The “Discussion” essay is one of the most misunderstood. The biggest mistake? Not discussing both views before giving your opinion. This guide will show you the correct, balanced structure to ace this prompt.
Example Question:
Some people think that parents should teach children how to be good members of society. Others, however, believe that school is the best place to learn this. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Full Band 9 Model Answer:
(Paraphrase) The question of whether parents or schools bear the primary responsibility for teaching children societal values is a complex one. (Outline) This essay will examine both viewpoints before arguing that a collaborative approach is essential.
(View 1 – Topic Sentence) On the one hand, parents are a child’s first and most influential role models. From infancy, children learn core values, manners, and social norms through observing and imitating their family members in everyday situations. Fundamental concepts like honesty, empathy, and respect are primarily taught and reinforced continuously within the home environment long before a child is exposed to a formal educational setting. The parent-child relationship provides a unique and powerful channel for moral education.
(View 2 – Topic Sentence) Conversely, educational institutions provide the essential social context for children to apply these values on a broader scale. The classroom acts as a microcosm of society, where children interact with a diverse range of peers. They learn to cooperate, follow institutional rules, resolve conflicts, and understand the consequences of their actions in a public sphere. Schools offer structured lessons on citizenship and ethics that might not be covered at home.
(Your Opinion) In my view, attributing this duty solely to one party is misguided. The roles are complementary and symbiotic. Parents lay the foundational moral framework, while schools provide the structured environment to apply and test it. For instance, a child taught honesty at home will practice it when working on a group project at school. Neither can be fully effective without the support of the other.
(Conclusion) In conclusion, while parents provide the initial moral compass, schools are crucial for its development in a social context. Therefore, it is my firm belief that a partnership between the home and the school is paramount for raising well-adjusted members of society.
Vocabulary for This Topic:
- Societal values: (Phrase) The principles of a society.
- Collaborative approach: (Phrase) Working together.
- Microcosm of society: (Phrase) A small representation of a larger society.
- Complementary and symbiotic: (Adjectives) Mutually beneficial.
- Foundational moral framework: (Phrase) The basic structure of right and wrong.
- Paramount: (Adj.) Of supreme importance.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Not Discussing Both Views Equally: The prompt explicitly says “discuss both views.” You must dedicate a full body paragraph to each view before giving your opinion.
- Mixing Your Opinion into the Discussion Paragraphs: Keep the “discussion” (body paragraphs 1 and 2) neutral. Save your personal opinion for a separate paragraph or the conclusion.
- Being Too Vague: Use specific examples for each view (e.g., “learning to share toys at home” vs. “following school rules”).