Discussive essay writing.
So first, depending on IELTS Writing Task question you get, you may have to write a
discussive essay.
Sounds pretty heavy, doesn't it?
Well, it isn't that big.
It isn't that bad.
Trust me.
Grab a pen and let's get going.
So why is this important?
Why do you need to know this?
Well, IELTS Writing Task 2 has about 4 different types of questions.
And one of these requires a discussive essay.
Can you write one?
Do you know where to put your opinion (for example)?
Well, in this video we're going to have a look
and we're going to dissect it and I'll give you a rough plan.
Okay?
Afterwards you absolutely nail IELTS.
I'm just joking...
But the video will definitely help you improve the structure and offer some clarity to a
tricky problem area in IELTS.
So what is a discussive essay?
Well, it explores different opinions of a specific topic or idea.
You give reasons or facts to support each argument.
Then you provide an opinion on your earlier viewpoints.
So here's the structure of a four-paragraph IELTS discussive essay.
Number one, the introduction.
Number two, arguments, opinions, facts, reasons, and examples.
Argument or opinion to facts, reasons, and examples.
Then we finish off with the conclusion which is your own opinion there, or the reader's
conclusion.
So remember that is limited to 250 - 275 words.
Usually spend about 40 minutes on this.
So let's get started.
In the introduction, you can write a background statement (paraphrase the question/topic sentence).
Then a more detailed background statement.
Then the opinions (for and against the topic that you will explore) in the next 2 paragraphs.
Now let's apply this strategy to our first example.
Grab a pen, start writing.
Do this with me.
Honestly.
Really.
There's no excuse to go grab a pen and start cracking.
Okay?
Let's go...
So here's the question:
"Electric cars will fully replace petrol and diesel fueled cars in the future.
To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?"
So we can start with a background statement about the topic.
So let's go.
"Electric cars are currently being developed by many well-known automotive companies."
And then we can say more detailed background statement:
"Many people still question whether they are a feasible alternative."
And then we can mention the opinions of this topic, alright?
So we could say:
"This essay will explore the opinions for and against these said vehicles powered by
electricity, and their replacement of traditional fossil fuel transportation."
Now hopefully you realized that I used a lot of different synonyms from the actual question.
This is to show the examiner I've got a good lexical resource, and pick up some extra points.
You can't get points from words you've seen in the question.
Now, paragraph 2.
Here we can write our opinion, okay?
Paragraph 2.
And we can use discourse connectors.
"On one hand some people believe..." or "It is true that..."
Then back it up with an example.
So we could say something like:
"To support this..."
"To support this opinion..."
"For example..."
"As an example..."
And then we could use a concluding sentence to sum up the opinion.
"Clearly, drivers choose..."
or "Therefore, electric cars..."
Now let's look at these all together in the first paragraph (the first opinion).
"Although one hand, electric cars are environmentally friendly, they require low non-renewable energy,
and are clear clean to run and maintain on the road."
Then we give an example to support this opinion.
"To support this opinion, recent study show that the use of electric cars helped to minimize
pollution in urban and rural areas."
Then the concluding sentence to sum up the opinion.
"Clearly, electric cars are one way to tackle ecological concerns and support a greener
environment."
Now, let's take a look at the second argument (against electric cars).
The opinion against the main topic.
So here we can use these phrases:
"On the other hand"
"However"
"Other people believe that..."
Now, one tip.
If you've used "On the one hand..." in your first paragraph, then I'd strongly recommend
you use "On the other hand..." in the second paragraph.
Because these phrases go together (for obvious reasons), alright?
Then we will give an example.
And we could say:
"One example to support this opinion is..."
And then the concluding sentence to sum up:
"To summarize..."
"In brief..."
"In conclusion..."
Alright.
That's like the structure.
So let's have a look at that paragraph:
"On the other hand, electric cars are inconvenient to maintain and to dispose of."
Then the example:
"One example to support this opinion...
Blah, blah, blah."
"So drivers of electric vehicles must recharge their car approximately every 100 kilometers.
In addition, the plutonium battery off in electric cars are toxic to the environment
and must be safely disposed of through expensive means."
Then the concluding sentence to sum up this opinion:
"In brief, scientists are still exploring ways to produce these types of vehicles so
that they are easy to manufacture, maintain, and use safely."
Now, the concluding paragraph.
Okay?
So we're placing a summary of both opinions here in these phrases:
"To summarize..."
"To sum up..."
"To provide a recap of both perspectives..."
And here you can use personal pronouns.
Now in general, I'm against it because this is academic writing and this is not really
a place for it.
But the question specifically asks for it.
This is unique for IELTS.
It specifically asks so you really should give it and squeeze it into the conclusion
at the end just to finish off.
And try and limit them.
Okay?
Try and limit it just once.
Alright?
There you go.
Now you should be able to write a discussive essay.
Hopefully you took down lots of notes and if you need more help
You can sign up at ieltspodcast.com and you can get my email there.
Send me a question and yeah, I'd be happy to help.
Or you can go and look at some of the other videos to get more ideas.
Alright?
Thanks for watching.
And I really do hope you pass.
It's not difficult.
You've learned your own language.
I'm sure you've done more difficult things in the past.
So just keep on going.
Just keep pushing and try to do one thing every single day.
And eventually you'll get better.
All the best.
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And offer some clarity to a tricky problem area in IELTS.
For...
Cut!
Let's just forget it.
Just cut it.
Crack it.
And I'll do another video...
About the topic of electric cars currently being developed by...
Cut...
Discussive essay writing.
So first, depending on IELTS Writing Task question you get, you may have to write a
discussive...