IELTS Discuss both sides essays - summary

These are one of the most common types of essay, and I think the trickiest to write as you have to give TWO sets of opinions PLUS your own. To do this well, I recommend always following this structure:

• Introduction
1. General Statement to introduction topic.
2. End with this sentence: However, while some believe …..opposite view….., I side with those who feel ……your view…….

• BP1: View that you DO NOT AGREE WITH (use distancing to show that this is NOT your opinion) i.e. On the one hand, it could be argued that ……….. / Supporters of this view also argue………… (TWO IDEAS MAXIMUM)

• BP2: YOUR OPINION (make this clear in the topic sentence) i.e. However, I believe that ………. (TWO IDEAS AGAIN IS OPTIMUM – THREE IS OK, BUT MAKE SURE YOU DON’T HAVE A SINGLE SENTENCE ARGUMENT)…