IELTS Writing Task 2 — How to Write an Opinion Essay
Master the agree/disagree opinion essay for IELTS Task 2. Step-by-step structure, Band 7 model answer, and 12 examiner-approved phrases.
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IELTS Writing Task 2 — Opinion Essay (Agree/Disagree)
The opinion essay — also called "To what extent do you agree or disagree?" — is the most common Task 2 type. It appears in roughly 40% of IELTS exams. Knowing its rules deeply is the single highest-return investment you can make in your writing preparation.
The One Rule Examiners Care About Most
State your opinion clearly in the introduction and defend it consistently.
I've seen students lose an entire band because they said "I partially agree" in the intro but wrote three paragraphs supporting one side only. Your essay must be internally consistent — examiners call this "task achievement," and it counts for 25% of your score.
Two Valid Approaches
Approach A — Full Agreement (simpler, cleaner)
Choose this if you can write two strong, distinct body paragraphs supporting one side.
Para 1: Strong reason → example
Para 2: Second strong reason → example
No counterargument needed (but you can concede briefly)
Approach B — Partial Agreement (more nuanced, harder to execute well)
Para 1: Concede the opposing view briefly (2–3 sentences max)
Para 2: Your main argument — this must be longer and stronger
Your opinion must clearly "win"
The 3-Sentence Introduction Formula
- Paraphrase the topic (don't copy it word for word)
- Acknowledge the other view briefly (optional but impressive)
- State your position using "however" or "nevertheless"
Example:
Topic: "Children should not be allowed to use smartphones before the age of 12."
"The question of when children should be introduced to smartphones is increasingly debated in modern society [paraphrase]. Although there are clear educational benefits to early digital literacy [acknowledge other view], I firmly believe that unrestricted smartphone access before age 12 poses significant developmental risks that outweigh these advantages [your position]."*
12 Opinion Phrases by Band Level
Band 6:
- I think / I believe / In my opinion
- I agree / I disagree
Band 7:
- I firmly believe / I am convinced that
- It is my view that / From my perspective
Band 8+:
- I would argue that / It seems to me that
- The evidence strongly suggests that / One cannot deny that
Common Opinion Essay Mistakes
| Mistake | Why It Loses Marks | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| "On one hand... on the other hand..." in a full-agree essay | Wrong structure for the task | Use "Firstly... Furthermore..." |
| Changing opinion mid-essay | Fails task achievement | Plan before writing |
| "I think this is a very important topic" | Filler — adds no argument | Cut it |
| Copying the question word-for-word | Zero marks for that sentence | Paraphrase every word |
Practice Question
"University education should be free for all students. To what extent do you agree or disagree?"
Use Approach A or B. Write 250–270 words. Remember: one clear opinion, two developed reasons, specific examples.
- State your position clearly at the end of the introduction — not in the middle.
- For opinion essays, your two body paragraphs should both support your thesis, not present "both sides" equally.
- If you want to acknowledge the other view, do it briefly in one body paragraph before demolishing it with a stronger counter-argument.
- Avoid generic examples — instead of "In some countries...", name the country: "Germany...", "Australia...".
- The conclusion must restate your opinion — never introduce new ideas in the conclusion.
- Vary your sentence structure: mix short punchy sentences with longer complex ones.
- Minimum 250 words — aim for 265–280.