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Clarification of Discuss Two Opinion Type Essays

by Joyce
(Nigeria )

Am going to write my IELTS in two weeks time, I have read and practiced with materials but I still don't feel confident when it comes to some types of task 2 essay, especially discuss both view and give your opinion.

I believe each paragraph should have a single idea & I prefer writing 2 body paragraphs.

Then where will I give my opinion, as the second paragraph will contain the second view?

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Nov 26, 2017
 Discuss Two Opinion Type Essays
by: IELTS buddy

For these types of essays you have a few options. The best way to explain it is by pointing you to some model essays.

You could simply put your opinion in the conclusion:

Childcare Essay

In that essay, the opinion of the writer reflects what is said in the second body paragraph.

You could have a whole separate third paragraph with your opinion if you wanted. The opinion could be completely different to the previous two body paragraphs:

Reducing Crime Essay

With that one you have to be careful you don't just repeat what you have said in one of the body paragraphs before.

You could very clearly make the second body paragraph your opinion, then you just summarise this again in the conclusion:

Animal Rights Essay

So as you see, there is a variety of ways you can do it. It's really up to you.

You must very clearly though at some point give your opinion.
Mar 03, 2020
 "Discuss both views" vs. "Discuss both views and give your opinion"
by: Sarah

While there are discussion topics that clearly ask you to state your opinion, sometimes the prompt just says "Discuss both sides" or "discuss both views". Should I focus on stating my opinion even in the second case, where the rubric does not explicitly ask me to?
Mar 07, 2020
 "Discuss both views" vs. "Discuss both views and give your opinion"
by: IELTS buddy

I've not seen instances where it say "Discuss both views" but does also say "and discuss your opinion". Where did you see a question like that?

But if it did just say "Discuss both views" it would not be a problem to give your opinion as well at the end, but you would not have to.

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How do I answer an IELTS essay question where I have to discuss my view?

by Medu
(India)

If a question is asked to discuss my view... Is it right to discuss both sides equally and stating my view?

Or some extra weight should be given to my view?

Comments for How do I answer an IELTS essay question where I have to discuss my view?

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May 25, 2015
 Discussing your view
by: IELTS buddy

Hi Medu,

I assume you mean questions like this:

Some people think that the best way to reduce crime is to give longer prison sentences. Others, however, believe there are better alternative ways of reducing crime.

Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Yes you should discuss both sides equally and state your view too.

I'm not sure what you mean by extra weight to your view. There is no strict rule on this.

An IELTS essay is not that long, so it would be fine to put your view in a slightly extended concluding paragraph.

Or you could have a third body paragraph with your view in.

Or another option is to make the view you discuss in the second body paragraph your view too.

Take a look at the Model Essays on the site and you will see there are various examples of 'discuss two opinion' essays.

Look at those and you'll see some of the options you have for answering those types of question.
Jun 05, 2015
 Thesis statement in intro
by: magg

Maybe you might want to include something like "in this essay i will seek to explore various ways..." into the thesis statement in the introduction.

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Answering Opinion Essay Questions

by Krys

Hello,

If we are asked in a task 2 writing question to discuss both views of a topic and to give our opinion, should we tackle our opinion first and then discuss both views after or the opposite. The information seems to be contradictory in the different tools that are provided for preparation.

Thank you

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Dec 08, 2020
 Answering Opinion Essay Questions
by: IELTS buddy

They are probably contradictory because there are various ways you could approach it. There is not one fixed way - you just have to make sure you are answering the question.

The normal way to answer those types of questions is to tackle it as the question asks it i.e. discuss both the opinions first, then give yours (either as a final body paragraph or in the conclusion).

But some people may put their opinion in the thesis statement for example, and also place it at the end of the essay. That is ok as well.

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