolished.

Note my use of synonyms. You don’t have to replace every key word but do so where possible whilst ensuring that your language sounds natural. There aren’t any suitable synonyms of ‘zoo’ that I can think of, so I've repeated this word from the statement.

2)  Thesis and outline statements

Now we need to add an  outline statement  where you outline the two main points that you’ll cover in the rest of the essay (ideas 1 and 2 above) and a  thesis statement  where you state your opinion.

Outline & thesis statements:

While the development of breeding programmes contributes to the preservation of endangered species, I believe that the poor conditions that many animals held in captivity are kept in make the existence of zoos unacceptable. 

So, let’s bring the three elements of our introduction together.

     Introduction

This introduction achieves three important functions:

• It shows the examiner that you understand the question.
• It acts as a guide to the examiner as to what your essay is about.
• It also helps to keep you focused and on track as you write.

The two ideas in your introduction will become your two main body paragraphs.

Main body paragraph 1  – Breeding programmes for endangered species, some species saved from extinction.

Main body paragraph 2  – Cramped cages & unnatural environments, animals distressed.

How To Write Main Body Paragraphs

Main body paragraphs in IELTS discussion essays should contain 3 things:

It is easier to begin by discussing the opinion you don’t agree with and then present the reasons for the opposing view that you support. So, we’ll start with idea 1.

Main Body Paragraph 1

The  topic sentence  summarises the main idea of the paragraph. That’s all it needs to do so it doesn’t have to be complicated.

It plays an important role in ensuring that your ideas flow logically from one to another. It does this by acting as a signpost for what is to come next, that is, what the paragraph will be about.

If you maintain a clear development of ideas throughout your essay, you will get high marks for task achievement and cohesion and coherence.

We’ll now take the idea for our first main body paragraph and create our topic sentence.

Topic sentence:  

On the one hand, there are many projects in existence in zoological parks around the world where species facing extinction have been successfully bred in captivity and their numbers increased substantially.

Next, we must write an  explanation sentence that expands on the idea. This explains to the examiner what we mean or why this is the case.

Explanation sentence: 

This is important for ensuring the survival of animals under threat from poaching and the destruction of their natural environments.

Finally, we add an  example  to support our main point. If you can’t think of a real example, it’s fine to make one up, as long as it’s believable. The examiner isn’t going to check your facts.

Example sentence:

A good example of this is the golden lion tamarin from Brazil which nearly died out because of logging and mining activities which are destroying its habitat. Today, a third of wild golden lion tamarins were raised in captivity.

That’s the 3 parts of our first main body paragraph complete. Here’s the finished paragraph.

We now follow the same process for our second main body paragraph.

Main Body Paragraph 2

Main idea 2  – Cramped cages & unnatural environments, animals distressed.

First, we write the  topic sentence  to summarise the main idea. I started main body paragraph 1 with the phrase ‘On the one hand...’, so main body paragraph 2 will naturally begin, ‘On the other hand... .

These are great cohesive devices to use when making a direct contrast between two opposing views and they link the ideas together well. They can be used in most IELTS discussion essays and will help to earn you a good score for cohesion and coherence.

Topic sentence:

On the other hand, a significant percentage of zoos house their animals in cramped cages with very little space to move around or behave naturally.

Now for the  explanation sentence  where we expand on this idea.

Explanation sentence:

This can lead to them becoming distressed and depressed as well as suffering physically through lack of exercise.

Finally, an  example  to support this point.

A friend of mine recently visited a wildlife park while on holiday abroad and was very upset to see the lions pacing up and down in a narrow, bare pen and eagles in enclosures so small that they were unable to fly.

That’s the 3 parts of our second main body paragraph complete. Here’s the finished paragraph.

Now we need a conclusion and our IELTS discussion essay is done.

How To Write a Conclusion

Conclusions to IELTS discussion essays should do two things:

• Summarise the main points
• State your opinion

This can generally be done in a single sentence.

If you're below the minimum 250 words after you’ve written your conclusion, you can add a prediction or recommendation statement.

Our essay currently has 231 words so we’re on target and don’t need this extra sentence but you can learn more about how to write a prediction or recommendation statement for IELTS discussion essays on the Task 2 Conclusions page.

The conclusion is the easiest sentence in the essay to write but one of the most important.

A good conclusion will:

• Neatly end the essay
• Link all your ideas together
• Sum up your argument or opinion
• Answer the question

If you achieve this, you’ll improve your score for both task achievement and cohesion and coherence which together make up 50% of the overall marks. Without a conclusion, you’ll score below band 6 for task achievement.

You can start almost any final paragraph of an IELTS discussion essay with the words:

• In conclusion

        or

• To conclude

Now all you need to do is briefly summarise the main ideas into one sentence.

Here’s a top tip . Go back and read the introduction to the essay because this is also a summary of the essay. It outlines what you are going to write about.

To create a great conclusion, you simply have to paraphrase the introduction. Let’s give it a go.

Introduction:

Here is the same information formed into a conclusion:

That’s it. We’ve completed our essay. Here it is with the 4 paragraphs put together.

Finished IELTS discussion essay.

Go through this lesson as many times as you need to in order to fully understand it and put in lots of practice writing IELTS discussion essays from past exam questions. Practice is the only way to improve your skills.

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More help with ielts discussion essays & other task 2 essays.

IELTS Writing Task 2  – T he format, the 5 question types, the 5 step essay writing strategy & sample questions. All the key information you need to know.

The 5 Types of Task 2 Essay   – How to recognise the 5 different types of Task 2 essays. 15 sample questions to study and a simple planning structure for each essay type.

Understanding Task 2 Questions  – How to quickly and easily analyse and understand IELTS Writing Task 2 questions.

How To Plan a Task 2 Essay  – Discover why essay planning is essential & learn a simple 4 step strategy, the 4 part essay structure & 4 methods of generating ideas.

How To Write a Task 2 Introduction  – Find out why a good introduction is essential. Learn how to write one using a simple 3 part strategy & discover 4 common mistakes to avoid.

How To Write Task 2 Main Body Paragraphs  – Learn the simple 3 part structure for writing great main body paragraphs and also, 3 common mistakes to avoid. 

How To Write Task 2 Conclusions  – Learn the easy way to write the perfect conclusion for a Task 2 essay. Also discover 4 common mistakes to avoid.

Task 2 Marking Criteria  – Find out how to meet the marking criteria in Task 2. See examples of good and poor answers & learn some common mistakes to avoid.

The 5 Task 2 Essay Types:

Step-by-step instructions on how to plan & write high-level essays. Model answers & common mistakes to avoid.

   Opinion Essays

   Discussion Essays

  Problem Solution Essays

  Advantages & Disadvantages Essays

  Double Question Essays

Other Related Pages

IELTS Writing Test  – Understand the format & marking criteria, know what skills are assessed & learn the difference between the Academic & General writing tests.

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How to Write a Discussion Essay – Complete Writing Guide

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A discussion essay is where you take a position on an issue. To compose it, start by agreeing with a particular position, investigating your point, and illustrate your exposition prior to launching into the introduction and your thesis statement . Create a strong argument in the body of your article, and utilize your decision to make it all together without introducing new data.

What is a Discussion Essay?

A discussion essay is a paper that requires you to analyze the two sides of a circumstance and to close by saying which side you favor. These are known as discussions for or against essays. In this sense, the scholastic significance of the word discuss is like its ordinary importance of two individuals discussing a theme from various sides. For a discussion article, a decent view is ordinarily fundamental. This makes discussion papers different from persuasive articles , for which just one side of the contention is given. When composing a discussion article, ensure that realities and suppositions are obviously isolated. Frequently you will look at what others have just said on a similar subject and incorporate this data utilizing rewording and summing up aptitudes, as well as correct citations.

Examples of Discussion Essay Topics

Here are the discussion essay topics

• Inspect the contentions for and against the death penalty.
• Schools should show youngsters scholarly subjects as well as significant fundamental abilities. Examine.
• What are the preferences and disservices of innovation in the homeroom?
• Is capital punishment effective?
• Is our political process reasonable?
• Is torment ever acceptable?
• Should men get paternity leave from work?
• Are school regalia helpful?
• Do we have a reasonable tax system?
• Do curfews keep teenagers out of trouble?
• Is cheating out of control?
• Is it accurate to say that we are dependent on PCs?
• Should creatures be utilized for research?
• Should cigarette smoking be restricted?
• Are phones hazardous?
• Are law enforcement cameras an attack of security?
• Do we have an expendable society?
• Is youngster conduct preferable or more terrible over it was years back?
• Should organizations market to youngsters?
• Should the public authority have a say in our eating regimens?
• Does access to condoms forestall adolescent pregnancy?
• Should individuals from Congress have service term limits?

Discussion Essay Structure

Your article ought to have the best structure. Here are the things that a decent article structure needs

In spite of the fact that the structure of a discussion essay may fluctuate as indicated by length and subject, there are a few segments which most discussion articles share for all intents and purpose. In addition to general explanations and thesis statements which all great paper introductions contain, the situation of the author will frequently be expressed, alongside applicable definitions. The fundamental body will inspect contentions for (in at least one section) and contentions against (additionally in at least one passage). The determination will contain a rundown of the central matters, and will regularly close with suggestions; in view of what you believe are the main thoughts in the exposition. The end may likewise contain your assessment on the subject, additionally dependent on the former proof.

Here is a summary of various components of a discussion essay structure.

Introduction

The purpose of the introduction is to arouse the interest of the reader.

The introduction should determine what you will talk about in the discussion essay. You will clarify the question in your own words and afterward characterize your essential contention. This is likewise called composing a thesis statement . End it by determining what you will do and how. When done, change the section and start with the body.

The main body is the place where all the arguments and their support of the discussion essay will be found. You have to do nothing but explain the points written in the introduction in a detailed manner. The brilliant guideline to follow is one Idea, one Paragraph.

Keep in mind; you are not composing a secondary school exposition. Try not to be so astounded. Think more than what you see. Look from an alternate point of view and figure what others might think by taking a look at what you are being approached to depict. Discussion papers additionally need critical thinking. You can’t simply overlook this.

How to form your arguments

Suppose that you have been asked to discuss the recent flood in Queensland . A novice will discuss the following:

Obliterating

The garages have been closed down however houses look OK

The roads are overflowed

A few trees are blown to the streets

To avoid such, you have to think critically for a discussion essay.

You will get pointers like –

In spite of the fact that the houses are alright, were there individuals caught?

Are the houses damaged to fall at any second?

Do individuals need rescuing?

Is there new water in the taps?

Is power still working after trees have fallen?

What to Write?

The conversation should be about the occasions. Clarify in detail what occurred, what you experienced, and what are the realities spinning around the said occasion. Taking the above model further, you can utilize historical information in your discussion essay.

Compose the thoughts in a sensible way. By coherent, I imply that each thought should be communicated with the end goal that it is associated with the following one. The reader ought not to feel like an uneven ride where the author is tossing one contention after another. Remember to specify the main points. Underscore on them. Disclose them to the readers. The discussion essay depends on investigation and questioning. The more you read, the more you search and the more you justify, the better will be your conversation. Composing a 1000 word long substance isn’t simple, particularly when it is a scholastic one. Hence, make it a habit to set up a psyche map or a conceptualizing note. Composing a discussion essay will resemble a piece of cake with this. Sit alone with the point and record all that you know.

Investigate all the measurements that are conceivable, everything about is connected and you can consider them. Subsequent to conceptualizing once, you ought to recognize the defects and search for loopholes. If you don’t discover deficiencies in the discussion essay, the educator will.

Read more: How to Write a Critical Analysis Essay

Whenever you have composed the paper, the time has come to wrap it up. Like every single beneficial thing, the discussion essay will likewise end. The decision is only a redundancy of what has just been discussed in the paper above. You won’t present another contention here and just express the general and clear derivations. Continuously make sure to give the paper an excellent end. Try not to leave the readers hanging and give a response to the title or discussion essay question eventually.

Tips for Writing a Discussion Essay

Basic conversation expositions call upon understudies to utilize their minds and examine certain assessments, proclamations, and contentions. Elegantly composed college discussion essays feature an essayist’s keenness and insightful capacities and have an enduring effect on their readers.

Here are the discussion essay tips that will astutely manage you through your creative cycle.

Comprehend your objectives first

Discussion articles on any theme require that understudies present their contentions and conversations on an opinion, an assertion, or a generally acknowledged standard. The most common question discussion essay formats are:

• Opinion based inquiries
• Advantages and Disadvantages questions
• Discussions
• Agree or Disagree questions

Two-part questions

For an opinion based inquiries, you need to comprehend the setting of the given assertion with a receptive outlook. Cautiously go through the question and discover the importance and rationale of the given assertion. Attempt to comprehend the perspective of the speaker through their words.

The essay topic question may give you a preferences and burdens explanation. Assess both from your viewpoint without partiality. There may be inquiries that pose you to concur or differ with a given assertion. Pick one specific way and afterward clarify why you believe it’s the most legitimate one. Two-part question types need you to address the two inquiries individually.

Create a mental blueprint for the whole essay

Having a fundamental blueprint of your composing prepared in your psyche is consistently a good thought. Conceptualize to think of ideas that you will utilize while composing.

For instance, in the introduction, quickly notice the setting of given statements and afterward uphold or repudiate it. Rework the inquiry in your words to make it more significant.

You should plan on the most proficient method to decipher the offered thoughts. Brainstorm the different approaches to introduce a discussion about the opposing views in the body of the essay.

The conclusion of a discussion paper should end with emphasis. Express your assessment and suggestions here. Compose it well to have a lasting impression on your instructor.

Be cohesive while presenting your arguments

The perspectives and suppositions you express are a vital piece of the grading criteria. Educators evaluate your mindfulness about a subject and your critical thinking capacities by means of your assessment.

Continuously be cohesive while introducing your contentions and try not to offer any shallow expressions. If you choose to introduce a supporting contention, at that point stick to it. Convey your viewpoint with emphasis to place everything into point of view.

Regardless of whether the inquiry poses to you about your judgment or advises you to consider something, express your focuses firmly and back them to expand the heaviness of your composition.

Break down sentiments with no inclination

To describe this specific point precisely, here’s a model:

“Finishing college training is viewed as fundamental for obtaining work. Then again, a few people think learning soft skills and getting in-hand experience is more significant. Examine the two sentiments and express your own.”

For the above-given inquiry, the primary passage will contain how college training improves one’s information base but how it likewise neglects to bestow the essential expert abilities.

The second paragraph will evaluate how soft skills and early job experiences prepare one against the realities of the professional world. You also must mention how one’s knowledge remains lacking in avoiding higher studies.

The point here is that you should take a look at each assessment from a few viewpoints. Come at the situation from others’ perspective and attempt to comprehend the circumstance of the individual offering the expression. Continuously be fair in your approach and make sure to back up your contentions with thinking.

Follow the structure that suits your inquiry

Familiarise yourself with discussion paper tests, and you will see that their structures change as indicated by the subject. A regular discussion essay format comprises an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Given underneath is an overall arrangement of a conversation paper structure:

In the introduction of a discussion paper, the given issue is paraphrased and the offered thoughts, explanations, and contentions are described. The thesis statement and the outline sentence are added at the end.

For the body, start by expressing the given perspectives alongside appropriate models. For each new assessment, examine it in another paragraph. If it’s an upsides and downsides question, one area ought to depict favorable circumstances while the other one the inconveniences. The same goes for the inquiry and answer issues and two-section questions.

Sum up taking everything in the conclusion. Quickly clarify why you upheld or invalidated any assessment, and furthermore mention your standpoint. Wrap up everything by offering some helpful proposals.

Follow the correct paper structure since a major piece of your evaluations rely on a well laid out discussion essay presentation.

Keep a reliable tone all through

Remember your readers while composing. A formal and expert tone of composing is fundamental for these papers. Utilize specialized terms and complicated words if need be, as your school educators will comprehend what you are stating.

When emphasizing your points, ensure you don’t exaggerate or disregard others’ assessments. Talk about everything from a nonpartisan viewpoint and never utilize any conversational words.

Read more to improve your writing skills

Peruse discussion paper models regularly to gain proficiency with the composing styles, words utilized, and some other indispensable factors. Go through reviews dependent on various conversation article thoughts to study the composing best practices.

However, if the submission deadline is breathing down your neck, you can always avail of a reputed academic writing service that will write your essay with as much care as you would have.

Select a suitable topic for the exposition. The point should be one that intrigues you. You are required to talk about all the sides of the issues that encompass the exposition. Extraordinary exploration with proper proof will help an incredible arrangement by giving appropriate data to the paper.

The layout of the conversation exposition should be made utilizing a pen and paper. The essential objective now includes getting the contemplations on the topic organized in writing. An itemized layout could be composed for the conversation exposition utilizing the formal customary blueprint and numbers, which isolates the primary concerns. Another way, of thinking of the diagram, includes writing down the primary concerns of conversation which you need to cover in the body.

Focus to compose the exposition in an accompanying manner. The goals in the acquaintance of the task are to have all issues identified with the point presented. The presentation additionally offers the reader with fundamental foundation data. You are required to clarify the significant terms or words that are utilized in the article. Furnishing the reader with the fundamental review of the organization of the conversation guarantees that the progression of thought is perceived in the entire article body.

The body of the paper can be composed with the assistance of the research sources gathered. Each issue should be introduced unbiasedly and exclusively. You should begin by talking about a solitary side then the opposite side of the contention, which is identified with the given theme. The contentions in the body should be reformist starting with frail contentions or issues and advancing to the more grounded contention. A very organized conversation exposition encourages the reader to follow the progression of thought in a simple manner with no interruption.

The last part of the conversation paper is the article’s conclusion. The part of end includes summing up the data from the body of the exposition. The end makes the reader survey the merits and demerits of the contention point. Much of the time, you are not expected to pick any side of the contention. On the off chance that you chose to choose a specific side of the contention, you would have to show your conclusion on the argument.

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How To Write A Discussion Essay

One of the first things you should do is read the marking criteria  to see what the examiners expect. This is really important, as you need to know what they are looking for in the band 7+ boxes. 

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WRITING TASK 2 Discuss Both Views and Give Your Opinion Essay STRUCTURE

TIP >>  It is very important that spend a full 40 minutes on this task as the score you get for writing task 2 is two-thirds of your total writing score. You also need to write a minimum of 250 words and use your own ideas. 

IT IS A 5-PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE >>

This is the introduction to the essay and where you should start off by paraphrasing the question. 

This means that you rewrite the question in your own words using synonyms. You can’t just copy the question again or use the same words in the question. Paraphrase and show off your vocabulary knowledge by using synonyms. When practising your essay writing, use an online thesaurus  to help you. This is a great tool and can help you to learn many new words.

The last sentence in the introduction should outline for the examiner exactly what you will discuss in the main body paragraphs. For example, ‘ this essay will discuss both views and state my own position’.

There are three sentences you need in the introduction >>

The example you give could be something from your own experience or made up – it is ok to make up something as the examiners will not fact check your information. They want to see your ability to use English at a certain level. You could make up an example from a report, journal, newspaper or University study to support your view. 

EXPRESSING YOUR OPINION >>

Sequencing ideas >>, sample discuss both points of view and give your own opinion essay >>.

Thirdly, in my opinion, I believe that the internet can bring people closer together, as it can make both socialising and work much easier for those who travel. Communities can speak freely at any time, in groups, asking for help or advice, though it is up to the individuals to acknowledge how much time they are spending online and whether this is a cause for concern. Isolation cannot be blamed on the internet, as it is just a tool to use, the individual must be in charge of their own time. For example, a person who works from home online for many hours in the day should make sure they have adequate breaks and make time for socialising, as to not feel isolated or removed from their own community.   

WRITING TASK 2 BAND SCORE 9 CRITERIA >>

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1. Choose Your Topic

2. outline your essay, outline your points, 3. draft your introduction, 4. good discussion in the body of your essay, 5. conclude your essay, how to write a discussion essay.

A discussion essay presents and discusses issues surrounding a particular topic--usually one that is debatable and open to argument. A good argumentative essay must include a thorough discussion of both sides of the issue, including main points to support your argument and its counterargument. It should also provide a well-rounded understanding of the issues before the writer presents their personal own opinions and conclusions.

What is an IELTS Discussion Essay?

The International English Language Testing System is an international standardized test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers.

Example of an IELTS Discussion essay

Some believe language provides cohesion to a country, while others believe diverse languages bring diversity and vibrancy. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

As with most persuasive essay formats, the essay's quality relies primarily on the writer's ability to provide solid research and evidence to present different views of the topic.

Practicing your writing skills as you write a discussion essay is a great way to grow as a writer. Let’s dive into the essay structure and components of a successful discussion essay.

Choose your discussion essay topic. When choosing this topic, make sure it is one that you're interested in personally since this will be easier for you to write. You'll need to discuss both sides of the argument surrounding the discussion essay topic, so ensure that you have access to good research that provides pertinent information. Writing only one side of the argument will result in an undeveloped discussion essay, which probably won’t receive a good score.

Outline your discussion essay. This outline should include a rough draft of your thesis statement, main argument, opposing argument, other main points and a rough draft of your conclusion. Your goal at this point is to get your thoughts on the discussion essay topic organized and in writing.

You can write a detailed outline for your discussion essay, using traditional outline format--letters and numbers to separate key points--or you can simply jot down a list of the main discussion points you plan to cover in order to answer the essay question or address the essay topic.

Next, write your introduction. According to the Open University, your goal in the introduction of your discussion essay is to introduce the issues relating to the topic and to provide your reader with important background information. Your introduction is essentially setting the scene for your reader so they are prepared to digest the argument you’ll be presenting. Providing your reader with a simple overview of how your discussion essay is organized will ensure that she understands your flow of thought throughout the body of the essay.

Most importantly, at the end of your introductory paragraph you must include a well developed thesis statement. One of the most common mistakes made when writing introduction paragraphs is leaving out the thesis statement, which is one sentence that firmly asserts what side of the argument you will be arguing throughout the work. Be specific in your points and make sure it is a strong closing to this first paragraph, as it will set the tone for the rest of your essay.

Write the body paragraphs of your discussion essay using any research sources that you have collected. Typically, you should present each issue individually and impartially, discussing first one side of the argument and then the other side of each argument that relates to your topic. Ensuring that each paragraph is roughly the same size as the other will make the presentation of facts seem balanced to the reader as well. Each paragraph should begin with a topic sentence that smoothly transitions from the previous paragraph while simultaneously introducing the new topic covered in the upcoming one.

Progress through your body arguments in order, starting with your weakest argument or issue and progressing to the strongest. This structure allows your reader to follow your flow of thought easily without getting distracted. When deciding how to use sources, try to use the same number of quotes and sources for each argument. If you use three quotes to support your main argument, strive to use three quotes to present the opposing view as well.

Write your discussion essay conclusion. Your goal with your conclusion is to summarize the overall information from the body of the discussion essay, leading the reader to mentally review the pros and cons of the topic argument. Although you don't technically have to be in favor of one side of the discussion yourself, if you are, be sure to present your own conclusions in this paragraph rather than earlier in the essay.

Once you have finished your conclusion, part of wrapping up your essay is going back through it and checking for grammatical errors. Check to make sure you have not copied any quotes directly from other sources, as this would result in a plagiarism charge, especially if your professor screens your essay through a writing service that checks for plagiarized work. Always write using your own words. Using your own words not only saves you from plagiarism issues, but also helps with essay coherence since the rest of the work has been written in your tone of voice.

On the final page of your discussion essay you will also include all of the citations for sources you quoted or summarized information from. Whether citing in MLA or APA format, double check the style and order of your citations for accuracy before turning it in.

Regan Hennessy has been writing professionally for 11 years. A copywriter and certified teacher, Hennessy specializes in the areas of parenting, health, education, agriculture and personal finance. She has produced content for various websites and graduated from Lycoming College with a Bachelor of Arts in English.

Estructura y recomendaciones para que tu opinion essay sea perfecto

Si piensas estudiar una carrera en ingl茅s o vas a presentar una prueba de nivel, este art铆culo es para ti. Te explicaremos todo lo referente al opinion essay , lo que en espa帽ol ser铆a como un ensayo o art铆culo de opini贸n. Si no eres estudiante pero te interesa mejorar tu ingl茅s escrito, tambi茅n te funcionar谩.

Un opinion essay es un escrito formal en el que su autor puede plasmar su opini贸n sobre un tema en espec铆fico. La idea es que no solo presentes tu punto de vista, sino que adem谩s argumentes tu posici贸n, ya sea a favor o contra, con datos s贸lidos para poder generar una conclusi贸n final. Adem谩s de presentar los argumentos a favor, tambi茅n es importante presentar la visi贸n contraria a nuestra posici贸n. Este tipo de art铆culo es com煤n en las pruebas para obtener certificaciones de ingl茅s, en niveles como B1, B2 o C1. 

Recomendaciones para escribir un opinion essay

Antes de conocer la estructura para escribir un opinion essay en ingl茅s, veamos algunas recomendaciones que te ayudar谩n:

• Usa siempre un lenguaje formal , en este tipo de art铆culo no es v谩lido el lenguaje informal. No uses contracciones, phrasal verbs , ni idioms .
• Utiliza conectores que te permitan unir un p谩rrafo con otro con sentido. Evita repetirlos constantemente.
• Para redactar un opinion essay efectivamente, tu ingl茅s debe ser bueno , sino est谩s en un nivel intermedio o avanzado es mejor que te prepares antes de hacerlo.
• Cada p谩rrafo deber铆a tener una idea principal a desarrollar . Evita p谩rrafos y oraciones largas que cansan al lector.
• Antes de comenzar tu art铆culo define cu谩l ser谩 tu opini贸n , esto te ayudar谩 a estructurarlo adecuadamente. Esta posici贸n debes dejarla clara desde el inicio de tu escrito. 
•  Para hacer este tipo de art铆culos debes investigar ya que necesitas datos, hechos, fuentes que sustenten tu posici贸n.
• Escribe en un solo tiempo verbal , si es en presente simple , mantenlo en todo el art铆culo. 
• El t铆tulo es un punto clave en tu escrito, debes pensarlo bien. Evita titular con una pregunta. En el t铆tulo debe quedar claro tu opini贸n sobre el tema a tratar. 
• Mant茅n la objetividad en tu escrito, a pesar de que es un art铆culo de opini贸n no debes dejarte llevar solo por las emociones, trata de ser objetivo.
• Antes de escribir ten claro el objetivo de tu ensayo y el p煤blico al que va dirigido. Haz un bosquejo de las ideas principales, selecciona las m谩s importantes y descarta aquellas que no son v谩lidas.

Estructura para escribir un opinion essay

Antes de comenzar a escribir un ensayo opinion essay debes conocer la estructura correcta, que se divide b谩sicamente en tres puntos: introducci贸n, cuerpo y conclusi贸n. Veamos en detalle uno por uno para que comiences a escribir tu propio ensayo de opini贸n:

Introducci贸n

En este primer punto de nuestro escrito debemos ubicar al lector sobre qu茅 leer谩 . Como su nombre lo dice, la introducci贸n hace referencia a introducir nuestra visi贸n, es decir, dar una idea de qu茅 tratar谩 nuestro ensayo.

En este pre谩mbulo debes exponer el tema a tratar y enganchar al lector. Para esto puedes ayudarte con cifras, datos o hechos reales que sean atractivos y determinantes. Si tu introducci贸n no es lo suficientemente atractiva tendr谩s pocas posibilidades de que el lector contin煤e. As铆 que debes esmerarte por comenzar fuerte, claro y contundente. Para comenzar a introducir estos datos o hechos te dejamos algunas frases en ingl茅s que te funcionar谩n en tu opinion essay :

Cuerpo principal

Tras realizar la introducci贸n debemos comenzar a desarrollar nuestro art铆culo de opini贸n. Aqu铆 debemos exponer todos los argumentos que sustentan nuestra opini贸n. La recomendaci贸n es trabajar por cada p谩rrafo un argumento. Recuerda que los argumentos pueden ser en contra o favor de una posici贸n, todo depender谩 de la postura que te plantees asumir. 

Lo ideal es que comiences tu primer p谩rrafo del cuerpo del ensayo con el argumento m谩s fuerte, el que sustenta tu opini贸n. En el segundo p谩rrafo podr谩s exponer el segundo argumento m谩s importantes y as铆 vas sucesivamente explicando por p谩rrafo cada argumento en orden de prioridad. Normalmente los ensayos se componen de aproximadamente cinco p谩rrafos.

Para que tus p谩rrafos sean f谩ciles de leer debes estructurarlos bien. Evita las oraciones largas y p谩rrafos complejos. Ve al grano sin dejar de usar un lenguaje formal y siempre con un argumento que justifique lo que est谩s escribiendo. Para expresar opini贸n tendr谩s que usar algunas frases que te ayudar谩n a presentar tu punto de vista sobre el tema que est谩s escribiendo. 隆Toma nota!

Todas estas frases te ayudar谩n al momento que expreses tu opini贸n en ingl茅s en tu art铆culo de opinion essay . Debes escoger la m谩s apropiada seg煤n sea el caso, como ves hay unas m谩s formales y otras m谩s coloquiales y directas. Para que no siempre uses las mismas, puedes ir variando en cada p谩rrafo a medida que vayas explicando los argumentos.

Veamos algunos ejemplos para expresar opini贸n:

In my opinion, educator salaries need to be improved. / En mi opini贸n, es necesario mejorar los sueldos de los educadores. From my point of view, you have to regulate internet content. / Desde mi punta vista hay que regular los contenidos de internet. I disagree with current public policies. / No estoy de acuerdo con las pol铆ticas p煤blicas vigentes.

Para poder estructurar tus p谩rrafos con sentido utiliza como te mencionamos arriba los famosos conectores. Aqu铆 te dejamos algunos 煤tiles, pero te invitamos a leer nuestro art铆culo de conectores en ingl茅s (linking words) donde encontrar谩s much铆simos m谩s.

Hay much铆simos conectores que puedes usar, no uses siempre los mismos. De igual forma en la lista anterior te dejamos algunos que sirven para estructurar el orden de tus ideas. Aqu铆 tienes algunos ejemplos:

If you can consume energy, you can do work and, therefore , create more. / Si eres capaz de consumir energ铆a, puedes trabajar y, por lo tanto, crear m谩s. It’s very romantic, even if the language is a bit stilted. / Es muy rom谩ntico, incluso si el lenguaje es un poco forzado. But above all , I think it lost touch with its subjects. / Pero sobre todo, creo que perdi贸 el contacto con sus temas.

En la 煤ltima parte de tu opinion essay deber谩s realizar una conclusi贸n que concentre las ideas principales de tu escrito y termine de reforzar tu opini贸n al respecto. Muchas veces los estudiantes subestiman la conclusi贸n y no se esfuerzan en hacer un buen cierre, lo cual es un grave error. Tu conclusi贸n debe ser igual de importante que el resto del escrito, as铆 que no lo tomes a la ligera solo por poner fin. 

Aqu铆 te dejamos unas frases 煤tiles que te servir谩n al momento de indicar la conclusi贸n de tu opinion essay :

Veamos a continuaci贸n un ejemplo de un opinion essay partiendo de una pregunta ya formulada, es decir no partimos de un tema libre. Este es m谩s un estilo de prueba oficial, por ejemplo IELTS, donde te dan un tema en concreto y deber谩s presentar tu posici贸n al respecto:

It is argued that earning lots of money has more significance to people than being content in their work. This essay totally disagrees with that statement. I believe that people are increasingly concerned about the risk of stress-related ill-health frequently experienced by people in highly paid positions and they care more about feeling fulfilled at work. Employees who earn a large income are generally under significant mental and emotional pressure to perform well and achieve targets. This causes many individuals to suffer high levels of stress which can result in mental health problems. This happened to my uncle. He used to boast about his huge salary but the boss kept increasing his sales targets and in the end, the stress became too great and he had a nervous breakdown. Now he regrets being driven by the money. Having a job that they enjoy doing, and in which they feel valued, is a major concern for most of the modern workforce. A significant number of people are giving up well-paid positions to do jobs which pay less but that they find more enjoyable and less stressful. I am an example of this myself. A year ago I left the teaching profession because the workload had become too great, and I am now a gardener. I feel really fulfilled in this work and I am much more relaxed and happy even though I earn far less money. In conclusion, for a high percentage of the population, earning a substantial wage is less important than job satisfaction because of the negative effects of work-related stress and the desire to feel happy and fulfilled at work. (272 words)

Mientras domines todas las frases propuestas en este art铆culo, te ser谩 muy sencillo escribir tu opinion essay si ya tienes claro cu谩l es tu opini贸n y argumentos. Al finalizar la redacci贸n puedes recurrir a un corrector gramatical como herramienta para evitar cualquier error en tu escrito. As铆 que te invitamos a leer nuestro art铆culo sobre 驴cu谩l es el mejor corrector gramatical? para que tengas las mejores opciones a la hora de revisar tus art铆culos y as铆 entregar algo profesional sin errores gramaticales ni ortogr谩ficos.

Ahora que ya sabes que es un opinion essay , conoces su estructura y tienes claras las principales recomendaciones es momento de practicar. Para complementar lo aprendido te dejamos este video sobre c贸mo escribir un opinion essay , te ser谩 muy 煤til si vas a presentar una prueba en el nivel intermedio o alto para obtener una certificaci贸n del idioma. Este tipo de ensayos te ayudar谩n a mejorar tu writing , mientras m谩s escribas ver谩s que cada vez se te har谩 m谩s sencillo y adem谩s estar谩s enriqueciendo tu vocabulario, ya que te obliga a investigar palabras nuevas acordes a los temas a escribir.

Si necesitas ayuda de un profesor puedes inscribirte en nuestras clases de ingl茅s online en donde contar谩s con el apoyo y las herramientas necesarias para aprender el idioma. Te ofrecemos clases particulares y tambi茅n soluciones para empresas. Adem谩s, en Phone English ponemos a tu disposici贸n una clase gratis para que puedas conocer nuestro servicio. 隆Cont谩ctanos ya! 

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• Post date 29/04/2021
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Cách viết Discussion Essay và bài mẫu trong IELTS Writing Task 2

Hướng dẫn cách viết dạng bài discussion essay từng bước cụ thể ghi điểm cao. Cùng với bài mẫu tham khảo & các sai lầm phổ biến cần tránh & tips làm bài.

Chủ đề bài viết

Đối với IELTS Writing Task 2 , bạn sẽ được yêu cầu viết một bài luận về một chủ đề bất kỳ với nhiều dạng bài khác nhau, trong đó discussion essay là dạng bài rất phổ biến. Thí sinh đôi khi khó nhận biết dạng bài này bởi thường nhầm lẫn với dạng bài opinion essay hay advantage/disadvantage essay. Bài viết sau đây IDP IELTS chia sẻ đến bạn cũng như cách nhận biết, cách viết discussion essay và bài mẫu tham khảo.

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1. Discussion essay là gì?

Dạng discussion essay trong IELTS Writing sẽ đưa ra hai vấn đề/quan điểm trái ngược nhau và yêu cầu người viết bàn luận về cả hai vấn đề/quan điểm đó và đưa ra ý kiến cá nhân của mình. Điều quan trọng là bạn cần giữ được tính khách quan khi phân tích các khía cạnh của vấn đề, rồi từ đó mới đưa ra ý kiến cá nhân. Dưới đây là một số yêu cầu đề bài thường gặp:

Discuss both views and give your opinion. 

Discuss both these views and then give your own opinion. 

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

Some people think that zoos are cruel and should be closed down. Others, however, believe that zoos can be useful in protecting wild animals.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

In many countries, traditional foods are being replaced by international fast food. Many people think that it is good to eat traditional food while others believe that fast food is a good choice.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

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2. Cách nhận biết discussion essay

Nếu đề bài yêu cầu như Discuss both these views…/Discuss both views…/Discuss both sides …thì chính là dạng bài discussion essay. Chìa khóa nhận biết là đề bài đưa ra một vấn đề với hai ý kiến trái chiều và bạn cần bàn luận cả hai, và đưa thêm quan điểm cá nhân của chính bạn. Thí sinh thường nhầm lẫn dạng bài opinion và advantages/disadvantages.

Dạng bài opinion essay yêu cầu bạn đưa ra một quan điểm và dùng những lý luận để phân tích quan điểm đó. 

Dạng bài advantages/disadvantages đưa ra một vấn đề, có thể là một sự phát triển về mặt nào đó, sau đó yêu cầu bạn đưa ra các ưu điểm và nhược điểm của xu hướng này. 

3. Những lỗi thường gặp trong discussion essay

Khi bạn xác định sai dạng bài, bài luận sẽ không đáp ứng yêu cầu đề bài. Sau đây là 3 sai lầm thường gặp khi làm bài discussion essay:

Không đưa ra ý kiến ​​​​cá nhân.

Không phân tích hai mặt quan điểm.

Không phân tích hai mặt quan điểm một cách đồng đều.

Sai lầm phổ biến nhất mà thí sinh mắc phải là không đưa ra ý kiến cá nhân ​​của mình. Đề bài yêu cầu bạn nêu ý kiến cá nhân, liệu sau khi phân tích thì cuối cùng bạn nghiêng về bên nào hơn. Nếu bạn không trình bày được, bạn sẽ không ghi điểm cho tiêu chí Task achievement (khả năng hoàn thành yêu cầu bài thi).

Bạn hãy nhớ rằng, không quan trọng bạn đồng ý khía cạnh nào của quan điểm hoặc thậm chí là bạn đồng ý với nó như thế nào. Tuy nhiên, bạn phải phân tích đồng đều cho cả hai vế. Lỗi mà thí sinh thường mắc phải là phân tích quan điểm họ đồng tình sâu sắc hơn, dẫn đến sự mất cân bằng trong lập luận của cả hai quan điểm.

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4. Cấu trúc của một bài discussion essay

Cấu trúc bài là một phần quan trọng không thể thiếu khi viết bất kỳ dạng bài nào. Tương tự như các dạng essay khác, discussion essay bao gồm 3 phần chính mở bài, thân bài, kết bài.

Cấu trúc này sẽ giúp bài discussion essay cân đối. Sau đây là các bước chuẩn bị giúp bạn làm bài hiệu quả.

5. Các bước chuẩn bị viết discussion essay

Bước 1: phân tích đề bài.

Phân tích đề bài là một bước quan trọng trong quá trình chuẩn bị đảm bảo bạn hoàn thành bài luận theo yêu cầu đề bài. Bước này vô cùng dễ thực hiện. Bạn chỉ cần xác định 3 ý sau:

Xác định chủ đề cần bàn luận là gì.

Xác định quan điểm/vấn đề của chủ đề.

Xác định yêu cầu đề bài.

Chủ đề nói về zoos .

Sau khi bạn xác định được chủ đề thì hãy xác định quan điểm mà đề bài yêu cầu viết về. 

Some people think that zoos are cruel and should be closed down . Others, however, believe that zoos can be useful in protecting wild animals .

Thông qua những từ khóa này, đề bài yêu cầu viết về hai quan điểm trái ngược nhau. Sở thú là nơi tàn nhẫn và không nên hoạt động, mặc khác cho rằng chúng hữu ích trong việc bảo vệ động vật hoang dã. Bạn cần phân tích hai quan điểm này.

Xem thêm: Làm sao để hiểu đề bài luận trong Writing Task 2

Bước 2: Chọn quan điểm mà bạn đồng ý

Giám khảo đánh giá bài luận của bạn thông qua khả năng viết tiếng Anh với một cấu trúc tốt hay không, không quan trọng là bạn đồng ý với quan điểm nào. Vì vậy, bạn có thể chọn quan điểm nào mà bạn đồng tình và đảm bảo nó rõ ràng, thống nhất trong bài luận. Đối với đề bài này, bạn có thể đồng ý với nhận định rằng sở thú là nơi tàn nhẫn và không nên hoạt động.

Bước 3: Lên ý tưởng & Lập dàn ý bài discussion essay

Bước tiếp theo là lên một số ý tưởng và lập dàn ý để viết.

Để không căng thẳng và bình tĩnh suy nghĩ trong lúc làm bài, bạn hãy tưởng tượng bạn đang trò chuyện với một người và họ hỏi bạn câu hỏi thường nhật. Bạn sẽ trả lời họ như thế nào? Từ đó, hãy lập dàn ý cho bài luận từ những ý tưởng trả lời của bạn.

Cách này sẽ giúp bạn đưa ra câu trả lời đơn giản với từ ngữ không quá phức tạp. Hãy thử mẹo này nhé.

Đây là một số ý tưởng bạn có thể tham khảo:

Cruel – closed down:

Cramped cages – animals distressed

Unnatural environments

Most animals not endangered

Animals become a public spectacle for entertainment

Useful – protect wild animals:

Research work to learn more about wild animals

Breeding programmes for endangered species

Some species saved from extinction

Seeing wild animals close up inspires people to want to help protect them

Trên đây có khá nhiều ý tưởng, bạn có thể chọn hai ý để làm luận cứ phân tích và bàn luận cho hai quan điểm.

Idea 1 – Cramped cages & unnatural environments, animals distressed.

Idea 2 – Breeding programmes for endangered species, some species saved from extinction.

Bước 4: Chuẩn bị từ vựng

Trong bài luận IELTS, điều quan trọng là có thể diễn đạt cùng một ý nghĩa theo những cách khác nhau, bằng cách paraphrase hoặc sử dụng từ đồng nghĩa. Trong bước lập dàn ý, hãy nhanh chóng ghi lại một vài từ đồng nghĩa mà bạn có thể sử dụng.

zoos – animals in captivity, collections of wild animals, menagerie, wildlife park

cruel – to cause suffering, inhumane

protect – safeguard, preserve

animals – creatures, species

Sau khi hoàn tất các bước chuẩn bị, chúng ta bắt tay vào việc viết bài.

6. Hướng dẫn cách viết discussion essay

Cách viết phần mở bài.

Phần mở bài của discussion essay gồm 3 phần đơn giản:

Paraphrase câu hỏi.

Tổng quan ý tưởng sẽ phân tích cho hai quan điểm mà bạn đề cập trong phần thân bài.

Đưa ra ý kiến cá nhân.

Phần mở bài nên từ 2 - 3 câu. 40 - 60 từ. Dành 5 phút để viết.

Paraphrase câu hỏi

Bắt đầu phần mở bài bằng cách paraphrase câu hỏi.

Bạn có thể sử dụng nhiều cụm từ để paraphrase câu hỏi. Sau đây là ví dụ các cụm từ khác nhau nhưng thể hiện cùng ý nghĩa.

Some people argue that… while others say that…

It is considered by some…. while there are others who think….

It is often argued that... whilst others disagree and think...

Chọn một trong các ví dụ trên và paraphrase câu hỏi. Bạn có thể đề cập quan điểm mà bạn không đồng ý trước.

Lưu ý việc sử dụng từ đồng nghĩa trong ví dụ mẫu. Bạn không cần phải thay thế các từ trong câu, bạn có thể thay bằng từ khác nếu nó phù hợp và tự nhiên.

Tổng quan ý tưởng và luận điểm cá nhân

Tiếp theo, bạn cần thêm một câu tổng quan về ý tưởng để làm luận cứ cho hai quan điểm mà bạn sẽ trình bày trong phần thân bài (idea 1 và 2 ví dụ trên) và một câu thể hiện quan điểm cá nhân của mình.

Sau đây là phần mở bài hội tụ đủ 3 phần:

Phần mở bài này đáp ứng được ba chức năng quan trọng:

Giúp giám khảo thấy rằng bạn hiểu đề bài.

Giúp giám khảo nắm bắt nội dung chính bài luận.

Giúp bạn tập trung và đi đúng hướng khi viết.

Xem thêm: Cách viết phần mở bài tốt trong IELTS Writing Task 2

Hai ý tưởng đề cập trong phần mở bài sẽ được phân tích ở hai phần thân bài.

Thân bài thứ nhất – Breeding programmes for endangered species, some species saved from extinction.

Thân bài thứ hai – Cramped cages & unnatural environments, animals distressed.

Cách viết phần thân bài

Các phần thân bài trong essay discussion IELTS nên thể hiện ba điều:

Câu chủ đề (topic sentence) – tóm tắt ý chính của đoạn văn.

Giải thích – giải thích tại sao quan điểm này được ủng hộ.

Đưa ra một ví dụ.

Việc đề cập trước quan điểm mà bạn không đồng ý, sau đó thể hiện lý do bạn đồng tính với quan điểm đối lập sẽ tạo cảm giác thoải mái khi bắt đầu hơn. Vì vậy, chúng ta sẽ bắt đầu với ý tưởng 1.

Thân bài thứ nhất

Câu chủ đề là câu tóm tắt ý chính của đoạn văn. Nó không cần phức tạp.

Câu chủ đề đóng một vai trò quan trọng giúp các ý tưởng liên kết theo một mạch từ ý này sang ý khác. Nó giúp người đọc dễ dàng nắm bắt đoạn văn sẽ nói về điều gì.

Nếu bạn duy trì sự phát triển ý rõ ràng trong suốt bài luận của mình, bạn sẽ được ghi điểm cho tiêu chí task achievement (khả năng hoàn thành yêu cầu bài thi) và cohesion and coherence (tính liên kết và mạch lạc).

Dưới đây là câu tiêu đề.

Sau khi viết câu tiêu đề, chúng ta cần viết một câu giải thích để bổ trợ cho ý chính. Nó giúp làm ý của bạn rõ hơn hoặc giải thích tại sao có quan điểm đó.

Sau cùng, bạn đưa ra một ví dụ để dẫn chứng. Nếu bạn không thể nghĩ ra một ví dụ thực tế nào, bạn có thể đưa ra một ví dụ bất kỳ, miễn là nó đáng tin cậy. Giám khảo sẽ không kiểm tra sự thật.

Dưới đây là phần thân bài thứ nhất hoàn chỉnh.

Bây giờ bạn làm theo quy trình tương tự cho đoạn thân bài thứ hai.

Thân bài thứ hai

Đầu tiên, chúng ta sẽ viết câu chủ đề để tóm tắt ý chính. Trong phần thân bài thứ nhất, bạn đã sử dụng cụm từ ‘On the one hand...’, nên phần thân bài thứ hai sẽ bắt đầu cụm từ ‘On the other hand… .

Khi sử dụng cụm từ này, chúng sẽ tạo ra sự tương phản giữa hai quan điểm đối lập, hơn nữa chúng giúp liên kết các ý với nhau một cách mạch lạc. Vì vậy, các dạng cụm từ tương phản được sử dụng trong hầu hết các IELTS discussion essay giúp bạn được ghi điểm trong tiêu chí cohesion và coherence (sự gắn kết và mạch lạc).

Tiếp theo là câu giải thích để bổ trợ cho ý chính.

Sau cùng, bạn đưa ra một ví dụ để dẫn chứng.

Dưới đây là phần thân bài thứ hai hoàn chỉnh.

Bây giờ chúng ta qua phần kết bài để hoàn thành bài IELTS discussion essay.

Cách viết phần kết bài

Phần kết bài cho các bài discussion essay thể hiện hai điều:

Tóm tắt những điểm chính.

Nêu ý kiến ​​của bạn.

Câu kết cho bài luận thường có thể viết trong một câu duy nhất. Nếu toàn bộ bài luận của bạn tối thiểu 250 từ, bạn có thể viết thêm câu dự đoán hoặc lời đề xuất.

Kết luận là câu dễ viết nhất trong bài luận nhưng lại là một trong những câu quan trọng nhất.

Một kết luận tốt sẽ:

Kết thúc bài luận cô đọng, súc tích.

Liên kết tất cả các ý với nhau.

Tổng kết các lập luận hoặc quan điểm ​​​​của bạn.

Trả lời câu hỏi.

Nếu bạn thể hiện các điều này, bạn sẽ được ghi điểm cho tiêu chí task achievement (khả năng hoàn thành yêu cầu bài thi) và cohesion & coherence (tính liên kết và mạch lạc), chiếm 50% tổng số điểm. Nếu không có phần kết bài, tiêu chí task achievement của bạn sẽ dưới 6 điểm.

Để bắt đầu cho phần kết bài, bạn có thể dùng các từ: In conclusion hoặc To conclude và tất cả những gì bạn cần làm là tóm tắt ngắn gọn những ý chính thành một câu.

Đây là một mẹo hàng đầu. Bạn đọc lại phần mở bài vì đây là phần tóm tắt của bài luận. Nó tóm lượt những gì bạn sẽ viết về.

Để viết phần kết bài tốt, bạn chỉ cần paraphrase phần mở bài. Sau đây là ví dụ.

Đây là phần kết bài với thông tin tương tự phần mở bài:

Xem thêm: Cách viết đoạn kết luận tốt trong IELTS Writing Task 2

Sau đây là bài luận hoàn chỉnh với phần mở bài, thân bài, và kết bài.

Bài discussion essay hoàn chỉnh.

Nếu bạn cần hiểu rõ và nắm được sâu sắc cách thức làm bài thì hãy đọc bài viết này nhiều lần và thực hành cho các đề mẫu khác. Thực hành là cách duy nhất để cải thiện kỹ năng của bạn. Chúc các bạn thành công.

Cách viết dạng Problem and Solution trong Writing Task 2

Cách viết Agree or Disagree đạt điểm cao IELTS Writing Task 2

Hướng dẫn cách viết  Argumentative Essay  trong IELTS Writing

Compare and Contrast Essay

Về bài viết

Published on April 10, 2023

Quỳnh Khanh

Tôi là Quỳnh Khanh - Content Writer có hơn 5 năm về lĩnh vực giáo dục

Chia sẻ bài viết

Tổng hợp ngữ pháp IELTS quan trọng mà ai cũng nên biết

Phân biệt Other/ Others, The other/ The others và Another

Tổng hợp bộ từ vựng và bài mẫu chủ đề Tết Trung thu Tiếng Anh

Đảo ngữ là gì? Các cấu trúc đảo ngữ trong Tiếng Anh

Tính từ sở hữu trong Tiếng Anh (Possessive Adjectives)

Mệnh đề trạng ngữ chỉ thời gian (Adverbial clause of time)

Pronoun là gì? Các loại Đại từ trong tiếng Anh

Đại từ bất định (Indefinite Pronouns): Cách dùng và Bài tập

Đại từ quan hệ (Relative Pronouns): Cách Dùng & Bài tập

Modal Perfect là gì? Công thức chi tiết và bài tập vận dụng

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Essay: cómo escribir un ensayo de calidad

Registro, estructura y vocabulario útil, ¿qué es un ensayo.

Un essay (ensayo) es una pieza formal de escritura que expresa y respalda una perspectiva o argumento en particular. El propósito es mostrar tu habilidad para articular pensamientos, estructurar ideas lógicamente y utilizar características avanzadas del lenguaje de manera efectiva. El ensayo generalmente aborda un tema o pregunta específica y requiere que presentes una respuesta coherente y bien respaldada.

1. Introducción

Propósito : Presentar el tema y proporcionar información de contexto.

Elementos clave: Una declaración de tesis clara que describa tu argumento principal.

2. Párrafos del cuerpo

Propósito: Desarrollar y respaldar tu tesis con evidencia y ejemplos.

Elementos clave: Cada párrafo debe centrarse en un aspecto específico del tema, comenzando con una oración temática y seguido por detalles y ejemplos de apoyo.

3. Contrargumento (si es necesario)

Propósito: Reconocer y abordar puntos de vista opuestos.

Elementos clave: Refutar el argumento con evidencia y razonamiento.

4. Conclusión

Propósito: Resumir puntos clave y volver a afirmar tu tesis.

Elementos clave: Resumir los argumentos principales, volver a afirmar la tesis de una manera nueva y proporcionar una conclusión que invite a la reflexión.

¿Quieres literalmente destrozar cualquier examen de inglés?

¡haz click aquí y no te pierdas mis libros, lenguaje y registro.

1. Tono Formal:

Utiliza un tono formal y académico a lo largo del ensayo.

2. Vocabulario:

Emplea una amplia gama de vocabulario, incorporando palabras y frases avanzadas relevantes para el tema.

3. Gramática:

Demuestra un alto nivel de precisión gramatical, utilizando estructuras de oraciones complejas y formas gramaticales variadas.

4. Coherencia y cohesión:

Asegura transiciones fluidas entre párrafos, manteniendo un flujo lógico.

5. Registro y estilo:

Sé consciente del registro y estilo apropiados para un ensayo académico.

6. Evidencia y ejemplos:

Respaldar tus argumentos con evidencia y ejemplos relevantes, demostrando profundidad de comprensión.

7. Pensamiento crítico:

Muestra pensamiento crítico al considerar diversas perspectivas y abordar posibles contraargumentos.

8. Estructuras de oraciones complejas:

Incorpora una variedad de estructuras de oraciones complejas, incluyendo oraciones condicionales, cláusulas relativas e inversiones.

9. Variedad de oraciones:

Evita la monotonía utilizando diferentes estructuras y longitudes de oraciones.

10. Concisión:

Sé conciso y evita repeticiones innecesarias.

Vocabulario útil

1.  Introducción

· Introduces the topic: "The essay will delve into..."

· Presents the thesis: "This essay posits that..."

2. Declaración de tesis

· Asserts a viewpoint: "This analysis contends that..."

· Highlights significance: "The crux of the argument lies in..."

3. Transiciones entre párrafos

· Indicates addition: "Moreover,..."

· Contrasts ideas: "Conversely,..."

· Demonstrates causation: "As a result,..."

· Emphasizes a point: "Notably,..."

4. Evidencias de apoyo

· Citing statistics: "According to recent data,..."

· Referring to studies: "Research conducted by Smith et al. suggests..."

· Quoting experts: "In the words of [Expert],..."

· Offering examples: "For instance,..."

5. Análisis y evaluación

· Examining consequences: "This leads to the inevitable outcome that..."

· Scrutinizing implications: "The repercussions of this phenomenon are manifold..."

· Assessing strengths and weaknesses: "A critical evaluation reveals both merits and shortcomings..."

6. Conclusión

· Summarizing key points: "In conclusion,..."

· Reinforcing thesis: "This essay has demonstrated the validity of the argument by..."

· Proposing implications: "The broader implications of this analysis suggest that..."

7. Vocabulario persuasivo

· Persuasive language: "Compelling evidence supports the notion that..."

· Emphasizing importance: "It is paramount to recognize the significance of..."

· Urging action: "It is imperative that immediate steps be taken to address..."

8. Expresar certeza o incerditumbre

· Certain: "Undoubtedly,..."

· Likely: "It is plausible to suggest that..."

· Uncertain: "While the evidence is inconclusive,..."

9. Comparaciones

· Comparative terms: "In comparison to..., ..."

· Contrasting ideas: "On the contrary,..."

10. Énfasis

· Emphasizing a point: "It cannot be overstated that..."

· Underlining significance: "It is of paramount importance to note that..."

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¿Cómo escribir un ensayo en inglés B2 (essay) para el First Certificate?

Por David Fernández 12 Comments

La sección de expresión escrita ( Writing Paper ) del First Certificate de Cambridge consta de dos partes. En la primera, debemos escribir un ensayo corto ( essay)  mientras que en la segunda parte podemos elegir entre escribir: un artículo, una carta , una crítica ( review) o  una reseña ( report) . En este artículo nos vamos a centrar en la primera parte: el essay.

Resumen del artículo

¿Qué es el  essay del First Certificate?

El essay   del First Certificate es una redacción en la que debemos expresar la opinión sobre un tema presentando argumentos a favor y en contra para luego llegar a una conclusión final. Una de las dificultados de escribir el ensayo del First Certificate es que la mayoría de las veces tampoco hemos escrito un ensayo en español.

¿Necesitas obtener un certificado oficial de inglés?

Descubre nuestros cursos online para preparar los exámenes de cambridge, ¿cómo escribir un ensayo.

• Lo primero que deberás hacer es leer detenidamente las instrucciones  para realizar la tarea correctamente y responder a cada una de las preguntas .Ten en cuenta que serás penalizado si  solo sigues parte de las instrucciones.
• Relee el enunciado del ensayo tantas veces sean necesarias ya que tu redacción debe partir de tal idea. Recuerda parafrasear el enunciado con tus propias palabras o de lo contrario perderás puntos.
• Organiza tus ideas . Para ello  hacer un esquema te resultará especialmente útil.
• Expresa y expón tus ideas de manera clara , es decir, con cohesión y coherencia. Ayúdate de conectores y ciertas expresiones, como las que te presentamos en la sección final de expresiones útiles.
• Usa un vocabulario variado y rico , evita las repeticiones y el abuso de las palabras «comodín» y demasiado generales ( make, thing, have, be… ).
• Empieza con un párrafo introductorio en el que se presenta el tema.
• Continua  con ideas a favor y en contra del tema a tratar. Recuerda que tus ideas deben estar claramente expuestas, presentadas en párrafos distintos y bien argumentadas mediante buenos  ejemplos y razones convincentes .
• Termina con tu propia conclusión .
• ¡Truco! : Enlaza tu conclusión con tu opinión. Es decir si tu conclusión es favorable al tema en cuestión, expón primero tus argumentos en contra, luego aquellos a favor para que sea más fácil la transición a la conclusión.
• Utiliza un estilo formal . Evita las contracciones ( isn’t, hasn’t ) y las expresiones y vocabulario informales y/o coloquiales.
• Intenta atrapar al lector . Para ello siempre será útil formular alguna pregunta y respaldar tus opiniones con buenas razones e incluso ejemplos actuales.
• Una vez acabada la redacción del essay comprueba que has cumplido los pasos anteriormente enumerados, revisa tu ortografía y gramática y asegúrate de que el ensayo es tanto comprensible como legible.

Datos a  tener en cuenta sobre el Writing del FCE

• Las dos partes del writing equivalen al 20% de la puntuación del FCE.
• El número de palabras debe ser entre 120 y 180 .
• El tiempo total para las dos partes de la sección de expresión escritas son 80 minutos . Organiza bien tu tiempo.

BONUS : Aquí te dejo una lista con más de 500 palabras en inglés para B2 y C1 Descargar Lista de Vocabulario y Phrasal Verbs

¿Cómo mejorar la redacción del ensayo?

La mejor forma de mejorar la redacción de ensayos es practicando . Recuerda:  Practice makes perfect!  Escribe tantos ensayos cortos como puedas. No olvides ayudarte de ciertos conectores y expresiones, como los que te proponemos a continuación, para así poder exponer tus opiniones de forma más clara:

Expresiones útiles para usar en el ensayo

Para decir lo que otros opinan :

• Some / many people feel that
• Others argue/claim/say/maintain that …
• Another point of view is that …
• Many people believe/think that …
• It is widely believed that …
• It is generally agreed that …
• It is sometimes claimed/said that …
• According to …

Para expresar tu opinión:

• I personally feel that …
• I (do) believe that …
• I firmly believe that …
• I partfully agree that …
• In my opinion …
• My personal view is that …
• It seems to me that …

Para dar ejemplos:

• For instance, …
• For example, …
• Such as, …

Para concluir / resumir:

• In conclusion, … / To conclude  …
• To summarize, … / To sum up …

Para añadir información:

• In addition to this, …
• What is more, …
• Apart from that, …
• As well as that, …
• Besides (this), …

Para mostrar contraste / concesión :

• However, …, but …, nevertheless, …
• .., although…, whereas …
• Having said that, …
• Despite this,… / Despite the fact that …
• In spite of …

Para exponer las dos caras :

• On the one hand,…
• On the other hand, …/ On the other side of the argument , …

Para razonar y/o explicar :

• Because of this,…
• because / since …
• This is because…
• The (main) reason for this is …

Otro modo de mejorar es leyendo otros essays . Estos te darán ideas. A continuación encontrarás varios ejemplos de ensayos.

Esperamos que este artículo te haya servido de ayuda. Si tienes alguna pregunta sobre el ensayo del First Certificate u otro tema, no dudes en poner un comentario más abajo. Te contestaremos tan breve como nos sea posible.

Nota : si estás preparando el First Certificate por tu cuenta, este artículo te puede interesar. Te contamos los mejores libros con exámenes para practicar y prepararte para aprobar con los materiales más usados en el mercado.

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27 octubre 2017 at 20:45

Es de mucha ayuda esta informacion, en cuanto a la clarides como se explica un tema de interes, te deja sin dudas y listo para hacer tu trabajo.

Muchas gracias por tan valiosa explicacion esto es lo que busco cuando tengo algun tema de interes y desconozco.

30 octubre 2017 at 12:22

Gracias por tu comentario Claudia. Saludos

31 enero 2018 at 13:16

Los ensayos no llevan título? en algunos libros de writing indican que sí. Gracias

31 enero 2018 at 16:25

Buenas tardes,

El titulo de los ensayos es el que te pone en la tarea del examen, que es la obligatoria ( Part 1 – Compulsory task) y no hay que pensar en un otro distinto. Los writings que necesitan titulo son: Report, Article y Review.

24 septiembre 2018 at 01:55

El wrting del fce ocupa el 20% de la puntuacion, y como se reparte el otro 80% entre uoe,reading y speaking?

11 diciembre 2018 at 11:02

UOE 20%, reading 20%, writing 20%, listening 20% y Speaking 20%. There you go!

16 octubre 2018 at 20:16

Algun truco para desarrollar el punto personal? Siempre los que se me ocurren tienen que ver con los ejemplos dados

16 noviembre 2018 at 13:43

Mil gracias! Por favor comprobad los links a los ejemplos no funcionan.

11 diciembre 2018 at 10:57

Gracias Judith, lo revisamos. Thanks a mill!

21 mayo 2020 at 22:35

Buenas tardes nesecito hacer un ensayo por cada veinte hojas leidas de así hablo zaratustra me pueden ayudar gracias

23 mayo 2020 at 10:56

Hola Esperanza. Quizá te interesan nuestros cursos online con profesor en directo que empiezan la semana que viene. En ese curso harás todo tipo de Writings. https://www.examenes-cambridge.com/cursos-preparacion-cambridge-online

8 abril 2021 at 16:30

Gracias por esta valiosa información

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Daniel Chacón: Writing a Profile Essay

• Las Castas – Spanish Racial Classifications
• Writing a Profile Essay
• Early California History
• Pio Pico: The Last Governor of Mexican California

A Profile Essay Describes a Person, Place or Thing (Activity) / Un Ensayo de Perfil Describe a una Persona, Lugar o Cosa (Actividad)

• Writing a Profile Essay A .pdf of the contents of this page can be downloaded for your use.

Writing a Profile Essay / Escribir un Ensayo de Perfil

A profile essay is a type of essay that centers around a certain person, place or activity.  One of the most common profile essay assignments is one in which the author "profiles" a certain person, offering information about who that person is and why they are important.

Un ensayo de perfil es un tipo de ensayo que se centra en cierta persona, lugar o actividad. Una de las asignaciones de ensayos de perfil más comunes es una en la que el autor "perfiles" de una determinada persona, que ofrece información sobre lo que esa persona es y por qué son importantes.

A profile essay does not have the same structure as a narrative essay or an argumentative essay.  The type of writing for a profile essay is less rigidly structured, and an author can take several different approaches.  Here are a few ideas and general guidelines about writing a profile essay.

Un ensayo de perfil no tiene la misma estructura que un ensayo narrativo o un ensayo argumentativo. El tipo de escritura para un ensayo de perfil tiene una estructura menos rígida, y un autor puede tomar diferentes enfoques. Aquí hay algunas ideas y pautas generales sobre cómo escribir un ensayo de perfil.

Tone / Tono

The tone of a profile essay is different than other essays.  It must still maintain an academic or professional voice, but it is a little more flexible.  The second person ("you") is still definitely to be avoided.  However, in certain situations, the first person ("I") might be acceptable; for instance, in an interview dialog between the profiler (author) and the person being profiled.  Please  keep in mind, however, that excessive first person use detracts from the person or thing being profiled, and instead puts the focus on the author.  The paper is not about you .

El tono de un ensayo de perfil es diferente a otros ensayos. Todavía debe mantener una voz académica o profesional, pero es un poco más flexible. La segunda persona ("usted") definitivamente debe evitarse. Sin embargo, en ciertas situaciones, la primera persona ("I") podría ser aceptable; por ejemplo, en un diálogo de entrevista entre el perfilador (autor) y la persona que se está perfilando. Tenga en cuenta, sin embargo, que el uso excesivo de la primera persona resta valor a la persona o cosa que se está perfilando, y en su lugar pone el foco en el autor. El documento no es sobre ti .

Organization  /  Organización

There are many ways to structure a profile essay.  Here are two main approaches:  the chronological format, and the thematic format.

Chronological Format / Formato Cronológico

In an interview format, generally a chronological organization works well.  This means putting early parts of the interviewee's life experience first and later parts of their life after.  For instance, if an interviewee talks about their childhood and their marriage in the same interview, it would make sense to write about their childhood first.  Every paragraph can cover a different section of the interviewee's life.  This is a very linear and simple way to write a profile essay, and it generally works well.

En un formato de entrevista, generalmente una organización cronológica funciona bien. Esto significa poner primero partes iniciales de la experiencia de vida del entrevistado y luego partes de su vida. Por ejemplo, si un entrevistado habla sobre su infancia y su matrimonio en la misma entrevista, tendría sentido escribir sobre su infancia primero. Cada párrafo puede cubrir una sección diferente de la vida del entrevistado. Esta es una forma muy lineal y simple de escribir un ensayo de perfil, y generalmente funciona bien.

Thematic Format / Formato Temático

Another way to structure a profile is to organize it by theme.  For example, an interview might talk first about a person's youth in a theatre troupe, then about their marriage and kids, and then their rediscovery of theater after their kids grew up.  It would make sense to detail all the experiences with theatre in the same paragraph even though they happened in very different parts of the person's life.  In a thematic format, the profile can be organized by types of experiences; perhaps one paragraph can deal exclusively with family matters (child and marriage) while the next can deal exclusively with theater experiences.  This format is a good alternative to the chronological format.

Otra forma de estructurar un perfil es organizarlo por tema. Por ejemplo, una entrevista podría hablar primero sobre la juventud de una persona en una compañía de teatro, luego sobre su matrimonio y sus hijos, y luego sobre el redescubrimiento del teatro después de que sus hijos crecieron. Tendría sentido detallar todas las experiencias con el teatro en el mismo párrafo a pesar de que ocurrieron en partes muy diferentes de la vida de la persona. En un formato temático, el perfil puede organizarse por tipos de experiencias; quizás un párrafo puede tratar exclusivamente asuntos familiares (hijos y matrimonio) mientras que el siguiente puede tratar exclusivamente con experiencias teatrales. Este formato es una buena alternativa al formato cronológico.

Thesis / Tesis

The core part of any essay is its thesis, and the profile essay is no exception.  However, a thesis in a profile essay looks different than the thesis of an argumentative or critical analysis paper.  Much of the time, a thesis is presented as an "argument," detailing a position that the reader can agree with or disagree with.  The framing of a thesis solely as an argument is problematic; it would be more appropriate for all essay types to describe a thesis as "the main point" of an essay.  This can consist of either an argument, a "moral of the story," or simply a concise evaluation of the topic.

A profile essay is centered on a topic (usually a person), and thus its thesis should also center on that topic.  It should answer the following questions:  What's the point?  Why is this profile important?  What should the reader take away from the essay?

Un ensayo de perfil se centra en un tema (generalmente una persona), y por lo tanto su tesis también debe centrarse en ese tema. Debe responder las siguientes preguntas: ¿Cuál es el punto? ¿Por qué es este perfil importante? ¿Qué debería sacar el lector del ensayo?

Here is an example of a profile essay thesis.  Note the concise formality and summarization of the statement:

Aquí hay un ejemplo de una tesis de ensayo de perfil. Tenga en cuenta la concisa formalidad y el resumen de la declaración:

Pink is one of the most important singers alive today because of her unique upbringing and life history, which have left an indelible mark on her strong signature vocals and her legendary acrobatic performances .

Pink es uno de los cantantes más importantes que viven hoy en día debido a su crianza única e historia de vida, que han dejado una marca indeleble en su fuerte voz distintiva y sus interpretaciones acrobáticas legendarias.

Style / Estilo

Sometimes profile essays are assigned for a person that the author knows personally, perhaps a friend or neighbor.  In these cases, the information on a profile essay will usually be gathered from a personal interview.  In an interview format, an essay should somewhat resemble a profile in a magazine.  When reading a profile on a celebrity in a magazine like Time or Rolling Stone , the writer switches off between parts of the interviewee's life and things they say to the profiler.  Here is an example.

A veces, los ensayos de perfil se asignan a una persona que el autor conoce personalmente, tal vez un amigo o vecino. En estos casos, la información de un ensayo de perfil generalmente se recopilará de una entrevista personal. En un formato de entrevista, un ensayo debería parecerse a un perfil en una revista. Al leer un perfil de una celebridad en una revista como Time o Rolling Stone, el escritor se desconecta entre las partes de la vida del entrevistado y las cosas que le dicen al perfilador. Aquí hay un ejemplo.

Although a healthy baby, Pink developed severe asthma as a child.  When only three, her parents divorced.  She wrote lyrics as an outlet for her feelings,  "I always retreated into my writing as a way to deal with the sadness in my life."   

A pesar de ser un bebé saludable, Pink desarrolló asma severa cuando era niño. Cuando solo tres, sus padres divorciado. Ella escribió letras como una salida para sus sentimientos, "Siempre me retiré en mis escritos como una forma lidiar con la tristeza en mi vida ".      

Note how the example switched off between paraphrasing and direct quotes.  All of the information is from the same interview, but beginning with some paraphrasing and then transitioning into a relevant direct quote helps keep the information free fresh.  This formula can be repeated for the duration of the profile essay.     

Observe cómo el ejemplo se desconectó entre parafraseo y comillas directas. Toda la información proviene de la misma entrevista, pero comenzar con una paráfrasis y luego hacer la transición a una cita directa relevante ayuda a mantener la información fresca y gratuita. Esta fórmula se puede repetir durante la duración del ensayo de perfil.  

For additional help on how to conduct an interview, take a look at the following guide developed by Cornell University:

Para obtener ayuda adicional sobre cómo realizar una entrevista, eche un vistazo a la siguiente guía desarrollada por la Universidad de Cornell:

https://courses2.cit.cornell.edu/fit117/CP_I_InterviewGuide1.htm

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• How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

Published on January 11, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on August 15, 2023 by Eoghan Ryan.

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . It usually comes near the end of your introduction .

Your thesis will look a bit different depending on the type of essay you’re writing. But the thesis statement should always clearly state the main idea you want to get across. Everything else in your essay should relate back to this idea.

You can write your thesis statement by following four simple steps:

• Start with a question
• Write your initial answer
• Develop your answer
• Refine your thesis statement

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Table of contents

What is a thesis statement, placement of the thesis statement, step 1: start with a question, step 2: write your initial answer, step 3: develop your answer, step 4: refine your thesis statement, types of thesis statements, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about thesis statements.

A thesis statement summarizes the central points of your essay. It is a signpost telling the reader what the essay will argue and why.

The best thesis statements are:

• Concise: A good thesis statement is short and sweet—don’t use more words than necessary. State your point clearly and directly in one or two sentences.
• Contentious: Your thesis shouldn’t be a simple statement of fact that everyone already knows. A good thesis statement is a claim that requires further evidence or analysis to back it up.
• Coherent: Everything mentioned in your thesis statement must be supported and explained in the rest of your paper.

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The thesis statement generally appears at the end of your essay introduction or research paper introduction .

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 and among young people more generally is hotly debated. For many 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 many benefits for education: the internet facilitates easier access to information, exposure to different perspectives, and a flexible learning environment for both students and teachers.

You should come up with an initial thesis, sometimes called a working thesis , early in the writing process . As soon as you’ve decided on your essay topic , you need to work out what you want to say about it—a clear thesis will give your essay direction and structure.

You might already have a question in your assignment, but if not, try to come up with your own. What would you like to find out or decide about your topic?

For example, you might ask:

After some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer to this question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should guide the research process and writing process .

Now you need to consider why this is your answer and how you will convince your reader to agree with you. As you read more about your topic and begin writing, your answer should get more detailed.

In your essay about the internet and education, the thesis states your position and sketches out the key arguments you’ll use to support it.

The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education because it facilitates easier access to information.

In your essay about braille, the thesis statement summarizes the key historical development that you’ll explain.

The invention of braille in the 19th century transformed the lives of blind people, allowing them to participate more actively in public life.

A strong thesis statement should tell the reader:

• Why you hold this position
• What they’ll learn from your essay
• The key points of your argument or narrative

The final thesis statement doesn’t just state your position, but summarizes your overall argument or the entire topic you’re going to explain. To strengthen a weak thesis statement, it can help to consider the broader context of your topic.

These examples are more specific and show that you’ll explore your topic in depth.

Your thesis statement should match the goals of your essay, which vary depending on the type of essay you’re writing:

• In an argumentative essay , your thesis statement should take a strong position. Your aim in the essay is to convince your reader of this thesis based on evidence and logical reasoning.
• In an expository essay , you’ll aim to explain the facts of a topic or process. Your thesis statement doesn’t have to include a strong opinion in this case, but it should clearly state the central point you want to make, and mention the key elements you’ll explain.

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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A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

• It gives your writing direction and focus.
• It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

Follow these four steps to come up with a thesis statement :

• Ask a question about your topic .
• Write your initial answer.
• Develop your answer by including reasons.
• Refine your answer, adding more detail and nuance.

The thesis statement should be placed at the end of your essay introduction .

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How to Write a Strong Topic Sentence + Examples

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What’s Covered:

• What Is a Topic Sentence?
• 5 Steps to Writing a Good Topic Sentence

Elements of a Good Topic Sentence

Common pitfalls to avoid.

• Where To Get Your Essay Edited For Free

Crafting the perfect essay takes time and dedication. There are so many elements you have to worry about, such as tone, purpose, and correct spelling and grammar. Writing a strong topic sentences is another critical part in writing a cohesive essay. 

Without a strong topic sentence, you risk losing your reader and perhaps part of your grade. If it’s a college admissions essay, then you need it to be as strong as possible to back up your application. Learn about what steps you should take to write a strong topic sentence.

What Is a Topic Sentence? 

People often confuse a topic sentence with a thesis statement. A thesis statement is typically at the end of your opening paragraph, that dictates the main argument you’ll be making in your essay. 

Throughout your essay, you’ll have multiple topic sentences, as each paragraph should start off with one. This beginning sentence is used to direct the topic of the paragraph and outline the flow of the following sentences. It’s used to help guide your reader and to continue to keep them hooked on your overall essay. Without topic sentences, your essay will be unorganized, lack transitions, and sound very choppy. To write a good topic sentence, there are several steps to take.

Writing a Good Topic Sentence: 5 Steps

Step 1: decide what you’re going to write about..

When you see the essay prompt, you’ll have some time to think through what you want to say and why. You have to decide if it’s a persuasive essay, informative, narrative, or descriptive. Determine your purpose for writing the essay after reading through the prompt. Whether it’s an assignment for school or if it’s to get into college, you need to make sure you have that purpose clearly outlined. 

Step 2: Create a thesis statement.

One of the first things you need to do is create a thesis statement. This is typically a sentence with three points that you’ll back up throughout your essay. 

For example: The Office became a cultural phenomenon because it spurred the careers of many of today’s successful movie stars, it talked about situations that most American workers can relate to, and even 15 years later, offers funny, relevant content that helps to break down prejudices. 

You then use that thesis statement to create an essay around the points you want to make. 

Step 3: Make your essay outline.

Once you have the points you want to make within your thesis statement hammered out, make an outline for your essay. This is where you’ll start to create your topic sentence for each paragraph. You want to clearly state the main idea of that paragraph in the very first sentence. From there, you back up that main idea with facts and reputable sources. Make sure your topic sentence is clear, but does not just announce your topic. 

For example, do not write something like: “In this paragraph, I will discuss why it’s bad that poachers are killing giraffes.”

Instead, write something that clearly states your idea with a reasonable opinion and that gives direction to the paragraph: “Giraffes are a key part of the African ecosystem, so it’s important to enforce regulations against the poachers who are killing them for their body parts.” 

You’d then follow that up with reasons why giraffes are a key part of the African ecosystem and how poachers are destroying their population.

Step 4: Begin writing your essay.

Once you have your thesis statement and you’ve created an outline with supporting paragraphs and their topic sentences, you can begin writing your essay. It’s important to make that outline before just jumping in–a disorganized essay can spell disaster for you as you continue to write, and could result in a poor grade. Many times, teachers will even require you to turn in your outline as part of your overall essay grade. 

Step 5: Proofread and check your resources.

After you’ve written the essay, go back through it with a fine tooth comb. Read through each topic sentence and the paragraphs that follow to ensure that you’ve written clear, solid topic sentences throughout and that the paragraphs with them make sense. During the proofreading phase, you also need to recheck the sources you’re using. Make sure each source is reputable. In other words, do not use sites like Wikipedia where anyone can go in and edit an article to add misinformation. Use sites that:

• Are actual reputable news sources, such as the New York Times , CNN, CBS News
• Have domain names that end in .edu or .gov
• Come from an encyclopedia, such as Encyclopedia Britannica

Using sites that are not reputable could jeopardize the validity of your argument. 

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Now that you know the steps to set yourself up for success when writing a topic sentence, there are certain elements that go into a quality first sentence. Always make sure that your topic sentence is the first sentence of a paragraph. You don’t want to make your reader hunt for the point you’re trying to make. Check out some key elements of a good topic sentence:

Make sure your topic sentence isn’t too vague.

You need a topic sentence that has some specifics to it. It also needs to hook in your reader in some way with an opinion. A vague sentence makes it harder to write a paragraph that can clearly backs up your thoughts. For example:

DON’T: “In Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Bingley seems like a nice guy.”

DO: “When Mr. Bingley is first introduced, he comes across as a kind person because he speaks to everyone and doesn’t immediately pass judgment.”

Choose a reasonable opinion.

Your topic sentence should clearly outline whatever point you’re trying to make in the paragraph, but you want to pick a reasonable opinion that you can easily reinforce with facts and statistics. Here’s an example of what you should and should not do:

DON’T: “It’s obvious that Mr. Bingley was a total loser with no backbone.”

DO: “Mr. Bingley could have shown more confidence in his choices and stood up to Mr. Darcy when he found himself in love with Jane Bennet.”

You can then back that up with facts, saying that he was a wealthy Englishman and thus one of the key players in society at the time, which should have given him more confidence. If he’d been more confident, perhaps he would not have left and devastated Jane.

Use your topic sentence as a transition.

Along with telling the reader the point of your next paragraph, your topic sentence should also serve as a transition from the previous paragraph. Without a transition, the essay can feel like it’s choppy and disjointed. For example:

DON’T: “Mr. Bingley is a good man and here’s why.”

DO: “Although Mr. Bingley did break Jane’s heart by leaving, he ended up redeeming himself by returning to Netherfield Hall.”

Keep your topic sentence short.

A long, drawn-out topic sentence can risk losing your reader. Many times, it’s hard to determine the point of a sentence when it goes on for too long. You want a clear, concise sentence that draws in the reader but also leaves some room for you to expand on it in the following paragraph.

DON’T: “Throughout the novel of Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Bingley was often quite different from Mr. Darcy as he would treat all people in a friendly manner, considering them all his friends and acquaintances, even agreeing to throw a ball after Elizabeth’s sisters rudely demanded he do so and was gracious to Mr. and Mrs. Bennet as well despite their manners.”

DO: “Overall, Mr. Bingley served as a foil to Mr. Darcy throughout the story by treating everyone around him equally with dignity and grace.”

Writing an essay can be overwhelming at times, but so long as you avoid some of these common pitfalls, it can be easier to get it done on time. 

Don’t wait until the last minute.

If your teacher assigns you an essay or tells you that you have an essay test coming up, don’t wait until the day before to do anything about it. You have to plan or study and you need to give yourself time to do that. If you know it takes you a while to write something, then start planning it as soon as you get the assignment.

Don’t forget to write an outline.

Along with planning, make sure you have that outline written up and planned out well. It will serve as your guideline for writing the essay. Without it, you’ll face the risk of a disorganized essay that does not clearly illustrate your point.

Ask for help if you need it.

This may be the most important pitfall to avoid. If you get in over your head while writing, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Ask a friend to review the essay or ask your teacher for guidance. 

Where to Get Your Essay Edited for Free

Once you’ve finished your essay, you may want additional input. There are tools out there to help, but CollegeVine’s free peer essay review tool can provide you with actionable feedback from students just like you. CollegeVine’s tool has helped many students and may be able to help you, too! Asking for peer feedback can help to refine your essay and it never hurts to have an extra set of eyes read through what you’ve written. Check out the free tool today!

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Thesis Statements

What this handout is about.

This handout describes what a thesis statement is, how thesis statements work in your writing, and how you can craft or refine one for your draft.

Introduction

Writing in college often takes the form of persuasion—convincing others that you have an interesting, logical point of view on the subject you are studying. Persuasion is a skill you practice regularly in your daily life. You persuade your roommate to clean up, your parents to let you borrow the car, your friend to vote for your favorite candidate or policy. In college, course assignments often ask you to make a persuasive case in writing. You are asked to convince your reader of your point of view. This form of persuasion, often called academic argument, follows a predictable pattern in writing. After a brief introduction of your topic, you state your point of view on the topic directly and often in one sentence. This sentence is the thesis statement, and it serves as a summary of the argument you’ll make in the rest of your paper.

What is a thesis statement?

A thesis statement:

• tells the reader how you will interpret the significance of the subject matter under discussion.
• is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper.
• directly answers the question asked of you. A thesis is an interpretation of a question or subject, not the subject itself. The subject, or topic, of an essay might be World War II or Moby Dick; a thesis must then offer a way to understand the war or the novel.
• makes a claim that others might dispute.
• is usually a single sentence near the beginning of your paper (most often, at the end of the first paragraph) that presents your argument to the reader. The rest of the paper, the body of the essay, gathers and organizes evidence that will persuade the reader of the logic of your interpretation.

If your assignment asks you to take a position or develop a claim about a subject, you may need to convey that position or claim in a thesis statement near the beginning of your draft. The assignment may not explicitly state that you need a thesis statement because your instructor may assume you will include one. When in doubt, ask your instructor if the assignment requires a thesis statement. When an assignment asks you to analyze, to interpret, to compare and contrast, to demonstrate cause and effect, or to take a stand on an issue, it is likely that you are being asked to develop a thesis and to support it persuasively. (Check out our handout on understanding assignments for more information.)

How do I create a thesis?

A thesis is the result of a lengthy thinking process. Formulating a thesis is not the first thing you do after reading an essay assignment. Before you develop an argument on any topic, you have to collect and organize evidence, look for possible relationships between known facts (such as surprising contrasts or similarities), and think about the significance of these relationships. Once you do this thinking, you will probably have a “working thesis” that presents a basic or main idea and an argument that you think you can support with evidence. Both the argument and your thesis are likely to need adjustment along the way.

Writers use all kinds of techniques to stimulate their thinking and to help them clarify relationships or comprehend the broader significance of a topic and arrive at a thesis statement. For more ideas on how to get started, see our handout on brainstorming .

How do I know if my thesis is strong?

If there’s time, run it by your instructor or make an appointment at the Writing Center to get some feedback. Even if you do not have time to get advice elsewhere, you can do some thesis evaluation of your own. When reviewing your first draft and its working thesis, ask yourself the following :

• Do I answer the question? Re-reading the question prompt after constructing a working thesis can help you fix an argument that misses the focus of the question. If the prompt isn’t phrased as a question, try to rephrase it. For example, “Discuss the effect of X on Y” can be rephrased as “What is the effect of X on Y?”
• Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? If your thesis simply states facts that no one would, or even could, disagree with, it’s possible that you are simply providing a summary, rather than making an argument.
• Is my thesis statement specific enough? Thesis statements that are too vague often do not have a strong argument. If your thesis contains words like “good” or “successful,” see if you could be more specific: why is something “good”; what specifically makes something “successful”?
• Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test? If a reader’s first response is likely to  be “So what?” then you need to clarify, to forge a relationship, or to connect to a larger issue.
• Does my essay support my thesis specifically and without wandering? If your thesis and the body of your essay do not seem to go together, one of them has to change. It’s okay to change your working thesis to reflect things you have figured out in the course of writing your paper. Remember, always reassess and revise your writing as necessary.
• Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test? If a reader’s first response is “how?” or “why?” your thesis may be too open-ended and lack guidance for the reader. See what you can add to give the reader a better take on your position right from the beginning.

Suppose you are taking a course on contemporary communication, and the instructor hands out the following essay assignment: “Discuss the impact of social media on public awareness.” Looking back at your notes, you might start with this working thesis:

Social media impacts public awareness in both positive and negative ways.

You can use the questions above to help you revise this general statement into a stronger thesis.

• Do I answer the question? You can analyze this if you rephrase “discuss the impact” as “what is the impact?” This way, you can see that you’ve answered the question only very generally with the vague “positive and negative ways.”
• Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? Not likely. Only people who maintain that social media has a solely positive or solely negative impact could disagree.
• Is my thesis statement specific enough? No. What are the positive effects? What are the negative effects?
• Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test? No. Why are they positive? How are they positive? What are their causes? Why are they negative? How are they negative? What are their causes?
• Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test? No. Why should anyone care about the positive and/or negative impact of social media?

After thinking about your answers to these questions, you decide to focus on the one impact you feel strongly about and have strong evidence for:

Because not every voice on social media is reliable, people have become much more critical consumers of information, and thus, more informed voters.

This version is a much stronger thesis! It answers the question, takes a specific position that others can challenge, and it gives a sense of why it matters.

Let’s try another. Suppose your literature professor hands out the following assignment in a class on the American novel: Write an analysis of some aspect of Mark Twain’s novel Huckleberry Finn. “This will be easy,” you think. “I loved Huckleberry Finn!” You grab a pad of paper and write:

Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn is a great American novel.

You begin to analyze your thesis:

• Do I answer the question? No. The prompt asks you to analyze some aspect of the novel. Your working thesis is a statement of general appreciation for the entire novel.

Think about aspects of the novel that are important to its structure or meaning—for example, the role of storytelling, the contrasting scenes between the shore and the river, or the relationships between adults and children. Now you write:

In Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain develops a contrast between life on the river and life on the shore.

• Do I answer the question? Yes!
• Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? Not really. This contrast is well-known and accepted.
• Is my thesis statement specific enough? It’s getting there–you have highlighted an important aspect of the novel for investigation. However, it’s still not clear what your analysis will reveal.
• Does my thesis pass the “how and why?” test? Not yet. Compare scenes from the book and see what you discover. Free write, make lists, jot down Huck’s actions and reactions and anything else that seems interesting.
• Does my thesis pass the “So what?” test? What’s the point of this contrast? What does it signify?”

After examining the evidence and considering your own insights, you write:

Through its contrasting river and shore scenes, Twain’s Huckleberry Finn suggests that to find the true expression of American democratic ideals, one must leave “civilized” society and go back to nature.

This final thesis statement presents an interpretation of a literary work based on an analysis of its content. Of course, for the essay itself to be successful, you must now present evidence from the novel that will convince the reader of your interpretation.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Anson, Chris M., and Robert A. Schwegler. 2010. The Longman Handbook for Writers and Readers , 6th ed. New York: Longman.

Lunsford, Andrea A. 2015. The St. Martin’s Handbook , 8th ed. Boston: Bedford/St Martin’s.

Ramage, John D., John C. Bean, and June Johnson. 2018. The Allyn & Bacon Guide to Writing , 8th ed. New York: Pearson.

Ruszkiewicz, John J., Christy Friend, Daniel Seward, and Maxine Hairston. 2010. The Scott, Foresman Handbook for Writers , 9th ed. Boston: Pearson Education.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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