IELTS Task 2 · Essay type
IELTS Task 2 Discussion Essay (Discuss Both Views)
The discussion essay asks you to present two opposing views and give your own opinion. You must cover both sides fairly and make your own position unmistakable — usually stated in the introduction and confirmed in the conclusion.
In short
- Prompt cues: "Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.", "Discuss both sides of this argument."
- Use the four-paragraph plan below — introduction, two developed body paragraphs, conclusion.
- Band 7 needs a clear, sustained response, a range of cohesive devices, some less common vocabulary, and mostly error-free complex sentences.
The paragraph plan
What goes in each paragraph for a discussion (both views) prompt.
| Paragraph | What it contains |
|---|---|
| Introduction | Paraphrase the topic, note that views differ, and state your own opinion clearly. |
| Body 1 | The first view — explain it fairly with a reason and example, even if it is not the one you favour. |
| Body 2 | The second view, developed the same way, and make clear which side you find more convincing and why. |
| Conclusion | Restate your opinion and briefly summarise both views. No new ideas. |
What caps this essay type at Band 6.5
- Not giving your own opinion — the task explicitly requires it.
- Covering one view in depth and the other in a single line (imbalance).
- Hiding your opinion so the examiner cannot tell which side you take.
- Listing ideas for each view without developing any.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I recognise an IELTS Task 2 discussion (both views) prompt?
"Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.", "Discuss both sides of this argument."
How many words and how long for Task 2?
At least 250 words in about 40 minutes. Task 2 is worth roughly two-thirds of your IELTS Writing band, so give it the larger share of the hour.
How is the essay scored?
On four equal criteria: Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy — each 25%.
How many paragraphs should I write?
Four: introduction, two developed body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Depth of development matters more than the number of paragraphs.
Can I get my essay marked against the criteria?
Yes. The Writing Correction Service marks IELTS Task 1 and Task 2 against all four official criteria with line-by-line feedback and a predicted band score in 48 hours.
Other Task 2 essay types: Opinion (Agree / Disagree) · Advantages & Disadvantages · Problem & Solution · Two-Part (Direct) Question · Task 2 overview
IELTS Writing Correction
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