IELTS Discussion Essay: How to Present Both Views Effectively
The discussion essay — also called a "discuss both views" essay — asks you to examine two opposing perspectives on a topic and then give your own opinion. Unlike the opinion essay, where you argue for one side from the start, the discussion essay requires you to demonstrate that you understand both positions before stating which one you find more convincing.
This essay type tests your ability to think critically and present balanced arguments. Many test-takers struggle with it because they either forget to give their own opinion (losing marks for Task Response) or present both sides so equally that the examiner cannot determine their position.
How to Identify a Discussion Essay
Discussion essay prompts always contain two views and ask you to address both. The most common phrasing is:
- "Discuss both views and give your own opinion."
- "Some people think X while others believe Y. Discuss both views and give your opinion."
- "There are two opposing views about X. Discuss both perspectives and state your preference."
The key difference from an opinion essay is the explicit instruction to discuss both views. If you only argue for one side without acknowledging the other, you have not fully answered the question.
Do not confuse a discussion essay with an opinion essay. If the prompt says "Discuss both views AND give your opinion," you must cover both views. Writing only about your own perspective will result in a Task Response score of 5 or lower, regardless of your language quality.
The Proven 4-Paragraph Structure
The most effective structure for a discussion essay has four paragraphs:
- Introduction: Paraphrase both views + state which one you support
- Body Paragraph 1: Present View A with explanation and evidence
- Body Paragraph 2: Present View B with explanation and evidence
- Conclusion: Restate your opinion and explain why you favor one view
Writing the Introduction
Your introduction should accomplish three things in 2-3 sentences: introduce the topic, acknowledge both perspectives, and state your own position.
Example prompt: "Some people believe that children should start learning a foreign language at primary school, while others think they should wait until secondary school. Discuss both views and give your opinion."
Sample introduction: "The optimal age for children to begin studying a foreign language is a subject of ongoing debate. While some advocate for starting at primary school age, others maintain that secondary school is more appropriate. I believe that early introduction to languages at primary level offers significant long-term advantages."
Body Paragraph 1: The View You Disagree With
A useful strategy is to present the view you disagree with first. This allows you to address it fairly before dedicating your stronger paragraph (Body 2) to the view you support. The paragraph should be objective and present genuine arguments — do not create a straw man version of the opposing view just to knock it down.
Use topic sentences like: "Those who favor secondary school language learning argue that..." or "Proponents of the second view contend that..."
Develop the paragraph with 2-3 specific points and at least one concrete example. Even though you disagree with this view, present it as a reasonable position held by rational people.
Body Paragraph 2: The View You Agree With
This paragraph should be slightly more developed than Body 1, as it represents your position. Present your strongest arguments and most compelling evidence here.
Use topic sentences like: "However, I am more inclined to support early language learning because..." or "Despite these arguments, I believe that..."
The transition word between paragraphs is important — it signals to the examiner that you are now presenting your preferred view. Words like "However," "Nevertheless," "On the other hand," and "Despite this" work well.
Writing the Conclusion
The conclusion should clearly reaffirm your position and briefly explain why you find one view more persuasive. Keep it to 2-3 sentences.
Sample conclusion: "In conclusion, while there are valid reasons for delaying foreign language instruction until secondary school, I maintain that starting at primary level is more beneficial. Early exposure capitalizes on children's natural language acquisition abilities and provides a longer foundation for achieving proficiency."
Common Pitfalls
- Forgetting to state your own opinion: This is the most frequent mistake. You MUST state which view you support — a neutral summary of both sides is insufficient.
- Giving your opinion only in the conclusion: While not technically wrong, it is risky. The safest approach is to indicate your preference in both the introduction and conclusion.
- Unequal development: Both body paragraphs need to be well-developed. If one paragraph is 120 words and the other is 50 words, the essay appears imbalanced.
- Using personal anecdotes as your only evidence: One personal example is acceptable, but an essay built entirely on "In my experience" lacks academic weight.
- Overusing "On the one hand / On the other hand": These phrases are fine once, but repeating them signals limited vocabulary.
Useful Language for Discussion Essays
Introducing View A
- "Advocates of X argue that..."
- "Those who support X maintain that..."
- "One school of thought suggests that..."
- "Proponents of this approach contend that..."
Introducing View B and Your Position
- "However, others take the opposing view that..."
- "On the other hand, many people believe that..."
- "Nevertheless, there is a compelling argument for..."
- "I am more inclined to agree with the second perspective because..."
Expressing Your Opinion
- "In my view,..."
- "I believe that..."
- "From my perspective,..."
- "I would argue that..."
Practice Strategy
To improve your discussion essays, practice identifying the two views in any given prompt before you start writing. Spend 3-4 minutes planning: list two arguments for each side, choose which side you support, and outline your paragraphs. This planning time prevents the most common structural problems.
Write one complete discussion essay per week under timed conditions (40 minutes). Compare your work against model answers — not to copy phrases, but to understand how strong writers transition between views and develop their arguments.
Use WitPrep's AI Essay Grader to get instant feedback on your discussion essays. The grader evaluates Task Response, which specifically checks whether you have addressed both views and given your own opinion — the exact criteria examiners use.
For other essay types, see our guides on opinion essays and problem-solution essays. Each essay type has a different structure and Task Response requirement.
Key Takeaways
- Discussion essays require you to address BOTH views — not just your own
- State your opinion in the introduction AND the conclusion
- Present the view you disagree with first, then your preferred view
- Develop both body paragraphs equally — aim for at least 80 words each
- Use clear transition language to move between the two perspectives
- Plan before you write to ensure a balanced, well-structured response
Continue your IELTS prep on WitPrep
These free WitPrep IELTS hub pages give you the practice material referenced in this article — every prompt is original, every page has interactive tools (AI essay grader pre-fill, speaking timers, band calculator, TTS playback, MediaRecorder self-review and PDF download).