Do 'discuss both views' essays in IELTS Writing Task 2 always require an opinion?

Yes, if the prompt states 'Discuss both views and give your own opinion', stating your personal position is mandatory. Failing to state a clear opinion or only giving it in the conclusion restricts your Task Response score. If the prompt only says 'Discuss both views' without asking for your opinion, you evaluate both sides neutrally without choosing a winner.

Where should my opinion appear in an IELTS both views essay?

Your opinion should appear in four planned places: Part 4 of the introduction, the closing sentence of Body Paragraph 1 (disagreeing with the opposing view), the closing sentence of Body Paragraph 2 (agreeing with your favoured view), and the conclusion. Keep the rest of your body sentences objective to prevent overuse of personal pronouns.

How many paragraphs should an IELTS discuss both views essay have?

A 4-paragraph structure is ideal: a 4-part introduction (paraphrase, Viewpoint 1 main idea, Viewpoint 2 main idea, opinion), Body Paragraph 1 developing the opposing view, Body Paragraph 2 developing your favoured view, and a 1-sentence conclusion synthesizing both ideas.

How long should the introduction and conclusion be?

Aim for 55 to 80 words in the introduction across four focused sentences. Keep the conclusion to a single sentence of 30 to 45 words containing a linker, a concession of Viewpoint 1, and your justified agreement with Viewpoint 2. Avoid introducing any new ideas in the conclusion.

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IELTS Writing Task 2: Flexible Band 9 Both Views Templates

A both views essay ("Discuss both views and give your own opinion") sets two jobs, and most lost marks come from doing only one of them. Learn the four-part introduction, mechanism-driven body paragraphs, and one-sentence conclusion.

Quick Guide: IELTS Both Views Essays

An IELTS discuss both views essay is a 40-minute Writing Task 2 formal essay requiring at least 250 words (recommended: 260–290 words) and accounting for two-thirds (66.7%) of your total Writing band score. Questions require two distinct jobs: evaluating both perspectives thoroughly and establishing a clear personal position throughout. Applying a proven Band 9 four-paragraph structure—introduction, opposing view with causal mechanisms, favoured view with counter-arguments, and a synthesis conclusion—guarantees full marks across Task Response and Coherence & Cohesion.

Time Allocated: 40 minutes

Word Count: 250+ words

Format: 4 Paragraphs

Criteria: TR, CC, LR, GRA (25% each)

Part 1: Core Decisions (The Two Jobs)

A both views essay sets two jobs: discussing both perspectives fairly and presenting your own clear opinion. Describing both sides and never committing is the most common Task Response error. Choosing which view you support before writing and committing to it with clear reasons is essential for a Band 9 score.

Part 2: The Four-Part Introduction Architecture

The introduction has four parts in strict order: Part 1 paraphrases both prompt views, Part 2 outlines Main Idea 1 as a direct claim, Part 3 outlines Main Idea 2 with contrast, and Part 4 states your opinion echoing Main Idea 2. This proves task comprehension and pre-announces the exact claims developed in the body paragraphs.

Part 3: Essential Paragraph Skills & Mechanism Explanations

Every high-scoring body paragraph builds from direct claims rather than empty throat-clearing filler. The explanation sentence answers "why" or "how" through a concrete causal chain connecting the topic to the outcome. Concrete real-world examples and clear disagree/agree links conclude each paragraph with precision.

Part 4: The One-Sentence Three-Part Conclusion

The conclusion brings back both Main Ideas in 30 to 45 words without introducing new arguments: a conclusion linker, a concession of Viewpoint 1 with your opinion of it, and your justified agreement with Viewpoint 2.

Frequently Asked Questions About Both Views Essays

Do "discuss both views" essays require an opinion?

Yes, when the prompt asks "Discuss both views and give your own opinion", stating your personal stance throughout is mandatory. If the prompt only says "Discuss both views", discuss both sides neutrally without picking a winner.

Can I write "both views are right"?

No. "Both views are right" is not an acceptable position under Cambridge criteria. An IELTS "discuss both views and give your own opinion" prompt requires you to evaluate both sides fairly and explicitly choose one perspective over the other with a clear justification.

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