Video Lesson

Writing Task 2
I E LT S W R I T I N G T A S K 2

How to write a
Discussion essay
LOOK AT THE TASK 2 QUESTION
More and more serious crimes seem to be committed each
year. Some think that the death penalty is the best way to
deal with this problem while other people think different
measures are more likely to be successful. Discuss both
options.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your
own knowledge or experience. Write at least 250 words

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BAND 9 MODEL ANSWER (300 WORDS)
There is an ongoing debate about the most effective ways to deal with heinous crimes such as murder,
torture and rape. Advocates of capital punishment claim it is the most appropriate response, while more
liberal-minded experts put forward a range of alternatives. These differing approaches clearly need to be
examined.
Those who advocate taking the lives of convicted killers and rapists make several points. They remind us
that a prisoner who has been put to death can never re-offend. This is certainly not true of other forms of
punishment. They also claim that the death penalty acts as a deterrent: would-be killers decide not to
carry out their plans because they fear the consequences. Again, this cannot be said of strategies like
rehabilitation programmes. Finally, proponents suggest that it is far cheaper than other approaches to
serious crime such as imprisonment or re-education.
Opponents of capital punishment reject some of these arguments and put forward others. They dispute
the assertion that the death penalty is comparatively inexpensive, citing legal cases which have gone on
for decades and proved immensely costly. In addition, they believe that the prospect of being hanged or
electrocuted rarely deters villains, and point to findings by psychologists which support this view. They
often state that using prison is by far the most effective policy and that attempting to rehabilitate
inmates so that they can become law-abiding and productive citizens is the only humane way of dealing
with horrific crime.
In conclusion, it seems fair to say that this issue is complex and agreement between victims, law-makers
and criminologists is unlikely. There are vehemently-held views on both sides. I would urge governments
to carry out extensive research into the effects of different punishments in order to try to reach a
definitive understanding of the consequences of these different approaches.
POINTS TO REMEMBER
Question: Discuss both options/views

You can

• End your INTRODUCTION with a THESIS STATEMENT which either: 1.

indicates your plan 2. explains that both options are relevant/important

• Write two MAIN BODY PARAGRAPHS (one paragraph for each side/view)

• Include a clear TOPIC SENTENCE and 2-3 points in each MAIN BODY
PARAGRAPH

• Support all of the points in your MAIN BODY PARAGRAPHS

• Use the CONCLUSION to: 1. (optional) refer to the differences 2. (optional)

give a consensus/compromise opinion 2. express a hope, wish or
suggestion
INTRODUCTION
There is an ongoing debate about the most effective ways to deal with
heinous crimes such as murder, torture and rape. Advocates of capital
punishment claim it is the most appropriate response, while more
liberal-minded experts put forward a range of alternatives. These
differing approaches clearly need to be examined.

Starting the essay with a GENERAL STATEMENT about the overall

topic (punishments) is often a good idea. If the question has two
statements (like this one), you can often paraphrase the first
statement for your GENERAL STATEMENT.
ALTERNATIVE: Heinous crimes such as murder and rape destroy
families and communities, and finding a way to reduce them is
fundamentally important.
INTRODUCTION
There is an ongoing debate about the most effective ways to deal with
heinous crimes such as murder, torture and rape. Advocates of capital
punishment claim it is the most appropriate response, while more
liberal-minded experts put forward a range of alternatives.These
differing approaches clearly need to be examined.

In a DISCUSSION essay, it is important to describe

both views in the INTRODUCTION.You can usually do
this by paraphrasing the question statement (Some
think that the death penalty is the best way to deal
with this problem while other people think different
measures are more likely to be successful. )
INTRODUCTION
There is an ongoing debate about the most effective ways to deal with
heinous crimes such as murder, torture and rape. Advocates of capital
punishment claim it is the most appropriate response, while more
liberal-minded experts put forward a range of alternatives. These
differing approaches clearly need to be examined.
End the INTRODUCTION with a THESIS STATEMENT. Because
this essay does not ask for your opinion, the THESIS STATEMENT
can:
1. indicate that this is an important issue (as in this model answer)
2. indicate your plan: EXAMPLE This essay will analyse both
options in detail.
PARAGRAPH 2 Your first MAIN BODY PARAGRAPH
should discuss the first option

Those who advocate taking the lives of convicted killers and rapists
make several points.They remind us that a prisoner who has been put
to death can never re-offend. This is certainly not true of other forms of
punishment.They also claim that the death penalty acts as a deterrent:
would-be killers decide not to carry out their plans because they fear
the consequences. Again, this cannot be said of strategies like
rehabilitation programmes. Finally, proponents suggest that it is far
cheaper than other approaches to serious crime such as imprisonment
or re-education.
PARAGRAPH 2
Those who advocate taking the lives of convicted killers and rapists
make several points.They remind us that a prisoner who has been put
to death can never re-offend. This is certainly not true of other forms of
punishment.They also claim that the death penalty acts as a deterrent:
You should make this
would-be killers decide notclear
to carry out their
with a short plans because they fear
TOPIC SENTENCE
the consequences. Again, this cannot be said of strategies like
rehabilitation programmes. Finally, proponents suggest that it is far
cheaper than other approaches to serious crime such as imprisonment
or re-education.
 You can support the TOPIC SENTENCE with 2-3 arguments.Try to
PARAGRAPH 2 expand them (with explanation, explanation of results, evidence,
examples, alternatives) though this is not always necessary
Those who advocate taking the lives of convicted killers and rapists
make several points.They remind us that a prisoner who has been put
to death can never re-offend. This is certainly not true of other forms of
punishment.They also claim that the death penalty acts as a deterrent:
would-be killers decide not to carry out their plans because they fear
the consequences. Again, this cannot be said of strategies like
rehabilitation programmes. Finally, proponents suggest that it is far
cheaper than other approaches to serious crime such as imprisonment
or re-education.
PARAGRAPH 2
If possible, compare what you are discussing in this
paragraph to what you will discuss in the next paragraph

Those who advocate taking the lives of convicted killers and rapists
make several points.They remind us that a prisoner who has been put
to death can never re-offend. This is certainly not true of other forms of
punishment.They also claim that the death penalty acts as a deterrent:
would-be killers decide not to carry out their plans because they fear
the consequences. Again, this cannot be said of strategies like
rehabilitation programmes. Finally, proponents suggest that it is far
cheaper than other approaches to serious crime such as imprisonment
or re-education.
PARAGRAPH 3
Your second MAIN BODY PARAGRAPH
should discuss the second option

Opponents of capital punishment reject some of these arguments and

put forward others.They dispute the assertion that the death penalty is
comparatively inexpensive, citing legal cases which have gone on for
decades and proved immensely costly. In addition, they believe that the
prospect of being hanged or electrocuted rarely deters villains, and
point to findings by psychologists which support this view.They often
state that using prison is by far the most effective policy and that
attempting to rehabilitate inmates so that they can become law-
abiding and productive citizens is the only humane way of dealing with
horrific crime.
PARAGRAPH 3
Opponents of capital punishment reject some of these arguments and
put forward others.They dispute the assertion that the death penalty is
comparatively inexpensive, citing legal cases which have gone on for
decades and proved immensely
You should costly.
make thisIn addition, they believe that the
clear with a short TOPIC
prospect of being hanged or electrocuted
SENTENCE rarely deters villains, and
point to findings by psychologists which support this view.They often
state that using prison is by far the most effective policy and that
attempting to rehabilitate inmates so that they can become law-
abiding and productive citizens is the only humane way of dealing with
horrific crime.
PARAGRAPH 3
Opponents of capital punishment reject some of these arguments and
put forward others.They dispute the assertion that the death penalty is
comparatively inexpensive, citing legal cases which have gone on for
In the TOPIC SENTENCE,
decades and proved immensely costly. In addition, they believe that the
try to link this paragraph
with the previous one
prospect of being hanged or electrocuted rarely deters villains, and
point to findings by psychologists which support this view.They often
state that using prison is by far the most effective policy and that
attempting to rehabilitate inmates so that they can become law-
abiding and productive citizens is the only humane way of dealing with
horrific crime.
 You can support the TOPIC SENTENCE with 2-3 arguments.Try to
PARAGRAPH 3 expand them (with explanation, explanation of results, evidence,
examples, alternatives) though this is not always necessary
Opponents of capital punishment reject some of these arguments and
put forward others.They dispute the assertion that the death penalty is
comparatively inexpensive, citing legal cases which have gone on for
decades and proved immensely costly. In addition, they believe that the
prospect of being hanged or electrocuted rarely deters villains, and
point to findings by psychologists which support this view.They often
state that using prison is by far the most effective policy and that
attempting to rehabilitate inmates so that they can become law-
abiding and productive citizens is the only humane way of dealing with
horrific crime.
 If possible, connect ideas in this paragraph
PARAGRAPH 3 to ideas in the previous paragraph

Opponents of capital punishment reject some of these arguments and

put forward others.They dispute the assertion that the death penalty is
comparatively inexpensive, citing legal cases which have gone on for
decades and proved immensely costly. In addition, they believe that the
prospect of being hanged or electrocuted rarely deters villains, and
point to findings by psychologists which support this view.They often
state that using prison is by far the most effective policy and that
attempting to rehabilitate inmates so that they can become law-
abiding and productive citizens is the only humane way of dealing with
horrific crime.
 There should be a balance between the two MAIN BODY
PARAGRAPH 3 PARAGRAPHS.That means a similar number of points or words

Opponents of capital punishment reject some of these arguments and

put forward others.They dispute the assertion that the death penalty is
comparatively inexpensive, citing legal cases which have gone on for
decades and proved immensely costly. In addition, they believe that the
prospect of being hanged or electrocuted rarely deters villains, and
point to findings by psychologists which support this view.They often
state that using prison is by far the most effective policy and that
attempting to rehabilitate inmates so that they can become law-
abiding and productive citizens is the only humane way of dealing with
horrific crime.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, it seems fair to say that this issue is complex and
agreement between victims, law-makers and criminologists is unlikely.
There are vehemently-held views on both sides. I would urge
governments to carry out extensive research into the effects of
different punishments in order to try to reach a definitive
understanding of the consequences of these different approaches.

It is often best to start the CONCLUSION to a

DISCUSSION essay by explaining that the question
is complex and difficult to solve. Remember that
you can include your own opinion in the
CONCLUSION but it is not necessary
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, it seems fair to say that this issue is complex and
agreement between victims, law-makers and criminologists is unlikely.
There are vehemently-held views on both sides. I would urge
governments to carry out extensive research into the effects of
different punishments in order to try to reach a definitive
understanding of the consequences of these different approaches.

A good way to finish a DISCUSSION essay is to

suggest that research is carried out or that other
steps are taken to understand this issue better
BAND 9 MODEL ANSWER (300 WORDS)
There is an ongoing debate about the most effective ways to deal with heinous crimes such as murder,
torture and rape. Advocates of capital punishment claim it is the most appropriate response, while more
liberal-minded experts put forward a range of alternatives. These differing approaches clearly need to be
examined.
Those who advocate taking the lives of convicted killers and rapists make several points. They remind us
that a prisoner who has been put to death can never re-offend. This is certainly not true of other forms of
punishment. They also claim that the death penalty acts as a deterrent: would-be killers decide not to
carry out their plans because they fear the consequences. Again, this cannot be said of strategies like
rehabilitation programmes. Finally, proponents suggest that it is far cheaper than other approaches to
serious crime such as imprisonment or re-education.
Opponents of capital punishment reject some of these arguments and put forward others. They dispute
the assertion that the death penalty is comparatively inexpensive, citing legal cases which have gone on
for decades and proved immensely costly. In addition, they believe that the prospect of being hanged or
electrocuted rarely deters villains, and point to findings by psychologists which support this view. They
often state that using prison is by far the most effective policy and that attempting to rehabilitate
inmates so that they can become law-abiding and productive citizens is the only humane way of dealing
with horrific crime.
In conclusion, it seems fair to say that this issue is complex and agreement between victims, law-makers
and criminologists is unlikely. There are vehemently-held views on both sides. I would urge governments
to carry out extensive research into the effects of different punishments in order to try to reach a
definitive understanding of the consequences of these different approaches.
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