Writing

Maria Garvey
Advanced Class
• You will have 40 minutes to write a 250-word
response to an essay question. Your essay
should include four paragraphs (an
introduction, two body paragraphs and a
conclusion).

• Although there is a consistent essay formula

that will help you to structure your essay and
paragraphs, you need to be aware of the
different types of essay questions there are.
The way you use the formula will differ
according to the type of question.
 • The agree/disagree essay question gives you a
topic and asks if you agree or disagree with an
idea related to that topic. For example:

• Less and less parents these days are smacking

their children. Some people think that this is
Agree/Disagre leading to a generation of misbehaved children.
Do you agree or disagree with this view?

e • This question is related to the topic of smacking

children. The idea that not smacking is actually a
bad thing. The question is asking if you agree with
that idea. Your essay will have to answer that
question by giving your opinion and then
explaining why with supporting ideas and
examples.
 • The advantage/disadvantage essay
question gives you a topic and then asks
you to discuss the advantages and
disadvantages. A sample
advantage/disadvantage essay question
looks like this:

Advantage/disadvantage • Some graduates prefer to travel for a year

between graduation and gaining full-time
employment. Discuss the advantages and
disadvantages of this.

• Here you will need to present both sides of

the argument (one per paragraph) with
supporting ideas and examples for each.
 The discuss both views question gives you two
views or opinions related to a topic and asks you
to discuss both. For example:

Discuss both Some people think it’s the government’s

responsibility to tackle environmental issues.
views Others believe it is up to each individual to be
environmentally responsible. Discuss both sides.

Here you need to spend one body paragraph on

each opinion, giving explanations and examples
for why people may hold each view.
 The discuss both views and give your
opinion question is very similar, but instead of just
asking you to discuss two views, it also asks you to
state which one you agree with. For example:

Discuss
both views Some people think it’s better to educate boys and

and give
girls in separate schools. However, others believe
that boys and girls benefit more from attending the
same school. Discuss both views and give your own

your opinion
opinion.

In response to this essay question, you’d need to

discuss both opinions (one in each paragraph) and
give explanations and examples to support each
one. You’d also have to say which one you agree
with. You can do that within the body paragraph.
 • The problem/solution essay question
presents you with an issue which you need to
discuss and then provide possible solutions
for. For example:
• The overpopulation of urban areas has led to
Problem/solution numerous problems. Identify one or two
serious ones and suggest ways that
governments can tackle these problems.
• Here you would talk about the problems
caused by overpopulation in the first body
paragraph, and suggest some government-
led solutions in the second body paragraph.
 In the double question essay, you’re actually
asked two questions, and you need to make sure
you answer both. For example:

Double Today more people are travelling than ever

question before. Why is this the case? What are the
benefits of traveling for the traveller?

Here you have two questions to answer. 1. Why

are people traveling more than before. 2. What
are the benefits of traveling. You should spend
one paragraph on answering each question.
• read a blog or social media article or
watch a Ted talk and documentary per
day on the IELTS writing topics listed
above.
Academic writing Linkers
• https://www.eliteediting.com.au/50-linking-words-to-use-in-
academic-writing/