Writing · Unit 3: Core strategies
W33: Discussion essays
Target band 6.5 to 7
Discussion essays say: "Some people think X. Others think Y. Discuss both views and give your own opinion." This is a three-part task: explain view 1, explain view 2, and give your opinion. Many students do two of the three. This lesson shows you how to do all three, clearly and fairly.
Why this matters
If you skip one view, or forget your opinion, your Task Response score is limited. And if you explain one view very well and the other in one weak sentence, the examiner may see it as one-sided.
The structure
- Introduction: paraphrase both views; give your opinion.
- Body 1: view 1, explained fairly, with reasons and an example.
- Body 2: view 2, explained fairly, with reasons and an example. You can show here that you agree with this view.
- Conclusion: restate both views briefly, and your opinion clearly.
Tip: put the view you agree with in Body 2. That way, your essay naturally builds towards your opinion.
Phrases for presenting views fairly
- Some people argue that...
- Supporters of this view believe that...
- Those who hold the opposite view point out that...
- From their perspective, ...
- I would side with the latter view because...
The question
"Some people think that building more sports facilities is the best way to improve public health. Others believe that this would have little effect and that other measures are needed. Discuss both views and give your own opinion."
Model essay (about 290 words)
There is disagreement about whether new sports facilities are the most effective way to make a population healthier. While such facilities have some value, I believe other measures, especially changes to diet and daily habits, would have a greater impact.
Those who support building more sports centres argue that many people do not exercise simply because they have nowhere to do so. In crowded cities, for example, there may be few safe parks, pools or sports grounds, especially for women and children. From this perspective, providing affordable facilities would remove a major barrier and encourage regular physical activity, which is known to reduce the risk of conditions such as heart disease.
On the other hand, critics point out that having access to a gym does not guarantee that people will use it. Many of the most serious health problems today, such as diabetes and obesity, are linked more closely to diet and inactive lifestyles than to a lack of sports venues. For this reason, they argue that governments would achieve more by limiting unhealthy food advertising, improving health education in schools, and designing cities where walking and cycling are safe and convenient. Such measures affect everyone's daily routine, not only those who are already interested in sport.
In conclusion, although more sports facilities can help some people become more active, I agree with those who believe that wider measures are needed. Improving eating habits and making everyday movement easier are likely to bring greater and longer-lasting benefits to public health.
Why this essay works
- All three parts covered: view 1 (Body 1), view 2 (Body 2), and a clear opinion (introduction and conclusion).
- Fair presentation: view 1 gets a real explanation, not a weak straw man.
- Opinion placed logically: the agreed view is in Body 2, leading into the conclusion.
- Precise vocabulary: remove a major barrier, inactive lifestyles, longer-lasting benefits.
Common mistakes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| No opinion given | Put it in the introduction and the conclusion |
| Opinion only in the last line | State it clearly in the introduction too |
| One view gets one sentence | Give each view a full, developed paragraph |
| A third paragraph that repeats view 2 | Keep to two body paragraphs, well developed |
Try it yourself
Write an introduction for: "Some people think children should start school at age 4. Others think age 7 is better. Discuss both views and give your opinion."
Sample answer: "Opinions differ on whether children should begin formal schooling at four or wait until the age of seven. Although an early start can help with basic skills, I believe children benefit more from a few extra years of play-based learning."
Honest note
You can also give your opinion in a separate third body paragraph. That works too, as long as it's clear. The structure above is simply the easiest to control in 40 minutes.
Your task today
Write a full discussion essay on the school-age question above in 40 minutes.