Writing theory

The following are common instruction patterns, not a complete official taxonomy. Use them as practice categories. Always adapt your plan to every instruction in the actual prompt. IDP overview of essay questions.

A. Agree or disagree

Original practice prompt: “Public libraries should provide more digital resources than printed books. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

Possible position: Partly agree: increase digital access, but retain a substantial print collection.

Plan: Introduce that qualified answer; explain access benefits of digital resources; explain why print remains necessary for some users and activities; conclude with the balance you support.

Do not write a neutral list if the instruction asks for your degree of agreement. A partly agreeing answer must say what you accept and what you reject.

B. Discuss both views and give your opinion

Original practice prompt: “Some people think employers should provide professional training, while others believe workers should organise it themselves. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.”

Possible position: Employers should provide job-specific training; workers can take responsibility for broader career development.

Plan: Explain why employers benefit from and can organise role-specific training; explain workers' personal goals and independent choices; evaluate how responsibility should be divided; conclude. You may integrate the evaluation into the two discussion paragraphs or use a separate paragraph if needed.

Give each view a reasonable explanation. Your opinion should be evident across the argument, rather than appearing unexpectedly in the final line.

C. Advantages and disadvantages

Original practice prompt: “What are the advantages and disadvantages of universities delivering more courses online?”

Plan: Introduce the development; explain an important benefit, such as geographical access; explain an important drawback, such as limitations on practical work; conclude with the main trade-off.

Cover both sides. A preference is not automatically required by these words alone, although a balanced overall assessment can still help conclude the discussion.

D. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?

Original practice prompt: “More employers are allowing staff to work four longer days instead of five shorter days. Do the advantages outweigh the disadvantages?”

Possible position: The advantages outweigh the disadvantages in roles with flexible scheduling, but there are limitations for continuous services.

Plan: Explain the strongest benefit; examine the main cost or risk; show why one has greater significance under your stated conditions; conclude with a clear comparative judgment.

“Outweigh” requires evaluation. Two advantages and one disadvantage do not automatically establish the answer. A single severe disadvantage can matter more than several minor benefits.

E. Causes and solutions

Original practice prompt: “Many urban residents make short journeys by car. What causes this, and what could cities do to reduce it?”

Plan: Explain connected causes, such as unreliable services and unsafe walking routes; propose measures that address those causes; explain how each would change behaviour; conclude with the main approach.

A solution should identify who acts and how the action helps. “The government should raise awareness” is incomplete unless awareness is actually the missing factor and you explain the mechanism.

F. Two direct questions

Original practice prompt: “More adults are returning to education. Why is this happening, and how can colleges support these learners?”

Plan: Explain the main reasons, such as changing job requirements; explain appropriate support, such as flexible timetables and recognition of prior learning; conclude with a brief synthesis.

One body paragraph per question can work when both can be developed adequately. More complex questions may need additional paragraphs. Check that neither answer is reduced to a passing sentence.

G. Positive or negative development

Original practice prompt: “Museums increasingly offer virtual visits. Is this a positive or negative development?”

Possible position: Mainly positive because it broadens access, provided it complements physical visits.

Plan: Explain who gains access and why; examine a limitation, such as the reduced experience of scale and material; evaluate why the access benefit remains more important; conclude.

State your overall assessment. You may acknowledge both positive and negative effects while making your judgment clear.

H. Hybrid instructions

Original practice prompt: “Why are fewer young people choosing teaching careers? Is this a positive or negative development?”

This asks for causes and an evaluation. A causes-and-solutions essay would not fulfil the second instruction. Write the two requested jobs into your plan before choosing the paragraphs.