Writing Task 2 Discuss Both Views Essay

Lesson
Introduction

This lesson will help you answer IELTS writing task 2 discussion (or discuss both views and
give your opinion) questions.

Example Questions

Here are a few other typical discussion questions:

1. A growing number of people feel that animals should not be exploited by people and that they
should have the same rights as humans, while others argue that humans must employ animals
to satisfy their various needs, including uses for food and research.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

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.

Structure: For discussion questions, I suggest you use the following four paragraph
structure.

Introduction

Sentence 1- Paraphrase Question

Sentence 2- State Both Points of View

Sentence 2- Thesis Statement

Sentence 3- Outline Sentence

Main Body Paragraph 1

Sentence 1- State first viewpoint

Sentence 2- Discuss first viewpoint

Sentence 3- Reason why you agree or disagree with viewpoint

Sentence 4- Example to support your view

Main Body Paragraph 2

Sentence 1- State second viewpoint

Sentence 2- Discuss second viewpoint

Sentence 3- Reason why you agree or disagree with viewpoint

Sentence 4- Example to support your view

Conclusion

Sentence 1- Summary

Sentence 2- State which one is better or more important

Practice

Here is a sample answer but I have mixed up the sentences. Can you match the sentences below
to the structure above?

This exercise will help you understand the structure.

1. In conclusion, while the benefits of technology, particularly the internet, allow students to tap
into limitless sources of information, some still feel that people should be wary of this new
phenomenon and not allow it to curb face to face interaction.
2. There is an ever increasing use of technology, such as tablets and laptops, in the classroom.
3. It is clear that the internet has provided students with access to more information than ever
before.
4. Moreover, learners have the ability to research and learn about any subject at the touch of a
button. It is therefore agreed that technology is a very worthwhile tool for education.
5. However, many disagree and feel that technology deprives people of real human interaction.
6. Human interaction teaches people valuable skills such as discourse, debate and empathy.
7. Despite this, human interaction is still possible through the internet and this essay disagrees
technology should be dismissed for this reason.
8. This essay agrees that an increase in technology is beneficial to students and teachers. This
essay will discuss both points of view.
9. For instance, Skype and Facebook make it possible for people to interact in ways that were
never before possible.
10. Wikipedia is a prime example, where students can simply type in any keyword and gain access
to in-depth knowledge quickly and easily.
11. However, as long as we are careful to keep in mind the importance of human interaction in
education, the educational benefits are clearly positive.
12. It is often argued that this is a positive development, whilst others disagree and think it will lead
to adverse ramifications.
Example Answer

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.

There is an ever increasing use of technology, such as tablets and laptops, in the classroom. It is
often argued that this is a positive development, whilst others disagree and think it will lead
to adverse ramifications. This essay agrees that an increase in technology is beneficial to students
and teachers. This essay will discuss both points of view.

It is clear that the internet has provided students with access to more information than ever
before. Moreover, learners have the ability to research and learn about any subject at the touch of
a button. It is therefore agreed that technology is a very worthwhile tool for education. Wikipedia
is a prime example, where students can simply type in any keyword and gain access to in-depth
knowledge quickly and easily.

However, many disagree and feel that technology deprives people of real human interaction.
Human interaction teaches people valuable skills such as discourse, debate and empathy. Despite
this, human interaction is still possible through the internet and this essay disagrees technology
should be dismissed for this reason. For instance, Skype and Facebook make it possible for
people to interact in ways that were never before possible.

In conclusion, while the benefits of technology, particularly the internet, allow students to tap in
to limitless sources of information, some still feel that people should be wary of this new
phenomenon and not allow it to curb face to face interaction. However, as long as we are careful
to keep in mind the importance of human interaction in education, the educational benefits are
clearly positive.

(266 words)

Task Achievement

This is one of the four areas you will be assessed on in the IELTS writing test.

Task achievement refers to your ability to address all parts of the question and present a fully
developed answer. By following the structure above, we have fully discussed both sides of the
argument and given our opinion. This is exactly what the question asked us to do, no more, no
less.

Coherence and Cohesion

Discourse markers (words like however, despite this and In conclusion) are also referred to
as linking words and linking phrases, or sentence connectors. They are quite formal and are
used more in academic writing than informal speech.
You gain marks for using these under the coherence and cohesion section of the marking
scheme. These words stick the other words together and lend continuity to sentences and
paragraphs.

If you do not include discourse markers in your IELTS writing, your answer will appear illogical
and it is more difficult to understand.

However, this does not mean that you should try to insert as many of these words in to your
writing as possible. This is a common mistake in IELTS writing. Using too many of them, or
using them inappropriately, can make your writing sound too heavy and unnatural. They are
important, but must only be used at the appropriate time.

Practice

Try to identify any discourse markers in the essay above? Dont look at the essay below yet.
How many can you find?

Sample Answer with Discourse Markers

Here is the sample answer again with the discourse markers in bold.

There is an ever increasing use of technology, such as tablets and laptops, in the classroom. It is
often argued that this is a positive development, whilst others disagree and think it will lead
to adverse ramifications. This essay agrees that an increase in technology is beneficial to
students and teachers. This essay will discuss both points of view.

It is clear that the internet has provided students with access to more information than ever
before. Moreover, learners have the ability to research and learn about any subject at the touch
of a button. It is therefore agreed that technology is a very worthwhile tool for education.
Wikipedia is a prime example, where students can simply type in any keyword and gain access
to in-depth knowledge quickly and easily.

However, many disagree and feel that technology deprives people of real human interaction.
Human interaction teaches people valuable skills such as discourse, debate and empathy. Despite
this, human interaction is still possible through the internet and this essay disagrees technology
should be dismissed for this reason. For instance, Skype and Facebook make it possible for
people to interact in ways that were never before possible.

In conclusion, while the benefits of technology, particularly the internet, allow students to tap in
to limitless sources of information, some still feel that people should be wary of this new
phenomenon and not allow it to curb face to face interaction. However, as long as we are careful
to keep in mind the importance of human interaction in education, the educational benefits are
clearly positive.

Lexical Resource
This is also one of the four criteria you will be marked on and it refers to your ability to use a
wide range of accurate vocabulary.

A common mistake is to repeat the same words over and over again. You will lose marks if you
do this. A solution to this problem is to use synonyms. You can either think of synonyms as you
are writing or leave time at the end to add them in.

Practice

Can you identify any synonyms in the essay above?

Here are some examples:

Computers- technology

Computers- the internet

Education- in the classroom

Education- students and teachers

Positive trend- positive development

Negative Consequences- adverse ramifications

By varying your vocabulary in this way you are demonstrating that you have a wide vocabulary
and this will boost your band score. However, like discourse markers be careful not to use
inappropriate/inaccurate words. Only use words you are confident about. Mistakes will lead to
fewer marks.