The Discussion essay (also called Both Views or Discuss Both Sides) is one of the most common IELTS Task 2 types. It requires you to present both sides of an argument and give your own opinion. Many test-takers struggle because they do not take a clear position — at Band 7+, your opinion must be evident throughout.
Identifying the Discussion Question
Look for these phrases:
- "Discuss both views and give your own opinion."
- "Some people think X while others believe Y. Discuss both views."
- "There are those who argue... others disagree. What is your view?"
Two Structures: Both Valid at Band 7+
Structure 1 — Block Structure (Recommended)
| Paragraph | Content |
|---|---|
| Introduction | Paraphrase + state your position |
| Body 1 | View you disagree with (but present fairly) |
| Body 2 | View you agree with + strongest arguments |
| Conclusion | Restate your position |
Structure 2 — Point-by-Point
| Paragraph | Content |
|---|---|
| Introduction | Paraphrase + your position |
| Body 1 | First argument (for view A) + counter (view B better) |
| Body 2 | Second argument (for view A) + counter (view B better) |
| Conclusion | Restate position |
Which to use: Structure 1 is easier to organise and most common at Band 7+.
Band 7+ Sample Essay 1
Question: Some people think that children should be taught competitive sports in school. Others believe that competition is harmful and should not be encouraged. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
The question of whether competitive sports belong in school curricula reflects deeper disagreements about the purpose of education and the nature of healthy childhood development. While there are legitimate concerns about the effects of competition, I believe its benefits outweigh its risks when competition is appropriately structured.
Critics of competitive sports argue that the emphasis on winning creates psychological harm — particularly for children who consistently lose. Children who repeatedly experience defeat in highly competitive environments may develop negative associations with physical activity that persist into adult life, contributing to sedentary habits rather than lifelong fitness. The social dynamics of competitive sports can also reinforce existing inequalities, as children with natural athletic advantages consistently dominate while others disengage.
Nevertheless, I find the arguments in favour of competitive sport more persuasive. Learning to compete — and to lose — is an essential developmental experience that schools are uniquely positioned to provide in a structured, supervised context. Children who learn resilience in manageable competitive settings develop coping strategies for the inherently competitive environments of professional and social life. Furthermore, team sports specifically cultivate collaborative skills, communication under pressure, and shared accountability that few other school activities replicate effectively.
The key, ultimately, lies in how competition is framed. A school environment that celebrates effort alongside outcome, and that uses competition as a means rather than an end, captures the developmental benefits while mitigating its psychological risks.
(255 words)
Band 7+ Sample Essay 2
Question: Some people believe that the best way to improve public health is to increase the number of sports facilities. Others think that this would have little effect and other measures are more effective. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Improving population health outcomes requires strategies that address both opportunity and behaviour. While expanding sports infrastructure has intuitive appeal, I agree with those who argue that cultural and policy interventions are likely to yield more substantial returns.
Proponents of building more sports facilities argue that lack of access represents the primary barrier to physical activity, particularly in lower-income communities. If affordable, well-maintained facilities are available within reasonable proximity, people who would otherwise be inactive will take advantage of them. Evidence from some urban regeneration programmes supports this — areas that received substantial sporting infrastructure investment did record short-term increases in participation rates.
However, the counterargument is more compelling. Most underactivity in modern populations is not primarily caused by the absence of facilities — it is driven by sedentary work patterns, convenience food availability, and cultural norms that normalise inactivity. People who are motivated to exercise typically find ways to do so regardless of dedicated facilities. Building gymnasiums or sports centres may simply serve those already predisposed to exercise. More impactful interventions would target the upstream determinants: food environment regulation, urban design that integrates active travel, workplace policies mandating movement breaks, and public health campaigns that reshape cultural attitudes toward physical activity.
I conclude that sports infrastructure should be part of any comprehensive health strategy, but it cannot substitute for the structural interventions that address the actual causes of population-wide inactivity.
(261 words)
Common Mistakes in Discussion Essays
| Mistake | Impact | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No clear personal opinion | Score capped at Band 6 | State your view in the introduction AND conclusion |
| Both body paragraphs given equal weight | Unclear position | Give more development to the view you agree with |
| Only presenting one view | Fails task requirements | Both views must be presented even if you disagree with one |
| Opinion only in conclusion | Unclear throughout | State your position in the introduction |
Vocabulary for Discussion Essays
Presenting the opposing view (fairly):
- Proponents of this view argue that...
- Those who favour X contend that...
- It is certainly true that... / There is merit in the argument that...
- One cannot deny that...
Introducing your view:
- Nevertheless, I find the case for X more persuasive...
- On balance, I believe...
- While both positions have merit, I am more convinced that...
- The evidence suggests, in my view, that...
Transitioning between views:
- However / Nevertheless / Nonetheless
- Despite this / In spite of these arguments
- The counterargument, however, is more compelling
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