IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay Types: How to Structure Opinion, Discussion, Advantages, Problem–Solution and Two-Part Essays

The five essay types in brief

IELTS Writing Task 2 questions fall into five common types: opinion (agree or disagree), discussion (discuss both views), advantages and disadvantages, problem and solution, and two-part questions. You recognise the type from the instruction at the end of the prompt, then use a paragraph plan that answers every part of it. Whichever type it is, write at least 250 words in about 40 minutes and give a clear position wherever the question calls for one.

How to identify the type from the wording

Ignore the topic for a moment and read only the instruction. Some questions blend two types, so count how many things you are being asked to do.

• Opinion: To what extent do you agree or disagree? Do you agree or disagree? What is your opinion?
• Discussion: Discuss both views and give your own opinion. If your opinion is requested you must give it. If it is not, keep a clear but brief view of your own.
• Advantages and disadvantages: What are the advantages and disadvantages? Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages? The second form also asks for a judgement.
• Problem and solution: What problems does this cause? What can be done to solve them?
• Two-part: two separate direct questions, such as Why is this happening? and Is this a positive or negative development?

Taking and keeping a clear position

Task Response is one of four criteria, each worth 25% of the Task 2 score. At Band 7 the descriptor refers to an answer that presents a clear position throughout. Band 6 is described as presenting a relevant position whose conclusions can become unclear or repetitive. The difference is consistency: the reader should never wonder which side you are on.

Where the question needs a position, state it in the introduction as a thesis sentence, for example: I strongly agree that university education should be free, mainly because it widens access and benefits the whole economy. Then echo it in each topic sentence and restate it in the conclusion in different words.

• If you partly agree, say which part. Write: While remote work has some drawbacks, I believe the benefits outweigh them.
• Do not argue one side in the body and the opposite in the conclusion.
• In problem and solution and two-part essays, your answers to each question are your position, so make them direct.

A paragraph plan for each type

Four paragraphs, an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion, work for all five types. Each body paragraph should have a topic sentence, an explanation, and an example or consequence.

• Opinion: introduction with your position. Body 1: your strongest reason, explained and exemplified. Body 2: a second reason, or a counter-argument you then answer. Conclusion restating your position.
• Discussion: introduction paraphrasing the topic and, if requested, your opinion. Body 1: the first view with support. Body 2: the second view with support. Conclusion giving your own opinion.
• Advantages and disadvantages: introduction. Body 1: the advantages, developed rather than listed. Body 2: the disadvantages. Conclusion saying which side is stronger if the question asks whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
• Problem and solution: introduction. Body 1: two problems with their causes or effects. Body 2: solutions that match those problems, naming who should act, such as governments, schools or individuals. Short conclusion.
• Two-part: introduction that signals both answers. Body 1: answer to question one. Body 2: answer to question two. Conclusion. Give each question roughly equal space.

Answering every part of the question

An essay that addresses only part of the question is limited under Task Response, however good the English. Before you write, underline each instruction and write a short plan with one line per part.

Take the question: In many cities traffic is getting worse. What problems does this cause, and what can be done? A plan might be: Introduction, restate the issue and say that congestion harms health and the economy and needs action at several levels. Body 1, problem one, longer journeys reduce productivity, with an example of lost working hours. Problem two, air pollution raises respiratory illness. Body 2, solution to the first, better and cheaper public transport. Solution to the second, charges for the most polluting vehicles. Conclusion, a combination of both measures is needed.

Notice that both problems are matched with a solution. Checking that each part has its own sentence or paragraph is the quickest way to avoid a missing part.

Timing and word count

Task 2 carries twice the weight of Task 1, so protect its 40 minutes. A sensible split is about 5 minutes to plan, about 30 to write and about 5 to check.

You must write at least 250 words, and shorter answers lose marks under Task Response. There is no official maximum, but a target of 270 to 320 words gives you a safety margin without costing time. The computer-delivered test shows a live word count and has no spell check, so use the final minutes to check spelling, missing words and sentence endings. General Training Task 2 uses the same essay format as Academic, so everything above applies to both.

Common questions

Short answers to the questions candidates search for most often.

• How many paragraphs should an IELTS Task 2 essay have? Four is standard: introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion. Five is fine if you have three distinct ideas, but each paragraph still needs development.
• Do I have to give my opinion in every essay? Only when the question asks for it or clearly requires a judgement. In other types, make your answers clear and direct.
• What is the difference between an opinion essay and a discussion essay? An opinion essay asks how far you agree, so you argue one position. A discussion essay asks you to cover two views fairly, and perhaps give your own.
• Can I use the word I in Task 2? Yes, when giving your opinion. Phrases such as I believe or in my view are acceptable.
• Is it a problem if I write more than 320 words? There is no official maximum, but longer essays take more time and tend to contain more errors, and they rarely score more.

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