This IELTS Discussion Essay Model Essay Answer Band 9 with some techniques and tips. The Discussion Essay is a common essay type and requires you to discuss two sides of a given issue. This essay type is for both Academic and GT IELTS Writing Task 2.
TECHNIQUES & TIPS FOR IELTS DISCUSSION ESSAY
Discussion Essays are probably the easiest to write of all IELTS essays so be glad if you get one in your test.
- Two Types of Discussion Essay
- There will be two sides of the same thing, such as homework is good for children / homework is bad for children.
- There will be two different options, such as the government should focus on building housing or on parks. These are two different things and you must address both.
- Instructions:
- Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
- Note: the discussion is not more important than the opinion. All parts of the instructions are important to fulfil.
- Identify both sides of the discussion in the essay question and prepare ideas (reasons why each side is valid)
- each side is about why other people support that side
- Choose your main ideas
- you don’t get a higher band score because you have more ideas.
- you get a higher band score because your ideas are relevant and well-developed.
- so, decide which ideas to use. You will usually have about two reasons to explain for each side of the discussion.
- Decide your opinion.
- Do you agree with one of the sides?
- Do you have your own balanced view which is a specific view that doesn’t fully agree and doesn’t fully disagree?
- You can’t change your opinion half way through your essay so make sure you have decided it before you start writing.
- Always write your introduction paragraph with two statements:
- Background statement = a paraphrase of the essay question. The biggest mistake is incorrect paraphrasing that changes the meaning of the essay question given.
- Thesis statement = presents your position clearly.
- Body Paragraphs
- Always have a topic sentence. This shows the examiner which side of the discussion you are about to tackle.
- Making the content and aim of your body paragraphs clear is essential to a high score.
- Topic sentences should help the essay flow clearly and help the examiner locate information easily.
- Not all body paragraphs require examples. If you can’t think of an example don’t worry. Just explain the main point as well as you can.
- Supporting points are basically points that explain the main idea. Imagine someone asking you again and again “What do you mean?” – “Explain yourself”. Good supporting points make the main idea clear.
- Don’t overcomplicate your ideas. Ideas should be clear and relevant, but language should have more complexity for a high score.
- Your opinion should also be restate in the body paragraphs.
- Conclusion
- Summarise all the main ideas you’ve given.
- This should be the shortest paragraph, usually one or two sentences.
- Never introduce a new main point in the conclusion.
- Always start the conclusion with the right linking word. Click here: Video: Linking Words for Conclusions. It’s an old video but still relevant today.
- Use language of discussions, see this video: Discussion Essay Language
IELTS DISCUSSION ESSAY MODEL ANSWER
Discussion Essay Question
Completing university education is thought by some to be the best way to get a good job. On the other hand, other people think that getting experience and developing soft skills is more important.
Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
Discussion Essay Model Answer
Some people think that being a university graduate is the key to securing a good job, while others think experience and soft skills are better. In my opinion, I believe that the former is essential for academic jobs, while the latter are more useful in business and related industries.
On the one hand, many people think it is easy find good employment with an undergrad degree or above because it puts people one step ahead of other applicants, and can be the deciding factor between applicants. Furthermore, certain career paths are not open to those without a higher level of education, such as jobs requiring academic or specialist knowledge, namely teachers, lecturers, doctors and lawyers. Not only that, but academia does promote the development of useful skills, not just academic knowledge, for example analytical thinking, research skills and intellectual curiosity, which are valuable transferable skills. For this reason, I believe that in tertiary education offers an advantage mainly for those aiming for a professional or academic career.
On the other hand, having relevant work experience and soft skills can throw the balance in favour of the job applicant for certain types of work. For instance, for a corporate management position, having experience of managing others, running projects, delegating tasks and strong emotional intelligence is of more importance than the theory of management with no real hands-on experience when fresh out of university. Also, certain industries require interpersonal skills which can only be developed through extensive experience with people, such as in customer service, hospitality and sales. Consequently, it can be seen that tertiary education is no advantage at all in some areas.
In conclusion, I think that securing a good job requires a relevant background specific to the career or job the applicant is applying for. Some positions will require an academic background, whilst others benefit more from experience and skills.
Note: Please note that this essay is over 300 words. Longer doesn’t mean better. Most IELTS essays will be between 270 and 290 words, even for band 9. However, 300 words or just over is possible as long as ideas and supporting points remain highly relevant, and language errors are kept to an absolute minimum.
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