You are given a controversial issue and asked to explore both views, then give your own opinion. Unlike the pure opinion essay, you must give equal weight to both sides before stating your position — usually in the conclusion, or at the end of the introduction.
Recognising the question type
Typical prompt patterns:
▸ "Discuss both views and give your own opinion."
▸ "Some people believe [X]. Others argue [Y]. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion."
▸ "There are different opinions about [topic]. Discuss the arguments on both sides."
The five-paragraph structure
1
Introduction
Paraphrase the prompt. State that there are contrasting views. Briefly mention your opinion (optional — you can save it for the conclusion).
2
View 1 paragraph
Present the first perspective fairly — even if it is not your own. Give a reason and an example. Use language that signals this is others' view.
3
View 2 paragraph
Present the opposing perspective with equal depth. Use contrast language to signal the shift from View 1.
4
Your opinion paragraph (optional)
Some writers add a third body paragraph giving their own view. This can boost task achievement if your position is nuanced — but only if you have the word count to support it.
5
Conclusion
Summarise both views. Clearly state your personal position — this is essential for task achievement in this essay type.
Think about this:
How is a discussion essay different from an opinion essay? In which type is it acceptable — or even required — to give your own view?
Why is it important to present both sides fairly, even if you disagree strongly with one of them?
Linking words for discussion essays
Discussion essays need three types of linking language: words to introduce a view, words to contrast views, and words to organise within paragraphs. Click each card to see the category and an example.
Those who support…Introducing a view — signals that you are presenting someone else's position. Those who support remote work argue that it improves productivity.
Proponents of… argue thatIntroducing a view — formal. Proponents of stricter immigration controls argue that it protects national jobs.
On the other handContrasting views — moves from one perspective to its opposite. On the other hand, critics argue that home working erodes team culture.
In contrast / By contrastContrasting views — formal. In contrast, opponents of this policy believe that economic benefits are overstated.
Firstly … Furthermore …Organising within a paragraph — builds the argument point by point. Firstly, flexible hours reduce commuting costs. Furthermore, they allow employees to manage family commitments.
Personally, I believe thatStating your opinion — clearer than "I think". Reserve this for the conclusion. Personally, I believe that the social benefits of office work outweigh the convenience of remote arrangements.
Gap-fill practice
Fill in the most suitable linking word. Check your answer when ready.
____ advertising to children argue that it creates harmful materialistic values from a young age.
→ Choose from: Regarding / Those who oppose / Furthermore
Those who oppose advertising to children argue that it creates harmful materialistic values from a young age.
Note: the verb "argue" needs a subject — someone who argues. "Regarding" and "Furthermore" cannot give it one; "Those who oppose" can, and it frames the sentence as someone else's view.
Television provides entertainment and education for children. ____, excessive viewing may delay language development and reduce physical activity.
→ Choose from: On the other hand / Additionally / For example
Television provides entertainment and education for children. On the other hand, excessive viewing may delay language development and reduce physical activity.
____, both perspectives have merit. ____, I believe a balanced approach — encouraging international collaboration while protecting cultural heritage — represents the most sensible path.
→ Choose from: In conclusion / Personally / For example
In conclusion, both perspectives have merit. Personally, I believe a balanced approach — encouraging international collaboration while protecting cultural heritage — represents the most sensible path.
Discuss:
Why is it more sophisticated to say "Those who support..." rather than "Some people think..."? Can you think of other formal alternatives?
How to structure a "view" paragraph
Each view paragraph should present the position clearly, give a reason, and support it with an example. Read this model and analyse its structure.
The prompt:
Some people believe that advertising aimed at children should be banned. Others think it does little harm. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
[A] Those who are concerned about the impact of advertising on children argue that it actively shapes their values in harmful ways. [B] Young children, in particular, lack the cognitive ability to distinguish between commercial persuasion and factual content, meaning they are far more susceptible to marketing messages than adults. [C] Numerous studies have shown that children who watch high volumes of commercial television are more likely to associate happiness and status with material goods, potentially fostering dissatisfaction and pressure on families who cannot afford the advertised products. [D] For these reasons, many child development experts and parents maintain that restricting advertising to young audiences is a matter of safeguarding their wellbeing.
[A] Topic sentence — introduces this view and signals whose position it is → [B] Explanation — why the concern is valid → [C] Evidence / example — supports the claim with research → [D] Link — reinforces the view with a conclusion about why people hold it
Now the opposing view paragraph:
[A] On the other hand, proponents of the advertising industry argue that commercial messages play a legitimate role in the media ecosystem that children inhabit. [B] They contend that advertising funds the free content — television programmes, online videos, and games — that children enjoy, and that a world without commercial funding would severely restrict access to quality media. [C] Furthermore, advocates argue that exposure to advertising, when accompanied by media literacy education, can actually help children develop critical thinking skills by learning to identify and question persuasion techniques. [D] From this perspective, the solution lies not in banning advertising, but in equipping children to engage with it more thoughtfully.
[A] Contrast link + topic sentence — "On the other hand" signals the shift, then introduces the opposing view → [B] Explanation with the why → [C] Further point with a nuanced argument → [D] Closing position — reframes the issue
Discuss:
Which paragraph do you find more persuasive? Does persuasiveness matter in a discussion essay — or only balance and clarity?
Can you identify which view the writer personally agrees with based on these two paragraphs?
Plan your essay
📝 The prompt:
Some people believe that globalisation has had an overall positive impact on society. Others argue that it has created more problems than it has solved. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Arguments FOR globalisation
▸ Economic growth — trade links reduce poverty, create jobs, and raise living standards in developing nations.
▸ Cultural exchange — exposure to different ideas, art, food, and traditions enriches societies and promotes mutual understanding.
▸ Scientific collaboration — global research partnerships accelerate medical and technological advances.
Arguments AGAINST globalisation
▸ Cultural homogenisation — smaller languages and traditions are lost as dominant cultures (often Western) spread globally.
▸ Economic inequality — multinationals exploit cheap labour in developing countries while profits flow to wealthy shareholders.
▸ Environmental cost — global supply chains increase carbon emissions and accelerate resource depletion.
Your plan
Discuss:
Has globalisation been positive or negative for your own country or culture? Can you give a specific example?
What is your personal view on this prompt? Could you argue convincingly for the opposing position too?
Write your essay
Use the globalisation prompt from Tab 4, or choose the alternative below. Aim for 250–280 words.
Alternative prompt:
Some people think that children should spend more time on outdoor activities and less time on technology. Others believe that technology is an essential part of modern education. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
40:00
Before you submit — check your essay:
Exam practice — on your own
This is a real exam question. Give yourself the full forty minutes and write a complete answer of at least 250 words. Discuss both views fully before giving your own opinion. There are no structure prompts this time — this is as close to the real test as practice gets.
Real exam question — Cambridge IELTS 10
Some people think that all university students should study whatever they like. Others believe that they should only be allowed to study subjects that will be useful in the future, such as those related to science and technology. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.
40:00
Finished? Compare with a model
Write your own answer first. Then reveal a Band 9 model — to compare structure, balance and language, not to copy.
Opinions differ over whether university students should be free to choose any subject or be restricted to fields considered useful, such as science and technology. This essay will consider both perspectives before explaining why I favour freedom of choice.
Those who believe students should study whatever they wish argue that genuine interest is the foundation of academic success. Students who are passionate about their subject tend to work harder, think more deeply and produce more original ideas. Moreover, disciplines that may appear impractical, such as history, philosophy and the arts, develop the critical thinking and creativity that any society needs. A nation composed solely of scientists and engineers would lack the writers, lawyers and thinkers who shape its culture and values.
On the other hand, supporters of restricting study to useful subjects point to the needs of the economy. Rapid technological change has created strong demand for graduates in fields like computing, engineering and medicine, and shortages in these areas can hold back national development. From this viewpoint, directing students towards practical subjects ensures that the public money spent on education produces tangible economic returns.
In my opinion, while the needs of the economy are important, forcing students into particular fields is both impractical and counterproductive, since people rarely excel at work they did not choose. A wiser approach is to preserve freedom of choice while using incentives, such as scholarships, to attract students towards areas of high demand. In this way, individual fulfilment and national interest can both be served, rather than one being sacrificed for the other.