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By Richa Raj > December 08, 2020
Discussion essay questions form an integral part of the IELTS exam. However, students often find it difficult to differentiate between these types of essay questions and the opinion essay questions. This article aims at helping all kinds of IELTS candidates, across the globe, no matter what preparation level you are at. Keep reading to know more.
What are discussion essays?
A discussion essay question begins by stating two different viewpoints related to one particular issue. These viewpoints can be divided into two sentences and can be connected with a transition word, like “however”. These sentences indicate that both the view points are contradictory in nature. You shall be asked to write a descriptive essay based on two contrasting points, touching each side and presenting your views on the same.
Typical discussion essay questions look like the following in an IELTS exam:
A growing number of people believe that animals must not be exploited by people and that they should have the same rights as humans. Others argue that humans must employ animals to satisfy their fundamental needs, including the uses of food and research. Discuss both views and give your opinions.
The free movement of goods across the national borders has long been a controversial issue. Some people argue that is essential for economic growth while others believe that it damages the local industries. Discuss both the views.
Some people believe that testing products on animals should be banned, but others believe that it is necessary. Discuss both sides of the argument and present your opinions.
The discussion essay type is completely different from the opinion based essay and the “advantage/disadvantage” essay type. In a “discussion” essay type question, you will be required to discuss both opposing sides, unlike the opinion essay where you are only required to pick one side and discuss it. Identifying a discussion essay type question as an opinion essay based question can lead you to lose scores on the basis of the Task Response parameter.
Marking criteria
The marketing criteria for all the answers in any writing task in your IELTS exam, including the problem/solution essay will be based on the following four basis:
1. Task response
Your score under this criterion will depend on how well you are in terms of paying attention to the requirements of the question. It will also depend on your skills being relevant in terms of the questions. Going off topic and not making sense will only lead you to a lower score spectrum.
2. Cohesion and coherence
Concisely crafted pieces, written in not more than four paragraphs with a logically central idea is what your examiner is looking for. Your score in this criterion depends on your ability to present your ideas in a structured manner, with the right linking words supporting the body of the written piece and having a central topic flowing in a particular paragraph.
3. Lexical resources and vocabulary
You can score well in this particular section by keeping in mind just three things:
These three tips will go a long way as far as this particular section is concerned.
4. Grammar range and accuracy
Errors must not be made in the most common grammar rules. You must avoid using the wrong tenses and the wrong verbs as much as possible. Also, you must not forget to focus on the sentence structure and syntax, word order in the sentence, as well as the correct punctuation marks.
Each criterion carries a 25% weightage in order to determine your final score for that answer.
Discussion essay structure and framework
The basic structure of a “Discussion” essay answer can be explained with a simple approach. You have to introduce, explain and then close.
Introduction
Start by giving a background statement first. Introduce what you are trying to say throughout the essay and paraphrase the question in this paragraph. You should always end this introductory paragraph with a thesis statement, with the help of such phrases: “This essay discusses…” or “In my opinion…”. This thesis statement will act as a transition statement between the introduction and the body paragraph 1.
Body Paragraph 1 and 2
Once you are through with your introduction, you are now going to jump to the body paragraphs. Your body paragraphs can be divided into two sections, or three (if there is something else you would want to add or simply add the third paragraph due to the requirements of a word limit).
Begin your body paragraph 1 by talking about the first topic or the main view point you would want to discuss first. Explain your view points correctly as well as their negative and positive views. Support your explanations with proper examples and illustrations. And then end the first body paragraph with an ending statement. This ending statement will be a transition statement between the first body paragraph and the second one.
The second body paragraph should focus on the second view point you want to talk about. Again, explain this viewpoint further. Discuss the negative/positive effects of the argument that you are speaking about. Support your arguments with valid illustrations and examples. End this paragraph with a closing statement as well.
Conclusion
End your essay with a proper conclusion, beginning with phrases like “ To conclude…” or “To sum up…”. Write briefly about the things you discussed in your body paragraphs. You can also paraphrase the question here. Sum up your arguments in a sentence and end the essay with phrases like “In my opinion…” or This essay discussed…”.
Planning a Discussion essay
It is imperative that you are planning out your answers in advance when writing down “Discussion” essay in your IELTS exam.
1. Analyse the question and identify the type
Make sure you are able to understand the question first before you begin writing your answers. Understand what the question demands from you. Do not confuse the “Discussion” essay question with an “opinion” essay question. The “Discussion” essay question does seek your personal beliefs and opinions, just like an “Opinion” essay, but from both the sides. In an Opinion essay, you are supposed to answer with just one view point.
Here, in these types of essay questions you are supposed to touch all the aspects in your answer. You do not have to limit your view points just because the discussion essay question is also asking for your opinion. State your facts, state your knowledge and examples, just from both the sides in a subjective manner.
Identify the question before you begin writing. The phrases in an Discussion essay questions will be as follows:
Discuss both views and give your opinions.
Discuss both the views.
Discuss both sides of the argument and present your opinions.
2. Highlighting the keywords
There is no denying the fact that highlighting keywords is one of the most important tasks you can undertake while writing any essay answer. This requires your focus and attention, along with you understanding the art of proofreading. Always proofread your answer before submitting your answer book to the examiner. Once you have proofread everything, ensure you are highlighting all the essential keywords. It gives you an edge over the others.
3. Brainstorming the ideas, structure and explanations
Spare a few minutes, at all times, after you have identified and analysed the question. Map out the structure of your answer, brainstorm your opinions and viewpoints that are needed to be added in your answer, the kind of words you are going to be using and then begin writing.
Writing is a secondary task, what is primary is you brainstorming the points you need to cover. If you do this properly, there is no stopping you from getting into that 7+ band score.
Common mistakes to avoid
No matter where you currently are at your preparation stage for the upcoming IELTS exam, always ensure you are not making the following mistakes as far as the “Discussion” essay questions are concerned.
Giving partial opinions
It has been stated above, and we are going to state it again: It is important that you are discussing both viewpoints, instead of just one. You do not have to pick one side and state your view points over the same. There are two sentences and viewpoints in the question and you are required to touch both aspects and answer them correctly. Partially stating your viewpoint with just one opinion will deem the “discussion” essay to be an “opinion” essay and this will give you a low score on the basis of the Task Response parameter.
Not giving the right examples
Ensure you are putting in the right examples at the right places. Most people do not understand the importance of examples and illustrations in an essay. It is imperative that you are supporting your facts and arguments with the right examples. It could be just a simple example, however, it is important that you state it in the right place.
Repeating the same words
Avoid repeating the same word over and over again. Using the same word can put you in a troublesome spot altogether. Try and broaden your vocabulary horizon, and use different synonyms instead of that particular word.
Exceeding the word limit
Try not exceeding your word limit. Usually, the answers are supposed to be answered in about 250 words. However, when required and deemed extremely necessary, try not to go over 280 words. Stick to a healthy word limit of 250-280 words. Sticking to this word limit will spare you a few minutes in the end to proofread your essay again and highlight all the necessary phrases and keywords.
Illogical essay structure
Sparing a few minutes to plan your answer in advance is very important. The lack of planning can lead you to start writing your answer in a haphazard manner and ruin the basic framework of your answer. Think of all the necessary phrases and the structure to be used before you begin writing your essay. Take a breath. Give yourself that one minute, or two and then jump to writing. If you are not planning, you are going to lose grip right in the middle of your essay and forget all the arguments that could have led you to that spot in the 7+ band score.
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