Discussion Essay: How to Write a Balanced Both Sides Response for Band 7.0

This guide teaches you how to write a discussion essay that scores Band 7.0 in IELTS Writing Task 2. You’ll learn the structure examiners expect, the mistakes that cost candidates marks, and exactly how to balance both viewpoints while still giving your opinion when required.

The discussion essay asks you to examine two opposing viewpoints on a topic. Unlike opinion essays where you argue one side throughout, here you present both perspectives fairly before potentially offering your own view. Your role shifts from advocate to analyst, showing you understand multiple sides of an issue. If you’re new to Task 2, our complete guide to IELTS Writing Task 2 structures covers all question types.

Why This Discussion Essay Guide Targets Band 7.0

Band 7.0 is the threshold most universities and professional bodies require. It’s the minimum for postgraduate programmes, nursing registration, and skilled migration pathways in many countries. The gap between Band 6.5 and Band 7.0 often determines whether your application succeeds.

According to the official IELTS Band Descriptors, Band 7 requires a “clear position throughout the response” with ideas that are “extended and supported.” In a discussion essay, this means developing both viewpoints thoroughly while maintaining a consistent stance if opinion is required. For more detail on Band 7 requirements, see our IELTS Writing Band 7 guide.

The Four-Paragraph Structure for a Discussion Essay

Examiners expect four clear paragraphs when you write a discussion essay:

Paragraph	Purpose	Word Count
Introduction	Paraphrase topic + indicate you’ll discuss both views	40-50 words
Body Paragraph 1	Present first viewpoint with support	80-90 words
Body Paragraph 2	Present opposing viewpoint with support	80-90 words
Conclusion	Summarise both views + give opinion if required	40-50 words

This structure keeps your organisation clear and ensures balanced coverage. Each body paragraph focuses entirely on one perspective, making your analysis easy for examiners to follow.

How a Discussion Essay Differs From an Opinion Essay

The key difference is stance. In an opinion essay, you pick a side and defend it throughout. In a discussion essay, you present both sides fairly before potentially offering your view. You’re acting as an analyst first, advocate second.

This means you must develop both arguments convincingly, even the one you disagree with. Opinion essays can dismiss the opposing view briefly. A discussion essay requires genuine engagement with both perspectives. Examiners penalise obviously lopsided analysis where one side gets superficial treatment.

The question wording tells you which type to write. “To what extent do you agree?” signals an opinion essay. “Discuss both views” signals a discussion essay. Misidentifying the question type damages Task Response scores significantly. Our agree or disagree essay template covers the opinion essay format if you need that instead.

Should You Give Your Opinion in a Discussion Essay?

Whether to include your opinion depends entirely on the question wording. Read the instructions carefully because this directly affects your score.

“Discuss both views” without additional instruction means remain neutral and analytical throughout. You present both perspectives without stating which you prefer. Adding unsolicited opinions shows you didn’t understand the task.

“Discuss both views and give your opinion” requires you to state your stance. Your body paragraphs should still present both sides fairly, but your conclusion must clearly indicate which view you find more convincing.

When opinion is required, don’t leave it only for the conclusion. Indicate your position in the introduction, support it through your analysis, and confirm it in your conclusion. As IELTS experts emphasise, you must take a clear position and maintain it consistently throughout. Sitting on the fence by saying both sides are equally valid prevents you from scoring above Band 6 for Task Response.

Your opinion should be brief and connected to the discussion. Don’t introduce new arguments to support your view. Simply state which side you find more convincing based on the evidence you’ve already presented.

Seven Common Mistakes in a Discussion Essay

These errors appear repeatedly and cost candidates marks. Avoiding them will immediately improve your score.

1. Failure to discuss both sides equally

Spending 80% of your essay on the side you agree with and only 20% on the other fails the task. The question asks you to discuss both views. Ignoring one side or giving it superficial treatment means you haven’t fully addressed the prompt. Structure your discussion essay with two distinct, balanced body paragraphs before giving your opinion.

2. Sitting on the fence

Discussing both sides but failing to clearly state which side you favour, or saying both sides are equally good without a clear preference. If you don’t take a clear, consistent position throughout your discussion essay, you cannot score above Band 6 for Task Response. State your position in the introduction if opinion is required, support it through your analysis, and confirm it in your conclusion.

3. Mixing opinions with discussion

Including your personal opinion while describing the opposing view undermines the analysis. Saying “this is a bad idea” while explaining a view you disagree with makes your discussion biased. Keep your body paragraphs neutral and analytical. Reserve your personal opinion for the conclusion or a dedicated section.

4. Overgeneralising and lacking examples

Making sweeping statements like “all young people hate history” instead of backing up points with specific evidence. This demonstrates weak critical thinking. Use hedging language (“tends to,” “often,” “may”) and support arguments with concrete examples. A discussion essay needs specific evidence, not vague generalisations.

5. Including new ideas in the conclusion

Introducing new arguments, examples, or evidence in the final paragraph suggests poor planning. The conclusion should only summarise what has already been discussed. Use it to restate your opinion and summarise the main points from the body paragraphs.

6. Paraphrasing poorly or copying the question

Copying the question word-for-word or changing only one or two words creates unnatural sentences. Examiners don’t count copied words toward your word count, potentially causing a penalty for a short essay. Paraphrase by changing sentence structure and using synonyms, focusing on meaning rather than individual words.

7. Overusing memorised template phrases

Using rigid clichés like “Since the dawn of time,” “In the modern era of today,” or “This is a highly controversial issue.” Examiners recognise these immediately, indicating a lack of genuine writing skill. Write naturally and focus on linking your specific ideas together rather than relying on pre-set templates.

The PEEL Structure for Each Viewpoint

Use a modified PEEL structure for each body paragraph in your discussion essay. This ensures both sides receive equal structural treatment and development.

Point: State the viewpoint clearly with a topic sentence. “Those who support X argue that…” or “Proponents of Y believe…”

Explain: Why people hold this position. What reasoning or values underpin this view?

Example: Evidence or illustration supporting this viewpoint. Use specific cases, data, or scenarios.

Link: Significance or outcome of this perspective. What are the consequences or implications?

Apply this structure to both body paragraphs. If one viewpoint gets all four elements and the other only gets two, your coverage is unbalanced. The parallel structure demonstrates fair, analytical thinking throughout your discussion essay.

Ensuring Balanced Coverage of Both Views

Balance is essential in a discussion essay. Here’s how to achieve it:

Equal word counts: Aim for roughly the same length in each body paragraph. If your first paragraph is 90 words, your second should be similar. A 120-word paragraph versus a 50-word paragraph signals obvious imbalance.

Same structural elements: Give each viewpoint a topic sentence, explanation, example, and outcome. If one side gets an example and the other doesn’t, the coverage is uneven.

Write the disagreed view first: This forces you to develop it properly before moving to your preferred side. Many candidates rush through the opposing view because they save it for last.

Balance doesn’t mean equal agreement: You can acknowledge one view has stronger evidence in your conclusion. But in the body paragraphs, present each side on its own merits without editorialising.

Test your balance: Review your draft by covering the conclusion. Could a reader tell which side you support just from the body paragraphs? If yes, your analysis is biased. The body paragraphs should present both views fairly enough that your opinion feels like a genuine choice, not a foregone conclusion.

Linking Words for a Discussion Essay

A discussion essay needs view-presentation phrases and contrast connectors. But use them naturally, not mechanically.

For introducing viewpoints:

• “Those who support X argue that…”
• “Proponents of Y believe…”
• “On one hand…”
• “One perspective suggests…”

For contrasting views:

• “However”
• “On the other hand”
• “In contrast”
• “Conversely”
• “Others take a different view”

For concluding with opinion:

• “On balance”
• “Having considered both views”
• “In my view”
• “While both arguments have merit, I find… more convincing”

Avoid rigid transitions like “Firstly… Secondly… Thirdly” which make essays sound mechanical. Instead, let your topic sentences signal the shift between perspectives naturally.

Also avoid memorised clichés that examiners recognise as template usage: “This essay will discuss both sides,” “There are two sides to every coin,” “In this modern era.” These phrases signal formulaic writing and can limit your Lexical Resource score.

Writing the Introduction for a Discussion Essay

Your introduction needs just 2-3 sentences totalling 40-50 words.

First, paraphrase the topic to show you understand the issue. Don’t copy the question wording. Second, state that both views will be discussed. If opinion is required, briefly indicate your stance without fully explaining it.

Example prompt: “Some people believe children should start formal education at age 4, while others think they should wait until age 7. Discuss both views and give your opinion.”

Example introduction: “The appropriate age for children to begin formal schooling remains debated. While some advocate for early starts at age 4, others argue that waiting until age 7 benefits children more. This essay will examine both perspectives before explaining why I support the latter view.”

Notice the introduction doesn’t preview specific arguments. It signals the structure and indicates the opinion without going into detail. Every word serves a purpose.

Time Management for Your Discussion Essay

Divide your 40 minutes deliberately:

Planning (5 minutes): Note the two viewpoints and one key argument plus example for each. If opinion is required, decide which side you’ll support. This prevents getting stuck mid-essay.

Writing (30 minutes): Follow your plan. Spend roughly equal time on each body paragraph to ensure balanced development. If one paragraph is running long, be more concise in the other.

Checking (5 minutes): Read through for grammar errors, missing articles, and subject-verb agreement. Verify you’ve addressed all parts of the question. If opinion was required, confirm you’ve clearly stated it.

Your Discussion Essay Template

Use this template as your starting point:

Introduction (40-50 words): [One sentence paraphrasing the topic.] While some believe [first view], others argue [second view]. This essay will examine both perspectives [and give my opinion / before presenting my view — if required].

Body Paragraph 1 (80-90 words): Those who support [first view] argue that [main reason]. [2-3 sentences explaining why people hold this position.] [Specific example or evidence.] [Consequence or significance of this view.]

Body Paragraph 2 (80-90 words): However, others believe [second view]. [2-3 sentences explaining the reasoning behind this perspective.] [Specific example or evidence.] [Consequence or significance of this view.]

Conclusion (40-50 words): In conclusion, both perspectives have merit regarding [topic]. However, [I believe / On balance] [state which view you find more convincing and briefly say why — if opinion required]. [Or simply summarise both views neutrally if opinion not required.]

Practise Your Discussion Essay With Speechful

Understanding the discussion essay structure is one thing. Applying it under timed conditions is another. Speechful’s AI-powered practice tool gives you instant feedback on your Task 2 responses, highlighting where your balance between viewpoints is strong and where it needs work.

Try a free practice session at speechful.ai and see how your essays measure up.