Identify the Discussion Essay

• Computers are being used more and more in education and so there
will soon be no role for the teacher in education.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
• Computers are being used more and more in education.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your own opinion.
• Computers are being used more and more in education. Some people
say that this is a positive trend, while others argue that it is leading to
negative consequences.
Discuss both sides of this argument and then give your own opinion.
Discussion essay

• In Discussion essay, you may be asked to ‘discuss both views

and give your opinion’ or ‘discuss both sides of the argument
and then give your opinion’.
• These particular questions require a different approach to
opinion essays because you have to discuss both sides rather
than argue in favour of one side.
Look at these examples

As you can see, they typically state two opinions and then ask you to discuss both and give your opinion.
Make sure you do these things in the essay. If you only discuss both views and fail to give your opinion you
will lose marks.
3 Common Mistakes

THESE THREE ERRORS ARE NOT STATING YOUR

COMMON IN IELTS DOUBLE OPINION.
QUESTION ESSAYS.

NOT GIVING ARGUMENTS NOT DEVELOPING BOTH

FOR BOTH VIEWS. SIDES OF THE ARGUMENT
EQUALLY.
Essay Structure
Paraphrase the 2) Main body
Thesis statement
1) Introduction question / state paragraph 1 –
with your opinion
both views State 1st viewpoint

3) Main body
Topic sentence – Explanation – Example – give an paragraph 2 –
state 1st viewpoint develop the idea example State 2nd
viewpoint

4) Conclusion
Topic sentence –
Explanation – Example – give an Summarise the
State 2nd
develop the idea example keypoints and
viewpoint
give your opinion

This structure will give

us a well-balanced
essay with 4
paragraphs.
How To Plan Discussion Essays

• Analyse the question

• Decide on your opinion
• Generate ideas
• Identify vocabulary
# 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:

• Topic words
• Other keywords
• Instruction words

• Topics words are the ones that identify the general subject of the question
and will be found in the statement part of the question.
• The other keywords in the question tell you the specific topic you must
write about. They define the opinions stated in the statement.
Example
• It is commonly believed that
nowadays main factors that
affect a child's development
are media, pop culture and
friends. A different point of
view is that family plays the
most significant role.
• Discuss both views and give
your opinion.
 • It doesn’t matter if you genuinely agree with the
view you take in your essay or not. 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

# Decide on opinion is clear throughout the essay.
your opinion • For our essay, we will agree that although external
factors influence the development of a child, parents
and family still have the upper hand.
• Our reason: A child's choice of friends, books or
music depends on the values instilled in them by
their parents.
# 3 Generate ideas
• First of all, you have to identify the
two opinions. These are:
1.External factors have more
considerable influence on a child's
development.
2.The family has a greater influence
on a child's development.

• Next, let's brainstorm for arguments

that support each side….
External factors have a more considerable
influence on a child's development.
• Children tend to copy the behaviour of their
favourite fictional characters.
• Children spend a lot of time with their peers.
• Technology has an all-pervasive impact on children.

The family has a greater influence on a

child's development.
• Parents are always present in the life of a child.
• The younger the children are, the more easily
influenced their character is.
• Parents can set boundaries and have more control
over their children.
 It is commonly believed that nowadays
main factors that affect a child's
#4 Identify vocabulary development are media, pop culture and
friends. A different point of view is that
family plays the most significant role.

• Affect = influence =impact = have an effect/impact on

Behaviour/personality
• Shape child’s life/future/worldview/belief
• Children = offspring, descendants, young generation
• Raise/bring up children; instill/develop vital skills/values;
How To Write an Introduction
Good introductions
1) Paraphrase the 2) Thesis
to discussion essays
question/ State statement – state
have a simple 2
both points of view your opinion
part structure:

Be 40-60 words
It should: Have 2-3 sentences
long

Take 5 minutes to
write
1) Paraphrase the question

• Start your introduction by paraphrasing the statement part of the

question.
• 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...
• It is commonly believed that nowadays main factors that affect
a child's development are media, pop culture and friends. A
different point of view is that family plays the most significant
role. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
It is commonly believed that nowadays main factors that affect a child's
development are media, pop culture and friends. A different point of view is
that family plays the most significant role. Discuss both views and give your
opinion.

• It is often argued that teachers, peers and the media have a

significant influence on the life of children. While some people
argue that these factors are predominant in shaping a child's
future, others believe that parents impact their offspring in
more critical ways.
2) Thesis statement

Now we need to add an thesis statement where you

inform what your are going to do and state your
opinion

This essay will discuss both these points of view and

argue in favour of the latter.
Introduction

It is often held that teachers, peers and the media have a significant influence on the life
of children. While some people argue that these factors are predominant in shaping a
child's future, others believe that parents impact their offspring in more critical ways.
This essay will discuss both these points of view and argue in favour of the latter.

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.
How To Write Main Body Paragraphs

Main body paragraphs in

discussion essays should contain
3 things:

Topic sentence – state the 1st

view

Explanation – explain why this

view is held by some people

Example – give an
example
Main Body Paragraph 1 – State 1st viewpoint

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.
Explanation sentence

• 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.
• 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.
Alternative, you could add another piece of information to
support your idea but an example is better.
Main Body Paragraph 1
• On the one hand, the books children read and the music they
listen to form their belief system. In other words, children tend
to copy the behaviour of their favourite personality or fictional
character. Moreover, when little ones work and play in groups,
they are influenced by their peers. Finally, other factors, like
the media, prompt children to want things regarded as
fashionable. For instance, children demand toys that they see
on television.
 Main Body
Paragraph 2 – • Again, take the idea chosen for this paragraph and create
your topic sentence.
State 2nd
viewpoint • the explanation where you expand on this idea.
• Finally, an example to support your main point.
Main Body Paragraph 2
• On the other hand, a child's personality is malleable at a very
young age, and parents are always present in their life at this
stage. Also, very young children love to imitate. For example,
children who come from a dysfunctional family often exhibit
behavioural problems at school. An emotionally secure
environment at home is critical for the child's confidence.
Moreover, parents also teach children about setting
boundaries.
 • Conclusions to IELTS discussion essays
should do two things:
• Summarise the main points
• State your opinion
How To Write
a Conclusion • The conclusion is a summary of the main
points in your essay and can often be done
in a single sentence. It should never
introduce new ideas.
• The conclusion is the easiest sentence in
the essay to write but one of the most
important.
How To Write a Conclusion
• Now all you need to do is briefly summarise the main ideas
into one or two sentences.

• 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.
 • In conclusion, the outside world
Conclusion influences the intellectual and social
development of children. However, I
believe that it is parents who set the
stage for these developments by
laying a strong foundation from a
very young age.
 Useful language for discussing viewpoints
Many people believe that…
It is commonly/often/frequently believed that…
Some people think that…
It is often thought that…
Many argue that….
It is considered by many/some that…
It is argued by some that…
One on hand/On the other hand, ….
Some people support the opinion that….