Discussion Essay

IELTS DISCUSSION ESSAY:
• Discussion essay + One sided opinion

• Discussion essay + Balanced view
• Essay structure
• Ideas
• Writing each paragraph
• Tips
• Linking devices
• Vocabulary
• Some people think that children should be taught to

be competitive in school. Other, however say that
cooperation and team working skills are more
important.
Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

IELTS DISCUSSION ESSAY
• One-Sided opinion for discussion essay
• Intro : Background = Two sides
• Thesis = Opinion
BP1: Competition = Some people think ……..and I agree

BP2: Cooperation = Other people think ……….
Conclusion : Refer to other people’s opinion

Restate my opinion
Reason why people support competition.
• Children do better in school

• Competition motivates
• Example: Children apply themselves when in direct
competition with class mates.
• Later in life = Competition in the job market
Reason why people support cooperation
• People do not live apart

• Learn to live alongside others
• Learn communication
• Deal with confrontation
• Learn to negotiate
VOCABULARY
COMPETITIVE
• Competition
• To Compete
• Competing
COOPERATION
• To cooperate
• Cooperating
• Team skills
• Working in a team
Background Statement
• Some people think that children should be taught to be

competitive in school. Other, however say that cooperation
and team working skills are more important.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• Although it is sometimes thought that schools ought to teach
children to compete, other people believe that the focus
should be on cooperation.
Thesis Statement
1. This essay will discuss both sides and then I will give my opinion.
2. I agree with the former opinion.
3. In my opinion, I considered that competition helps children learn

the most important skills for their future.
INTRODUCTION
Although it is sometimes thought that schools ought to teach

children to compete, other people believe that the focus
should be on cooperation. In my opinion, I considered that
competition helps children learn the most important skills for
their future life.
(41 Words)
Firstly, children who learn to compete against each other often

do better in school.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On the one hand, some people think that children who learn
to compete against each other often do better in school and I
agree.
Paragraph 1
On the one hand, some people think that children who learn to compete
against each other often do better in school and I agree.
In other words, the competition between the students motivates them
to excel in their studies or tasks which, consequently, produces better
academic performance and results. For example, students generally
apply themselves and work harder when they in direct competition with
their classmates. Furthermore, being driven to achieve the best is vital in
order to succeed later in life when, as adults, they must compete against
others in the job market.
On the other hand, it is often believed that competition
should not be emphasized in schools.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
On the other hand, it is often believed that it is better if the

emphasis at school is on cooperating with others.
• On the other hand, it is often believed that it is better if the
emphasis at school is on cooperating with others. As people,
we do not live, work or socialize apart from others, so learning
how to work along side other people ought to be taught from
childhood. Without these skills, children would lack the ability
to communicate with each other or know how to deal with
confrontations and conflicts in a constructive way. Another
reason why team skills are useful for children is that they can
learn how to negotiate to complete a task. This is an essential
skill to learn for their future life.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, while people may vary in their opinions, I think

that children stand a better chance to succeed both in school
and later in life if they are encouraged to compete against
each other.
(35 words)
Balance opinion:
• Introduction: Background +Thesis

• BP1= One side
• BP2= Other side
• BP3= My opinion
• Conclusion: Summary of the points
Thesis Statement
• In my opinion, I believe that competing and cooperating is important

for children.
========================================================
• In my opinion, deciding whether to focus on competing or team

working skills should depend on the age of the child.
Introduction:
• Although it is sometimes thought that schools ought to teach

children to compete, other people believe that the focus should be on
cooperation. In my opinion, deciding whether to focus on competition
or team working skills should depend on the age of the child.
• 44words
Body Paragraph 1:
• On the one hand, children who learn to compete against each other
often do better in school, according to some. In other words, the
completion between students motivates them to excel in their studies
or tasks which consequently produces better academic performance
and results. Furthermore, it is commonly believed that these skills are
essential for children to learn in order to succeed later in life when
they must compete against others in the job market.
• Body Paragraph 2:
• On the other hand, it is often thought that it is better if the emphasis

at school is on competing with others. People do not live, work or
socialize apart from others, so learning how to work alongside other
ought to be taught from childhood. Without these skills, many think
that children would lake the ability to communicate with each other
or know how to deal with confrontations and conflict in a constructive
way.
Body Paragraph 3 :
• Finally, in my view, both skills are indispensable for a child’s future but
the focus should depend on the child’s age. While young children
need to learn how to communicate effectively and learn to work with
others, older children, who are starting to take exams and assessed
on their academic performance, would benefit more from
completion. Schools, therefore need to be flexible as to when to focus
on one over the other.
Conclusion
• In conclusion, despite people having different views, I believe it would

be better for young children to develop team working skills and older
children to become more competitive.
…………………….+
• Learning both skills is essential for a child’s future.
• Learning both skills is essential at the appropriate age for a child’s
future.
TIPS:
1- Underline both sides in the essay question.

2- Decide if you agree one side 100% or if you have a specific opinion.
3- Never agree fully with both sides.
4- Plan supporting points.
5- Plan paraphrasing main points.
6- Structure:
Intro . Intro
BP1= One side . BP1 = One side
OPINION . BP2 = One side
BP2= One side . BP3 = Opinion
Conclusion . Conclusion
7- Intro = Two sides + Opinion
8- Always re-read essay question before starting a BP
TIPS:
9- Topic sentence must be fully written.

10- Supporting points explain why people have their view.
11- Don’t confuse this with advantages.
12- Refer to other people’s opinion in the conclusion and restate your
opinion.
13- Linking
13- Linking
Intro : Although, In my opinion
BP1: On the one hand, In other words, Consequently, For example,
Furthermore, In order to
BP2: On the other hand, so, Another reason
BP3: Finally, In my view, While therefore
Conclusion: In conclusion, despite
VOCABULARY:
I consider that »»» I am considering

It should depend on the age of the child
The age of the child should be taken into consideration
Motivate = to do well = drive
Excel = critical = vital
Indispensable = cannot do without
VOCABULARY:
• School should teach »» Children ought to learn

• Learn work alongside = side by side one
• Confrontation = Disagreement
• Focus = Emphasis
• To focus on = to concentrate on
• Compete to get a job
• Compete in the job market

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IELTS DISCUSSION ESSAY:

• Discussion essay + One sided opinion

• Some people think that children should be taught to

Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

BP1: Competition = Some people think ……..and I agree

Conclusion : Refer to other people’s opinion

• Children do better in school

Reason why people support cooperation

• People do not live apart

• Some people think that children should be taught to be

2. I agree with the former opinion.

3. In my opinion, I considered that competition helps children learn

Although it is sometimes thought that schools ought to teach

Firstly, children who learn to compete against each other often

On the other hand, it is often believed that it is better if the

In conclusion, while people may vary in their opinions, I think

• Introduction: Background +Thesis

• In my opinion, I believe that competing and cooperating is important

• In my opinion, deciding whether to focus on competing or team

• Although it is sometimes thought that schools ought to teach

• On the other hand, it is often thought that it is better if the emphasis

• In conclusion, despite people having different views, I believe it would

1- Underline both sides in the essay question.

9- Topic sentence must be fully written.

I consider that »»» I am considering

• School should teach »» Children ought to learn

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