Discussion

Many students fail to do well in these kinds of questions because they do not do what
the question asks them to do and they do not use an appropriate structure. This post
will help you overcome these problems and give you a sample answer.
We will also look at lexical resource and coherence and cohesion; two of
the marking criteria IELTS examiners use when marking your essays. Understand the
marking scheme will help you to get inside the head of an IELTS examiner and give
then exactly what they want.

Identifying the Question

Look at the three questions below and choose one you think is a discussion question.
Computers are being used more and more in education and so there will soon be no
role for the teacher in education.
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Computers are being used more and more in education.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your own opinion.
Computers are being used more and more in education. Some people say that this is a
positive trend, while others argue that it is leading to negative consequences.
Discuss both sides of this argument and then give your own opinion.
The first question is an opinion question and we can tell this from the instructions To
what extent do you agree or disagree?.
The second question is obviously an advantages and disadvantages question.
The third question is the discussion question. We can tell this from the typical
instructions in the question Discuss both sides of the argument and then give your
opinion.
You may also be asked to Discuss both views and give you opinion or Discuss both
sides of the argument and give your opinion.
Each of these questions is asking us to do different things and we therefore need
a different structure for each question.

Example Questions
Here are a few other typical discussion questions:

A growing number of people feel that animals should not be exploited by people and
that they should have the same rights as humans, while others argue that humans
must employ animals to satisfy their various needs, including uses for food and
research.
Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Blood sports have become a hot topic for debate in recent years. As society develops
it is increasingly seen as an uncivilized activity and cruel to the helpless animals that
are killed. All blood sports should be banned.
Discuss the main arguments for this statement and give your own opinion.
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.
As you can see, they typically state two opinions and then ask you to discuss both and
give your opinion. Make sure you do these things in the essay. If you only discuss both
views and fail to give your opinion you will lose marks.

Structure
For discussion questions, I suggest you use the following four paragraph structure.
Introduction

Main Body Paragraph 2

Sentence 1- Paraphrase Question

Sentence 1- State second viewpoint

Sentence 2- State Both Points of View

Sentence 2- Discuss second viewpoint

Sentence 2- Thesis Statement

Sentence 3- Reason why you agree or

disagree with viewpoint

Sentence 3- Outline Sentence

Main Body Paragraph 1
Sentence 1- State first viewpoint
Sentence 2- Discuss first viewpoint
Sentence 3- Reason why you agree or
disagree with viewpoint
Sentence 4- Example to support your
view

Practice

Sentence 4- Example to support your

view
Conclusion
Sentence 1- Summary
Sentence 2- State which one is better or
more important

Here is a sample answer but I have mixed up the sentences. Can you match the
sentences below to the structure above?
This exercise will help you understand the structure.
In conclusion, while the benefits of technology, particularly the internet, allow students
to tap in to limitless sources of information, some still feel that people should be
wary of this new phenomenon and not allow it to curb face to face interaction.
There is an ever increasing use of technology, such as tablets and laptops, in the
classroom.
It is clear that the internet has provided students with access to more information than
ever before.
Moreover, learners have the ability to research and learn about any subject at the
touch of a button. It is therefore agreed that technology is a very worthwhile tool for
education.
However, many disagree and feel that technology deprives people of real human
interaction.
Human interaction teaches people valuable skills such as discourse, debate and
empathy.
Despite this, human interaction is still possible through the internet and this essay
disagrees technology should be dismissed for this reason.
It is agreed that an increase in technology is beneficial to students and teachers. This
essay will discuss both points of view before coming to a reasoned conclusion.
For instance, Skype and Facebook make it possible for people to interact in ways that
were never before possible.
Wikipedia is a prime example, where students can simply type in any keyword and
gain access to in-depth knowledge quickly and easily.
However, as long as we are careful to keep in mind the importance of human
interaction in education, the educational benefits are clearly positive.
It is often argued that this is a positive development, whilst others disagree and think
it will lead to adverse ramifications.

Example Answer
Computers are being used more and more in education. Some people say that this is a
positive trend, while others argue that it is leading to negative consequences.
Discuss both sides of this argument and then give your own opinion.

There is an ever increasing use of technology, such as tablets and laptops, in the
classroom. It is often argued that this is a positive development, whilst others disagree
and think it will lead to adverse ramifications. It is agreed that an increase in
technology is beneficial to students and teachers. This essay will discuss both points of
view before coming to a reasoned conclusion.
It is clear that the internet has provided students with access to more information than
ever before. Moreover, learners have the ability to research and learn about any
subject at the touch of a button. It is therefore agreed that technology is a very
worthwhile tool for education. Wikipedia is a prime example, where students can
simply type in any keyword and gain access to in-depth knowledge quickly and easily.
However, many disagree and feel that technology deprives people of real human
interaction. Human interaction teaches people valuable skills such as discourse,
debate and empathy. Despite this, human interaction is still possible through the
internet and this essay disagrees technology should be dismissed for this reason. For
instance, Skype and Facebook make it possible for people to interact in ways that were
never before possible.
In conclusion, while the benefits of technology, particularly the internet, allow students
to tap in to limitless sources of information, some still feel that people should be
wary of this new phenomenon and not allow it to curb face to face interaction.
However, as long as we are careful to keep in mind the importance of human
interaction in education, the educational benefits are clearly positive.
(266 words)
Task Achievement
This is one of the four areas you will be assessed on in the IELTS writing test.
Task achievement refers to your ability to address all parts of the question and present
a fully developed answer. By following the structure above, we have fully discussed
both sides of the argument and given our opinion. This is exactly what the question
asked us to do, no more, no less.
Coherence and Cohesion
Discourse markers (words like however, despite this and In conclusion) are also
referred to as linking words and linking phrases, or sentence connectors. They are
quite formal and are used more in academic writing than informal speech.
You gain marks for using these under the coherence and cohesion section of the
marking scheme. These words stick the other words together and lend continuity to
sentences and paragraphs.
If you do not include discourse markers in your IELTS writing, your answer will appear
illogical and it is more difficult to understand.

However, this does not mean that you should try to insert as many of these words in
to your writing as possible. This is a common mistake in IELTS writing. Using too many
of them, or using them inappropriately, can make your writing sound too heavy and
unnatural. They are important, but must only be used at the appropriate time.
Practice
Try to identify any discourse markers in the essay above? Dont look at the essay
below yet. How many can you find?

Sample Answer with Discourse Markers

Here is the sample answer again with the discourse markers in bold.
There is an ever increasing use of technology, such as tablets and laptops, in the
classroom. It is often argued thatthis is a positive development, whilst others
disagree and think it will lead to adverse ramifications. It is agreed thatan increase in
technology is beneficial to students and teachers. This essay will discuss both points of
view before coming to a reasoned conclusion.
It is clear that the internet has provided students with access to more information than
ever before. Moreover, learners have the ability to research and learn about any
subject at the touch of a button. It is therefore agreed that technology is a very
worthwhile tool for education. Wikipedia is a prime example, where students can
simply type in any keyword and gain access to in-depth knowledge quickly and easily.
However, many disagree and feel that technology deprives people of real human
interaction. Human interaction teaches people valuable skills such as discourse,
debate and empathy. Despite this, human interaction is still possible through the
internet and this essay disagrees technology should be dismissed for this reason. For
instance, Skype and Facebook make it possible for people to interact in ways that were
never before possible.
In conclusion, while the benefits of technology, particularly the internet, allow students
to tap in to limitless sources of information, some still feel that people should be
wary of this new phenomenon and not allow it to curb face to face
interaction. However, as long as we are careful to keep in mind the importance of
human interaction in education, the educational benefits are clearly positive.
Lexical Resource
This is also one of the four criteria you will be marked on and it refers to your ability to
use a wide range of accurate vocabulary.
A common mistake is to repeat the same words over and over again. You will lose
marks if you do this. A solution to this problem is to use synonyms. You can either
think of synonyms as you are writing or leave time at the end to add them in.

Practice
Can you identify any synonyms in the essay above?
Here are some examples:
Computers- technology

Education- students and teachers

Computers- the internet

Positive trend- positive development

Education- in the classroom

Negative Consequences- adverse

ramifications

By varying your vocabulary in this way you are demonstrating that you have a wide
vocabulary and this will boost your band score. However, like discourse markers be
careful not to use inappropriate/inaccurate words. Only use words you are confident
about. Mistakes will lead to fewer marks.