TYPES OF ESSAYS
There are 5 main types of IELTS Task 2 essays:
1) Opinion Essays
2) Discussion Essays
3) Problem Solution Essays
4) Advantages & Disadvantages Essays
5) Double Question Essays
1) Opinion Essays
These are sometimes called ‘agree or disagree’ or ‘argumentative’ essays and
are one of the most common types of IELTS Task 2 question.
The first part of the question will be a statement. You will then be asked to
give your own opinion about the statement. Here is some typical wording that
might be used:
What is your opinion?
Do you agree or disagree?
To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Here is an example of each:
Key tips:
Choose one side of the argument.
State your opinion clearly in the introduction.
Keep the same opinion throughout the essay.
Give reasons why you hold this view.
It doesn’t matter which side of the argument you take or even that you agree
with it. Choose the one you can develop the best argument for.
Don’t change your opinion part way through the essay and don’t give reasons
for the opposing idea.
Essay Structure
1) Introduction
Paraphrase the question
Give your opinion
State two supporting reasons
2) Main body paragraph 1
Topic sentence – outline 1st reason for supporting this view
Explanation – explain this idea
Example – give an example
3) Main body paragraph 2
Topic sentence – outline 2nd reason for supporting this view
Explanation – explain this idea
Example – give an example
4) Conclusion
Summarise opinion and key reasons
2) Discussion Essays
In discussion essays, you have to discuss both sides of an argument. Usually,
you will be asked for your own opinion as well.
The easiest way to approach this type of IELTS Task 2 question is to choose
one point of view to agree with and one side to disagree with.
Here are 3 examples of discussion essay questions:
Key tips:
Develop both sides of the argument.
Talk about the view you don’t agree with first.
A big mistake many students make is to fully develop only one point of view.
This leads to an unbalanced essay and a low score for task achievement.
It is easier to begin by discussing the opinion you don’t agree with and then
present the reasons for your opposing view.
Essay Structure
1) Introduction
Paraphrase the question
Give your opinion
State two supporting reasons
2) Main body paragraph 1 – Negative Viewpoint
Topic sentence – outline the view you don’t agree with
Explanation – explain why this view is held by some people
Example – give an example
3) Main body paragraph 2 – Positive Viewpoint
Topic sentence – outline the view you do agree with
Explanation – explain why this view is held by some people
Example – give an example
4) Conclusion
Summarise the key points and state your opinion
3) Problem Essays
These are sometimes called ‘causes and solutions’ or ‘problems and
solutions’ essays. This type of IELTS Task 2 question starts with a statement,
then asks you to discuss the problems or causes and the solutions.
Key tips:
Don’t list lots of causes and solutions.
Choose just one or two and develop them fully.
Be sure to link each problem/cause and its solution.
A common mistake is for candidates to list all the problems/causes and
solutions they can think of, not necessarily linking them together. They also
fail to explain any of them in detail and don’t include any examples.
The wording of this type of essay question can vary considerably. Here are 3
examples of problem essay questions:
Essay Structure
1) Introduction
Paraphrase the question
State 1 key problem/cause and related solution
2) Main body paragraph 1 – Problem or Cause
Topic sentence – state the problem or cause
Explanation – give detail explaining the problem or cause
Example – give an example
3) Main body paragraph 2 – Solution
Topic sentence – state the solution
Explanation – give detail explaining the solution
Example – give an example
4) Conclusion
Summarise the key points and state your opinion
4) Advantages & Disadvantages Essays
The first part of the question will be a statement. You will be asked to write
about both the advantages and disadvantages of the idea stated.
Here is some typical wording that might be used:
What are the advantages and disadvantages of….?
Do you think the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages and give your opinion.
Here are 3 examples of advantages and disadvantages essay questions:
Each of these different types of questions fits into one of two slightly different
essay structures. We’ll look at these in detail on the main IELTS Task 2
Advantages & Disadvantages Essays page. For now, I’ll give you the basic
structure.
Essay Structure
1) Introduction
Paraphrase the question
Outline the view or views stated the statement
2) Main body paragraph 1 – Advantage
Topic sentence – state 1 advantage
Explanation – give detail explaining the advantage
Example – give an example
Result – state the result
3) Main body paragraph 2 – Disadvantage
Topic sentence – state 1 disadvantage
Explanation – give detail explaining the disadvantage
Example – give an example
Result – state the result
4) Conclusion
Summarise the key points
State your opinion if required
5) Double Question Essays
This type of IELTS Task 2 question is sometimes called a ‘direct question’ or
‘two questions’ essay. It has one statement with two different questions after
it. The questions may or may not be linked.
Key tips:
You must answer both questions fully.
Don’t confuse it with an opinion or a discussion essay.
Be careful that you don’t end up with too many ideas to write
about.
Here are 3 examples of double question essay questions:
Essay Structure
1) Introduction
Paraphrase the question
Outline sentence – state your answer to both questions
2) Main body paragraph 1 – Answer question 1
Topic sentence – state your answer
Explanation – explain why you think this
Example – give an example
3) Main body paragraph 2 – Answer question 2
Topic sentence – state your answer
Explanation – explain why you think this
Example – give an example
4) Conclusion
Summarise both questions and answers
I hope you’ve found this information useful. You can learn lots more about
writing the 5 different types of IELTS Task 2 essay and see sample answers
on these pages:
