Below I explain an advanced method which I use when writing an IELTS Writing Task 2 opinion essay. There are simpler ways, which I will explain in another post, but if you're already at an upper intermediate to advanced level in writing and want to reach above band 7 in IELTS, this method could help.
The advantage of this method is that it includes sub-ideas and contrast statements. The sub-ideas help to show you have "explored the prompt in depth" (band 9 Task Achievement), while the contrast statements give you an opportunity to use a "wide range of structures" (band 9 Task Grammatical Range).
Writing IELTS Opinion Essays:
First of all, what is an IELTS opinion essay? It is any task that asks you to give your opinion. Some common phrases used in IELTS Writing Task 2 questions are:
To what extent do you agree?
Do you agree or disagree?
What is your opinion?
Before you start writing it is important that you plan your ideas. I usually try to think of 2 main ideas for the essay first, then think of two sub-ideas under each main idea, as below.
An easier method is to have only one idea for each body paragraph. In this case, one of the sub-ideas is enough for each paragraph, and you do not need to have a general idea, broken down into 2 sub-ideas.
Planning Ideas:
Main Idea 1 (Body Paragraph 1 Topic Sentence):
Sub-idea A
Sub-idea B
Main Idea 2 (Body Paragraph 2 Topic Sentence):
Sub-idea A
Sub-idea B
Once you have your ideas for the essay, it's time to write the introduction:
Introduction:
Paraphrase Question: Use synonyms or parallel expressions to paraphrase the question
Give Your Opinion: Use “In my opinion,”/ In my view/ “I (strongly) believe that”/ "I agree because"
Summarise Main Ideas 1 & 2
Next comes the first and second body paragraphs. You need to explain your main idea and sub ideas for each paragraph:
Main Body Paragraph 1:
Topic Sentence: Summarise the main idea clearly and concisely. Use “because”/ “as” where appropriate.
Contrast Statement* with “While”/ “Although”: Give the other side of the argument in the first clause, then introduce Sub-idea A in the second clause.
Expand Sub-idea A: Write one sentence that explains/ supports your idea in more detail. Say why or how it happens.
Introduce Sub-idea B: Use “Furthermore”/ “In addition”, “Moreover”.
Result Statement: Use “As a result,”/ “This leads to + gerund”/ “This means that”. Explain the result of the idea introduced above.
Main Body Paragraph 2:
Begin: “In addition,”/ “Furthermore,”/ “Another important consideration is that”...
Topic Sentence: Summarise the main idea clearly and concisely. Use “because”/ “as” where appropriate.
Contrast Statement* with “While”/ “Although”: Give the other side of the argument in the first clause, then introduce Sub-idea A in the second clause.
Expand Sub-idea A: Give an example with, “For example”: Give a general example of how in the real world, your argument is true.
Introduce Sub-idea B: Use, “Furthermore”/ “In addition”/ “Moreover”.
Result Statement: Use “As a result,”/ “This leads to + gerund”/ “This means that”. Explain the result of the idea introduced above.
Finally, you have the conclusion:
Conclusion:
Begin: “In conclusion,”/ “To conclude,”/ “In summary,”/ "To summarise,"
Give Your Opinion: Use “[Something] is better/ preferable/ superior/ a better option because/ as/ due to…”
Summarise Main Idea 1: Use synonyms and parallel expressions. Avoid repeating phrases from your introduction, and vary language as much as possible.
Summarise Main Idea 2: Use “It also means that…” + summary of idea 2. Again use synonyms etc.
So, now let's use this structure to answer an IELTS Writing Task 2 question:
Question:
Many people say that cooking and eating at home is better for the individual and the family than eating out in restaurants.
Do you agree or disagree?
Main Essay Ideas:
Main Idea 1: Eating homemade is better than eating out because the food prepared at home is usually healthier than restaurant made food.
Sub-idea A: The home cook can control the ingredients used in the recipe - fresh, well washed vegetables, healthy oils etc.
Sub-idea B: At home you can serve healthy dishes that aim to be not only tasty, but healthy as well.
Main Idea 2: Eating at home is more economical than eating out as restaurants have many additional costs and aim to make money.
Sub-idea A: Restaurants need to pay the cooks, waiters etc
Sub-idea B: Restaurants are business and aim to make a profit whereas at home, the aim is to make healthy food.
Introduction:
Paraphrase Question: It is often said that home prepared food is superior to restaurant made food and therefore a better option for both the individual and family.
Give Opinion + Summarise Main Ideas 1 & 2: I totally agree because homemade food is usually healthier and lower cost than food bought at a restaurant.
Main Body Paragraph 1:
Topic Sentence: Eating homemade food is better than eating out because the food prepared at home is usually healthier than restaurant made food.
Introduce Sub-idea A (contrast Statement): While restaurant food is often tastier than homemade food, the ingredients used are not normally the healthiest.
Expand Sub-idea A: At home the cook is able to select fresh and nutritious ingredients and make sure that high quality products are used.
Introduce Sub-idea B: Furthermore, homemade dishes try to be healthy and tasty, whereas restaurant food usually only aims to be delicious.
Result Statement: As a result, food cooked at home is more likely to help an individual or family stay fit and healthy.
Main Body Paragraph 2:
Begin: Another important consideration is that…
Topic Sentence: …eating at home is more economical than eating out, and allows the family to save money or spend it on other things.
Contrast Statement: Although restaurant food is more convenient, it is far cheaper to buy ingredients and cook at home than pay for a dish prepared by a professional chef.
Expand Sub-idea A: For example, a dish prepared at a restaurant may cost two or three times as much as the raw ingredients used cost in a supermarket.
Introduce Sub-idea B: In addition, restaurants are businesses and need to make a profit. Therefore they will add a significant profit margin to the price of each dish.
Result Statement: This leads to a restaurant meal being much more expensive than a meal prepared at home. This means that the home cook is able to save a lot of money, which can be used or invested in other important things such as healthcare, property, education or even recreation.
Conclusion:
Begin: In conclusion,...
Give Your Opinion: …cooking at home is preferable as…
Summarise Main Idea 1: it allows the home cook to choose clean, fresh ingredients and select healthy recipes.
Summarise Main Idea 2: It also means that the individual or family can reduce their expenses and will have funds available for other important things.
Final Essay:
It is often said that home prepared food is superior to restaurant made food and therefore a better option for both the individual and family. I totally agree because homemade food is usually healthier and lower cost than food bought at a restaurant.
Eating homemade food is better than eating out because the food prepared at home is usually healthier than restaurant made food. While restaurant food is often tastier than homemade food, the ingredients used are not normally the healthiest. At home the cook is able to select fresh and nutritious ingredients and make sure that high quality products are used. Furthermore, homemade dishes try to be healthy and tasty, whereas restaurant food usually only aims to be delicious. As a result, food cooked at home is more likely to help an individual or family stay fit and healthy.
Another important consideration is that eating at home is more economical than eating out, and allows the family to save money or spend it on other things. Although restaurant food is more convenient, it is far cheaper to buy ingredients and cook at home than pay for a dish prepared by a professional chef. For example, a dish prepared at a restaurant may cost two or three times as much as the raw ingredients used cost in a supermarket. In addition, restaurants are businesses and need to make a profit. Therefore they will add a significant profit margin to the price of each dish. This leads to a restaurant meal being much more expensive than a meal prepared at home. This means that the home cook is able to save a lot of money, which can be used or invested in other important things such as healthcare, property, education or even recreation.
In conclusion, cooking at home is preferable as it allows the home chef to choose clean, fresh ingredients and select healthy recipes. It also means that the individual or family can reduce their expenses and will have funds available for other important things.
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