LanguageCert Academic Writing Part 2: how to write the discursive essay

Part 2 is where most of the Writing marks sit, because it is worth 60 per cent. The statement is short and the instruction is always some form of "discuss and give your own opinion". The marks go to the candidates who treat that instruction as a plan: two views handled fairly, an opinion that follows from them, and ideas developed rather than listed. This guide covers how to plan, structure and develop about 250 words, with a worked plan and practice statements.

For the task table, the four criteria and the general pitfalls, see LanguageCert Academic Writing, task by task. This guide is about Part 2 only.

What does Writing Part 2 ask you to write?

A formal essay on an academic subject, addressed to a specified reader. In the official practice papers the prompt is a statement, followed by an instruction and a length: "Write about 250 words." Paper 2 asks for the essay for a college tutor.

The Handbook says the instruction elicits functions such as compare and contrast, persuasion, argument, hypothesis, evaluation, analysis and presenting solutions. In practice, the official papers use one pattern: discuss the view or views, then give your own opinion.

What is the difference between "Discuss this view" and "Discuss both of these views"?

Both forms appear in the official practice papers. Papers 1 and 3 give a statement with two opposing views and say "Discuss both of these views and give your own opinion." Paper 2 gives a single view and says "Discuss this view and give your own opinion."

The structure differs only slightly:

• Two views: give each its own paragraph, then your opinion.
• One view: give the strongest case for it and the strongest case against it, in two paragraphs, then your opinion. The "other side" is whatever a reasonable person would say in reply.

Where does my own opinion go?

LanguageCert's tips for candidates say to express your personal view in the conclusion. The Test Taker Guide says you finish with your own opinion. You can signal your position in one sentence of the introduction as well, so that the reader knows where the essay is going. That signposting is our suggestion, not an official requirement.

Give both views a fair, developed paragraph even if you disagree with one of them. The Handbook's description of Task Achievement is whether you have done what was asked, and the task is to discuss.

How should I use the 25 minutes?

LanguageCert suggests 20 minutes for Part 1, 25 for Part 2 and 5 for reviewing, which is 2 minutes of planning and 3 minutes of final checks. Checked 15 and 16 October 2026. For Part 2, a split that fits those figures, ours:

1. Plan (about 2 minutes): read the statement and any reader named. Write two or three ideas for each side, then pick your own view and two reasons.
2. Write (about 20 minutes): 50 words of introduction, 60 for each view, 50 for your own view and 30 for the conclusion.
3. Check (about 3 minutes): every sentence for tense, agreement and spelling, then the count against 250.

What structure fits about 250 words?

Five short paragraphs, one per job, with the budget above. The introduction paraphrases the statement and signals what you will do. Each view paragraph has a topic sentence, an explanation and an example. The opinion paragraph says where you stand and why. The conclusion restates the position in one or two sentences without adding new points.

How do I develop each idea?

LanguageCert's tips say to compare and contrast both views, offering definitions, examples, evaluation and cause-and-effect reasoning. A reliable pattern for each idea is point, explanation, example:

• Point: one claim in one sentence.
• Explanation: why it is true, or what follows from it, using cause and effect.
• Example: a concrete case, such as a type of school, a kind of food or a common situation.

Two developed ideas in a paragraph do more than four undeveloped ones. The tips say to support and expand ideas with examples, explanations or data.

What language and tone does Part 2 need?

A formal style with an objective tone, using the language of argument and persuasion. The tips add:

• Use linking words such as "however", "in addition", "furthermore" and "therefore" to structure the response logically.
• Replace generic words like "good" and "bad" with more descriptive alternatives.
• Avoid contractions, which are not suitable for formal writing.

Hedging helps you state a position without overclaiming: "it could be argued that", "this may reflect", "in most cases".

What if I disagree strongly with one view?

Write the fair version of it first, then explain your disagreement in the opinion paragraph. An essay that dismisses one view in a sentence has not discussed it, which is what the instruction asks. Phrases such as "supporters of this view argue that" let you set out a position without claiming it.

How is Writing Part 2 marked?

The same four criteria apply as in Part 1: Task Achievement, Accuracy and Range of Grammar, Accuracy and Range of Vocabulary, and Organisation (Coherence), each scored 0 to 8. Spelling accuracy sits in the vocabulary criterion and punctuation in Organisation (Handbook, section 3). Checked 15 and 16 October 2026. The criteria and weighting are set out on the Writing page and in the scoring guide.

LanguageCert publishes a writing booklet with sample Part 2 answers at different levels and examiner comments on each criterion. They are the most direct evidence of what the marking looks like.

What mistakes should I avoid in Part 2?

• Writing a prepared essay on a similar topic. Off-topic responses receive no credit, so answer the statement in front of you.
• Covering one view and mentioning the other in passing. The instruction says to discuss.
• Missing the opinion, or putting it nowhere near the conclusion.
• Listing ideas without developing them. Each paragraph needs at least one explanation and one example.
• An informal register, such as contractions, "lots of" or "kids", in a formal essay.
• No conclusion. The tips say to express your personal view in it.

Here is a worked plan

This plan is ours, for the zoo statement below. It is not an official sample answer.

Statement: Some people think that zoos play a vital role in protecting endangered species and teaching the public about wildlife. Others believe that keeping wild animals in captivity is cruel and cannot be justified, however good the intentions. Discuss both of these views and give your own opinion.

• Introduction (about 50 words): "Zoos remain among the most debated institutions in wildlife conservation. Supporters argue that they protect endangered species and educate visitors, whereas critics maintain that confining wild animals is cruel whatever the purpose. This essay considers both views before explaining why zoos can be justified only under strict conditions."
• Paragraph 2, the case for zoos: topic sentence "Defenders of zoos point first to conservation." Explain that breeding programmes can keep a species going while its habitat is under threat. Example: a visitor who sees an animal up close may care more about protecting it.
• Paragraph 3, the case against: topic sentence "Critics, however, argue that welfare cannot be separated from conservation." Explain that enclosures cannot match a wild animal's range. Example: repeated pacing as a sign of stress.
• Paragraph 4, my view: zoos are acceptable only if welfare standards are high and the zoo contributes real conservation work. A zoo that exists mainly for entertainment is much harder to defend.
• Conclusion (about 30 words): restate the position and the condition, with no new points.

Practice items from the ScoreFluent bank (not real exam questions)

These are ScoreFluent practice items, not real LanguageCert statements. Plan for two minutes, then write about 250 words in about 20 minutes. Some bank statements give one view and some give two, as the official papers do.

Item 1: Competitive sport

Statement: It is often said that competitive sport should be optional in schools, because it discourages children who are not naturally athletic.

Instruction: Discuss this view and give your own opinion.

Item 2: Genetically modified crops

Statement: Some scientists claim that genetically modified crops offer the best hope of feeding a growing world population, and that public fears about them are largely unfounded.

Instruction: Discuss this view and give your own opinion.

Item 3: Homework

Statement: It is sometimes suggested that homework should be banned in primary schools, because young children learn more from play and rest than from extra work at the kitchen table.

Instruction: Discuss this view and give your own opinion.

Item 4: Taxing sugary foods

Statement: Some people argue that governments should place heavy taxes on sugary and processed foods in order to improve public health. Others maintain that what people eat is a personal choice with which the state should not interfere.

Instruction: Discuss both of these views and give your own opinion.

How can I practise Part 2 with scoring?

ScoreFluent shows the statement, takes your typed essay and returns a practice estimate against the four criteria, with an examiner report (10 credits). The estimate is not an official LanguageCert score. New accounts start with 40 free credits. Credits never expire and there is no subscription.

Start with 40 free credits →

Also in this series: Writing Part 1, the report from a chart. For speaking, see Speaking Part 1, the interview questions, where the same answer, reason, example pattern applies. The full format is on the LanguageCert Academic hub.

Sources

ScoreFluent is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to LanguageCert or PeopleCert. Format and marking facts above come from LanguageCert's published documents. Checked 15 and 16 October 2026.

• LanguageCert Academic Qualification Handbook, version 9.0: the Writing 2 task, weighting, criteria and the off-topic rule.
• LanguageCert Academic tips for candidates: the time allocation, the planning, tone and conclusion advice.
• LanguageCert Academic Test Taker Guide: the two-opposing-views description and the word-count note.
• LanguageCert Academic writing booklet: sample answers with examiner comments.
• Official practice papers: the Writing Part 2 statements and instructions.
• LanguageCert Academic exam page: the 50-minute Writing total and the 250-word Part 2.