IELTS WRITING

Thinn Thinn Oo (M.Ed. UK, Delta, Cambridge)

Phone Pho

IELTS essay types:

 Opinion (agree or disagree)
 Advantages and disadvantages
 Problem and solution
 Discussion (discuss both views)
 Two-part question
This is not a guide to how you should write your essays, but a guide to how you can.

1. Opinion essay
E.g. Some people feel that schools should prepare students for university, not for the work place.
To what extent do you agree or disagree? What’s your opinion? What’s your point of view on this?

In ‘opinion’ essays, candidates are required to say whether or not they agree or disagree with a statement.
State your opinion in the introduction, develop it in the main body paragraphs, then summarise it in the
conclusion.

Introduction:
 It has been suggested that …. + paraphrase the topic/question. (Do not copy anything)
- schools are the institutions where learners are trained and equipped with the skills that they will require
for the tertiary education that they aim for and that schools are not responsible to coach the learners to
be employable in the real-life work situations.

 In my opinion, … + give your opinion on the topic, and therefore …+ answer the question.

 In the following paragraphs, I will develop my opinion and explain fully why I believe that + paraphrase
opinion

Main body paragraph 1: (View 1 – students should be trained for being ready to study at higher learning.)
 Firstly, + main point in support of your opinion
 Explain main point, or give an example
 In addition to this, + next main point in support of your opinion
 Develop this point with an example, or explanation, or further information

Main body paragraph 2: (Preparing school children for work)

 On the other hand, it is also true that ….+ show awareness of the opposite view
 Develop this idea further
 However, + argue against this point
 Develop this idea further

Main body paragraph 3

 Taking all this into consideration, I am of the opinion that ….+ give your opinion
 Develop this idea further
 Moreover, + give another main point to support your opinion
 Develop this idea further

The United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland).
Concluding paragraph
 In conclusion, even though I am aware that …+ point expressing opposing view, I still feel that +
paraphrase my opinion.
 Therefore, + answer the question again
 Perhaps in the future ….+ describe a better, more perfect future

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 2. Advantages and disadvantages
E.g. Some people feel that school students should not have to wear a uniform.
Possible questions: What are the advantages and disadvantages of wearing a school uniform?
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this, and give your own opinion.
Do the advantages of this outweigh the disadvantages?
In ‘advantages and disadvantages’ essays, candidates are required to discuss both the advantages
and disadvantages, and sometimes they also need to give their own opinion.
State your opinion in the introduction, discuss the advantages in the first main body paragraph, then
discuss the disadvantages in the second main body paragraph.
If you need to give your opinion too, do this in the third paragraph. Because you now have five
paragraphs, make these paragraphs slightly shorter. Summarise your main points and your opinion in
the conclusion.

Introduction:
 Some people feel that …. + give a general opinion on the topic/question.
 In my opinion, … + give your opinion on the topic, and therefore …+ answer the question.

Main body paragraph 1:

 Firstly, + main advantage
 Explain the advantage, or give an example
 In addition to this, + next main advantage
 Develop this advantage with an example, or explanation, or further information

Main body paragraph 2:

 On the other hand, it is also true that ….+ introduce first disadvantage
 Develop this point further
 Furthermore, + introduce second disadvantage
 Develop this point further

Main body paragraph 3:

 Taking all this into consideration, I am of the opinion that ….+ give your opinion
 Develop this idea further
 Moreover, + give another main point to support your opinion
 Develop this idea further

Concluding paragraph
 In conclusion, even though there are clearly two sides to this discussion, in my view …+
paraphrase main points of your opinion
 Therefore, + answer the question again

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 4. Problem and solution

E.g. Nowadays many people have access to computers on a wide basis and a large number of
children play computer games. What are the negative impacts of playing computer games and
what can be done to minimize the bad effects?

In ‘problem and solution’ essays, candidates are required to understand and explain a problem, then
make suggestions for a possible solution. Paraphrase the problem/situation then mention briefly what
you consider to be the main solution in the introduction. In the first main body paragraph, fully explain
the problem. In the second main body paragraph, full explain the solution (how to minimise the bad
effects), then summarise your main points in the conclusion.

Introduction:
 Paraphrase the topic/question e.g. These days, it is very common for children to play
games on computers.
 In my opinion, … + give your opinion on the topic, and therefore …+ answer the question.
 In the following paragraphs, I will discuss the problems that this causes and also how these
problems can be lessened.

Main body paragraph 1:

 Firstly, + 1st main point (negative impact)
 Explain main point, or give an example
 In addition to this, + next main point (2nd negative impact)
 Develop this point with an example, or explanation, or further information

Main body paragraph 2:

 To counter these adverse effects, ….+ provide possible solution to the problem
 Develop this idea further
 Moreover, + provide 2nd possible solution
 Develop this idea further

Concluding paragraph
 In conclusion, there are many problems caused by children playing computer games, such
as + paraphrase main problems.
 However, these problems can be countered if + paraphrase possible solutions.
 Perhaps in the future ….+ describe a better, more perfect future

Introduction

Problems/Reasons/Effect

Solutions

Conclusion

Introduction

Problem1/Reason1/Effect1+ Solution1
Problem2/Reason2/Effect2+ Solution2
Problem 3/Reason 3/Effect 3+ Solution 3

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Conclusion

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 3. Discussion (discuss both views
E.g. Some people feel that schools should prepare students for university, not for the work place.
Discuss both views, and give your own opinion.
In discussion essays like this, candidates are required to discuss both sides, and sometimes they
need to give their own opinion. State your opinion in the introduction, then fully explain the first view in
the first main body paragraph. In the second main body paragraph, fully explain the second view.
Then write a 3rd main body paragraph with your own opinion. Summarise all main ideas in the
conclusion, making sure you end it with your opinion.

Introduction:
 It has been suggested that …. + paraphrase the topic/question.
 In my opinion, … + give your opinion on the topic, and therefore …+ answer the question.
 In the following paragraphs, I will discuss both sides of this question and offer my own opinion,
and explain fully why I believe that + paraphrase opinion (optional)

Main body paragraph 1:

 Firstly, + main point in support of your opinion
 Explain main point, or give an example
 In addition to this, + next main point in support of your opinion
 Develop this point with an example, or explanation, or further information

Main body paragraph 2:

 On the other hand, it is also true that ….+ show awareness of the opposite view
 Develop this idea further
 However, + argue against this point
 Develop this idea further

Concluding paragraph
 In conclusion, even though I am aware that …+ point expressing opposing view, I still feel
that + paraphrase my opinion.
 Therefore, + answer the question again
 Perhaps in the future ….+ describe a better, more perfect future (optional)

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 4. Two part question
E.g. Some people feel that schools should prepare students for both university and for the work
place.
Why is it important for some students to be ready for university, and why do other students
need to be prepared for the work environment?
In two-part essays, candidates are required to discuss their views on both questions asked. State
your opinion on both questions in the introduction, then write a paragraph about the first question
asked. In the second main body paragraph, fully explain your views on the second question asked. In
the conclusion, summarise all your main points.

Introduction:
 It has been suggested that …. + paraphrase the topic/question.
 In my opinion, … + give a general opinion on both parts of the question.
 In the following paragraphs, I will develop my opinion and explain fully why I believe that +
paraphrase opinion (optional)

Main body paragraph 1: Why is it important for some students to be ready for university
 Firstly, + main point in support of the first part
 Explain main point, or give an example
 In addition to this, + next main point in support of the first part
 Develop this point with an example, or explanation, or further information

Main body paragraph 2: why do other students need to be prepared for the work environment
 On the other hand, it is also true that + main point in support of the second part
 Develop this idea further
 Furthermore, + next main point in support of the second part
 Develop this idea further

Concluding paragraph
 In conclusion, it is true that …+ paraphrase main points expressed in the essay.
 Therefore, + answer the question again
 Perhaps in the future ….+ describe a better, more perfect future (optional)

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