IELTS Writing Task 2 Opinion Essay – Strategy, Structure, and Band 9 Sample

IELTS Writing Task 2 Opinion Essay – Strategy, Structure, and Band 9 Sample

A lot of the time, IELTS Writing Task 2 asks you to write an opinion essay, which is also called an “Agree or Disagree” essay. It asks you to state your personal opinion clearly and back it up with examples and logical thinking.

You’ll learn the following from this large guide:

How to find questions for an opinion essay
The best building for a Band 8 or 9 answer
Avoid making these mistakes
Academic words and sentences that connect ideas
A full example of a Band 9 essay, with a breakdown

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• Pick a clear stance (agree, disagree, or partly agree)
• Back it up with good reasons and cases
• Stay on the same side of things throughout the article

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What Does an Opinion Essay Mean?
When you write an opinion essay, you have to say what you think about a certain statement or problem. What you need to do is:

Some Examples of Questions for an Opinion Essay

• Many people think that the internet has made people feel more alone. Should I agree or not
• Should kids have to learn a foreign language at school Do you agree or disagree
• Some people think that raising the price of petrol is the best way to cut down on traffic. How much do you agree or disagree

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The Best Way to Organise an Opinion Essay for the IELTS

Follow the usual format of four paragraphs:

Content of the Paragraph	Description
Introduction	Rephrase the question and make your point clear
The first body paragraph	Gives the main reason for your view and gives an example
The second body paragraph	Gives the second main reason and gives an example
Conclusion	Say what you think again and make a list of your main points

Note: If you only agree partially, write one paragraph backing your point of view and one paragraph opposing it. Then, in the conclusion, explain your final position.

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Beginning
Rewrite what was said
Make your view clear

A lot of people say that the internet has made people less social. I agree that it can make people less likely to talk to each other in person, but I also think that it has made global contact and connectivity better overall.

Essay Plan Sentence by Sentence

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Body Paragraph 1
The first thing that makes you agree or disagree is the topic sentence
Give a reasonable reason for the reason
Give an example from real life

One of the main reasons I think the internet encourages connection is that it can connect people in different places. People can stay in touch with family and friends or work together professionally through apps like Zoom and WhatsApp, no matter where they are.

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Body Paragraph 2
Second reason is the subject of Body Paragraph 2
Develop your case
Example or source for study

For example, social media communities also let people with similar hobbies connect with each other and help each other. For example, internet forums for mental health, fitness, and education have given people the power to find support and advice that might not be available in their own communities.

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Conclusion
Clearly summarise your point of view
Stress the main points again

In conclusion, the internet may have made some kinds of physical interaction less common, but it has also made global communication better and given people more ways to bond. As a result, I am sure that its effect on social interaction is mostly good.

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Common Words That Connect Opinion Pieces

Useful Phrases

• Adding a view: I think that, I agree or disagree with, This is my opinion that
• Ideas that support: To begin, one important reason is, also, actually
• Giving examples: As an example, One such case is, such as
• However, on the other hand, although, nevertheless
• Finally, to sum up, overall, I strongly believe that

Use different connections to make the chain stronger and avoid repeating yourself.

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Mistakes People Often Make in Opinion Essays

• Not making your point clear → In the beginning and end, you should always say what your opinion is
• Changing your mind in the middle of a writing → Be firm on one side or carefully explain your agreement to some extent
• Going to write a discussion article instead → If you’re not asked, don’t talk about both sides evenly
• Not strong or related examples → Examples need to directly support your point
• Use of casual words or personal stories → Keep an official, academic tone

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Sample Question
Different people have different ideas about when kids should start school. Some think they should start very young, while others think they should start later. Should I agree or not

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Band 9 Essay:

Introduction:
There is a lot of disagreement about the best age for kids to start official schooling. Some people say that kids should start school early to get a head start, but I really think that kids do better when they wait until they are six or seven years old.

Body Paragraph 1:
One important argument for letting kids start school later is that play-based learning is better for young kids than organised academics. Being exposed to formal schooling at a young age can cause stress and less motivation. Some countries, like Finland, where kids start school when they are seven, regularly do better in global education rankings, which shows that this method works.

Body Paragraph 2:
Also, mental and social growth are very important in the early years. Delaying school lets kids learn how to get along with others, control their emotions, and be creative through free play and time with their parents. These skills are important for doing well in school later on.

Conclusion:
Starting official schooling later is better for a child’s cognitive, emotional, and social growth, even though starting school early may seem like a good idea at first. So, I am sure that waiting to start school is a smarter and more well-rounded choice.

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What Makes This Essay Get a Band 9

Criteria	Score	Reason
Task Answer	Full answer to the question with a logical and clear view
Cohesion and Coherence	Structure that makes sense, with clear paragraphs and links between them
Lexical Resource	A lot of words, like “play-based learning” and “holistic approach”
Range of Grammar	Very good at using conditionals, complicated structures, and passive forms

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How to Get Better at Writing Opinion Pieces

• Before you start writing full essays, make outlines for typical questions
• Set a timer for no more than 40 minutes to make test settings
• Look at example writings and copy how they are put together
• Ask a friend or teacher to look over your idea and make sure it makes sense
• Get better at coming up with two strong reasons for each question

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Do the Practice
Some people think that fast food should be illegal in order to make people healthier. Should I agree or not

Plan:

• Beginning: Rephrase and opinion (Disagree)
• Body 1: Individual duty works better than bans
• Body 2: Lessons and education are better than limits
• Remind people that banning something is not a long-term answer

Writing a full article in 40 minutes is the challenge. Check your work against the band descriptors.

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Thoughts for Now
You can show that you can think critically and organise your arguments in the IELTS Writing Task 2 Opinion Essay. Make your point clear, back it up with strong ideas and examples, and use proper academic English if you want to get a Band 8 or 9.

You will do well if you learn the framework, practise within a time limit, and get better at coming up with ideas.

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Call to Action
Which part of writing an opinion essay is the hardest for you – picking a side, coming up with ideas, or organising your response
Leave your answer in the comments, and I’ll help you come up with specific plans
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