Opinion essay questions or the “agree or disagree” type of questions form an integral part of the Writing Task 2 section in your IELTS exam. This article will guide you on a structured way to answer such questions without having to put in extra effort, and getting a 7+ band score. Keep reading to find out!
What are opinion essays?
Opinion essay forms an integral part of the writing task 2 essay questions. It is among the most asked questions in the IELTS exam. Identifying the opinion essay takes a few minutes for some, in order to craft out a brilliant answer. The one way to understand whether or not a question is an opinion essay or not is to focus on the language in the ending of the question.
Analysing the question and understanding what it asks from you is a key player in answering the question. If not done accurately, you could go ahead and write down a completely different answer or an answer that is not coherent and cohesive enough.
Usually, in your IELTS exam, an opinion essay question would look like this:
Smoking not only harms the smoker, but also the people nearby. Therefore, smoking should be banned in public places. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Or
Governments should be responsible for controlling and funding scientific research projects rather than the private organizations. Do you agree or disagree?
Your opinion essay question can end in the following words:
To what extent do you agree or disagree
Do you agree or disagree
Do you think…
What is your opinion
What do you think
In your opinion, what it…
Any question ending in the abovementioned phrases can be easily identified as an opinion essay question.
Marking criteria
The marketing criteria for all the answers in any writing task in your IELTS exam, including the problem/solution essay will be based on the following four basis:
1. Task response
Your score under this criterion will depend on how well you are in terms of paying attention to the requirements of the question. It will also depend on your skills being relevant in terms of the questions. Going off topic and not making sense will only lead you to a lower score spectrum.
2. Cohesion and coherence
Concisely crafted pieces, written in not more than four paragraphs with a logically central idea is what your examiner is looking for. Your score in this criterion depends on your ability to present your ideas in a structured manner, with the right linking words supporting the body of the written piece and having a central topic flowing in a particular paragraph.
3. Lexical resources and vocabulary
You can score well in this particular section by keeping in mind just three things:
- Your ability to use appropriate words
- Your ability to use the words in their right collocative manner
- And, your ability to spell those words right.
These three tips will go a long way as far as this particular section is concerned.
4. Grammar range and accuracy
Errors must not be made in the most common grammar rules. You must avoid using the wrong tenses and the wrong verbs as much as possible. Also, you must not forget to focus on the sentence structure and syntax, word order in the sentence, as well as the correct punctuation marks.
Each criterion carries a 25% weightage in order to determine your final score for that answer.
Opinion essay framework
There is no magical framework if you are aiming for a 7+ band score. You just need to be tactical and follow in the footsteps of your mentors. A basic framework that has worked for millions of candidates in the past and will work out for you as well is given below.
The approach here for an opinion essay is divided into four sections:
Introduction
The introduction to your opinion essay must begin with an opening statement describing the background of the things you are going to be working on further. You can then move on to paraphrasing your question in the introduction. And then give your opinion with a thesis statement, by stating the words “In my opinion…” or “The essay discusses…”. Remember, the introduction should be brief and crisp and should not go over 2-3 sentences.
Body paragraph 1
In the first body paragraph you would be required to talk about the main issue/point that you would want to discuss. The opinion statement from your introduction will act as a transition between these two paragraphs. Start talking about the opinion you have formed. Touch all the details, explain all the parameters that you think concern the issue given in the question. Support your explanations with proper examples. The first body paragraph must end with a closing statement which will again act as a transition statement between the first body paragraph and the second.
Body paragraph 2
Once you have transitioned from the first body paragraph to the second one, try and explain the issue further. Explain your view points further and touch upon the aspects that you earlier missed out on. Give another supporting example, if required or any supporting arguments, if needed. End again with a closing statement.
Conclusion
Sum up your arguments, tie all the loose ends and end your essay with a brief description of your viewpoints again. Explain your views again, in a paraphrased manner. You can use the phrases like “to conclude” or “to sum up” or “this essay discussed…”.
Note: Ensure you are using a combination of simple sentences and complex sentences while explaining your viewpoints in the body paragraphs.
Planning an opinion essay
Planning your answer to an opinion essay question happens in three stages:
1. Analysing the question
Analysis of the question is extremely important. It can make or break your answer if not identified clearly. Analyse what the question is trying to tell you and ask from you. There are multiple essay questions that are a part of the IELTS exam you are about to take, differentiating between them is a key factor. As we discussed above, identification can happen through the following words and phrases:
- To what extent do you agree or disagree
- Do you agree or disagree
- Do you think…
- What is your opinion
- What do you think
- In your opinion, what it…
If you end up seeing these words in the question prompt, you would very well know how to differentiate between other essay questions and the opinion essay question.
2. Highlighting the keywords
There is no denying the fact that highlighting keywords is one of the most important tasks you can undertake while writing any essay answer. This requires your focus and attention, along with you understanding the art of proofreading. Always proofread your answer before submitting your answer book to the examiner. Once you have proofread everything, ensure you are highlighting all the essential keywords. It gives you an edge over the others.
3. Brainstorming the ideas and the question
Spare a few minutes, at all times, after you have identified and analysed the question. Map out the structure of your answer, brainstorm your opinions and viewpoints that are needed to be added in your answer, the kind of words you are going to be using and then begin writing.
Writing is a secondary task, what is primary is you brainstorming the points you need to cover. If you do this properly, there is no stopping you from getting into that 7+ band score.
Things you should avoid
No matter at what stage of your IELTS preparation you currently are at, you must know what mistakes you are supposed to avoid in order to excel.
The following is a set of mistakes that you should not make while writing your opinion essay answer:
Give your opinion
Not giving out your opinion, when the whole crux of an opinion essay is your personal viewpoint is the number 1 mistake you are going to be making. Analyse the question, what is it talking about, what is it asking you about. Think about the topic, whether you agree to the statement mentioned in the question or you disagree. Frame your opinion after thinking twice. The examiner is actually looking for your personal views, otherwise the question would not have made sense in the IELTS exam. Always pick a side and let the examiner know what you think about the issue.
To illustrate with an example:
Let’s pick up the question we discussed above:
Smoking not only harms the smoker, but also the people nearby. Therefore, smoking should be banned in public places. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Read the question at least twice.
Think about what you believe in, in regards to the statement and the question.
Frame your opinion in your mind
Do you agree with the statement? If yes, then explain why you agree with the statement.
Do you not agree with the statement? Explain to the examiner why you do not agree to the statement.
Not supporting your argument with logical explanations
This is the second mistake most people make while giving out their opinions in an opinion essay. Supporting what you believe in with examples, illustrations, statistical data, or other explanations is important.
Stick to a side, do not partially give your opinion from both sides. Use the help of any examples and logical explanations or data you have at your hands and use it to benefit you in your answer.
Not picking one side
Certain scholars, mentors and teachers might suggest you to partially stick to both sides. This is however, not the case. You should definitely stick to one side. You can either agree to the statement or disagree to it. You cannot sail on two boats at the same time. Partly agreeing and disagreeing at the same time will lead your essay to lack clarity and focus from the prime idea. No clear structure will be driving your essay and it will be overall confusing to move further with.
Never make the mistake of partly agreeing and disagreeing at the same time.
Using the same words throughout the essay
Avoid repeating the same word over and over again. Using the same word can put you in a troublesome spot altogether. Try and broaden your vocabulary horizon, and use different synonyms instead of that particular word.
Exceeding the word limit
Try not exceeding your word limit. Usually, the answers are supposed to be answered in about 250 words. However, when required and deemed extremely necessary, try not to go over 280 words. Stick to a healthy word limit of 250-280 words. Sticking to this word limit will spare you a few minutes in the end to proofread your essay again and highlight all the necessary phrases and keywords.
Illogical essay structure
Sparing a few minutes to plan your answer in advance is very important. The lack of planning can lead you to start writing your answer in a haphazard manner and ruin the basic framework of your answer. Think of all the necessary phrases and the structure to be used before you begin writing your essay. Take a breath. Give yourself that one minute, or two and then jump to writing. If you are not planning, you are going to lose grip right in the middle of your essay and forget all the arguments that could have led you to that spot in the 7+ band score.
Follow our YouTube channel “Unlock IELTS with Richa” for more such great tips and tricks to crack your upcoming IELTS exam in an easy way. All the best!
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