Most discussion essays also ask for your opinion. Sometimes, however, the question doesn't ask for your opinion. It might just ask you to discuss two different views, or compare the advantages and disadvantages.
Remember: if the question doesn't ask for your opinion, don't give it.
Compare the 2 essays attached below. They are almost the same, but in the first essay I give my opinion clearly in several places, while in the second essay I've removed my opinions completely.
SIMON, THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS WITHOUT OPINION ESSAY.
Posted by: gWAPO | November 16, 2011 at 10:55
this is really helpful, simon. many thanks
Posted by: Khai | November 16, 2011 at 12:11
Dear Simon,
Your website is really very helpful..and it is updated daily..
Thanks once again.
Nisha Vora
Posted by: Nisha Vora | November 16, 2011 at 12:18
No problem. I'm glad you find it useful.
Posted by: Simon | November 16, 2011 at 12:48
thanks simon.
Posted by: pitt | November 16, 2011 at 22:09
Hi Simon,
it was a really helpful lesson.in your discussion essay you started with
(on the other hand, it is also understandable that...............)
while giving general opinion can we start like this
(on the other hand many people believe that.......)
thanks
Regards.
Jawairia
Posted by: jawairia | November 17, 2011 at 04:05
i would like to share a link regarding how should we memorise a new word.
http://www.linguarama.com/ps/392-7.htm
i hope this will be helpful for other students.
Posted by: jawairia | November 17, 2011 at 04:29
hello,
i have some questions about the writing tasks in general, and i can't seem to find the answers anywhere else. These may sound silly but i hope you can find time to answer them...
1. In writing task 1 academic (I know this belongs to another criteria, sorry :)is it acceptable to write in the following manner - that is using parentheses?
"It is evident in the chart that A (80%) is significantly higher than B (50%) by 30%."
2. What about hyphens?
"There is a significant difference between A and B - that is, A is higher than B by 30%."
3. Can i use cursive writing in ielts? i write terribly slow in print so i'd prefer writing in cursive.
Thanks in advance :)
Posted by: allan lee | November 17, 2011 at 06:51
Hi Simon. May I ask you why in the sentence below we use: benefits TO getting a job, not benefits OF getting a job? What is the rule? I did not get it.
While there are benefits to getting a job straight after school, I would argue that it is
better to go to college or university.
Posted by: Nataly | November 17, 2011 at 14:56
hello simon
can u give me some ideas of this essay
The twenty-first century has already brought great changes to the world.
What other developments do you expect to happen over this century?
thanks
nisha
Posted by: Nisha | November 17, 2011 at 18:27
hi simon
I bought your e-book yesterday.In your book, you have written ' Education is the key to improving the economy of these countries'. could you tell me grammar points when we can use verb+ing after 'to' ? thanks in advance
Posted by: zillur rahman | November 18, 2011 at 01:01
one more sentence...there are many benefits to going to university.
Posted by: zillur rahman | November 18, 2011 at 01:06
Hi Jawairia,
Yes, you can use that phrase when giving a general opinion, but be careful because it doesn't give YOUR opinion.
Thanks for sharing the useful link.
...
Hi Allan,
Brackets are fine if you use them once (in one sentence), but I wouldn't use them more than that.
I'd avoid hyphens. Use a comma or full stop depending on the sentence.
Cursive is fine.
...
Hi Nataly,
Both 'to' and 'of' are acceptable (try Googling both and you'll see many examples). I tend to use 'benefits to doing' for an action, and 'benefits of + noun' (e.g. benefits of computers).
...
Hi Nisha,
Try to research some ideas on the Internet. Some examples could be related to online communication, space tourism, cars that drive themselves etc. There are lots of websites about these topics.
...
Hi Zillur,
Have a look at my comment to Nataly (above). There are many cases in which you will see "to + ing". Point 11 on the link below explains this:
http://www.englishpage.com/gerunds/part_2.htm
Usually the reason is that the word "to" belongs with the word before it (e.g. the key to) - the "ing" form after this is acting as a noun (a gerund) e.g. "The key to success" is like "The key to having success".
I'll try to do a lesson about this soon.
Posted by: Simon | November 18, 2011 at 10:41
Hi, Simon. Is there any difference between these two sentences below?
1 Young people who do not have qualifications from a university or college will not be able to compete.
2 Young people who do not have qualifications from a university or college may not be able to compete.
I never use future tense before. I have IELTS test on 26th, Nov. It is my last chance. I hope I can pass it. I just need every mark of every module is above 6.
Posted by: Heather | November 21, 2011 at 01:25
Hi Heather,
They are almost the same - 'will' shows more certainty than 'may', but both are correct.
Good luck on the 26th!
Posted by: Simon | November 21, 2011 at 11:47
Hi Simon,
I am really confused about using some phrase expressing personal opinion such as: in my view, I think that, personally, ect in the assay. Because some people told me that those pharses will make my writing not be sophisticated, and I can not get a high band score. Instead, I should use some pharses like: peole believe that, It can not be denied that...However, I think if the test ask for my opinion, I need to use those personal opinon above. Could you help to be clear about that problem? Thank you very much!
Posted by: Phuong | November 22, 2011 at 03:47
Hi Phuong,
YOU are right, and they are wrong. Read this lesson:
http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2010/09/ielts-advice-using-i.html
Posted by: Simon | November 22, 2011 at 11:32
Hi Simon, I'm confused. In discuss both views and your opinion, do we still have to discuss each views in different paragraph then another paragraph my opinion? Thanks pinky
Posted by: Arnie | November 23, 2011 at 05:22
Hi Arnie/Pinky,
No, don't write an extra paragraph with your view. Your view should be the same as one of the 2 views you have already explained, so you don't want to repeat the same ideas.
In my 'discussion + opinion' essays, you should see that I do a paragraph for each view, but I make it clear that I agree with one of the views. For example:
- Paragraph with first view: "On the one hand, many people argue that..."
- Paragraph with second/my view: "On the other hand, I believe that..."
Posted by: Simon | November 23, 2011 at 17:16
Hi Simon,
I've been reading your blog for hrs and found it extremely helpful!!! thanks for all your work, really appreciate it (:
Jen
Posted by: Jenny | November 26, 2011 at 12:55
No problem Jenny!
Posted by: Simon | November 27, 2011 at 22:15
Dear Simon,
Thank you very much for your daily lessons. It really has been a great help for me. I would like to clarify with you on " Opinion" & "Discussion" essays. I understand that we need to write both sides for disucssion essays. However, when we try to write both views for opinion essays, would it be very much similar to discussion essays? How should I make it clear?
Again, thank you very much for your help.
Posted by: Eve | November 30, 2011 at 03:16
Hi Eve,
Yes, they are similar, but there is a key difference:
In a 'discussion' essay, you can talk about what "some people believe" and "other people think". However, in a 'balanced opinion' essay, you need to make it clear that the views are YOURS rather than other people's - so write something like "On the one hand, I accept that..." and "However, I also believe that..." instead of using "some/other people".
Hope this helps!
Posted by: Simon | November 30, 2011 at 20:14
Thank you very much Simon. Your explanation clears my doubts.
Posted by: Eve | December 01, 2011 at 01:43
Hi Simon I just saw your website yesterday. I am glad that i found your website I am finding it very useful. I am going to write the test on Jan 12 I hope i can get 7 each which i need for my medical registration with the GMC. I thinking to attend your course on 17 dec.
Thank you for you help
Posted by: Khan | December 07, 2011 at 18:12
No problem Khan. Maybe I'll see you on the 17th.
Posted by: Simon | December 09, 2011 at 10:07
Hi Simon,I've been followed your website for a long time,and I find it very useful.I really appreciate your help.I have a confusion,though.In test2 of IELTS book 5,the requirement of the topic is "Discuss the advantages and disadvantages for young people who decide to do this".(I assume there's no need to mention personal opinion.Am i right? But i found personal opinion in the conclusion of the Model Answer.I'm so lost
Posted by: aegean | December 10, 2011 at 14:13
Hi Aegean,
You are right that the question does not ask for a personal opinion. Sometimes the Cambridge model answers are not perfect!
Posted by: Simon | December 12, 2011 at 13:01
Really,really thanks.Simon :)
Posted by: aegean | December 12, 2011 at 16:21
Hi Simon,
I have a question about this essay regarding how we present both views in Task 2.
For quiz such as “discuss both view and give my opinion”, I notice that you put the arguable views in the first paragraph and state favorable opinions in the second paragraph. Could you please explain the reason?
Also, does it matter if I state favorable view in first paragraph and the opposite opinion in the second one?
Thanks,
Karen
Posted by: Karen | January 24, 2012 at 09:27
Hi Karen,
It doesn't really matter which order you put the views. I just prefer to give the other view first so that I can then write "However, I believe..." in the second main paragraph. I also find that this paragraph then leads nicely into the conclusion.
It won't affect your score if you do it the other way around.
Posted by: Simon | January 24, 2012 at 11:54
Hi Simon,
Thank you very much!
Karen
Posted by: Karen | January 24, 2012 at 14:53
hi,i was brwosing the internet for one question that i can't seem to find.I know this is silly but im not sure of the answer.I have a terrible handwriting using cursive,is it okay to write in prints(all in capital letters)..thanks..=)
Posted by: keycy | July 03, 2012 at 12:40
Hi Keycy,
It's best not to print your essays (in capital letters). Try to improve your handwriting.
Posted by: Simon | July 03, 2012 at 21:40
Dear Simon,
Thank you very much for your daily lessons. It really has been a great help for me. But I have some problems in " Opinion" & "Discussion" essays.So would you please give me some advice or a full essay sample for this case.
Again, thank you very much for your help.
Posted by: Eli | August 20, 2012 at 23:52
Hi Simon,
thank you very much for this discussion essay. The "without opinion" part was very confusing to me and you have just vanished all my doubts. :)
Cheers!
Posted by: Alex | April 29, 2016 at 18:54