IELTS Advice: argument or discussion?

Many people ask me about the difference between an argument essay and a discussion essay. Here's an easy way to think about the difference:

• When you argue, you are trying to persuade the other person to agree with your point of view. You might even get angry!
• When you discuss, you consider different points of view, and nobody gets angry.

The question should make it very clear what it wants you to do. If it asks you to "discuss", you should write about advantages and disadvantages or two different views.

If the question asks whether you "agree or disagree", it's asking for your view. For this type of question, give your opinion in the introduction and support it in the rest of the essay. Try to persuade the reader to agree with you.

Comments

[Oana]

HI Simon,
Please let me know if I got it straight.
Do you have to write the correct answers directly on the answer sheet in the Reading part? In Listening you get 10 extra minutes to transfer the answers on the answer sheet after you have written them on the question booklet, right?

[Goh]

Hi Simon, is it possible to give both opinions in argumentative essays (agree or disagree)? Thanks!

[Azadeh]

Hi Simon,

What's the different between public transport and public transportation? I am confused about using them in the sentence and difference of meaning?

Thank you

[Hoda]

Hi Simon,

this was my topic in last exam:
Nowadayes, anyone can post an error data on the internet, so the information that people receive via the internet is not valid.To what extent do you agree or disagree?
I tried to write a balanced introduction because I did not have many ideas just to support one side.In the first paragraph I said why I argued with that but did not have enough good support for the other side of view and said why The internet is still a useful source of information.
What do you recommend for this topic?

Thanks so much

[jawairia]

Hi Simon,
Really useful lesson.So we can say that opinion essays and argument essays are the same thing.
But what if we have a balanced opinion about something ?
Thanks a lot.
jawairia

[jawairia]

Hello Simon,
Please comment on this question.Is my approach right?Please comment
As more and more students enter universities, academic qualifications are becoming devalued. To get a head in many professions, more than one degree is now required and in future it is likely that people will take a number of degree courses before even starting work .This is an undesirable situation. Do you agree or disagree
It is true that to survive in this competitive world students have to learn multiple subjects at the same time. I agree that this is the tough situation but it does not mean that it devalues the education.

This is the world of science and technology. Traditional ways of working is replaced by new technology. For example, every department is being computerised, railways ,hospitals, airports ,etc…New strategies are being introduced in the world of business .No one can cope with the demand of practical life without getting higher education.. More over globalisation has affected all types of professions. With increase in the awareness and communication, the competition for good jobs has increased a lot. So to survive in this world the importance of higher education and multiple skills has increased a lot.
.
Another question is that,which is right
in this competitive world student have to
OR in this competitive world students have to.
thanks.
Jawairia

[DaveVN]

Hi Simon,

Last week a student wrote a good answer to a discussion but in the introduction wrote they agreed by writing "I am in favour of this". However, the whole answer, good as it was, was disagree.

How does an examiner view this ? (The introduction is only missing the word "not".)

[His]

Hi Hoda,
I posted the following at recent exam questions in this web site.

People post inaccurate information on the Internet. Therefore, the information on the net is incorrect. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

P 1- introduction

P 2- I agree that there is some inaccurate information.

e.g.; Some people pretend to be a different person to manipulate others. Criminals use the internet to steal IDs and money by using fake information. Unintentionally, people post false contents.

P 3-I argue that the internet provides useful and reliable information.

e.g.: The Internet provides enormous amount of valuable information, which is reliable,e.g. Encyclopedia and on line dictionaries. We can get access to knowledge which are provided by experts in their fields. Instead of going to a library, we can do research effectively at home.

P4-conclusion:
We need to be aware that there are some misinformation on the net so we should be critical about the source of information. We should use trustworthy web sites and maximize our knowledge.

His

[jawairia]

Hi Simon ,
Will you please tell me a simple rule to use the word 'THE'
It really confuse me sometimes.
Regards.
Jawairia

[Muna]

Hi Simone,
Thank you very much for wednesday's essay. I have a question about the length of writing task, whether we will be penalized for long essay about 320 words or not. I dont even know what is the maximum words that will be all right for task 2.
Muna.

[Muna]

Hi,sorry for wrong spelling of your name i just wrote extra 'e'. I am very sorry.
Muna.

[hamed nikzad]

Hi simon!
I took IELTS(GT) 4 times, but unfortunately in 3 times i could get 6 band score in writing . Imagine I have had 3 private teacher in writing to get 6.5 in writing :( \
Altough I attend many English classes in my country,Iran, I cannot improve my IELTS result especially in writing!!! My question is how can I find my major problems! i practised alot and nowadays i write 3 essay evere week.
I would be happy if you can guide me. Thank you for taking the time to read my email.
Hamed Nikzad

[gwapo]

Simon, can you make an essay without giving your opinion. Just discuss both sides of the argument. please... thanks

[Simon]

Hi Oana,

Yes, in the listening test you get 10 minutes to transfer your answers. However, there is no extra time in the reading test, so it's best to write your answers directly on the answer sheet.

...

Hi Goh,

It's possible to give both sides if you "partly agree". Look at this lesson:

http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2011/09/ielts-writing-task-2-balanced-opinion.html

...

Hi Azadeh,

It's the same. We normally use 'transport' in Britain, and they use 'transportation' in the US.

...

Hi Hoda,

I think you could write that it depends on the source of the information. We can find good quality information on some websites (e.g. newspapers also put their articles online, and there are 'official' government websites). On the other hand, the information on social websites like Twitter or Facebook might not be so reliable.

Notice that I use several examples to explain my ideas.

Also, read the comment bu "His" above.

...

Hi Jawairia,

Have a look at this lesson:

http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2011/09/ielts-writing-task-2-balanced-opinion.html

Your essay ideas look fine. I'm afraid I don't give detailed feedback or scores (everyone would send me their work if I did that), so it's best to ask me short, specific questions.

"students have to" is correct.

I'm afraid there is no simple explanation for when to use "the". Grammar books take several pages to explain this - have a look at one to see what I mean. Don't worry too much if you make mistakes with articles - you have to be almost 'native speaker' level before you can use them without making mistakes.

...

Hi Dave,

It won't have a big effect on the score. It may have a small effect on the "coherence" score, but if the vocabulary and grammar are good, the student can still do well.

...

Hi Muna,

There is no maximum, so 320 words is fine.

...

Hi Hamed,

A good teacher should be able to tell you what your problems are. Try writing essays using my advice (look through the writing lessons here on the site) and ask a teacher to check your work. Make sure you understand all of the mistakes that the teacher finds, and ask him/her to show you how to improve what you wrote.

In other words, don't just write lots of essays. Write one essay and spend time analysing it and improving it with your teacher. You will only improve by learning from your mistakes.

...

Hi Gwapo,

It will be in Wednesday's lesson. I haven't forgotten.

[Moka]

Dear Simon,
Could I start the debate by saying
It is an intellectual debate whether or not.......
A common problem I face in task 1 is long sentences.
Could you please help me punctuate this long sentence
Although London has the oldest as well as the longest route,Tokyo ,having its underground system opened in 1927, serves1927 million passenger each year compared to 775milllion in London"
You said Full stops are more imp than commas,please advise me because my exam is next sat.
Thanks a lot

[Goh]

Thanks Simon!

[DaveVN]

Hi Simon,

Thanks for you answer. I was worried it would be scored as not answering the question in the Task part of the score !

[Lei]

Hi Simon,

what is the plural form of 'data'?

[Lei]

Hi Simon,

Another question.

'I believe that both valid and invalid information are(or 'is'?) available on the(can I omit 'the'?) internet. (or 'Internet', captial 'I'?)'

Thanks.

[Simon]

Hi Moka,

Personally I wouldn't say "It is an intellectual debate whether...", although this in not wrong grammatically.

I tend to write "People have different views about whether...". You could also write "There is considerable debate..." Have a look at this Google search to see how we use this phrase:

http://www.google.co.uk/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=%22There+is+considerable+debate%22&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&safe=active&redir_esc=&ei=uXPCTpP-LsSv8QOk96mZCg

Your punctuation is perfect. Full stops are more important because they mark the end of sentences. Commas are often optional - they have less effect on the grammatical correctness of a sentence.

...

No problem Goh and Dave.

...

Hi Lei,

We use 'data' as singular and plural. This is what the dictionary says:

USAGE Data was originally the plural of the Latin word : datum, 'something (e.g., a piece of information) given.' Data is now used as a singular where it means 'information': : this data was prepared for the conference. It is used as a plural in technical contexts and when the collection of bits of information is stressed: : all recent data on hurricanes are being compared.

I'd write "is available..."

Don't omit "the". We usually say "the Internet" with a capital "I", although you might see the capital missed by some writers.

[daniel]

Hi simon i have tried IELTS writing several time, unfortunately i always get 6.5 in my writing which i hope i can get 7. so what does an essay for 7 look like. say , no more than two spelling mistakes or grammatical errors in the essay

Thanks

[Simon]

Hi Daniel,

There's a student's band 7 essay in this lesson:

http://ielts-simon.com/ielts-help-and-english-pr/2010/05/ielts-writing-task-2-traffic-topic.html

[simran]

is this essay right format ?

The number of cars keeps increasing, so road systems should be expanded. Some people think the government should pay for it, while others think the car owners should pay for it. What’s your opinion?

Unless roads are developed to accommodate the increasing number of cars, it would aggravate the rising traffic problems in our cities. However, it is unfair for the government to expect car owners to bear the cost of expanding roads due to a number of reasons.

To begin with, I would say that car owners are already burdened by various types of taxes levied on them by the government at the time of purchase of the car and on a periodic basic. Increasing number of cars would naturally increase the tax revenue of the government. This money ought to be used for widening existing roads, building new highways and to construct bridges and flyovers. For example, in many cities of India, ideally a large number of flyovers are built by government funding. It is, therefore, quite unreasonable to charge car owners to pay toll for these new developments.

More importantly, it is the government responsibility to provide the basic infrastructure like efficient roads to the people. If tax revenue is not sufficient for this purpose, Governments usually perform these responsibilities by availing loans. For instance, international financial institutions like World Bank and International Monitory Fund lend huge amounts of money to governments at lower interest rates for such purposes. By this it means that there is hardly any need for governments to require car owners to pay for such expenses.

In conclusion, it seems to me that government should bear the cost of improving the road system, in order to handle the growing traffic problems associated with large number of cars.

[Simon]

Perfect format Simran!

[Dulani]

Hello Simon,

Does writing task 2 like 'do you agree or disagree" means it is always argumentative( opinionative)in which we mention our opinion only? or do we have to mention both views? In several lessons on the net provide samples of this kind essays with both views.
Thanks!
Dulani

[Simon]

Hi Dulani,

Have a look through my writing lessons to see my advice and examples.

[Mari]

Hello Simon. 

In the writing test, I usually analyse both pros and cons because it seems easier to me. I understand that an argument essay is different from a discussion one, but can I use the same introduction for them? (eg. Everything has two sides and _____ is not an exception.) 

Thank you. 
Mari

[Shirley]

HI Simon.
If we just support and analyse one side of argumentation question,will the examiner say "do not address all parts of the question?"
Thank you!

[Edriana]

I have been following this site and it is truly useful. I really appreciate your idea;however, I am confused with the discussion + opinion format and argumentative format for one side argumentation. My reviewer advised me to have these formats.

Discursive:
1st paragraph-paraphrase,stand,plan
2nd paragraph- comparison (advantages of both arguments)
3rd paragraph- contrast (disadvantages of both arguments)
4th paragraph- opinion
5th paragraph- paraphrase, restate stand, recommendation

Argumentative:

1st- paraphrase, stand, plan
2nd-opinion, comparison, contrast
3rd-paraphrase,restate opinion,recommendation

What can you say about these Simon? Thank you!