I saw this question from an IELTS student:
Does the task 2 writing part always need one advantage and one disadvantage paragraph in the main body? Or when should I not write both views?
Since everyone I asked had different answers, I hope someone here can help me further
The answer of course is when the question requires it otherwise don’t do it!
If the question asks you to describe the advantages and disadvantages of something then you need to address both but if it doesn’t then you don’t.
I think, actually what I am saying is read and analyse the question and then you’ll know what it is asking you to do.
There isn’t a ‘one-size-fits-all’ answer that you can prepare before the exam.
So in Task 2 the first thing you must do is analyse the question and see what exactly it is asking you to do – then decide what you need for your answer – then decide what goes where in the paragraphs – then write.
This is called – planning - it is the most useful tool in writing as it helps you to organise, meet all the requirements, do the task more easily, avoid problems with cohesion, write more accurately and also compete the task faster giving time to check!!
Phew why on earth wouldn’t you do this marvellous thing – plan?
Yet, amazingly – many - maybe most do not do it!!
So I have 2 examples of how to analyse, brainstorm ideas and come up with a good plan which can then be easily transformed’ into full sentences, paragraphs etc, to produce a good Task 2 piece of writing.
You can find them in Free Resources and you can download and read
(IELTS Writing Brainstorming and Planning).
https://ieltslearningtips.com/free-ielts-resources/
Contrary to what people like to tell me - this does not take time in the exam. It does, however, take practice before the exam.
I can also report that this is the way many of my students organise their writing and they all say it makes it much easier to do and most of the achieve Band 7 and 7.5 in their exam.
So there you go 😊