I had a discussion essay on my IELTS test last month, and one of the reasons why I got band 8.0 in writing is that I stated my opinion clearly in the introduction.
I know that some candidates don't write which side they choose in their first paragraph, and this is how their last sentence in the introduction often looks like:
Both viewpoints will be discussed in the following essay. I will thoroughly analyze both sides of the argument before giving my preference.If the question asks you to "Discuss both views and give your opinion", make sure the thesis statement with your personal opinion is clear to examiners in the introductory paragraph. Otherwise, you're likely to get band 6.0 or lower for your Task Response.
@ieltsboyko
