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May 25, 2017 by Louise Baker (https://www.teflexpress.co.uk/blog/author/louise/)

The 5 different types of Task 2 essay structures

It is a bit of a myth that there is a ‘one size fits all’ structure for IELTS Writing
task 2 essays. Whilst the exam task criteria is the same each time, ie. you must
write a minimum 250 words in approximately 40 minutes, there are actually 5
different types of Task 2 essays and each has a slightly different structure.

Many IELTS websites will suggest that you organise your essay in a specific way.
It will probably look something like this:

Introduction
 Introduction
Sentence 1
Sentence 2
Paragraph 1
Main idea
Supporting ideas
Paragraph 2
Main idea
Supporting ideas
Possible Paragraph 3
Main idea
Supporting ideas
Conclusion
Sentence 1
Sentence 2

If you are aiming for a Band Score of around 5 or 6, then this kind of generic
structure will probably be enough in each case. However, if you are aiming for a
higher score, it is crucial that you familiarise yourself both with the different
variations of essay types you might be given and the most effective way to
organise your response.

The 5 most common types of Task 2 essays are:

Opinion (often Agree or Disagree)

Advantages and Disadvantages
Problem and Solution
Discussion (Discuss both views)
Two-part Question

Opinion essays:

In an Opinion essay, you need to clearly express what you personally feel about
the given topic. If you are asked direct questions like in the task below, then it is
the given topic. If you are asked direct questions like in the task below, then it is
up to you how balanced or one-sided you choose to answer. You can address
both parts of the question equally or focus mainly on one side, depending on
your point of view.

Have newspapers become a thing of the past or do they still have an important
role to play in people’s lives today?

In a task like the one below, where you are asked to what extent you agree or
disagree, it is very important that you state this explicitly at the beginning and
then again at the end of your essay. Do you agree fully, mainly, partly or not at
all?

Computers have made it possible for people to work from home instead of
working in offices every day.This should be encouraged as it good for both
workers and employers. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Remember: this is also considered an ‘argument’ essay and you should try to
convince the reader that your opinion is right. In this case, I suggest that your
essay structure should look something like this:

Introduction
Paraphrase the question (your own words)
Thesis statement (state your agreement or disagreement)
Essay overview (optional)
Paragraph 1 and 2
Topic sentence (state a position)
Explain this further (maybe give a reason)
Give an example
Summarise paragraph

Conclusion
Summarise main ideas
Reiterate your opinion
Simon at www.ielts-simon.com (http://www.ielts-simon.com), a former IELTS
examiner, explains here (http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-
pr/2017/04/ielts-writing-task-2-agree-or-disagree-essay-structures.html) how
to structure an opinion essay depending on the extent to which you agree.

Advantages and Disadvantages essays:

In an Advantages and Disadvantages essay such as the one below, you need to
discuss the positive and negative perspectives equally and to clearly explain
why you think something is an advantage or a disadvantage. It is common to
start Paragraph 1 with the advantages, however this is optional.

Nowadays many students have the opportunity to study some or all of their
course in a foreign country. What are the advantages and disadvantages of
studying abroad?

A possible structure for this type of question is:

Introduction
Paraphrase the question
Outline your main ideas
State your opinion (if the question asks)
Paragraph 1
State one advantage
Explain the benefits of this advantage
Give an example or a result
Paragraph 2
State one disadvantage
Explain the negative aspect of this disadvantage

Give an example or a result

Conclusion
Summarise your main ideas
Give your opinion (if asked)
 Give your opinion (if asked)

Problem and Solution essays:

In a Problem and Solution essay, such as the one below, you need to think
carefully about how to respond to the questions posed. It is also important that
you address all parts of the task. The first question will refer to the problem or
cause and the second question will refer to the solution. Try to limit yourself to
answering these questions only and don’t introduce any further
questions/points of your own otherwise you might stray off task.

Overpopulation is a major problem in many urban centres around the world.

What problems does this cause? How can we solve the issue of overpopulation?

Try this structure to organise your essay:

Introduction
Paraphrase the question
Outline your main ideas
Paragraph 1
State the problem
Explain the problem
Explain the consequence (result) of this problem
Give an example
Paragraph 2
State the solution
Explain the solution
Give an example
Conclusion
Summarise your main ideas

Discussion essays:

In a Discussion essay, such as the one below, you will be presented with two
sides of an issue and you will need to examine both perspectives equally before
sides of an issue and you will need to examine both perspectives equally before
giving your own conclusion.

In today’s competitive world, many families find it necessary for both parents to
go out to work. While some say the children in these families benefit from the
additional income, others feel they lack support because of their parents’
absence. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.

In this case, your essay structure could look like this:

Introduction
Paraphrase the question AND/OR state both points of view
Give your thesis statement (which view you prefer)
Paragraph 1
State first point of view
Discuss this perspective
Give a reason why you agree or disagree with this viewpoint
Give an example to support your view
Paragraph 2
State second point of view
Discuss this perspective
Give a reason why you agree or disagree with this viewpoint
Give an example to support your view
Conclusion
Summarise your main ideas
Restate your opinion

Two-part esssays:

In a Two-part question essay, such as the example below, you will get two
questions. You must answer both questions fully otherwise you risk getting a
low score for Task Achievement.
 In today’s society, success is often measured in terms of wealth and possessions.
Do you think these are the best measure of success? What makes a successful
person?

So, in this case, I suggest organising your ideas in the following way:

Introduction
Paraphrase the question
Briefly answer both questions
Paragraph 1
Answer the first question directly
Explain your reason(s)
Expand your argument (evidence, examples, personal experience)
Paragraph 2
Answer the second question directly
Explain your reason(s)
Expand your argument (evidence, examples, personal experience)
Conclusion
Summarise your main ideas

Please bear in mind that these structures are my suggestions; they are not fixed
in stone and you can adapt them to fit what you want to say. However, I highly
recommend using these templates to practise organising your ideas into
paragraphs then developing them into an essay, in preparation for the writing
exam. Having a clear idea of these essay structures will help you stay on task in
the exam, manage your time more efficiently and express your ideas clearly.

Remember too to use linking words and phrases to connect your sentences and
paragraphs together to improve your scores in Coherence and Cohesion. Stay
tuned for a blog post on this topic very soon!