A Model Response
Some argue that the most reliable route to a good job is obtaining a university degree, while others maintain that practical skills and hands-on experience hold greater value. This essay will examine both viewpoints before concluding that, in today’s competitive market, a combination of formal education and real-world experience is ideal.
On one side of the debate, a university degree is often seen as a gatekeeper to high-status professions. Degrees provide in-depth theoretical knowledge, rigorous research training, and critical thinking skills that many employers—particularly in fields such as medicine, engineering or academia—demand. Furthermore, in some industries, a degree is the minimum requirement on job advertisements, so without one candidates may never be considered. For instance, most multinational corporations require at least a bachelor’s qualification for graduate‐entry schemes, regardless of an applicant’s other strengths.
Conversely, proponents of skills and experience highlight that practical abilities—such as computer programming, project management or customer relations—can be acquired through apprenticeships, online courses or on-the-job training, often at lower cost and in less time than a full degree. Many startups and tech firms now prioritise portfolios and demonstrable achievements over formal credentials. For example, self-taught developers who contribute to open-source projects frequently secure lucrative software roles without any university background. In addition, work experience can cultivate soft skills—teamwork, adaptability and leadership—that are not easily taught in lecture halls.
In my opinion, while a degree still opens doors and lays a strong intellectual foundation, it is the synergy between that qualification and relevant practical experience that makes a job candidate truly stand out. Graduates who complement their studies with internships, volunteering or freelance projects demonstrate both the necessary theory and the ability to apply it in real situations.
In conclusion, although university degrees remain important—especially for regulated professions—employers increasingly seek evidence of hands-on experience and transferable skills. Striking the right balance between education and practice is therefore the most effective strategy for securing a good job.
How This Essay Was Developed: A Guide for Beginners
- Paraphrase the Prompt
- What I did: Restated the question using different words.
- Example: Original: “Some people think having a university degree is the best way to secure a good job…”
Paraphrase: “Some argue that the most reliable route to a good job is obtaining a university degree…”
- Why: Shows you understand the task and displays a range of vocabulary.
- Outline Your Structure in the Introduction
- What I did: Indicated I would “examine both viewpoints” and then “conclude” with my opinion.
- Why: Gives the examiner a clear roadmap of your essay.
- Discuss Each Side in Separate Paragraphs
- Paragraph 1 (Degree’s Advantages):
- Used topic sentence: “On one side of the debate…”
- Gave reasons: theoretical knowledge, minimum requirements.
- Added an example: “multinational corporations require at least a bachelor’s qualification.”
- Paragraph 2 (Skills & Experience):
- Began with contrast phrase: “Conversely…”
- Explained practical routes: apprenticeships, portfolios.
- Provided a real‐world illustration: self-taught developers.
- Why: Clear separation makes your argument easy to follow and well‐balanced.
- Use Linking Words and Academic Vocabulary
- Linkers: On one side, Conversely, For instance, In addition, In conclusion
- Lexical choices: gatekeeper, synergy, demonstrable, regulated professions
- Why: Cohesive devices guide the reader; varied vocabulary boosts your Lexical Resource score.
- State Your Opinion Clearly
- What I did: Dedicated one paragraph to my view: “In my opinion… the synergy between…”.
- Why: IELTS Task 2 asks for your opinion; placing it in its own paragraph makes it unmistakable.
- Conclude Concisely
- What I did: Summarised both views briefly and restated that balance is key.
- Why: A short conclusion reinforces your answer and wraps up the essay neatly.
- Keep It Objective and Focused on the Question
- Avoid personal anecdotes or irrelevant details.
- Stick strictly to the two sides and your viewpoint, supporting each with clear reasons or examples.
Quick Checklist Before You Write
- ✔️ Paraphrase the question
- ✔️ Plan 4–5 paragraphs: intro, 2 body, opinion, conclusion
- ✔️ Use linking words and academic vocabulary
- ✔️ Give specific reasons and at least one example per side
- ✔️ Clearly signal your opinion
- ✔️ Conclude by restating your stance
Following these steps will help you construct a coherent, well‐supported Task 2 essay every time. Good luck!
IELTS Writing Task 2: Supporting or Opposing a Point of View
Supporting or Opposing a Point of View
A Comprehensive Guide for IELTS Writing Task 2
IELTS Writing Task 2 often requires candidates to respond to an opinion or point of view. You may need to support, oppose, or present a balanced argument about a given statement. This type of essay tests your ability to develop logical arguments, use appropriate evidence, and express your thoughts clearly and coherently.
In this presentation, you will learn:
- How to identify different types of opinion questions
- Strategies for clearly stating your position
- Techniques for developing strong supporting arguments
- How to address opposing viewpoints effectively
- Language for expressing opinions and constructing arguments
- Structuring opinion essays for maximum impact
Sample IELTS Task 2 Questions:
“Some people believe that university education should be free for all students. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?”
“Some people think that international tourism is harmful to a country’s culture and environment. Others believe it brings more benefits than drawbacks. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.”
Understanding Opinion Questions
IELTS Writing Task 2 opinion questions come in several formats. Identifying the specific type helps you plan your response correctly.
Common Question Types:
AGREE/DISAGREE
“To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?”
“Do you agree or disagree with this view?”
Required: Express a clear position on the given statement.
DISCUSS BOTH VIEWS
“Discuss both views and give your opinion.”
“Some people believe X while others think Y. Discuss both sides and give your opinion.”
Required: Present multiple viewpoints AND state your position.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES
“Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this development.”
“What are the advantages and disadvantages of this approach?”
Required: Examine positive and negative aspects, often with your opinion.
Key Elements to Notice:
- Instruction words: “agree,” “disagree,” “extent,” “discuss,” “advantages,” “disadvantages”
- Opinion trigger phrases: “Some people believe,” “It is argued that,” “Many people think”
- Scope: Is the statement about a specific context or a general claim?
- Qualification: Does the question ask “to what extent” (allowing partial agreement)?
- Multiple parts: Does it require discussing both views or considering pros and cons?
Important Note:
Always read the question carefully to identify exactly what is required. Different question types call for different approaches and structures. Misinterpreting the task can result in an inappropriate response and lower scores.
Stating Your Position Clearly
A clear position statement is essential in opinion essays. This should appear in your introduction and be reinforced in your conclusion.
Types of Position Statements:
Strong Agreement/Disagreement
AGREE
I completely agree that university education should be free for all students.
I strongly believe that the advantages of nuclear power far outweigh its drawbacks.
DISAGREE
I fundamentally disagree with the notion that technology has made life more complicated.
I cannot support the view that traditional cultures are disappearing due to globalization.
Qualified or Partial Position
PARTIAL
While I agree that technology has transformed education, I believe its benefits have been overstated in some contexts.
I partly agree that economic growth should take priority, but only when balanced with environmental protection.
BALANCED
After considering both perspectives, I believe that each approach has merit depending on the specific circumstances.
While both arguments have validity, on balance I find the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
Position Statement Structure:
- Acknowledge the topic/question (optional)
- Use clear position language (agree/disagree/partially agree)
- Provide a brief rationale for your position (optional)
- Preview your main points (optional)
The question of whether standardized testing is the best way to evaluate student performance is widely debated. In my view, I largely disagree with this assessment because such tests fail to measure many important aspects of learning and can create unequal educational opportunities.
Developing Strong Supporting Arguments
Effective supporting arguments strengthen your position with logical reasoning and evidence.
Structure of a Supporting Argument:
- Main point (clear argument that supports your position)
- Explanation (elaboration of why/how this point is valid)
- Evidence (examples, facts, statistics, expert opinions)
- Impact or significance (why this point matters)
- Link back to your position (connection to your thesis)
Example Supporting Argument Paragraph:
Free university education promotes equal opportunity and social mobility, regardless of socioeconomic background. When financial barriers are removed, talented individuals from all economic classes can access higher education based on their merit rather than their ability to pay. This has been demonstrated in countries like Germany and Norway, where tuition-free university systems have led to higher rates of social mobility. For instance, a 2020 OECD study found that students from low-income families in countries with free university education were 42% more likely to obtain degrees than in countries with high tuition costs. This increased educational access not only benefits individual students but strengthens society by ensuring that human potential isn’t wasted due to financial constraints. Therefore, the principle of educational equality represents one of the strongest reasons to support free higher education.
Main point: Free education promotes equality (supports position)
Explanation: Removes financial barriers, allows merit-based access
Evidence: Examples of countries + specific statistics
Impact: Benefits individuals and society
Link: Connects back to position on free education
Types of Evidence:
- Statistics and research: “A 2022 WHO study found that…”
- Expert opinions: “Leading economists argue that…”
- Historical examples: “During the 1990s recession…”
- Case studies: “In Singapore, this approach resulted in…”
- Logical reasoning: “If this trend continues, it will inevitably…”
- Personal observations: “In many urban areas, one can observe…”
- Analogies: “Like a balanced ecosystem, a balanced economy…”
- Hypothetical scenarios: “Consider a situation where…”
Addressing Opposing Viewpoints
Acknowledging and responding to counterarguments strengthens your essay by showing you’ve considered multiple perspectives.
Approaches to Opposing Views:
1. Acknowledge and Refute
Present the opposing view and then explain why it’s flawed or less convincing.
Some argue that free university education places an excessive burden on taxpayers. However, this view fails to consider the long-term economic benefits of a highly educated workforce. Graduates typically earn higher salaries, pay more taxes, and require fewer social services. Research from the OECD indicates that for every dollar invested in higher education, governments receive an average return of $3-4 through increased tax revenue and economic productivity.
2. Acknowledge and Qualify
Accept part of the opposing view but show why your position is still stronger.
It is true that implementing free higher education would require significant initial investment, and this concern about cost deserves consideration. Nevertheless, when viewed as a long-term investment rather than an expense, the economic returns make this approach financially sustainable. Countries like Germany have demonstrated that free education systems can be maintained through careful budgeting and progressive taxation models.
When Discussing Both Views (Balanced Approach):
Structure for “Discuss Both Views” Questions:
- Introduction with clear thesis stating your overall position
- Paragraph explaining View A with supporting evidence
- Paragraph explaining View B with supporting evidence
- Paragraph detailing your position with reasons for your preference
- Conclusion reinforcing your position
Key Principle:
Always present opposing views fairly and accurately before responding to them. Misrepresenting the opposing position creates a “straw man fallacy” that weakens your argument. A strong essay demonstrates that you understand all sides of the issue.
Language for Expressing Opinions
Using a variety of expressions to state opinions and develop arguments enhances your writing and demonstrates language flexibility.
Expressing Your Opinion:
Strong Opinions
- I strongly believe that…
- I am convinced that…
- There is no doubt that…
- I completely agree that…
- I firmly disagree with…
Moderate or Qualified Opinions
- I tend to believe that…
- To some extent, I agree that…
- While I generally support…, I also recognize…
- It seems reasonable to suggest that…
- On balance, I would argue that…
Introducing Arguments:
- One compelling reason for this view is…
- A significant advantage of this approach is…
- This position is supported by the fact that…
- A key consideration is…
- The main benefit of this perspective is…
- Opponents of this view claim that…
- Critics argue that…
- Those who disagree point out that…
- A common objection is that…
- It is often suggested that…
Transitions for Developing Arguments:
- Furthermore,…
- Moreover,…
- In addition,…
- Similarly,…
- For instance,…
- However,…
- Nevertheless,…
- On the other hand,…
- Despite this,…
- In contrast,…
Essay Structure for Opinion Essays
Different question types call for different structures. Here are recommended structures for the main types of opinion essays.
Agree/Disagree Essay Structure:
- Introduction: Background + Clear position statement
- Body Paragraph 1: First supporting argument with evidence
- Body Paragraph 2: Second supporting argument with evidence
- Body Paragraph 3: Address opposing view (optional) OR third supporting argument
- Conclusion: Restate position + final thoughts
Discuss Both Views and Give Your Opinion:
- Introduction: Background + Brief mention of both views + Your position
- Body Paragraph 1: First view (with supporting evidence)
- Body Paragraph 2: Second view (with supporting evidence)
- Body Paragraph 3: Your opinion with justification
- Conclusion: Summary of views + Reinforcement of your position
Advantages/Disadvantages and Your Opinion:
- Introduction: Background + Brief overview of advantages/disadvantages + Position
- Body Paragraph 1: Main advantages with examples
- Body Paragraph 2: Main disadvantages with examples
- Body Paragraph 3: Your position with reasoning
- Conclusion: Balance of advantages/disadvantages + Reinforced position
Important Tips:
- Always maintain a clear thread connecting your position statement, arguments, and conclusion
- Ensure each paragraph has a clear topic sentence that supports your overall argument
- Use a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences to demonstrate range
- Include appropriate transitions between paragraphs for cohesion
Sample Essay Structure: Agree/Disagree
Below is a annotated outline of an Agree/Disagree essay with examples from each section.
Essay Question:
“Some people believe that university education should be free for all students. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this view?”
Introduction:
The question of whether higher education should be provided free of charge to all students has become a contentious issue in many countries as tuition costs continue to rise. While there are valid arguments on both sides, I fundamentally agree with the view that university education should be free because it promotes equality of opportunity and yields substantial economic benefits for society.
Context + Clear position statement with brief rationale
Body Paragraph 1:
The primary benefit of free university education is that it promotes equal opportunity, regardless of socioeconomic background. When financial barriers are removed, talented individuals from all economic classes can access higher education based on their academic merit rather than their ability to pay. This principle has been demonstrated in countries like Germany and Norway, where free university systems have led to higher social mobility rates. A 2020 OECD study found that students from low-income families in these countries were 42% more likely to obtain degrees than their counterparts in countries with high tuition costs. Therefore, free education serves as a powerful tool for reducing inequality and ensuring that valuable human potential is not wasted due to financial constraints.
Clear main argument + Explanation + Specific evidence + Link to position
Body Paragraph 2:
Moreover, providing free university education represents a sound economic investment for society rather than merely an expense. Graduates typically contribute more to the economy through higher productivity, innovation, and tax revenues over their lifetimes. Research from the Economic Policy Institute indicates that regions with higher educational attainment demonstrate stronger economic growth and reduced social welfare costs. For instance, a study of free education policies in several European countries showed an average return of €4 for every €1 invested in higher education through increased tax revenues and economic productivity. Consequently, while the initial cost of funding free university education is significant, the long-term economic benefits provide a compelling rationale for such investment.
Transition + Second main argument + Explanation + Specific evidence + Conclusion
Body Paragraph 3:
Critics of free university education often argue that it places an excessive burden on public finances and may lead to reduced educational quality due to funding constraints. While these concerns have some validity, they can be addressed through thoughtful implementation strategies. Many countries with successful free education systems employ a targeted approach that funds strategic fields aligned with national priorities while maintaining partial subsidies for other areas. Finland, for example, has maintained high educational standards through efficient resource allocation and quality assurance mechanisms despite not charging tuition. Furthermore, considering the substantial return on investment discussed earlier, framing education as an investment rather than an expense shifts the perspective on budget allocation.
Counterargument + Acknowledgment + Refutation + Evidence + Transition
Conclusion:
In conclusion, while implementing free university education presents certain challenges, I firmly believe that its benefits in promoting equality of opportunity and generating economic prosperity outweigh these concerns. A society that invests in removing financial barriers to higher education creates a more equitable system that maximizes human potential and secures long-term economic advantages. For these reasons, I strongly support the view that university education should be made free for all qualified students.
Summary of key points + Reinforced position + Final thought