The Perfect IELTS Opinion Essay Structure (With Examples)

What Is an IELTS Opinion Essay?

The opinion essay — also known as an "agree or disagree" essay — is the most frequently tested essay type in IELTS Writing Task 2. You will be presented with a statement and asked to what extent you agree or disagree with it. Your job is to clearly state and consistently defend a position throughout your response.

Examples of opinion essay prompts include:

"Some people believe that university education should be free for all students. To what extent do you agree or disagree?"
"Governments should invest more in public transport than in building new roads. Do you agree or disagree?"
"The best way to reduce crime is to give longer prison sentences. To what extent do you agree?"

Notice that all three are asking for your view. This is not a discussion essay where you present balanced arguments without committing to a side. Failing to state a clear, personal position is one of the most common causes of low Task Achievement scores.

The Three Position Approaches

Before you can structure your essay, you need to decide your position. There are three valid approaches:

Fully agree: Both body paragraphs support the statement with different arguments.
Fully disagree: Both body paragraphs argue against it from different angles.
Partially agree: One paragraph supports, one acknowledges limitations or a counter-position.

All three can score Band 9 — the key is that your position is clear, stated early, and maintained throughout. A partially agree approach is often the most intellectually sophisticated, but it requires careful management to avoid appearing contradictory.

The Perfect Four-Paragraph Structure

Paragraph 1: Introduction (50–60 words)

Your introduction should do two things only: paraphrase the question, and state your position clearly. A strong introduction template:

[Paraphrase of the topic]. While some argue that [opposing view], I firmly believe that [your position] because [brief reason 1] and [brief reason 2].

Example: "The question of whether university education should be provided free of charge has generated significant debate. While opponents argue that this places an unfair burden on taxpayers, I strongly agree with this proposal, as it promotes social equality and drives long-term economic growth."

Paragraph 2: First Main Argument (80–100 words)

This is your strongest argument. Follow the PEEL structure:

Point: State your argument clearly in one sentence.
Explanation: Explain the reasoning in two to three sentences.
Evidence: Provide a specific example, statistic, or real-world case.
Link: Connect this back to your thesis or signal the transition to the next paragraph.

Example opening: "The most compelling reason to make university education free is its potential to eliminate socioeconomic barriers to opportunity. When tuition fees are prohibitive, talented students from low-income families are effectively excluded regardless of their academic merit. Countries such as Germany and Norway have demonstrated that free university education produces highly skilled workforces without sacrificing institutional quality."

Paragraph 3: Second Main Argument (80–100 words)

Your second argument should be distinct from the first — not simply a repetition with different wording. If you are taking a partially agree position, acknowledge the opposing view with a concession before explaining why your position still holds:

"Admittedly, the financial burden on governments would be substantial. However, research consistently demonstrates that a highly educated workforce generates sufficient tax revenues and economic productivity to justify this investment over the long term. The short-term cost must be weighed against the compounding societal benefit of a universally educated population."

Paragraph 4: Conclusion (40–50 words)

Your conclusion must restate your position, briefly summarise your two main arguments, and end with a forward-looking statement. Never introduce a new argument in your conclusion.

Example: "In conclusion, I remain firmly convinced that free university education is a worthwhile investment. By removing financial barriers and cultivating a highly skilled workforce, governments can create lasting economic and social returns that far exceed the initial outlay."

Examiner-Approved Language for Opinion Essays

I firmly believe that / I am firmly convinced that
It is my contention that
From my perspective, it is evident that
The evidence strongly suggests that
While I acknowledge that [counterargument], I maintain that...
A compelling case can be made for the view that
On balance, the advantages of this approach outweigh the drawbacks

Time Management for Task 2

3–4 minutes: Read the question, decide your position, plan two main arguments and one example each
32–34 minutes: Write your four paragraphs
3 minutes: Proofread for grammar, subject-verb agreement, and missing articles

Practice Makes Perfect — With the Right Feedback

The opinion essay structure can be mastered with deliberate, consistent practice. Write one timed essay per day using authentic IELTS prompts, focusing on a clear position and the PEEL structure in each body paragraph. The fastest path to improvement is accurate, criterion-specific feedback on every essay you write. Use our AI evaluator to check your score and receive detailed analysis of your Task Achievement, structure, vocabulary, and grammar — so every practice essay moves you measurably closer to your target band.