How to Write an IELTS Opinion Essay: Agree/ Disagree

In this guide, we’ll explain how opinion essays work in the IELTS exam, what examiners are really looking for, and practical strategies you can use to plan and write a clear, well-structured response under exam conditions.

Many IELTS candidates struggle with opinion essays because they are unsure how clearly they need to express their view. Some worry about choosing the “wrong” opinion, while others change their position halfway through the essay without realising it.

In IELTS Writing Task 2 examiners are not judging what you think, but how clearly you present and support your opinion.

The good news is that opinion essays follow a clear structure. Once you know how to choose your position and organise your ideas, writing them becomes much more straightforward.

How this essay type works in IELTS

Opinion essays appear in Writing Task 2 and usually ask you to state your view on an issue and support it with reasons and examples.

Typical wording you’ll see:

• To what extent do you agree or disagree?

• Do you agree or disagree?

IELTS Writing Task 2 – Opinion Essay Example:

Some people believe that schools should focus more on practical skills than academic subjects. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

What the examiner is testing:

• Whether you clearly state your opinion

• Whether your ideas support the same position throughout

• Whether your argument is logical, developed, and relevant

• How well you use language to explain and support ideas

A common misunderstanding:

Many candidates believe they must agree completely or disagree completely. In reality, you can:

• agree

• disagree

• partially agree

What matters is that your position is clear and consistent from introduction to conclusion.

Key steps to write an opinion essay well

Step 1: Decide your opinion before you write

Before you start writing, decide your position clearly:

• agree

• disagree

• partially agree

Do this during the planning stage. If you are unsure, choose the position that is easiest to support with clear reasons, not the one you believe is “correct” and there is no need to complicate it.  

You have 40 minutes to write the entire essay, so choose the approach that will allow you to write the most effectiively and efficiently.  This may mean choosing to either fully disagree or agree as the easiest option but it is your choice. 

Be very clear on your opinion and do not change it later in the essay as this will weaken your score.

Step 2: Make your opinion clear in the introduction

Your introduction must include:

• a paraphrase of the question (sometimes called a background statement)

• a clear opinion statement (sometimes called a thesis)

For example use any of these opinion statements:

• In my opinion,

• I believe that

• I think that

• From my perspective,

• In my view,

• It seems to me that

• Personally, I believe that

• I completely agree that…

• I disagree with the view that…

• I partly agree with this idea, although

Do not use vauge language as the examiner should know your position immediately.

Example Introductions: Three Different Approaches

Some people believe that schools should focus more on practical skills than academic subjects. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

1. Partially Agree

It is often argued that schools should place greater emphasis on practical skills rather than academic subjects. I partially agree with this view, as practical skills can better prepare students for the workplace, although academic subjects still play an important role in developing critical thinking.

Partially agree → include a limitation
Here, the opinion is expressed and supported by two ideas, with a clear limitation.

Reasons in this example:

• practical skills prepare students for the workplace

• academic subjects develop critical thinking

Limitation:

• academic subjects should still be taught and not replaced entirely

2. Fully Agree

It is often argued that schools should focus more on practical skills than academic subjects. I completely agree with this view, as practical education equips students with job-ready abilities and better reflects the demands of the modern workplace.

Fully agree → no major exceptions
Here, the opinion is expressed and supported by two clear reasons, with no limitation included.

Reasons in this example:

• practical skills provide job-ready abilities

• schools should reflect modern workplace demands

3. Fully Disagree

It is often argued that schools should focus more on practical skills than academic subjects. I disagree with this view, because academic subjects form the foundation of intellectual development and provide transferable skills that are useful in all careers.

Disagree → no major exceptions
Here, the opinion is expressed and supported by two clear reasons, with no limitation included.

Reasons in this example:

• academic subjects support intellectual development

• academic skills are transferable across careers

Step 3: Support one main idea per body paragraph

Each body paragraph should:

• clearly support your opinion

• focus on one main idea

• include explanation and an example

Do not try to cover too many ideas. Two strong, well-developed body paragraphs are better than many weak ones.

Example of Body Paragraph 1 (Agree): 

"One key reason schools should focus more on practical skills is that they help students prepare for work. Skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and basic money management are used in many jobs, but they are not always taught enough in traditional academic subjects. When students leave school with these skills, they feel more confident and are better able to adapt to real working situations. Today, many employers prefer workers who can use what they know in practical ways, rather than just remember information. For this reason, schools that focus on practical skills can better prepare students for the realities of the modern job market."

• It supports the writer’s opinion that schools should focus more on practical skills.

• Has one main idea only: practical skills prepare students for the modern workplace.

• Explained by referring to skills such as communication and problem-solving.

• A real-world example given by showing how employers value the ability to apply skills in practical situations.

In a complete opinion essay, the second body paragraph should support the same opinion with a different main idea, while the conclusion briefly summarises the argument and restates the writer’s position.

Step 4: Stay consistent throughout the essay

Everything in your essay should match your stated opinion:

• topic sentences

• examples

• explanations

• conclusion

If you partially agree, make sure this balance is clear and controlled — not accidental.

Consistency is a key component in moving towards a higher band score.

Step 5: Write a clear conclusion

The conclusion should:

• briefly summarise the main ideas

• clearly restate your opinion

Do not introduce new ideas in the conclusion. One or two sentences are enough.

Do you want to see some model answers? Download our tips and model answers instantly to accompany this article here.

Final tips for steady improvement

Opinion essays reward clarity, not creativity. You do not need complex ideas or advanced opinions. You need:

• a clear position

• logical organisation

• well-explained ideas

With regular, focused practice, opinion essays become one of the most predictable and manageable Task 2 essay types.

What to do next

• Download the PDF to go with this article: Two Model Answers and Tips

• Explore our other Writing Task 2 essay guides

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