Discussion Essay

Copyright: ieltsliz.com

(Do NOT share!)

 SYLLABUS
• Types of discussion essay:
• Discussion Essay + One-sided Opinion
• Discussion Essay + Balanced View
• Discussion Essay with no opinion

• These points will be discussed:

• Essay Structure
• Ideas
• Writing each paragraph
• Tips
• Linking devices
• Vocabulary
Discussion essay + one-sided
opinion
 QUESTION
Some people think that children should be
taught to be competitive in school. Others,
however, say that cooperation and team
working skills are more important.

Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

 QUESTION
Topic: Two
Some people think that children should be
opposing taught to be competitive in school. Others,
views
however, say that cooperation and team
working skills are more important.

Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

In order to get a high band score in task response, all parts of the task
must be fully addressed.
 ESSAY STRUCTURE
INTRODUCTION
• Background statement: Introduce the two sides
• Thesis statement: Introduce our opinion

BODY PARAGRAPH 1: Competition In this example, we are going

• Some people think … and I agree.
to agree with competition.

BODY PARAGRAPH 2: Cooperation

• Other people think …

CONCLUSION
• Refer to other people’s opinion in a short way.
• Restate our opinion.
 BRAINSTORMING IDEAS (1)
Reasons why people support competition:
1. Children do better in school
2. Competition motivates
- Example: Children apply themselves when in direct
competition with classmates.
3. Later in life – competition in the job market

Do NOT confuse with advantages and disadvantages essay!

There are, of course, advantages of competition (that make us support this side).
However, the language used must present them as reasons instead of advantages.
 BRAINSTORMING IDEAS (2)
Reasons why people support cooperation:
1. People do not live apart
- Learn to live alongside others
2. Learn communication
3. Deal with confrontations
4. Learn to negotiate
 PARAPHRASING
Competitive → competition; to compete; competing

Cooperation → to cooperate, cooperating, team skills, team working

skills, working in a team

When paraphrasing, we don’t need to change the word completely especially if

that is the correct term to use. Instead, we can show our flexibility by changing
the word form.
 INTRODUCTION: BACKGROUND
Some people think that children should be
taught to be competitive in school. Others,
however, say that cooperation and team
working skills are more important.

Although it is sometimes thought that schools

Merged into one
sentence. ought to teach children to compete, other people
changed into active voice

believe that the focus should be on cooperation.

Make sure ALL information in the original sentence is included.

 INTRODUCTION: THESIS
Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
This one is typical
in common
academic essay,
but is not good for 1. This essay will discuss both sides and then I will
IELTS because it is give my opinion.
too vague. A bit better:
- Clear position, but no words
2. I agree with the former opinion. connected to the essay question.
- “learned phrase”.
Train yourself to
make this kind of 3. In my opinion, I consider that competition helps - Clear position
thesis statement. - A range of
children learn the most important skills for their vocabulary is
future. used.
 INTRODUCTION
Some people think that children should be taught to be
competitive in school. Others, however, say that
cooperation and team working skills are more important.

Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

Although it is sometimes thought that schools ought to

teach children to compete, other people believe that the
focus should be on cooperation. In my opinion, I consider
that competition helps children learn the most important
skills for their future.
(41 words)
BODY PARAGRAPH 1: TOPIC SENTENCE
Firstly, children who learn to compete against each other
often do better in school.

• In this example, we are pro with competition. However, this topic sentence
doesn’t show if this paragraph represents our thought or other’s.

On the one hand, some people think that children who

learn to compete against each other often do better in
school and I agree.
• This one is suitable for a discussion essay because, in addition to stating the
reason, our opinion is clearly shown.
BODY PARAGRAPH 1
BODY PARAGRAPH 2: TOPIC SENTENCE
On the other hand, it is often believed that competition
should not be emphasised in schools.

• In the second paragraph, we will not talk about the negative sides of
competition.

On the other hand, it is often believed that it is better if the

emphasis at school is on cooperating with others.

• This one is suitable because the cooperation is what we will talk about.
 BODY PARAGRAPH 2

Alternatively: People do not live, …

 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, while people may vary in their opinions, I

think that children stand a better chance to succeed both in
school and later in life if they are encouraged to compete
against each other.
(35 words)

• Conclusion must be shorter than introduction.

• Formula: mention (refer shortly) the other opinion, then restate our opinion.
MODEL ANSWER:
DISCUSSION
ESSAY WITH
ONE-SIDED
OPINION
Discussion essay + balanced view
 ESSAY STRUCTURE
INTRODUCTION
• Background statement: Introduce the two sides
• Thesis statement: Introduce our opinion

BODY PARAGRAPH 1: One side

BODY PARAGRAPH 2: Other side

In this example, we are going
BODY PARAGRAPH 3: Our opinion to disagree with both sides
and present our own opinion.
CONCLUSION
• Summary
 INTRODUCTION: THESIS
Discuss both sides and give your opinion.
This is a very
unclear opinion
because you 1. In my opinion, I believe that competing and
can’t agree 100%
with both sides. cooperating is important for children.

2. In my opinion, deciding whether to focus on

competition or team working skills should
depend on the age of the child. Clear opinion: Here, we don’t agree
100% with both sides, but we
explain it in terms of the age.
 INTRODUCTION
Some people think that children should be taught to be
competitive in school. Others, however, say that
cooperation and team working skills are more important.

Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

Although it is sometimes thought that schools ought to

teach children to compete, other people believe that the
focus should be on cooperation. In my opinion, deciding
whether to focus on competition or team working skills
should depend on the age of the child.
(44 words)
BODY PARAGRAPH 1 & 2
BODY PARAGRAPH 3
We mention both sides and include our own opinion.
 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, despite people having different views, I

believe it would be better for young children to develop
team working skills and older children to become more
competitive.
(28 words)

Since the conclusion is short (less than 30 words), you can add a final comment:
This comment doesn’t fully
1. Learning both skills is essential for a child’s future.
represent our opinion.

2. Learning both skills is essential at the appropriate age for a child’s future.
 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, despite people having different views, I

believe it would be better for young children to develop
team working skills and older children to become more
competitive. Learning both skills is essential at the
appropriate age for a child’s future.
(41 words)
MODEL ANSWER:
DISCUSSION
ESSAY WITH
BALANCED VIEW
Discussion essay with no opinion
 INTRODUCTION
Some people think that children should be taught to be
competitive in school. Others, however, say that
cooperation and team working skills are more important.

Discuss both sides.

People have different perspectives on whether schools

ought to focus on teaching children to compete or work Neutral thesis
statement
together as a team. While some people think that (without any
competition is more important, others consider that its is tendency).

better for children to learn to cooperate with each other.

BODY PARAGRAPH 1 & 2
BODY PARAGRAPH 3
We mention both sides and include our own opinion.
 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, many people think that children need to

become more competitive, whereas others think that it is
best for a child to focus on working together.
(27 words)
MODEL ANSWER:
DISCUSSION
ESSAY WITH
NO OPINION
Vocabulary
 VOCABULARY (1)
• I consider (that) … I am considering.
(I have made a decision; use this to present our opinion) (I am still thinking – no decision yet)

• It should depend on the age of the child = The age of the child should
be taken into consideration.

• to motivate = to encourage motivation = drive

• to excel = to do well = to perform well

• essential = critical = vital

• indispensable = vital (but more about “cannot do without”)

 VOCABULARY (2)
• schools should teach = children ought to learn

• to work alongside = to work side by side with

• confrontations = disagreements

• to focus = to concentrate on focus = emphasis

• start to take their exams = begin their examinations

• compete to get a job = compete in the job market