Why This Matters
Many IELTS students fall into the trap of using memorised phrases they’ve picked up from textbooks, YouTube videos, or dodgy online templates. These so-called “academic openers” do more harm than good. They don’t answer the question, they waste your word count, and they make your writing sound robotic. Examiners are trained to spot this kind of filler — and they will mark you down for it. If you want to sound natural, focused, and in control, these phrases have to go.
What Are Learned Statements?
Learned statements are memorised phrases or sentences that students drop into their essays to sound academic. They’re often taught as “templates” or “essay openers,” but they usually add zero value. Instead, they come across as robotic, vague, or completely irrelevant.
Common examples include:
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“This is a controversial issue which has attracted a lot of debate.”
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“Since the dawn of time, humans have been concerned with this matter.”
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“There are many pros and cons to this topic, which I will now discuss.”
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“It is a universally acknowledged fact that…”
These phrases are not your voice. They’re padding — and examiners are trained to spot them.
Why Are Learned Statements a Problem?
1. They don’t answer the question.
IELTS is not an essay-writing competition. It’s a test of your ability to respond clearly and logically to a prompt. If your opening line is a vague generalisation, you’re already failing to do that.
2. They waste time and words.
Every sentence should serve a purpose. Learned statements usually do nothing. That space could be used to develop a real argument, clarify your stance, or give a specific example.
3. They sound unnatural.
Nobody actually speaks this way. Examiners want to see natural, precise, formal language — not phrases lifted from a 1990s exam book.
4. They lower your score for Task Response and Coherence.
A clear, focused answer that sticks to the point scores much higher than one filled with fluff. These statements suggest poor planning and a lack of confidence.
What Should You Do Instead?
Get to the Point
Begin your essay by paraphrasing the question clearly and stating your opinion (if required). That’s it.
No hooks. No sweeping statements. Just show the examiner you understand the task and are ready to answer it.
Bad:
Since the beginning of civilisation, people have disagreed about education.
Better:
Some believe students should study a wide range of subjects, while others think they should focus only on those useful for future careers.
Use Your Own Voice
If you wouldn’t say it in a formal conversation, don’t write it in your essay.
Instead of dropping in a learned phrase, ask yourself:
What do I want to say here?
Then say it — simply and clearly.
Learn Real Sentence Patterns
Use sentence stems that actually structure your argument. For example:
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So, why do I hold this stance?
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One major issue is that…
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A good example of this is…
These help guide the examiner through your logic — and they’re consistent with the essay structures taught on this site.
Final Advice
Drop the fluff. Lose the learned statements.
If you want a high score in IELTS Writing, focus on:
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Clarity
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Structure
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Relevance
The examiner doesn’t care how many “big words” or memorised phrases you use.
They care whether you answered the question properly.