The discussion essay — identified by the instruction ‘Discuss both views and give your own opinion’ — is one of the five main essay types in IELTS Writing Task 2. Unlike the opinion essay, which asks the test-taker to defend a single position, the discussion essay requires the writer to present two contrasting viewpoints objectively before stating their own preference. The task requires a minimum of 250 words and is recommended to be completed in approximately 40 minutes. According to the official IELTS band descriptors, Task Response for a discussion essay is assessed on whether the candidate presents a clear overview of both views and provides a substantiated personal position. The most frequent error is presenting only one perspective or failing to include a personal opinion — both of which result in a band penalty under Task Response regardless of language quality.
1. How to Identify a Discussion Essay
The discussion essay is the only IELTS Task 2 question type that explicitly asks you to do two things in sequence: present both views, then state your own opinion. It is identified by the presence of the phrase “Discuss both views and give your own opinion.” Some variants may read “Discuss both sides of this argument and give your own view.”
It is essential to distinguish the discussion essay from its closest neighbours. The opinion essay (agree or disagree) does not ask you to discuss both views — it asks only for your personal position. Writing a balanced two-sided essay in response to an opinion essay question is a common structural error. Conversely, the advantages and disadvantages essay (Type A — “Discuss the advantages and disadvantages”) examines the positive and negative aspects of a situation — it does not ask for a personal opinion, and the two sides are not competing human viewpoints.
The defining feature of a discussion essay is that it presents two genuinely contrasting human perspectives — for example, those who believe technology has improved education versus those who believe it has undermined it. Both perspectives must be presented with understanding and fairness before you state which you find more persuasive.
2. The 5-Paragraph Structure
The discussion essay can be written in either four or five paragraphs. For Band 7+, the five-paragraph structure is recommended because it allocates a dedicated paragraph to your personal opinion, making it unmistakably clear to the examiner. The four-paragraph version — where your opinion is embedded in the introduction and restated in the conclusion — is acceptable but leaves less room to develop your personal argument.
Paragraph 1 — Introduction (~55 words)
Paraphrase the question to introduce the topic. Acknowledge that two contrasting viewpoints exist. Close with a thesis sentence that indicates which view you find more convincing — but do not yet explain why.
Paragraph 2 — First Viewpoint (~100 words)
Present the first perspective with two supporting points, developed objectively. Use third-person reporting language (“Proponents argue that...”). Do not use “I believe” here — this section presents the view, not your personal stance.
Paragraph 3 — Second Viewpoint (~100 words)
Present the contrasting perspective with equal development. Use opposing reporting language (“Conversely, critics maintain that...”). Both view paragraphs should be approximately equal in length — an imbalanced essay signals to the examiner that the task has not been fully addressed.
Paragraph 4 — Your Opinion (~70 words) [Optional but recommended for Band 7+]
State and substantiate your personal position. Explain why one view is more convincing than the other. This is the only paragraph where first-person language (“I would argue...”) is appropriate. Reference specific reasoning rather than simply repeating what was said in the view paragraphs.
Paragraph 5 — Conclusion (~55 words)
Summarise both views briefly. Restate your personal opinion clearly. Do not introduce new information or arguments. The conclusion should leave the examiner in no doubt about your position.
| Paragraph | Purpose | Target Word Count |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | Paraphrase + acknowledge both views + thesis | 50–60 words |
| Body 1 (View 1) | First viewpoint with 2 developed points | 90–110 words |
| Body 2 (View 2) | Contrasting viewpoint with 2 developed points | 90–110 words |
| Body 3 (Opinion) | Personal position with reasoning [optional] | 60–80 words |
| Conclusion | Balanced summary + clear opinion restatement | 50–60 words |
3. How to Present Both Views Objectively
Presenting both views objectively requires using distancing language — linguistic structures that signal you are reporting a perspective rather than endorsing it. This is a key feature of academic writing and directly demonstrates your Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range to the examiner.
The table below contains the most effective and varied phrases for introducing and supporting both viewpoints. Variety in these reporting structures is essential — using the same phrase to open every sentence will reduce your Coherence and Cohesion score.
| Purpose | Example Phrases |
|---|---|
| Introducing View 1 | “Proponents of X argue that...” “Those who support X contend that...” “One school of thought holds that...” |
| Introducing View 2 | “Conversely, critics of X maintain that...” “On the other hand, opponents argue that...” “Those who take the opposing view suggest...” |
| Adding Support | “This is evidenced by...” “This is supported by the fact that...” “A compelling example of this is...” |
| Developing a Point | “The reasoning behind this view is that...” “This stems from the belief that...” “Advocates of this position point out that...” |
4. Where to Put Your Opinion
A common point of confusion for IELTS candidates is where to position their personal opinion in a discussion essay. Unlike in an opinion essay, where the thesis is the essay’s sole purpose, in a discussion essay the opinion is one component among several — and where you place it affects both clarity and scoring.
There are two structurally sound approaches, and both are accepted by IELTS examiners. Your choice depends primarily on how much development you wish to give your personal view.
| Feature | Option A (4 Paragraphs) | Option B (5 Paragraphs) |
|---|---|---|
| Opinion Placement | Brief thesis in introduction, restated in conclusion | Dedicated body paragraph 3 + restated in conclusion |
| When to Use | When your opinion is closely aligned with one of the views you present | When your opinion has distinct supporting reasons not covered in the view paragraphs |
| Task Response Risk | Lower — opinion may appear thin if the conclusion is brief | Lower — opinion is clearly substantiated |
| Band 7+ Suitability | Acceptable with a well-developed conclusion | Recommended — opinion is explicitly substantiated |
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5. Common Mistakes to Avoid
These five errors account for the majority of Task Response and Coherence band penalties in IELTS discussion essays. Each mistake is directly observable in the examiner marking criteria and represents a pattern that candidates can actively correct through targeted practice.
6. Band 8 Sample Essay with Examiner Commentary
Essay Question
“Some people think that zoos are cruel and should be closed. Others believe they serve an important purpose in modern society. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.”
The role of zoological institutions in contemporary society is a subject of considerable debate.[CC] While some argue that confining animals for human entertainment is fundamentally unethical, others maintain that zoos fulfil an indispensable function in conservation and education. This essay will discuss both perspectives before arguing that ethical concerns ultimately outweigh the benefits.[TR]
Opponents of zoos contend that removing animals from their natural habitats causes significant psychological harm.[TR] Research into captive animal behaviour has documented phenomena such as stereotypy — repetitive, purposeless movements — in elephants and large felines, widely accepted as indicators of severe stress.[LR] Furthermore, critics argue that even the most well-resourced enclosures cannot replicate the complexity of wild ecosystems, and that reducing animals to spectacles undermines the dignity of species that would otherwise inhabit vast territories.[GR]
Conversely, proponents of modern zoos argue that they play a pivotal role in the conservation of endangered species.[TR] Captive breeding programmes have contributed directly to the recovery of species such as the Arabian oryx and the California condor, both of which were on the verge of extinction before zoo-led interventions.[LR] Supporters further contend that zoos provide irreplaceable educational opportunities, fostering public awareness of biodiversity and generating funding for field conservation efforts.[CC]
In my view, the conservation argument — whilst compelling — does not justify the systematic confinement of animals on a large scale.[TR] The evidence of psychological harm in captive animals is substantial, and conservation outcomes can be achieved through alternative mechanisms — in-situ reserves, wildlife corridors, and international protection treaties — that do not require removing animals from the wild.[GR]
In conclusion, while zoos have made genuine contributions to conservation science, the ethical cost of keeping animals in captivity is too high to justify their continued existence as entertainment venues.[TR] I believe that the closure of traditional zoos, combined with increased investment in natural habitat preservation, represents the more principled and effective path forward.[CC]
Examiner Commentary
This essay demonstrates clear Band 8 achievement across all four criteria. Under Task Response, both views are presented with genuine development and equal depth; the personal opinion is clearly stated in a dedicated paragraph and consistently aligned with the conclusion — there is no ambiguity about the writer’s position. Coherence and Cohesion is strong: the five-paragraph structure is clean, paragraph openings clearly signal shifts in perspective, and the logical progression from both views to personal position to conclusion is well-executed. Lexical Resource stands out through the use of precise terminology (“stereotypy,” “captive breeding programmes,” “in-situ reserves”) and varied reporting language. Grammatically, complex structures are used accurately throughout, with no pattern of error.
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7. Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to give my own opinion in a discussion essay?
Can I agree with both views equally in a discussion essay?
How do I structure the introduction for a discussion essay?
Is a discussion essay the same as an advantages and disadvantages essay?
How many words should each body paragraph be in a discussion essay?
Related Resources
IELTS Writing Task 2 Guide
Complete overview of all Task 2 essay types, marking criteria, and strategy.
Opinion Essay (Agree or Disagree)
Full guide to writing a clear, consistent IELTS opinion essay at Band 7+.
Problem and Solution Essay
Step-by-step structure for identifying problems and proposing realistic solutions.
Writing Phrase Bank
Curated academic phrases for every section of your Task 2 essay.