How to Develop Your Position in IELTS Writing Task 2

Your position is your overall answer to the question. It is the “big message” of your essay, not just separate ideas in each paragraph. For example, in a “discussion” question:

“Some people think children should start school earlier, while others believe they should start later. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.”

Your position could be:

• You mostly agree with earlier starting age, or
• You mostly agree with later starting age, or
• You think it depends on factors such as the child’s development and family situation.

Whatever you choose, your position must be:

• Clear (easy to understand)
• Consistent (the same from introduction to conclusion)
• Supported (explained with reasons and examples)

Also read:

What is Task Response in IELTS Writing Task 2 and how to reach Band 7+?

Typical Task Response Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

Many candidates start writing before they decide what they really think. This creates contradictions and confusing paragraphs.

Use this quick routine:

1. Simplify the question in your own words

• “This question is about [topic] and asks me to [agree/disagree, discuss, give solutions, etc.].”

• Strongly agree / mostly agree / balanced / mostly disagree / strongly disagree
• Or: main advantages / main disadvantages, mainly positive / mainly negative

• Example: “Overall, I believe starting school later is better for young children.”

This sentence is your internal guide. You will then express it more naturally in the introduction and conclusion.

Also read:

Typical Task Response Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

How to Generate Ideas for 5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types with WH- Questions

How to Stay on Topic in IELTS Writing Task 2

How to Apply 5 Introduction Approaches to 5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types

How to Apply 5 Conclusion Approaches to 5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types

Your thesis is the sentence in the introduction that clearly shows your position and guides the reader from the beginning to the end. It should directly answer the question.

a) Opinion questions (agree / disagree)

Question:
“Online education will completely replace traditional schools. To what extent do you agree or disagree?”

Thesis examples:

• Strongly disagree:
  • “I completely disagree with this view because schools provide social interaction and practical learning that online education cannot fully replace.”
• Mostly disagree:
  • “Although online education offers greater flexibility, I largely disagree that it will replace traditional schools because classroom interaction remains essential for most students.”

Points to note:

• The opinion is clear (disagree).
• The main reasons are already visible (social/practical, interaction).

b) Discussion questions (two views + opinion)

Question:
“Some people think parents should teach children how to be good members of society, while others believe this is the role of schools. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.”

Thesis example:

• “Although schools play an important part in developing children’s social skills, I believe parents should have the main responsibility for teaching values and behaviour.”

Point to note:

• You show respect for both sides but clearly say which you support more.

c) Advantages / disadvantages, problem / solution, two‑part questions

You still need a position, even if the question does not say “opinion”.

• Advantages / disadvantages: Is it more positive or more negative overall?
• Problem / solution: Which problems are most serious? Which solutions are most practical?
• Two‑part: Which side of the second question do you support more?

Question:
“Do the advantages of fast food outweigh the disadvantages?”

Thesis example:

• “In my view, although fast food is convenient and affordable, its disadvantages for health are more significant in the long term.”

Points to note:

• You address both the advantages and the disadvantages.
• Your position is clear.

Also read:

Writing Thesis Statements for IELTS Writing Task 2 Essays

Typical Task Response Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

How to Generate Ideas for 5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types with WH- Questions

How to Stay on Topic in IELTS Writing Task 2

An Introduction to the 5 Question Types in IELTS Writing Task 2

An Introduction to 14 Common Topics for IELTS Writing Task 2

Once you have decided your position, you must select supporting ideas that clearly link back to it.

Use this simple filter:

• Does this idea support my overall position?
• Can I explain this idea in 2–3 sentences?
• Can I give a simple example?

If the answer is “no” to any of these, drop the idea.

Statement in a question:

“Online education will completely replace traditional schools.”

Your position: mostly disagree.

Band 6 ideas:

• “Online learning is sometimes useful for busy adults.” (True, but not strongly connected to “replace schools for most students”)
• “Technology is improving.” (Too general, hard to develop clearly)

Band 7 ideas:

• Online courses lack face‑to‑face social interaction.
• Some subjects (science labs, sports, art) need physical spaces and equipment.

Each body paragraph should develop one main idea that supports your position.

Also read:

Typical Task Response Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

How to Generate Ideas for 5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types with WH- Questions

How to Stay on Topic in IELTS Writing Task 2

An Introduction to the 5 Question Types in IELTS Writing Task 2

An Introduction to 14 Common Topics for IELTS Writing Task 2

A clear opinion in the introduction is not enough. The body paragraphs should also remain the examiner your standpoint. You need to “signal” your position inside each paragraph.

a) Use clear topic sentences

A topic sentence should show both the content and your attitude.

Compare:

• Band 6:

“Online learning has some benefits.”

• Band 7:

“Online learning certainly offers flexibility, but it cannot provide the daily social contact that traditional schools give students.”

The strong version clearly maintains your skeptical position.

b) Use evaluative language

Add words that show how strongly you feel:

• “a major advantage / a minor benefit”
• “a serious problem / a relatively small issue”
• “plays a vital role / plays a limited role”

These small words remind the examiner of your overall position.

Also read:

Practical Topic Sentence Writing Skills for Better Coherence in IELTS Writing Task 2

Vocabulary Strategies for IELTS Writing Task 2

Typical Task Response Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

How to Generate Ideas for 5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types with WH- Questions

How to Stay on Topic in IELTS Writing Task 2

An Introduction to the 5 Question Types in IELTS Writing Task 2

An Introduction to 14 Common Topics for IELTS Writing Task 2

A clear position must be backed by simple, believable examples, not memorised statistics or fake research. You can provide personal, statistical, hypothetical, anecdotal examples.

Personal example:

• “For example, when I was a university student, many of my classmates struggled to concentrate during online lectures because they were studying in noisy homes.”

Statistical example:

• “For instance, recent surveys in many major cities suggest that commuters can spend over two hours a day in traffic jams, which shows how serious congestion has become.”

Hypothetical example:

• “For example, a student who studies only through recorded online lessons may find it difficult to ask immediate questions, which could slow down their understanding.”

Anecdotal example:

• “For example, one of my colleagues switched from a traditional office job to remote work and initially enjoyed the flexibility, but after a few months she felt lonely and missed daily contact with her team.”

After the example, add a linking sentence to connect it directly to your point, such as:

• “This example shows that traditional schools still provide important social and emotional support that online learning cannot easily replace.”

Also read:

Typical Task Response Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

How to Generate Ideas for 5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types with WH- Questions

How to Stay on Topic in IELTS Writing Task 2

An Introduction to the 5 Question Types in IELTS Writing Task 2

An Introduction to 14 Common Topics for IELTS Writing Task 2

A common problem of developing a position is students try to be “balanced” and accidentally contradict themselves.

For example:

• Introduction: “I completely agree that public transport should be free for everyone.”
• Body 1: talks about advantages of free public transport.
• Body 2: argues strongly against free public transport and finishes with “Therefore, I disagree it should be free.”

This looks like two different essays.

To avoid this:

1. Choose “strong” or “mostly” instead of 50‑50.

• “I mostly agree…” gives you space to mention some drawbacks without changing the main direction.

2. Use contrast phrases carefully.

• “Although there are some drawbacks, I still believe…”
• “Despite these advantages, I remain convinced that…”

You can recognise exceptions, but always come back to your main point.

Also read:

Typical Task Response Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

How to Generate Ideas for 5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types with WH- Questions

How to Stay on Topic in IELTS Writing Task 2

An Introduction to the 5 Question Types in IELTS Writing Task 2

An Introduction to 14 Common Topics for IELTS Writing Task 2

Your conclusion is not a place to introduce new ideas. It is where you summarise your position and main reasons.

Structure:

1. Restate your overall position.
2. Briefly remind the reader of your two main supporting points.
3. (Optional) Add a short suggestion or prediction.

Example:

• “In conclusion, I do not believe that online education will completely replace traditional schools. While digital courses are extremely convenient, schools are still necessary to provide daily social interaction and hands‑on learning experiences for most students.”

The examiner finishes reading with your position clearly in mind.

Also read:

How to Apply 5 Conclusion Approaches to 5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types

Summarizing IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay in Conclusion

Typical Task Response Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

How to Generate Ideas for 5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types with WH- Questions

How to Stay on Topic in IELTS Writing Task 2

An Introduction to the 5 Question Types in IELTS Writing Task 2

An Introduction to 14 Common Topics for IELTS Writing Task 2

You should not memorise long templates, but a small set of flexible phrases can help you express your opinion clearly:

1. Stating your position in the introduction

• “I completely / strongly / partly agree that…”
• “I largely agree with this view, although there are some drawbacks.”
• “In my opinion, the disadvantages of X outweigh its advantages.”
• “Although I can understand why some people support X, I personally believe that…”

2. Maintaining your position in body paragraphs

• “The main reason why I hold this view is that…”
• “This strongly supports the idea that…”
• “For this reason, I am convinced that…”
• “Despite these benefits, I still believe that…”

3. Restating your position in the conclusion

• “In conclusion, I remain of the opinion that…”
• “To sum up, although X has certain advantages, I believe that…”
• “Overall, I am convinced that…”

Adapt these to your own style so they sound natural.

Also read:

Vocabulary Strategies for IELTS Writing Task 2

Collocation Strategies for IELTS Writing Task 2

Typical Task Response Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

How to Generate Ideas for 5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types with WH- Questions

How to Stay on Topic in IELTS Writing Task 2

An Introduction to the 5 Question Types in IELTS Writing Task 2

An Introduction to 14 Common Topics for IELTS Writing Task 2

A strong position in IELTS Writing Task 2 help you jump over some of the typical Task Response pitfalls. It is about giving the examiner a clear, consistent answer that is supported by logical reasons and relevant examples. When you decide your opinion before you write, choose ideas that match it, signal that opinion in each paragraph, and illustrate your points with simple, believable examples, your essay immediately becomes more focused and persuasive.

An Introduction to IELTS Academic Test

Everything You Need to Know about IELTS Academic Writing Test

An Overview of IELTS Writing Task 2

How IELTS Writing Task 2 is Assessed

What is Task Response in IELTS Writing Task 2 and how to reach Band 7+?

Typical Task Response Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

How to Generate Ideas for 5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types with WH- Questions

How to Stay on Topic in IELTS Writing Task 2

Writing Thesis Statements for IELTS Writing Task 2 Essays

What is Coherence and Cohesion in IELTS Writing Task 2 and how to reach Band 7+?

Typical Coherence and Cohesion Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

Upgrading Coherence in IELTS Writing Task 2

How to Apply 5 Introduction Approaches to 5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types

Paraphrasing in IELTS Writing Task 2 for Introduction

Practical Topic Sentence Writing Skills for Better Coherence in IELTS Writing Task 2

Practical Body Paragraph Writing Skills for Better Coherence in IELTS Writing Task 2

How to Apply 5 Conclusion Approaches to 5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Question Types

Summarizing IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay in Conclusion

Upgrading Cohesion in IELTS Writing Task 2

Mastering Linking Words for Cohesion in IELTS Writing Task 2

Mastering Reference Words for Cohesion in IELTS Writing Task 2

Mastering Substitution for Cohesion in IELTS Writing Task 2

Mastering Ellipsis for Cohesion in IELTS Writing Task 2

Mastering Lexical Cohesion for Cohesion in IELTS Writing Task 2

What is Lexical Resource in IELTS Writing Task 2 and how to reach Band 7+?

Typical Lexical Resource Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

Vocabulary Strategies for IELTS Writing Task 2

Collocation Strategies for IELTS Writing Task 2

Spelling Strategies for IELTS Writing Task 2

Paraphrasing Strategies for IELTS Writing Task 2

What is Grammatical Range and Accuracy in IELTS Writing Task 2 and how to reach Band 7+?

Typical Grammatical Range and Accuracy Pitfalls in IELTS Writing Task 2

Common Sentence Structure Problems and How to Fix Them for IELTS Writing Task 2

Common Grammar Problems and How to Fix them for IELTS Writing Task 2

Common Punctuation Problems and How to Fix Them for IELTS Writing Task 2

An Introduction to the 5 Question Types in IELTS Writing Task 2

An Introduction to 14 Common Topics for IELTS Writing Task 2

General Test Skills for IELTS Writing Task 2

Time Management Skills for IELTS Writing Task 2

Proofreading Skills for IELTS Writing Task 2

Common Mistakes to Avoid in IELTS Writing Task 2