Discussion Essays: Planning (British Council Academic IELTS: Writing): Study Material

Planning discussion essays

• In a discussion essay, you are given two opposing views on a topic. You have to discuss both of them and give your own opinion.

• A typical discussion essay question looks like this:

  • Some people believe that children should be given homework every day. Others think that homework is unnecessary and puts too much pressure on children. Discuss both views and give your own opinion

Identifying key words in the question & instructions

• Read the question carefully and make sure you understand exactly what you need to do.

• Make sure that you identify the two opposing views clearly

• Underline or highlight key words to help you focus on:

  • the main topic

  • the two contrasting ideas

• If you misunderstand the task or write about only one view, your answer will be incomplete and your score for Task Response will be lower

Brainstorming for ideas

• Do not start writing your essay immediately

• Spend at least five minutes planning what you’re going to include in your answer

• Planning is extremely important because it gives you clarity and direction

• If you do not make a plan, you might start writing anything that comes to your mind

• The risk of doing so is that you end up writing an unfocused essay and getting a low score in Task Response

• Brainstorm ideas for both views in the question 

• Make short notes only at this stage, not full sentences

• Three useful questions to ask yourself at this stage are:

  • Why do some people support this view?

  • Why do others support the opposite view?

  • What is my own opinion?

• Your planning should include:

  • reasons that support the first view

  • reasons that support the second view

  • your own position on the issue

  • possible examples to support your points

• Keep in mind that your opinion may:

  • support the first view

  • support the second view

  • partly agree with both views

Ordering ideas

• Use a clear four-paragraph structure:

  • Introduction

  • Two main body paragraphs (paragraphs 1 and 2)

  • Conclusion

• A simple, logical way to structure your essay is to discuss one view  in paragraph 1 and the opposite view in paragraph 2

• Whatever structure you choose, ensure the second paragraph logically follows the first