Templated language consists of stock phrases, sentences, or even entire paragraphs that candidates memorize and insert into their IELTS Writing Task 1 or Task 2 responses. This approach is often adopted in the belief that it will save time or guarantee certain grammatical structures.
However, relying heavily on templated language can negatively impact your band score. IELTS examiners are trained to identify such language. When an essay contains pre-learned phrases that do not fit naturally with the essay's specific topic or argument, it can make the writing sound unnatural and forced. This directly affects the 'Lexical Resource' and 'Coherence and Cohesion' criteria.
Why Templated Language is Problematic for IELTS Writing
- Lack of Task Response: Templated language often prevents candidates from fully addressing the specific demands of the prompt. The pre-learned phrases might not align with the nuances of the question, leading to an off-topic or partially developed response.
- Unnatural Phrasing: When templated phrases are shoehorned into an essay, they can disrupt the flow and natural rhythm of the writing, making it sound artificial rather than genuinely communicative.
- Limited Lexical Range: Over-reliance on templates restricts the demonstration of a wide and appropriate vocabulary. Examiners look for evidence of a candidate's ability to use a range of vocabulary precisely and flexibly.
- Grammatical Inaccuracies: Even if a template is grammatically correct in isolation, its integration into an essay might create awkward or incorrect sentence structures when combined with original content.
Example: A candidate might memorize the phrase “It is undeniable that this is a controversial issue that has sparked considerable debate globally.” While grammatically sound, if this phrase is used to introduce a simple topic like the benefits of exercise, it sounds overly dramatic and inappropriate, indicating a lack of genuine understanding and natural expression.
