⚡ TL;DR
A detailed guide to this IELTS Writing Task 2 essay type, with structure templates, useful vocabulary, and techniques to achieve Band 7+.
Originally published June 2020. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.
IELTS Writing Task 2 – How To Write A Positive-Negative Essay
21 page PDF download will tell you how to write a positive/negative essay for IELTS Writing Task 2.
How To Write An IELTS Positive Or Negative Essay
Do you want to learn how to create a positive/negative essay worthy of a high band score in writing task 2?
Learn the structure needed, useful vocabulary and take a look at the sample answer
IELTS Positive/Negative Essay Sample: Music
Young people prefer listening to music rather than listening to the news on the radio. Is this a positive or a negative trend? Provide reasons and examples for your opinion.
Take a look at the sample answer.
IELTS Positive/Negative Essay Sample: Economics
Companies spend millions each year on advertising online, in magazines and on billboards. These adverts can encourage people to buy goods that they do not really need. What are the positive and negative effects of consumerism?
Take a look at the sample answer.
IELTS Positive/Negative Essay Sample: Technology
Some car manufacturing companies have stated that there is a possibility that we will see flying cars in the future. Why is this going to happen? Will it be a positive or negative development?
Take a look at the sample answer.
IELTS Positive/Negative Essay Sample: Fashion
More and more people are finding it increasingly important to wear fashionable clothes. Is this attitude to wearing clothes a positive or negative development?
Take a look at the sample answer.
IELTS Positive/Negative Essay Sample: Economics
Many people prefer to spend money and not save it. What are the reasons? Is this a positive or negative development?
Take a look at the sample answer.
How to Write a Positive or Negative Development Essay
This essay type asks you to evaluate whether a given trend or situation is positive, negative, or both. Your task is to present a clear opinion supported by specific reasons and examples.
Essay Structure
- Introduction: Paraphrase the statement, then clearly state whether you consider it a positive or negative development (or both).
- Body Paragraph 1: Discuss the positive aspects with specific examples and explanations.
- Body Paragraph 2: Discuss the negative aspects (if arguing “both”) or provide further support for your position.
- Conclusion: Restate your position and summarise the key reasons.
Common Topics
- The trend of people working from home
- The increasing use of technology in education
- Young people leaving rural areas for cities
- The growth of international tourism
- The rise of social media communication
Key Phrases
| Positive | Negative |
|---|---|
| This is largely a positive development because… | The drawbacks of this trend outweigh the benefits… |
| One significant advantage is… | A major concern is that… |
| This has led to improvements in… | This has resulted in a decline in… |
Originally published on IELTS Achieve. Last reviewed 3 July 2026.