How to Write a Band 9 Agree or Disagree Essay for IELTS Writing Task 2 - A Complete Tutorial ✍️🎯

IELTS Writing Task 2: A Complete Tutorial ✍️🎯

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Writing a clear, convincing, and well-structured agree or disagree essay is a common challenge for IELTS Writing Task 2. But don’t worry! This step-by-step tutorial will guide you through the process with practical tips and examples to help you write a Band 9 essay confidently.

Step 1: Understand the Question 📋

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Agree or disagree questions ask you to take a clear position—either you agree or disagree with a statement. Some versions also ask to what extent you agree or disagree, but your opinion should always be clear.

Example question:

“A big salary is much more important than job satisfaction. Do you agree or disagree? Provide relevant examples.”

Step 2: Choose Your Opinion Clearly ✅❌

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• You must choose either full agreement or complete disagreement with the statement.
• Avoid mixed or neutral opinions; this clarity helps examiners award higher scores.
• If unsure, pick the side you can support with stronger points.

Step 3: Generate Supporting Points 💡

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Think of 2-3 reasons supporting your chosen opinion. For the example question:

• If you agree:
  • A high salary provides financial security and life satisfaction.
  • Money supports basic needs and lifestyle improvements.
• If you disagree:
  • Job satisfaction leads to happiness and motivation.
  • Enjoying work promotes career growth and life fulfillment.

Step 4: Plan Your Essay Structure 🏗️

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A Band 9 essay typically includes:

1. Introduction — Paraphrase the question and state your opinion clearly.
2. Body Paragraph 1 — Reason #1 supporting your opinion.
3. Body Paragraph 2 — Reason #2 supporting your opinion.
4. Conclusion — Summarize your opinion and key points briefly.

Step 5: Writing the Introduction ✍️

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• Paraphrase the question using synonyms and different sentence structures.
• Clearly state your position (agree or disagree) at the end of the introduction.

Example:

It is often argued that choosing a job with a high salary is more advantageous than job satisfaction. However, I completely disagree and believe that job satisfaction is far more important than salary.

Step 6: Writing Body Paragraphs with Examples 📝

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Use this 5-sentence template for each body paragraph:

1. State your main reason. Firstly, I believe job satisfaction provides a sense of fulfillment that money cannot guarantee.
2. Explain your reason. Even if someone makes a high salary but feels unhappy, they will not enjoy a good quality of life.
3. Elaborate further. On the other hand, pursuing work one enjoys brings pleasure and motivation.
4. Give a relevant example. For example, many famous scientists chose their careers out of passion, not for financial gain.
5. Summarize. Therefore, fulfillment from work outweighs the importance of a high salary.

Repeat a similar format for the second reason:

Secondly, doing what you like keeps individuals motivated, often leading to better career success and productivity. For instance, noted author Henry Miller left a stable job for writing and eventually became very successful. Hence, the benefits of job satisfaction surpass those of salary in the long run.

Step 7: Writing a Strong Conclusion 🔚

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• Briefly restate your opinion and summarize your main points.
• Use phrases like:
  • To conclude,
  • In summary,
  • Overall,

Example:

To conclude, I strongly believe job satisfaction is more beneficial than a high salary because it brings happiness and motivation, which ultimately leads to greater success.

Final Tips for Band 9 Success 🌟

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• Use varied sentence structures and advanced vocabulary.
• Stay on topic and avoid irrelevant information.
• Write between 260–290 words for balance; don’t go too short or too long.
• Proofread quickly for grammar and spelling if time permits.

Complete Sample Essay Opening

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It is often argued that choosing a job with a high salary is more advantageous than job satisfaction. However, I completely disagree and believe that job satisfaction is far more important than salary.

Firstly, I believe job satisfaction provides a sense of fulfillment that money cannot guarantee. Even if someone makes a high salary but feels unhappy, they will not enjoy a good quality of life. On the other hand, pursuing work one enjoys brings pleasure and motivation. For example, many famous scientists chose their careers out of passion, not for financial gain. Therefore, fulfillment from work outweighs the importance of a high salary.

By following this step-by-step tutorial, you will master how to compose a convincing agree or disagree essay that clearly communicates your viewpoint and impresses IELTS examiners. Happy writing! ✍️🎉 ¹