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DISCUSSION ESSAY
BASIC KNOWLEDGE
KNOWING THE TYPE OF ESSAY
An IELTS discussion essay question will begin with a statement that presents two opposing
viewpoints.

For example:

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

Then, you'll be required to discuss both arguments (give your own opinion, if the test ask
you to do so)

Here are some of the typical wording:

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.

DISCUSSION ESSAY 1
 IDENTIFY AND DIFFERENCIATE
The requirement that you discuss both points of view makes this type of question easy to
spot.

󾠮 This differs from opinion essay, having 2 critical requirements:

Choosing between two opposing viewpoints

Providing evidence to support your choice.

You have to some up with 2 -3 reasons just to support your viewpoint.

For example:

Salary is much more important than job satisfaction.

Do you agree or disagree?

󾠯 Advantages and disadvantages essays are another essay type that students
easily mistake for. With these, the question will typically be written as it is in this
sample question and the statement will only present one point of view.

For example:

People now have the freedom to work and live anywhere in the
world due to the development of communication technology and
transportation.

Do the advantages of this development outweigh the

disadvantages?

This type of essay will discuss in the near future. Let's focus on the main issue.

BUILDING THE FRAME

Remember this 3 rules when you start writing this essay

Stating your opinion in the opening and the ending

Giving arguments for both views

DISCUSSION ESSAY 2
 Developing both sides of the arguments equally (Remember, the length of each
paragraph also need to be “equally”)

This is a simple frame for this type of essay. It's simple to understand and will help you
quickly plan and write a “decent enough” 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 (Không cần phải đúng với thực tế, có thể bịa ra số liệu
nhưng mà đừng lố quá là được). Cái này thì tùy nếu bí ý tưởng quá mà body đầu chỉ có
1 idea thì nói mới nên cho ví dụ vào

3) Main body paragraph 2

Topic sentence – outline the view you do agree with

Explanation – explain why this view is held by some people

Example – give an example (Cũng như đoạn trên)

4) Conclusion
Summarize the key points and state your opinion

WRITING YOUR OWN ESSAY

ANALYZING THE QUESTION
For example:

Many people think that in the near future, cars will be driven by
computers, not people. Do you think it is a positive or negative
development?

DISCUSSION ESSAY 3
 Words that identify the question's topic are called “critical words”.

The primary issue will be discussed in this essay is "cars driven by computers”.
The other thing you need to do is look for additional keywords in the question that will
specify the subject you need to write about.

The positive and the negative development of “computers driven cars”

GENERATING IDEAS

Pros and cons of driverless cars:

PROS CONS

Improved road safety by reducing Vulnerable to hacking and malfunctions

human error
Accessibility for those who cannot drive
Better driving experiences
Jobless in the transportation industry
Unable to detect and react to obstacles
or unpredictable roads users

Improve traffic efficiency, better road Costly to manufacture and maintain

capacity (less breaking and
accelerating while driving) ⇒ Cars can
travel safely closer together in a same
road

Writing the essay

Write a thesis
Remember 2 steps to start an discussion essay
1)  Paraphrase the question
Example:

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...

Most of the time you can use those examples. Be creative in this part.

2)  Give your opinion (thesis statement)

Example:

DISCUSSION ESSAY 4
 Although … has/have some drawbacks, I would argue that there are far more
benefits

Body 1: Cons
Trong discussion essay thì nên viết cons trước khi viết pros (Cách này dễ hơn và mạch
lập luận trong bài viết sẽ được chặt chẽ hơn)

Example:

There are innumerable downsides of … (primary issue), one of which is …

(cons mà mình đưa ra)

Another potential pitfall would be…

Body 2: Pros
Cả pros và cons thì nên lập ra được 2 ý tưởng đối lập nhau. Đặc biệt nên tránh việc viết
bị body này “béo hơn” body kia (1 pros nhưng lại có đến 2 cons?!)

Example:

I am on the opinion that … would bring enormous and positive changes.

Hoặc

Despite the above-mentioned negatives, … (primary issue) reap(s) the

benefits.

Đi vào việc trình bày ý kiến của mình

First and foremost, … (pros mà mình đưa ra)

It should also be noted that …

Conclusion - Restate the thesis

Kết bài thì mình chỉ cần khẳng định lại quan điểm cá nhân thôi. ĐỪNG VIẾT LẰNG
NHẰNG Ạ

Nếu mình đồng tình rằng đây là một phát triển tốt thì:

In sum / In conclusion / To conclude, while I accept that … (primary issue)

has/have certain demerits, I generally consider it a positive development.

Nếu không thì:

DISCUSSION ESSAY 5
 In sum, while I accept that … (primary issue) has/have certain merits, I
generally consider it a negative development.

Vocab
DRIVERLESS CARS
Self-driving cars: Cars that can drive (steer) themselves or cars that are capable of
driving themselves.

Autonomous / Automated cars / vehicles

Robocars / Robotic cars

Computer-controlled automobiles

Computer-driven cars

Cars in self-driving mode

To be fully capable of functioning = Running/Capable of driving

Without human intervention =

Without human involvement

Without the drivers hands on the steering wheel

Without having human at the wheel

Without human in the driving seat

DISCUSSION ESSAY 6