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How to use compare and contrast language in an IELTS Discussion Essay
By ielts-jonathan.com on 29 January 2021
How certain language improves you IELTS writing score
In the majority of IELTS essays and reports, there will be a need to signpost the direction of your essay.
At other times you will need to compare and contrast ideas from the question and contrast your own response.
In case you were unaware, signposting means showing your reader that the idea or point in your writing is taking a different direction.
This is an important element of a successful IELTS task essay.
Contrasting and comparing are also important in building a strong and logical argument too.
Both of these can add to the coherence of you essay and can make your message much clearer to the examiner.
In this post, I am going to use the following Task 2 question to demonstrate language patterns that compare or contrast topics in an appropriately academic way:
Sample IELTS Question
Some people that reading traditional books is better than reading the same material online. What is your opinion? Discuss both views in your response.
Your own ideas
Obviously we have to have our own ideas which we gain from planning .
Either way, it is obvious from the question that there will be some need to contrast and compare within the scope of the topic which is ‘ reading books online compared or contrasted to physical books ‘.
Here are some comparative linking language examples that will be helpful to the response:
IELTS Comparative Language
nevertheless
on the one hand / on the other hand
Despite this/ that
In contrast / In comparison
However , for some people, reading in this way is not productive, practical or enjoyable. Reading online nevertheless has its own unique advantages. On the one hand, there seems to be something more tangible with reading a paper book, but on the other hand paper-based books cannot offer the instantaneous access to vast amounts of data and easy of use.
As can be expected, comparative adjectives will also play an important role when comparing and contrasting something with something else.
IELTS Language to Compare
greater capacity
higher engagement
(As in ‘Unlike reading paper books, reading online allows…’)
In many ways, books are more flexible Today’s devices have a higher storage capacity than before This gives the reader a greater choice of when and what to read.
Signposting language or sentence ‘transition’ language helps the essay sequence its comparing and contrasting points.
However, as a writer, I have avoided using some of these in the following essay by using strong topic sentences .
IELTS Language that shows transition
in addition to this
In addition to this , there is little to distract the reader from the enjoyment of reading itself process. Thus , this gives the reader a greater choice of when and what to read. Therefore , an obvious conclusion is based on the personal preference and age of the individual.
Read the example essay below and see if you can identify some of the above language and examp les.
Any questions, leave a comment at the end for a reply!
Some people believe that reading traditional books is better than reading the same material online. What is your opinion? Discuss both views in your response.
There are both benefits and drawbacks to reading paper-based books and reading online materials using a laptop, phone or computer. This essay will examine both of these areas before reaching a personal conclusion.
The obvious advantage of books is that they can be read anywhere. In many ways, books are more flexible, for example, a book can be read on a train, beach or plane and does not require a Wi-Fi connection or internal storage as a phone does. In addition, for some people, books are more engaging and absorbing than reading materials online. In addition to this, there is little to distract the reader from the enjoyment of reading itself process.
Reading online nevertheless has its own unique advantages. With today’s devices popular with younger people, many books and journals can be stored within a devices’ memory which would normally require at least a bookshelf for storage or would be too heavy to carry in a bag. Thus, this gives the reader a greater choice of when and what to read. However, for some people, reading in this way is not productive, practical or enjoyable. Unless the reader is trained and disciplined, it is easy to be distracted, for example, by social media. Furthermore, research shows that less information is taken in or absorbed when reading online and it also encourages skimming and scanning practices rather than reading the detail. Thus, readers may miss or overlook important points or nuances that can be easily seen when reading paper-back books.
As a conclusion, it seems that there are benefits to both methods of reading. Therefore, an obvious conclusion is based on the personal preference and age of the individual. However, if I were to recommend a certain method, it would be reading paper books due my personal preference of convenience and the enjoyment it brings.
Introduction and Body 1
Body 2 and Conclusion
Don’t forget to leave a comment if you have a question.
I’m Jonathan
I’ve taught IELTS and University English in more than a dozen universities and schools around the world.
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This is an important element of a successful IELTS task essay. Contrasting and comparing are also important in building a strong and logical argument too. Both of these can add to the coherence of you essay and can make your message much clearer to the examiner. In this post, I am going to use the following Task 2 question to demonstrate ...