從應考方面而言，在接觸一個雅思寫作議論文題目時，我們必須要掌握的是文章的結構。嚴謹的結構對觀點的表達有事半功倍的作用。近幾年的雅思議論文考題，可以歸納為兩大類：討論類和分析解決型。
I 分析解決型
此類問題模式通常會給出一個話題，如juvenile delinquency，要求考生分析產生此問題的原因，並給出一些緩解的方法。我們首先也來熟悉下此類問題模式
1). Crime is increasing in many countries. Discuss some of the reasons for this increase and suggest some ways in which government can combat the problems.
2). Nowadays, people are facing more and more work-related stress. State the possible reasons for this phenomenon and make some recommendations about how to solve it.
3). What are some of the problems associated with the drug abuse? Give some suggestions about how to alleviate it?
4). Overpopulation of the elderly is increasingly severe in almost every country. Analyse some reasons and state the effects on the society.
上面兩題中共同出現的兩個訊號詞分別是reasons，suggestions，problems和effects。所以有這四個詞我們可以確定它為分析解決型，和討論類題目有著本質的區別。它們所對應的文章結構見下圖。
Introduction
Background + layout
Body
ons / Problems
Topic Sentence + Reason One / Problem One + supporting sentences
+ Reason Two / Problem Two + supporting sentences
2. Suggestions / Effects
Topic sentence + Suggestion One / Effect One + ss
+ Suggestion Two / Effect Two + ss
Conclusion:
Restatement of the Body
上述結構是分析解決型的一種非常常見的對應結構，我們應該問什麼答什麼。有時題目會出現只問problems或reasons，結構也要相應的發生變化，即只回答幾個問題或原因。
II討論類
1. Definition:
何為討論類文章，即對一個給定的觀點以及與其相對立的觀點進行討論，或就一個話題的兩個對立的方面：積極和消極方面進行探討，發表自己的觀點。顧名思義，討論類文章分為觀點類討論和優缺點討論。這兩種議論型別所對應的問題模式常見的有：Do you agree or disagree, What is your opinion? To what extent do you agree or disagree?等。請看下面的列表來熟悉此類問題模式。
1). Nowadays, some universities offer students skills that assist them to find employment, but some people believe that the main function of a university should be to provide students with access to knowledge for its sake. What is your opinion?
2). Some people think that using animals for experimentation purpose is necessary for the development of science. Do you agree or disagree with this opinion?
3). The main purpose of public libraries is to provide books and they should not waste their limited resources and space on providing expensive hi-tech media such as computer software, videos and DVDs. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
4). Tourism is becoming a good source of revenue for many countries. Discuss both the advantages and disadvantages of exploring this resource.
5). In many countries, the number of elderly people is increasing fast. Does this trend have more positive or negative effects on the society?
以上五題中有對一個觀點發表自己觀點的，也有給出兩個觀點再發表自己觀點的，也有對一個話題的兩個方面進行論述的，這些都屬於討論類，其中1、2、3題屬於觀點類討論，而4、5題為優缺點討論。
2. 結構分析
1)單邊論證
熟悉了問題模式後，我們來分析一下其所對應的文章結構。以上五種問題模式，考生在未接觸雅思前較熟悉的是Do you agree or disagree?和 What is your opinion?而通常這兩類問題所對應的文章可以用以下的五段論結構來完成：引言段(introduction)提出觀點，正文(body)三段通過三個理由來對觀點進行論證，結尾段(conclusion)重申一下自己的.觀點。因為此種結構只對自己支援的觀點進行論證，因此叫單邊論證，可以用下圖來表示：
Introduction
Background+My Opinion
Body:
on One + Supportiong Sentences(ss表示)
on Two + SS
on Three + SS
Conclusion:
Restatement of My Opinion
上述結構中的supporting sentences在議論文中的體現方式是一些論證方法，如舉例子(exemplification)，對比對照(contrast& comparison)，列資料(raising figures)，讓步(making concession)等來對自己支援的觀點進行論證，使考官信服。而此類結構也是中國學生較熟悉的議論文結構，在各類中國的考試中，如大學聯考英語、大學四六級考試等，應用也較廣。但是單邊論證的缺點，就中國學生而言，是較難擴充套件論證過程，而且像講道理、舉例子等論證方法必須正確使用，顯示其邏輯性才能得到高分。
2)雙邊論證
然而通過專家總結髮現，近年來，劍5和劍6後面考官提供的高分甚至滿分範文都採用了另一種論證方法，稱為雙邊論證。雙邊論證基本為四段論，它與單邊的最大區別在正文，正文兩段分別對題幹提出的兩個觀點或優缺點進行論證。我們也通過下圖來認識此種結構：
Introduction
Background+ My Opinion / Layout
