DISCUSSION ESSAYS

DISCUSSION ESSAYS

Discussion Essays: Structure, Common Mistakes, and IELTS Examples

A discussion essay is a type of academic writing in which you are required to present multiple sides of an issue and provide analysis and evidence for each perspective. The goal is not to persuade but to discuss objectively, allowing readers to understand different viewpoints clearly.

What Is a Discussion Essay?

Writing a discussion essay involves exploring two or more sides of an argument. You should remain neutral and balanced throughout, explaining each opinion with supporting arguments and examples before giving your own viewpoint in the conclusion.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not stating your opinion: Even though you present both views, you must give your personal stance.
• Not developing both sides equally: Unequal discussion makes your essay look biased.
• Ignoring one side completely: Always address both perspectives before reaching a conclusion.

Structure of a Discussion Essay

Introduction

• Introduce the topic and the two opposing views.
• Briefly state your own opinion.

Body Paragraph 1 – The View You Don’t Agree With

• Topic sentence: Outline the opposing opinion.
• Explanation: Explain why some people hold this view.
• Example: Provide a realistic or factual example.

Body Paragraph 2 – The View You Support

• Topic sentence: State the opinion you agree with.
• Explanation: Give reasons and evidence supporting it.
• Example: Add a clear, relevant example.

Conclusion

• Summarize key ideas from both sides.
• Reaffirm your personal opinion clearly.

Difference Between an Argument Essay and a Discussion Essay

When you argue, you try to persuade the reader to agree with your opinion. When you discuss, you consider multiple sides of a topic without emotional involvement. In a discussion essay, you must explore all viewpoints before concluding with your stance.

Understanding the IELTS Question Types

If the question says “Discuss both views and give your opinion,” you must analyze both sides and then give your conclusion. However, if it says “Do you agree or disagree?” you should focus on your opinion throughout, using strong arguments and examples to support your stance.

Sample Discussion Essay

Topic:

Some people think that a sense of competition in children should be encouraged. Others believe that children who are taught to co-operate rather than compete become more useful adults. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Sample Answer

Introduction: People have different views about whether children should be taught to be competitive or co-operative. While a spirit of competition can sometimes be useful in life, I believe that the ability to co-operate is more important.

Body 1: Competition can be a great source of motivation for children. Games and prizes encourage them to work harder and achieve more. It builds self-confidence and prepares them for real-life situations such as job interviews.

Body 2: However, teamwork and co-operation are crucial in adult life. Most jobs require collaboration and communication, not rivalry. Schools should, therefore, emphasize teamwork rather than competition.

Conclusion: Although competition has benefits, a co-operative attitude better prepares children for future success and harmony in society.

Agree or Disagree Essay Example

Topic:

Some people think that all teenagers should be required to do unpaid work to help the local community. Do you agree or disagree?

Sample Answer

Introduction: Many young people volunteer in their free time, which benefits both them and society. However, I do not agree that unpaid work should be compulsory for all teenagers.

Body 1: Students already face heavy academic pressure. Forcing them to work might negatively affect their studies and well-being.

Body 2: Forcing unpaid work goes against the principles of freedom. It would create resentment among both teenagers and parents. Voluntary participation is a better approach.

Conclusion: Teenagers may choose to volunteer, but it should never be made mandatory. Genuine volunteering comes from free will, not obligation.

Final Tips for Writing Discussion Essays

• Analyze the question carefully before writing.
• Remain neutral and balanced.
• Use linking words such as on the one hand, however, in contrast, therefore.
• Support ideas with examples, data, or logic.
• End with a clear and confident conclusion.

Mastering discussion essays is essential for achieving a high score in IELTS Writing Task 2. With practice and clear structure, you can write balanced, well-organized essays that impress examiners.

=== Taqdimot 1 ===
Discussion essays
=== Taqdimot 2 ===
DISCUSSION ESSAYS
Writing a discussion essay involves presenting two or more sides of an argument or issue and providing evidence and analysis to support each perspective.
It’s important to remain objective and present a balanced argument throughout your essay.
=== Taqdimot 3 ===
3 Common Mistakes
Not stating your opinion.
Not giving arguments for both views.
Not developing both sides of the argument equally.
These three errors are common in discussion essays.
=== Taqdimot 4 ===
Essay Structure
Introduce the topic and the two opposing views
State your opinion
Introduction
Topic sentence – outline the view you don’t agree with
Explanation – explain why this view is held by some people
Example – give an example
Main body paragraph 1
=== Taqdimot 5 ===
Essay Structure
Topic sentence – outline the view you do agree with
Explanation – explain why this view is held by some people
Example – give an example
Main body paragraph 2
Summarise the key points and reaffirm your opinion
Conclusion
=== Taqdimot 6 ===
Difference between an argument essay and a discussion essay
When you argue, you are trying to persuade the other person to agree with your point of view. You might even get angry!
When you discuss, you consider different points of view, and nobody gets angry.
=== Taqdimot 7 ===
The question should make it very clear what it wants you to do. When the essay prompt asks you to «discuss,» it requires you to explore and present multiple perspectives of a particular topic. In this case, you should provide a balanced analysis of different viewpoints, presenting arguments and evidence for each. It is important to objectively present the various sides of the issue and offer a well-rounded discussion that considers different perspectives, allowing the reader to gain a comprehensive understanding of the topic.
=== Taqdimot 8 ===
When the essay question asks whether you «agree or disagree,» it is explicitly seeking your opinion. In this type of question, it is advisable to state your viewpoint in the introduction and provide supporting arguments throughout the essay. The objective is to persuade the reader to agree with your stance by presenting compelling evidence, logical reasoning, and relevant examples. By effectively presenting and defending your opinion, you can construct a persuasive and coherent essay.
=== Taqdimot 9 ===
Discussion essay sample:
Some people think that a sense of competition in children should be encouraged. Others believe that children who are taught to co-operate rather than compete become more useful adults.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
=== Taqdimot 10 ===
Introduction
People have different views about whether children should be taught to be competitive or co-operative. While a spirit of competition can sometimes be useful in life, I believe that the ability to co-operate is more important.
=== Taqdimot 11 ===
Body 1
On the one hand, competition can be a great source of motivation for children. When teachers use games or prizes to introduce an element of competitiveness into lessons, it can encourage children to work harder to outdo the other pupils in the class. This kind of healthy rivalry may help to build children’s self confidence, while pushing them to work independently and progress more quickly. When these children leave school, their confidence and determination will help them in competitive situations such as job interviews. It can therefore be argued that competition should be encouraged in order to prepare children for adult life.
=== Taqdimot 12 ===
Body 2
On the other hand, it is perhaps even more important to prepare children for the many aspects of adult life that require co-operation. In the workplace, adults are expected to work in teams, follow instructions given by their superiors, or supervise and support the more junior members of staff. Team collaboration skills are much more useful than a competitive determination to win. This is the attitude that I believe schools should foster in young people. Instead of promoting the idea that people are either winners or losers, teachers could show children that they gain more from working together.
=== Taqdimot 13 ===
Conclusion
In conclusion, I can understand why people might want to encourage competitiveness in children, but it seems to me that a co-operative attitude is much more desirable in adult life.
=== Taqdimot 14 ===
“Agree disagree” essay sample
Some people think that all teenagers should be required to do unpaid work in their free time to help the local community. They believe this would benefit both the individual teenager and society as a whole.
Do you agree or disagree?
=== Taqdimot 15 ===
Introduction
Many young people work on a volunteer basis, and this can only be beneficial for both the individual and society as a whole. However, I do not agree that we should, therefore, force all teenagers to do unpaid work.
=== Taqdimot 16 ===
Body 1
Most young people are already under enough pressure with their studies, without being given the added responsibility of working in their spare time. School is just as demanding as a full-time job, and teachers expect their students to do homework and exam revision on top of attending lessons every day. When young people do have some free time, we should encourage them to enjoy it with their friends or to spend it doing sports and other leisure activities. They have many years of work ahead of them when they finish their studies.
=== Taqdimot 17 ===
Body 2
At the same time, I do not believe that society has anything to gain from obliging young people to do unpaid work. In fact, I would argue that it goes against the values of a free and fair society to force a group of people to do something against their will. Doing this can only lead to resentment amongst young people, who would feel that they were being used, and parents, who would not want to be told how to raise their children. Currently, nobody is forced to volunteer, and this is surely the best system.
=== Taqdimot 18 ===
Conclusion
In conclusion, teenagers may choose to work for free and help others, but in my opinion, we should not make this compulsory.
=== Taqdimot 19 ===
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