While preparing for the IELTS writing test, you should regularly practice various topics that have come up in the exam in the past, as IELTS reuses common and popular topics. An opinion essay is one such topic. The best part about learning how to craft an opinion essay IELTS is that you can apply these tips to a broad variety of topics as long as the structure is that of an opinion-based essay.
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Let us help you get a good understanding of how to ace an opinion essay in the IELTS Writing Task 2. You can also go through the well-curated samples to get a clearer view of what the essay looks like.
Opinion Essay IELTS
Opinion-based essays are a frequent sight in the IELTS exam. An opinion essay is easily recognizable if you know the instruction words and the format in which the prompts are presented. Brushing up on opinion essay examples before the exam can help you identify the question very easily.
Opinion essays are also known as ‘agree/disagree’ essays, as these essays require you to take a stance on the topic and frame your answer accordingly. An opinion essay IELTS can be recognised through the following instruction words in the prompt:
- Agree/disagree
- To what extent do you agree or disagree?
- Give your opinion
- What is your opinion?
- Do you agree or disagree?
You should know the difference between these instruction words and other similar instruction words such as “discuss both topics and give your opinion”. These instruction words may make it seem like an opinion essay, but in actuality, it is a discussion essay. Be very careful while studying the question, as an improper observation can mislead you into writing a completely different essay altogether and cost you marks.
Essay Structure and Format of an Opinion Essay IELTS
The format and structure followed throughout different kinds of essays in the IELTS exam are very similar. Let’s quickly go through the structure of an opinion essay IELTS:
- Introduction – This is the opening of your essay and should ‘hook’ the reader to it. This paragraph need not be longer than three to four lines. In this section, you should paraphrase the question, state your stance in the thesis statement, and outline the idea you are going to stick with throughout the essay. You should also provide two supporting reasons for your stance.
- Main Body Paragraph 1 – In this paragraph, state the first reason you mentioned in the introduction. Support this idea with reasons and explanations. End the paragraph on a strong note by providing relevant examples in support of your view.
- Main Body Paragraph 2 – This paragraph works along the lines of the previous paragraph. In this one, you should outline the second reason you gave in support of your stance in the introduction. Support that idea with valid reasons and examples. In case you can’t think of an example, you can choose to expand the idea further.
- Conclusion – Summarise your opinions and important reasons in support of those opinions.
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Tips to Write a High Band Score IELTS Opinion Essay
Writing an opinion essay for IELTS can be tricky if you are not well-versed with the concept. Opinion essays are asked in various forms, and it is necessary to keep the following tips in mind for writing a high band-score opinion essay:
- Pay attention to what the question is. Read it 2 to 3 times to get a clear idea of what the question is asking.
- Before you begin to write, brainstorm the ideas for a few minutes and understand how strongly they relate to your stance.
- Do not list too many ideas. Choose the two strongest points and build your essay around those topics.
- Pay utmost attention to your vocabulary. Coherence between the sentences and paragraphs is key in an opinion essay.
- Reinforce your own opinion throughout the essay, not just the introduction or conclusion.
- Keep the intro short and within 55 words. Write the body paragraphs within 100 words and finish up with the conclusion. This will help keep the essay within the prescribed word limits.
- Stick to the viewpoint you’ve picked. Do not switch and flip between ideas, as this will disturb cohesion and can also lead to a loss of marks.
- Keep the conclusion short, adhering to the main idea and to the point. Do not introduce or mention new ideas in the conclusion paragraph.
- Task response, coherence and cohesion, grammatical range and accuracy, and lexical resources are key concepts you should be familiar with before taking the IELTS Writing Test. Good knowledge about these concepts will help you secure a high score.
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Opinion Essay IELTS Example with Model Answer
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Sample Model Answer
Question – A high salary is much more important than job satisfaction. Do you agree or disagree?
Answer – It is debated that earning lots of money is of higher significance to people than being satisfied with their work. This essay firmly disagrees with that statement. I believe that people are increasingly becoming concerned about the risks of stress-induced ill-health that is often experienced by those in well-paid positions, and they care more about feeling content at work.
Employees who earn a high income are usually under significant mental and emotional pressure to perform exceptionally well and achieve targets. This causes several individuals to suffer intense levels of stress, which can cause mental health problems. This happened to my uncle. He had a high-paying job and used to brag about his huge salary, but his boss kept increasing the number of targets he had to achieve. In the end, the stress became too immense, and he had a nervous breakdown. Now he regrets chasing after money.
Having a job that people enjoy doing and in which they feel appreciated is a major concern for most modern employees. A large number of people are giving up high-salary positions for jobs that are more enjoyable and less stressful. I am a living example of this. Almost a year ago, I left the field of teaching because the workload had become too much to handle. I decided to follow my passion and am a musician now. I feel highly fulfilled in this work, and I am much more relaxed and happy even though I earn comparatively less money.
In conclusion, for a large number of the population, earning a huge wage is increasingly becoming less important than job satisfaction because of the effects of work-induced stress and the desire to feel happy and fulfilled at work.
Conclusion
Opinion essays should be practised frequently before writing the IELTS essay, as practice is the only way to ace the test. All you need to do to get a high band score is follow the structure, brush up on opinion writing topics and understand the concepts properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some of the most commonly asked writing task formats in the IELTS exam?
Ans. The following formats are asked frequently in the IELTS exam:
1. Opinion (Agree or Disagree)
2. Advantages and Disadvantages
3. Problem and Solution
4. Discussion (Discuss both views)
5. Two-part Question
What concepts should I learn and practice for IELTS writing task 2?
Ans. The following concepts should be learnt and practised before sitting for the IELTS exam:
1. Proper grammar
2. Extensive vocabulary
3. Cohesion and coherence
4. Lexical resource
5. Task response
6. Grammatical accuracy
Is IELTS writing formal or informal?
Ans. IELTS writing should always be formal.
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