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Discussion essays are a common form of academic writing. This page gives information on what a discussion essay is and how to structure this type of essay. Some vocabulary for discussion essays is also given, and there is an example discussion essay on the topic of studying overseas.
Many essay titles require you to examine both sides of a situation and to conclude by saying which side you favour. These are known as discussion or for and against essays. In this sense, the academic meaning of the word discuss is similar to its everyday meaning, of two people talking about a topic from different sides. For a discussion essay, a balanced view is normally essential. This makes discussion essays distinct from persuasion essays , for which only one side of the argument is given. When writing a discussion essay, it is important to ensure that facts and opinions are clearly separated. Often you will examine what other people have already said on the same subject and include this information using paraphrasing and summarising skills, as well as correct citations .
The following are examples of discussion essay topics.
Although the structure of a discussion essay may vary according to length and subject, there are several components which most discussion essays have in common. In addition to general statements and thesis statement which all good essay introductions contain, the position of the writer will often be stated, along with relevant definitions . The main body will examine arguments for (in one or more paragraphs) and arguments against (also in one or more paragraphs). The conclusion will contain a summary of the main points, and will often conclude with recommendations , based on what you think are the most important ideas in the essay. The conclusion may also contain your opinion on the topic, also based on the preceding evidence.
An overview of this structure is given in the diagram below.
Structural component | Purpose | Stage of essay |
To introduce the reader to the subject of the essay. | ||
Position | To give the opinion of the writer (not always possible). | |
Definition(s) (optional) | To explain any important technical words to the reader. | |
To tell the reader what parts of the topic will be included in the essay. | ||
Arguments for | To explain to the reader the evidence for the positive side of the issue, with support. The most important ideas usually come first. This may be covered in one or more paragraphs. | |
Arguments against | To explain to the reader the evidence for the negative side of the issue, with support. The most important ideas usually come first. This may be covered in one or more paragraphs. | |
Summary | To give the reader a brief reminder of the main ideas, while restating the issue. Sometimes also says which ideas the writer believes have the strongest evidence. | |
Opinion & Recommendation | To give your opinion, and tell the reader what the writer believes is the best action to take, considering the evidence in the essay. |
When summarising the stages in a discussion or in presenting your arguments, it can be useful to mark the order of the items or degrees of importance. The following words and phrases can be used.
The following can be used when introducing your opinion.
It is important in English writing, including academic writing, to use synonyms rather than repeating the same word. The following are useful synonyms for 'advantage' and 'disadvantage'.
Below is an example discussion essay. Click on the different areas (in the shaded boxes to the right) to highlight the different structural aspects in this essay.
Title: An increasing number of students are going overseas for tertiary education. To what extent does this overseas study benefit the students?
Most people spend around fifteen years of their life in education, from primary school to university study. In the past, students only had the opportunity to study in their own country. Nowadays, however, it is increasingly easy to study overseas, especially at tertiary level. Tertiary education, also called post-secondary education, is the period of study spent at university. As the final aspect of schooling before a person begins their working life, it is arguably the most important stage of their education. While there are some undoubted benefits of this trend, such as the language environment and improved employment prospects , there is also a significant disadvantage, namely the high cost . The first and most important advantage of overseas study is the language learning environment. Students studying overseas will not only have to cope with the local language for their study, but will also have to use it outside the classroom for their everyday life. These factors should make it relatively easy for such students to advance their language abilities. Another important benefit is employability. Increasing globalisation means that there are more multinational companies setting up offices in all major countries. These companies will need employees who have a variety of skills, including the fluency in more than one language. Students who have studied abroad should find it much easier to obtain a job in this kind of company. There are, however, some disadvantages to overseas study which must be considered, the most notable of which is the expense. In addition to the cost of travel, which in itself is not inconsiderable, overseas students are required to pay tuition fees which are usually much higher than those of local students. Added to this is the cost of living, which is often much higher than in the students' own country. Although scholarships may be available for overseas students, there are usually very few of these, most of which will only cover a fraction of the cost. Overseas study therefore constitutes a considerable expense. In summary, studying abroad has some clear advantages, including the language environment and increased chances of employment , in addition to the main drawback, the heavy financial burden . I believe that this experience is worthwhile for those students whose families can readily afford the expense. Students without such strong financial support should consider carefully whether the high cost outweighs the benefits to be gained.
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Below is a checklist for discussion essays. Use it to check your own writing, or get a peer (another student) to help you.
The essay begins with | ||
There is a clear | ||
are given if needed | ||
The essay has clear | ||
One or more are included (including clear ) | ||
One or more are included (including clear ) | ||
The conclusion includes a of the main points | ||
The writer's is given | ||
There is a , which relates to the points in the essay |
Bailey, S. (2000). Academic Writing. Abingdon: RoutledgeFalmer
Cox, K. and D. Hill (2004). EAP now! Frenchs Forest: Pearson Education Australia
Jordan, R.R. (1999). Academic Writing Course. Cambridge: CUP
Roberts R., J. Gokanda, & A. Preshous (2004). IELTS Foundation. Oxford: Macmillian
Find out how to write persuasion essays in the next section.
Go back to the previous section about different essay types .
Author: Sheldon Smith ‖ Last modified: 16 January 2022.
Sheldon Smith is the founder and editor of EAPFoundation.com. He has been teaching English for Academic Purposes since 2004. Find out more about him in the about section and connect with him on Twitter , Facebook and LinkedIn .
Compare & contrast essays examine the similarities of two or more objects, and the differences.
Cause & effect essays consider the reasons (or causes) for something, then discuss the results (or effects).
Discussion essays require you to examine both sides of a situation and to conclude by saying which side you favour.
Problem-solution essays are a sub-type of SPSE essays (Situation, Problem, Solution, Evaluation).
Transition signals are useful in achieving good cohesion and coherence in your writing.
Reporting verbs are used to link your in-text citations to the information cited.
IELTS Preparation with Liz: Free IELTS Tips and Lessons, 2024
Below is a collection of free IELTS writing task 2 video lessons to help you develop skills, language and understand key tips for IELTS writing task 2.
A video lesson explaining how to write an introduction for an IELTS essay. This video lesson is for both GT and academic students.
A lesson which explains how you can add examples to your IELTS essay.
In this IELTS video lesson learn how many words you should have in your essay.
A useful lesson about which linking words are appropriate to use in IELTS writing task 2.
A useful list of words that you can use in your discussion essay. Also tips on what words to avoid.
Learn how to give your opinion in your IELTS essay and also if you can use “I” or “my” in your essay.
How should you use the last 5 minutes in writing task 2 if you haven’t finished your essay? This video lesson gives essential tips.
Another video with tips about ideas. Do you get a higher score if your ideas are interesting?
A video that explains how to fill in and use your writing answer sheet for IELTS.
Learn how to paraphrase correctly for both writing task 1 and 2. Learn some common mistakes.
Ielts grammar video lesson: adding a clause.
This lesson focuses on how to add a clause to a sentence to make it long. Learn how to make a complex sentence for essay writing.
If you have ideas for further lessons to add to this IELTS video lesson collection, then post me a comment on my facebook page or on this blog. It is always good to know what other lessons will help you in your IELTS writing task 2 preparation. To see my complete IELTS video lesson collection, please go to my IELTS youtube channel
Recommended Lessons
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Discussions about the writing craft.
So you know those Youtube channels that analyze movies and tv shows to help teach writing craft? I'm talking about the ones like Lessons From the Screenplay, Just Write, Hello Future Me, and Wisecrack (though wisecrack does other stuff too). Why do you watch these channels? What drove you there and what are you hoping to get out of videos? What do you think could be improved?
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Video essays are an incredibly popular genre on YouTube, and many new creators are eager to have their views heard on topics in culture and politics. But making a video essay involves a lot more than just sitting in front of a camera and pressing record. This guide is intended for beginners who don’t quite know where to start.
A video essay’s primary defining feature is that it sets out to make an argument. It is, to put it simply, like an essay you wrote in school. Video essays often cover politics, popular media, or science.
But unlike the essays you wrote in school, video essays need extensive visual accompaniment, whether that’s footage (or B-roll ), still images, or animation.
Here’s how you can get started:
Good video essays will have a central thesis explored throughout the piece. If you can’t summarize your thesis in a sentence (sometimes two), you’ve still got work to do. The best theses immediately leave the viewer wanting to know more. Test it on friends: If you state your thesis to friends and get reactions of curiosity or excitement you’re on to something.
Consider one of my favorite video essays, whose thesis is right in the title: "Why Snowpiercer is a sequel to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory."
Sometimes, a thesis is a little more subtle, but nonetheless important. In Yhara Zayd’s video on horror movies, she argues that horror has always been a genre for social criticism.
The rest of your video isn’t just proving that thesis, though that’s important. You'll want to explore the twists and turns of the idea. What questions does your thesis raise? What are the big doubts about your thesis, and how do you address them? How can we zoom out from your thesis and ask even bigger questions?
Your audience will dictate what level of complexity and detail you should cover in your video. If you’re an engineering channel, maybe you want to appeal to working engineers who understand the jargon of the profession. But if you’d like a broader audience, you’ll need to take the time to define terms and give background information. The best video essays usually appeal to both—their topics are unique enough to be interesting to people with prior knowledge of the topic, while accessible enough to be understood to a casual viewer.
Your video essay should have lots of supporting evidence. Aside from the usual list of articles and books, video essays can also use visual evidence.
If you’re commenting on media, that means hyper-specific shots and lines of dialogue. If you’re commenting on history, that means old news clips. Filmed interviews are a great resource regardless of the topic.
Whenever I'm trying to cover a show, I’ll watch the show (sometimes twice), take extensive notes, pause to write out lines of dialogue, and mark where specific moments supported various themes, motifs, or ideas.
I've always regretted telling myself I’d remember a specific line or shot because I'd find myself spending an hour to hunt it down later in the process.
Whether you’re commenting on news footage, video games, or film and TV, I cannot stress enough how much extensive notetaking will improve your video essay later in the process.
The same advice goes for any books or news articles you might cite: annotate extensively and cite them in your piece.
Many video essays source footage from the news, TV, and film without licensing them. I'm not here to give advice on the legality of that, but I do think any video essayist should familiarize themselves with fair use .
Fair use is a set of criteria that a creator can use to defend their use of copyrighted work. It's not a license to freely use copyrighted work if you think you fit those standards; it’s a series of tests a judge should weigh in court.
Usually, it doesn’t come to that. Most copyright issues go through YouTube’s copyright claim system , which you should also read up on. A film studio may claim your content, or block it altogether, for using their copyrighted material. YouTube allows you to appeal these claims , but if both parties won’t give up, the question can only be settled by a judge (in the US, at least).
Be sure to use a two-column script, rather than just writing out everything as if it were a traditional essay.
In one column, you’re writing what you’re saying, or what the footage is saying. In the other, write what you plan to show. Your notes here should be specific enough to help you later in the editing process. You may want to add a third column for notes, or sources to cite later.
Writing a video essay follows some different rules than what your English teacher might have expected. Most video essays use a conversational style, and include words, phrases, and grammar that would never fly with the written word. Sometimes that includes filler words, like starting a sentence with “so” or putting an “um” for effect. Just don’t overdo it.
Other writing rules still apply. Be concise, use active verbs, and otherwise just make sure you sound like a human.
You don’t need a $10,000 filming setup to make good video essays. Plenty of people start with just a microphone, completely avoiding the camera altogether in what's known as a faceless YouTube video .
The two most important things to recommend: get good sound, and be natural. People can tolerate a lot of visual sins, but usually won’t put up with bad audio quality. Similarly, you don’t need to have the charisma of a talk show host, but people have no tolerance for on-screen performances that seem forced or fake.
That is all to say, get a decent microphone and be yourself. If you’re on-screen, buy a cheap teleprompter setup for your phone or camera.
There are many options for video editing software out there (and Descript is a great one), even for people with limited video editing experience. This article isn’t long enough to be an editing guide , but a few quick tips for a true novice:
This may be the last step of this article, but it should often begin while you’re brainstorming. Your title and thumbnail should generate intrigue without giving it all away. Video essays often lean on titles with “How” and “Why.” Lessons from the Screenplay is a good example:
But video essays can also make provocative statements that make the viewer curious about how you’ll back it up. Consider Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell’s “ Smoking is Awesome ,” which I promise is not pro-tobacco.
Finally, it's time to put your video out into the world and see how it fares. Your first video essay won't be perfect. It's important to put your work in public, take in feedback, and move on to your next project. Like all things, skill comes with time.
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The Supreme Court’s presidential immunity decision is a mistake. The president has called for a constitutional amendment to overturn it. But the most harmful parts of that mistake could be reversed in a process that Vice President Kamala Harris could begin tomorrow.
American constitutional law has long struggled with the scope of implied presidential immunity. President Richard Nixon startled David Frost in his post-presidency interview when he asserted that “when the president does it, that means that it is not illegal.” In the narrow context he was describing, Nixon was right —not because of any monarchical power held by the president, but because of limits on the power of Congress to regulate certain acts of the president. If Congress can’t regulate a presidential power, Congress can’t make acts around that power “criminal.” This is the core of presidential immunity: the substantive limits on Congress’ power to regulate the president.
But immunity is not just about substance. It’s also about buffers. The core may be constitutional limits. The practice, however, extends immunity beyond that core so as to give presidents the breathing room they need to do their job effectively. How much breathing room is necessary is not determined by the Constitution. It is a judgment, a balance, chosen by the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court has now extended that buffer in the context of alleged presidential crimes. No doubt, the court affirmed, there is no immunity for unofficial acts, or acts beyond the “outer perimeter of official responsibility.” But when unofficial acts are pursued through official means, and they involve core constitutional powers, then the president may not be held responsible for the exercise of that core presidential authority, and evidence from those official acts may not be demanded when prosecuting the crime.
Thus, in Trump v. United States, because the threatened removal of an attorney general is the exercise of core presidential power, evidence about threats to remove the attorney general if he didn’t help Trump overturn the results of the last election cannot be introduced in a prosecution for the acts taken to advance that unofficial objective. The same would apparently be true of an even more extreme example: If, in war, the president orders a general to assassinate a political rival, that order would be immune from prosecution since it involves a core presidential authority — even though its purpose was private, unprotected by the Constitution.
This is the offer of an extreme immunity. Nothing, though, requires any president to accept it. Instead, a president or candidate for president could openly pledge to waive any immunity from prosecution for any acts done to advance an unofficial objective, even if those acts included the exercise of core presidential authority. Issuing such a waiver could become a ritual in any campaign for president. Kamala Harris should begin that ritual tomorrow.
Presidents are free to make this pledge because the breadth of the immunity now granted by the court is not compelled by the Constitution. It is a practical judgment by six justices that presidents need such a buffer to be able to act with “vigor.” But a president or candidate for president could make a different judgment, and declare that they don’t need the extra protection the court has afforded them. “Thank you very much,” a candidate could say, “but I waive any immunity from prosecution for any criminal acts done to promote unofficial ends, including any immunity for official acts done to promote that private crime.” So long as Congress has the power to regulate those acts, that waiver would mean that the president is not above the law.
Not every candidate would make such a pledge. The public would then be right to wonder why a candidate wouldn’t. It is one thing — and certainly true—to say that a president needs to be able to act with vigor within the “outer perimeter of his official responsibilities.” It is quite another to say that the presidency depends upon being able to use official authority to commit private crimes. The Supreme Court’s decision leaves the president presumptively immune from prosecution in such cases—unless a president waives that immunity.
If a series of presidents and candidates for president made this pledge, that would build support for the most likely repair of Trump v. United States —an act of Congress. The court acknowledged Congress has this power in Nixon v. Fitzgerald, when it recognized that Congress could, within limits, modify the immunity that it was granting the president. Presidents could modify it as well, at least as it affected them.
No one, including the president, should be above the law. Congress should make that claim true for all presidents. A candidate for president—such as Kamala Harris—could make that claim true for themselves now.
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#IELTS#WritingIn this video, you will learn the complete structure of how to write discussion essays. Do you want to prepare effectively for IELTS, under the...
A discussion essay is part of the IE... Learn how to write a discussion essay for IETLS, which is a type of essay in which you discuss different points of view.
In this video, I show you step-by-step how to write Task 2 Discussion Essays. Here's what it covers:• How to Identify discussion essays • 3 Common mistakes• ...
Here is the second part in my outline series on how to write a discussion essay.To get my ebooks: https://gumroad.com/ieltsryan
Are you finding it difficult to tackle IELTS Writing Task 2? In this video, we provide valuable insights and strategies to help you improve your writing skil...
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The first part of the question for an IELTS discussion essay will be a statement containing two opposing views. You will then be asked to discuss both sides of the argument and give your own opinion. Here is some typical wording that might be used: Discuss both views and give your opinion. Discuss both these views and then give your own opinion ...
A discussion essay, also called a controversial essay, is where you express your opinion about a topic. When writing one, Cover both sides of the topic , present the key points that back your viewpoint and the opposing one. Ensure a multi-faceted understanding of the issues before presenting your own personal views and conclusions.
Discussion Essay Thesis Statement. In academic writing, a thesis statement (sometimes called an essay outline) is the part of the essay where you insert your opinion.It typically comes at the end of the introduction and guides the reader by explaining your opinion on the issues that have been introduced.. But do you really need to provide one in such a short essay?
Discussion Essay Model Answer. Please note that this essay is over 300 words. Longer doesn't mean better. It is rare for an essay to go over 300 words or 310 words at most. Most IELTS essays are between 270 and 290 words, even for a band 9. However, 300 words, more or less, is possible as long as each sentence is highly focused and relevant.
Thanks your youtube videos are outstanding and very helpful. Please i will need some clarifications on the following: 1. Can I treat an opinion essay as a discussion essay where i write about both views or do i just stick with my opinion throughout my essay. 2.
In this article, we will explore the process of constructing a high-quality argumentative essay. The ability to craft a coherent argument and to express those arguments with others in a discussion are essential skills to encourage in our students. This skill helps our students engage with the world, process their thoughts, and discover their ...
After reading about both sides carefully, decide what position you want to take. Write your position at the top of a sheet of paper or at the top of a word processing document to start your outline. If you were given a text to base your essay on, make sure that text has enough evidence to support your chosen position. 4.
Introduction: paraphrase the question, state both points of view, make a thesis statement and outline your sentence. Main body paragraph 1: state the first viewpoint, discuss it, state whether you agree or disagree and give an example to support your view. Main body paragraph 2: state the second viewpoint, discuss it, state whether you agree or ...
Exercise 1. Choose the correct options in the gaps to complete the following essay. Some people think that the internet has brought people together while others think that people have become more isolated now. Discuss both sides and give your opinion. The impact of the internet on social interaction has been a topic of discussion for a long ...
Keep it simple and to the point. You might find some tips to write an effective introduction for IELTS Writing Task 2 below. Use Paragraphs. Break your essay into two paragraphs, with each one focusing on a different point. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that tells the reader what the paragraph is about.
Table of contents. What not to include in your discussion section. Step 1: Summarize your key findings. Step 2: Give your interpretations. Step 3: Discuss the implications. Step 4: Acknowledge the limitations. Step 5: Share your recommendations. Discussion section example. Other interesting articles.
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When writing a discussion essay, it is important to ensure that facts and opinions are clearly separated. Often you will examine what other people have already said on the same subject and include this information using paraphrasing and summarising skills, as well as correct citations. The following are examples of discussion essay topics.
To see my complete IELTS video lesson collection, please go to my IELTS youtube channel Recommended Lessons. Opinion Essay Model; Discussion Essay Model; 100 Practice IELTS Essay Questions; Band Score Tips for Writing Task 2; All Model Essays, Tips and Advice for Writing Task 2
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Video essays often cover politics, popular media, or science. But unlike the essays you wrote in school, video essays need extensive visual accompaniment, whether that's footage (or B-roll), still images, or animation. Here's how you can get started: Step 1: Craft a thesis. Good video essays will have a central thesis explored throughout ...
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