IELTS-Simon-Writing-Task2-Lesson-7 Discussion essays

Summary

This IELTS Writing Task 2 lesson focuses on crafting a discussion essay. It guides through understanding the prompt, planning with a four-paragraph structure, brainstorming ideas, and writing with a clear stance. The instructor emphasizes the importance of discussing both viewpoints and providing a personal opinion. The lesson highlights vocabulary enhancement and structured planning as keys to achieving a high band score.

Takeaways

• 📝 The lesson focuses on writing a discussion essay for IELTS Task 2, emphasizing the importance of understanding the question and planning the essay structure.
• 👥 It discusses two viewpoints: encouraging competition in children and teaching them to cooperate, highlighting the need to cover both in the essay.
• 💡 The planning stage involves noting ideas for the introduction, main body, and conclusion, with a focus on brainstorming good ideas and vocabulary.
• 📈 The essay structure consists of four paragraphs: an introduction, two main body paragraphs discussing each viewpoint, and a conclusion.
• 🔑 The introduction should include a topic sentence and an answer sentence, clearly stating the writer's opinion that cooperation is more important.
• 🚀 For the main body, paragraph two argues why competition in children should be encouraged, linking it to motivation, self-confidence, and preparation for adult life.
• 🤝 Paragraph three supports the view that teaching cooperation is crucial, using examples from the workplace and the value of collaboration over winning.
• 🔄 The conclusion reiterates the importance of both competition and cooperation but asserts that a cooperative attitude is more desirable in adult life.
• 📑 The lesson provides a full plan with numbered ideas to guide the writing of the main paragraphs, ensuring a structured and coherent essay.
• 🌟 It emphasizes the use of high-level vocabulary to achieve a Band 9 essay, such as 'competitive spirit', 'healthy rivalry', and 'team collaboration skills'.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the IELTS Writing Task 2 lesson 7?

The main focus of the lesson is to guide students through the process of writing a discussion essay, including understanding the question, planning, writing an introduction, main body, and conclusion, and highlighting elements that make a good essay.

What is the specific essay question discussed in the lesson?

The essay question is about whether children should be encouraged to compete or cooperate, and it asks students to discuss both views and give their own opinion.

How many main body paragraphs are recommended for the essay structure in this lesson?

The recommended essay structure includes two main body paragraphs, one for each viewpoint, in addition to an introduction and a conclusion.

What are the two key viewpoints that the essay should cover?

The two key viewpoints are encouraging competition in children and teaching cooperation.

What is the instructor's opinion on the importance of competition versus cooperation in children?

The instructor's opinion is that while competition can be useful, cooperation is more important for children.

How does the instructor suggest organizing the main body paragraphs?

The instructor suggests organizing the main body paragraphs by starting with a basic topic sentence, explaining the idea, and then discussing the results or consequences of that idea.

What is the purpose of brainstorming ideas during the planning stage?

The purpose of brainstorming ideas is to ensure that the essay has good ideas and vocabulary, which are essential for a high-scoring essay.

What is the role of the introduction in the essay according to the lesson?

The introduction should include a topic sentence and an answer sentence, where the latter states the author's opinion on the balance between the benefits of competition and cooperation.

How does the instructor emphasize the importance of vocabulary in the essay?

The instructor highlights the use of a variety of vocabulary from the word families of 'competition' and 'cooperation', as well as phrases that add depth to the essay, to achieve a high band score.

What is the conclusion of the essay as outlined in the lesson?

The conclusion accepts both views but states that a cooperative attitude is more desirable in adult life, reflecting the instructor's opinion that cooperation is better.

What is the final piece of advice given by the instructor regarding the essay?

The final piece of advice is for students to download and print the worksheet, which includes a task reviewing the good vocabulary and the essay's organization.