The introduction is the first thing an examiner reads, and a strong introduction creates a positive first impression that influences the entire assessment. A weak or formulaic introduction, conversely, immediately signals Band 5–6 performance before the body paragraphs have even begun. IELTS introduction mistakes are highly specific and correctable — and fixing them in isolation can noticeably improve your writing score.
1Mistake 1: Copying the Prompt
The most common introduction mistake: copying the exam question verbatim into the first sentence of your introduction. 'Some people think that the government should invest more in public transportation. Do you agree or disagree?' → BAD: 'Some people think that the government should invest more in public transportation.' This demonstrates no paraphrasing ability and contributes nothing original. Fix: paraphrase the question using synonyms and different grammatical structure. 'The role of public investment in transit infrastructure is a subject of considerable debate. While some advocate for increased government funding of public transportation networks, others question whether this represents the most effective use of public resources.' This introduction: paraphrases the topic, introduces the debate, and sets up the position statement.
2Mistake 2: Formulaic Opening Lines
Memorised opening lines are identifiable to experienced examiners and are considered generic: 'In the modern world…', 'Since ancient times…', 'In today's fast-paced society…', 'It is a well-known fact that…', 'The world is changing rapidly and…'. These openings are recognised as templates, not authentic language use. They add no meaningful content to the introduction and signal the use of a memorised formula. Fix: begin your introduction by engaging directly with the topic. Paraphrase the question, introduce the debate or issue at stake, and then state your position or preview the discussion. Generic openings can be completely eliminated without any loss of content — and their elimination improves authenticity.
3Mistake 3: Thesis Absent or Unclear
For opinion questions ('Do you agree or disagree?'), the introduction must include a clear thesis — your explicit position on the question. Many Band 6 introductions hedge: 'There are arguments on both sides of this issue.' This is not a thesis for an opinion essay. Fix: state your position explicitly in the final sentence of the introduction: 'This essay argues that government investment in public transportation is essential and should be substantially increased.' For Discussion essays ('Discuss both views and give your opinion'), the final sentence should preview both sides and optionally state your personal position: 'Although economic arguments favour private transportation, this essay contends that the social and environmental benefits of public transit justify increased government funding.'
4Mistake 4: Introduction Too Long
Some candidates write 80–100 word introductions with extended background context before reaching their thesis. This wastes time and word count that should be used for body paragraph development. An IELTS Task 2 introduction should be 50–70 words (2–3 sentences maximum). Structure: Sentence 1: Background sentence — paraphrase the topic. Sentence 2 (optional): Brief contextualisation of the debate or issue. Final sentence: Thesis or essay overview. Fix: in practice essays, count your introduction words. If your introduction consistently exceeds 80 words, reduce background context and move directly to the thesis. The examiner does not need a detailed background discussion — they need to know your position and how you will develop it.
🎯 Key Takeaway
A strong IELTS introduction is specific, original, and concise. It paraphrases the question, briefly introduces the topic, and states a clear position. It does not copy the prompt, use memorised formulas, or spend excessive words on background. Practise writing introductions separately — without the rest of the essay — until this structure becomes automatic.