Out of every five IELTS candidates who underperform on Writing Task 2, three of them share the same problem. They know the topic. They have the vocabulary. But they do not know whether to give their opinion or stay neutral in a discussion essay. That confusion alone costs bands.
The IELTS discussion essay remains one of the most mishandled question types globally, and in 2026, examiners are still seeing the same structural errors they flagged a decade ago. This guide tells you exactly how to write one that scores Band 7 and above.
What Makes an IELTS Discussion Essay Different
The IELTS discussion essay appears when a Writing Task 2 question uses phrases like "Discuss both views," "Discuss both sides," or "Some people believe... Others argue... Discuss both views and give your own opinion."
It is not the same as an opinion essay, where you argue one position throughout. It is not a problem-solution essay, where you identify a challenge and propose answers. The IELTS both views essay asks you to present two perspectives fairly, and then, depending on the exact task wording, either include your opinion or remain balanced across the whole response.
This is where most test-takers get it wrong. They read the question quickly, assume they need to take a strong stance, and write a one-sided response when the examiner expected two sides. That single misread drops Task Response marks immediately.
The two key variations you will encounter:
Variation 1: "Discuss both views." Present both sides without necessarily stating your personal opinion.
Variation 2: "Discuss both views and give your own opinion." Present both sides and then make your position clear.
Read the task instruction twice before writing a single word.
Why Most Candidates Lose Marks on This Essay Type
Three failure patterns pull Writing Task 2 scores below Band 6.5 when students attempt a discussion essay.
Pattern 1: Treating it as an opinion essay. Three paragraphs support one view and one weak paragraph covers the other side. The examiner sees the imbalance and penalises Task Response immediately.
Pattern 2: Adding an opinion when the question did not request one. If the task says "Discuss both views" only, inserting a personal stance can fracture your essay structure and reduce Coherence and Cohesion marks.
Pattern 3: Repeating the same argument with different words. Each body paragraph must contain one clear, developed idea. Many candidates write the same point twice using different vocabulary, which reads as padding and lowers both Task Response and Coherence scores.
The result is predictable. Candidates with strong grammar and wide vocabulary still score Band 5.5 to 6.0 because their Task Response mark drags the average down.
A Student Who Turned This Around: Chiamaka From Lagos
Chiamaka, a 27-year-old nurse from Lagos, needed Band 7.0 overall for her UK nursing registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Her first IELTS attempt produced Band 6.0 on Writing. Her feedback noted: "Ideas are present but the response does not address the task appropriately. One perspective is significantly underdeveloped."
She had written her IELTS discussion essay as an opinion essay.
"I thought they wanted to know what I believed," she said. "I did not realise I had to give equal weight to both arguments before stating my view."
For her second attempt, Chiamaka spent six weeks specifically practising IELTS discuss both sides Task 2 questions. She used IELTSArena to write essays and get instant AI feedback that scored her Task Response criterion separately. When her balance was off, the feedback flagged it immediately. She also worked with an expert tutor on IELTSArena for personalised corrections twice a week. On her second attempt, she scored Band 7.5 in Writing.
What the Examiner Data Says
According to British Council IELTS performance reports, Writing is consistently the lowest-scoring section globally. Most candidates score between Band 5.5 and 6.5, and Task 2 accounts for two-thirds of the Writing band score.
A Cambridge Assessment review of examiner feedback found that approximately 64% of Task 2 scripts scoring Band 5.5 had a Task Response issue, not a vocabulary or grammar deficiency. The candidate understood the subject but did not follow the task instruction.
For the IELTS discussion essay specifically, the two most cited examiner observations are "one-sided development" and "personal opinion intruded where not required." Both issues trace back to one root cause: the candidate misread the task type.
Following the task instruction precisely is worth more band score improvement than any vocabulary list.
For test-takers targeting Band 7.0, the movement from Band 6.0 to Band 7.0 on Task Response often requires only one change: doing exactly what the task asks, rather than what you assumed it meant.
How to Structure an IELTS Discussion Essay for Band 7+
The following structure reliably produces Band 7 to 8 scores on an IELTS both views essay.
Paragraph 1: Introduction (3-4 sentences). Paraphrase the general topic. Acknowledge that there are two perspectives. If the question asks for your opinion, briefly signal which side you will favour after discussing both. If it does not ask for your opinion, simply note that both perspectives have merit.
Paragraph 2: Body 1 — First Viewpoint (5-7 sentences). State the first position clearly in your opening sentence. Give one strong supporting reason. Include a specific example, scenario, or consequence. Maintain a neutral tone. Do not voice your personal preference here.
Paragraph 3: Body 2 — Second Viewpoint (5-7 sentences). Present the opposing position with equal depth. Give one strong supporting reason different from the first. Use a different type of example. The examiner is specifically checking whether both sides receive equal development.
Paragraph 4: Conclusion (2-3 sentences). If the question asked for your opinion, state it clearly and give one brief reason. If it did not, summarise both viewpoints and close the argument without taking a side.
Planning Saves Bands
Spend the first 3 minutes of your 40-minute Task 2 time on a plan. Write two columns: arguments for View A on the left, arguments for View B on the right. Choose the single strongest point from each column. That is your essay.
Do not try to include every argument you know. One fully developed idea per body paragraph earns more marks than three underdeveloped ones. Depth outperforms breadth every time on this task type.
Words That Signal Each Task Type
When you see these phrases in the task, you are writing an IELTS discussion essay: "Discuss both views," "Discuss both sides," "Some people think... others argue... discuss."
When you see these phrases, you are writing an opinion essay: "To what extent do you agree or disagree?" "Do you think...?" "Is this a positive or negative development?"
Knowing this distinction immediately is a skill. Practise identifying task types before you practise writing essays.
How IELTSArena Supports Discussion Essay Preparation
Most test-takers only discover their Task Response errors when official results arrive. By then, they have paid for a second sitting and lost weeks of preparation time.
IELTSArena's AI writing feedback scores your essays on all four Task 2 criteria immediately, including Task Response. If you write a one-sided response to a discussion essay prompt, the AI identifies the imbalance before you submit your actual test. You do not wait days to find out. You see the issue in minutes, correct it, and practise again.
IELTSArena also provides access to expert tutors who give band-focused corrections on your writing. Not just grammar corrections. Real examiner-style feedback on whether your two viewpoints are developed equally, whether your conclusion aligns with the task instruction, and whether your position is stated appropriately.
The platform's real CBT interface includes the same navigation panel, timer, and notepad you will use on test day. Practising IELTS both views essay questions in that environment removes the unfamiliarity factor completely.
IELTSArena has helped over 10,000 students reach their target band scores, with progress tracked across every practice session so you can see exactly which criterion is holding your score back.
Start your free practice on IELTSArena and get your first Task 2 essay scored within minutes.
Check Your Own Readiness
Before your next timed practice session, answer these honestly:
- Can you identify within 30 seconds whether a Task 2 question is asking for both views only, or both views plus your opinion?
- When you re-read your body paragraphs, do both sides receive equal space, depth, and quality of argumentation?
- Can you write a structured IELTS discussion essay of 250 words or more in 40 minutes, with 5 minutes left to review?
- Does your conclusion match the task instruction exactly, neither adding an opinion where none was required nor omitting one that was asked for?
- Are your two body paragraph ideas genuinely different, or are they variations of the same argument?
If any of these questions made you hesitate, that is where your Task Response marks are being lost. IELTSArena shows you the specific criterion breakdowns on every practice essay so you can target the exact issue.
Try a Free Discussion Essay Test Today
The IELTS discussion essay is not the hardest essay type. It is the most misread one. One careful minute spent on the task instruction is worth more than any amount of vocabulary study.
Take a Free Mock Discussion Essay on IELTSArena →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an IELTS discussion essay and an opinion essay?
An IELTS discussion essay asks you to present two sides of an argument, with or without your personal opinion depending on the task wording. An opinion essay asks you to argue for a single position throughout. The task instruction tells you which type is required. Discussion essays use phrases like "Discuss both views" or "Discuss both sides." Opinion essays use phrases like "To what extent do you agree or disagree?" Confusing the two essay types is one of the most common causes of low Task Response scores in IELTS Writing Task 2, and the fix is simply reading the instruction carefully before planning.
Do I need to give my own opinion in an IELTS both views discussion essay?
It depends on the exact wording of the task. If the question says "Discuss both views and give your own opinion," you must include your personal stance, typically in the conclusion paragraph. If the task says only "Discuss both views," you are not required to state an opinion and should focus on presenting both sides equally. Adding a personal opinion when it was not requested can disrupt your essay structure and create coherence issues. Always read the instruction twice and follow it precisely. IELTSArena's AI writing feedback checks whether your essay matches the task type and flags mismatches before your real test.
How do I present both sides of an argument in IELTS Writing Task 2?
Dedicate one full body paragraph to each viewpoint. In each paragraph, state the perspective clearly in your opening sentence, provide one strong supporting reason, and use a specific example to develop it. Keep your tone neutral while presenting each side. Do not mix your personal opinion into the body paragraphs if the task asks for a balanced discussion. The examiner marks whether both perspectives are equally developed, not which side you personally favour. Using IELTSArena's practice tests with AI scoring lets you check your balance across both body paragraphs after every attempt.
How many paragraphs should I write in an IELTS discussion essay?
The recommended structure is four paragraphs: an introduction, two body paragraphs with one viewpoint each, and a conclusion. This gives enough space to develop each side within 250 to 300 words without padding. Some candidates write five paragraphs, but this often results in thinner arguments per paragraph. Four well-built paragraphs consistently outperform five underdeveloped ones because the examiner scores depth of development on each criterion, not the number of paragraphs present in the response.
Can I score Band 8 if I only discuss both views without giving my opinion in an IELTS Task 2?
Yes, if the task instruction does not request your opinion. When the question says "Discuss both views" without asking for your stance, presenting both perspectives clearly, coherently, and with well-developed arguments can achieve Band 8 on Task Response. The examiner assesses whether you followed the instruction, not whether you expressed a personal view. Where candidates lose marks is when they add an unsolicited opinion that throws off the balance of the essay and reduces both Task Response and Coherence and Cohesion scores. Follow the instruction exactly as it is written.
