IELTS Writing · learn the shape from a story

The Discussion Essay

"Discuss both views and give your own opinion." — the essay that weighs two sides fairly before you decide. Meet its exact shape through a short story, then build your own.

The Bridge or the Ferry

Read it once for pleasure. Notice how the grandmother decides — you'll need her method in a moment.

The village had gathered by the river, for a hard choice had to be made. Should they build a great stone bridge across the water, or keep the old wooden ferry that had carried them for a hundred years? Two grandchildren spoke, and their grandmother listened to both.

The elder sibling spoke first, and firmly, for the bridge. "A bridge would change everything. Carts could cross in minutes, not hours; traders would come; the village would grow rich. Look at Millford downstream — the year they built their bridge, their market doubled and new houses rose along the road."

The younger sibling answered, just as warmly, for the ferry. "But the ferry feeds the ferryman and his children — take it away and they starve. And think of the crossing itself: it is slow, yes, but it is where we meet. On that little boat the whole village talks, news is shared, quarrels are settled. Lose the ferry and we lose each other."

The grandmother had listened fairly to both, and now she gave her verdict. "Each of you is right. So we will build the bridge — the village must not be left behind. But the ferryman shall become its toll-keeper, and once a week the crossing shall be free, so we still meet upon the water." Both sides had been heard; her own mind was clear.

She didn't take one child's side and dismiss the other. She weighed both fairly, then decided — that is the shape of a discussion essay. Open The Shape to see it.

Her verdict is the essay

The grandmother's four moves are the four parts of a discussion essay. Same colours, all the way through this lesson.

In the story"A hard choice must be made — the bridge, or the ferry? Let me hear both."
IntroductionRephrase the question, signal you will weigh both views, and give your own view in one short sentence.
In the storyThe elder sibling's case for the bridge — faster trade, growth; Millford's market doubled.
Body Paragraph 1 — View AWhy some people hold the first view → explain it → give one example.
In the storyThe younger sibling's case for the ferry — it feeds the ferryman; it is where the village meets.
Body Paragraph 2 — View BWhy others hold the opposite view → explain it → give one example.
In the story"Build the bridge — but make the ferryman its toll-keeper." Both heard; her mind clear.
Conclusion — your opinionWeigh the two views and give your own opinion clearly.

The three rules hidden in the story

1
Present both views fairly. She let each grandchild make a full case — even the side she leaned against. Give every view a genuine hearing.
2
Each view gets its own paragraph. The bridge, then the ferry — one at a time, each with why people hold it and one example.
3
Your opinion goes at the start and the end — never in the middle. Give it in one sentence in the introduction, keep it out of the two "view" paragraphs, then state it fully in the conclusion — as she gave her full verdict only after hearing both.

The same shape, a real question

Some people believe that nuclear power is a necessary source of energy, while others think it is too dangerous. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Watch the four colours return — the grandmother's verdict, now in exam English.

Introduction — both views + your lean The question of how best to generate electricity has led some to argue that nuclear power is a necessary energy source, while others insist it is simply too dangerous to rely upon. This essay will consider both positions before explaining why, on balance, I believe nuclear power is justified only under the strictest safeguards.
Body Paragraph 1 — the "necessary" view On the one hand, many people regard nuclear power as essential. Those who support it argue that it provides a reliable, round-the-clock supply of electricity that wind and solar, which depend on the weather, cannot yet guarantee. It also produces very little carbon dioxide, making it valuable in the fight against climate change. For example, countries such as France generate the majority of their electricity from nuclear plants and have met rising demand for decades without burning vast quantities of fossil fuels.
Body Paragraph 2 — the "too dangerous" view On the other hand, others contend that the risks outweigh the benefits. When a nuclear plant fails, the consequences can be catastrophic and long-lasting. A clear illustration is the 1986 Chernobyl disaster in the former Soviet Union, where a reactor explosion released radioactive material across the region, forced the permanent evacuation of an entire city, and left the surrounding land contaminated for decades. For these critics, no supply of energy can justify such a danger.
Conclusion — your opinion, weighing both In conclusion, while I recognise the serious dangers highlighted by opponents of nuclear power, I believe its reliability and low emissions make it a necessary part of our energy mix. In my view, however, it can only be justified when governments enforce the strictest possible safety standards, so that disasters like Chernobyl are never repeated.
Notice: both views presented fairly, each in its own paragraph with an example, and a conclusion that gives your own opinion. Exactly the grandmother.

The exact phrases for each move

Keep these to hand while you write your own. One from each group is plenty.

Introduction — rephrase & signpost both views

There is an ongoing debate about whether… While some people believe that…, others argue that… This essay will discuss both views before giving my own opinion.

Present the first view

On the one hand,… Those who support this view argue that… Supporters of this position claim that…

Present the second view

On the other hand,… Others contend that… Critics of this view, however, point out that…

Introduce an example

A clear illustration of this is… For example,… This can be seen in the case of… A good example is…

Conclusion — give your opinion

In conclusion,… On balance, I believe… Having weighed both views, I would argue that…

Now build your own

Some people think that governments should spend money protecting old buildings, while others believe it should be spent on new housing and roads. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Fill the skeleton first — both views, one example each, then your opinion — then write the full essay. Be the grandmother: hear both sides fairly, then decide.

Check it like an examiner

IntroductionSome argue public money should preserve historic buildings; others say it is better spent on new housing and roads. I will discuss both, leaning towards a balance that favours essential new infrastructure.
View A + exampleSome believe old buildings must be protected — they hold a nation's history and draw tourists. For example, cities like Bath rely heavily on visitors who come for their historic architecture.
View B + exampleOthers argue the money is better spent on housing and roads, which people need daily. For example, a growing city with a housing shortage may help more citizens by building affordable homes than by restoring a single old hall.
Conclusion — my opinionOn balance, while heritage matters, I believe governments should prioritise housing and roads where needs are urgent, protecting only the most historically important buildings.