How to Write a Strong Overview for IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
The overview is one of the most important parts of your IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 essay. In fact, without a good overview, it’s hard to score above a 7. This short section helps the examiner understand if you can identify the main points in a graph, chart, or map and summarize them clearly.
What is an Overview?
An overview is simply a short summary of the most important features in the graph or chart. It’s typically 2-3 sentences long and should come right after your paraphrased introduction. You’re not going into detail here, just giving a general summary of the main trends or features.
Why is the Overview Important?
The overview is one of the first things an examiner looks at. It shows that you can:
Identify the key information in the graph or chart.
Understand the overall trends and comparisons in the data.
According to the official IELTS marking scheme, if you don’t include an overview, your score will be below 5. If you pick the right data for your overview, you can score a 6, and if it’s clear and well-written, you can aim for a 7.
How Do I Write an Overview?
To write a good overview, you need to summarize the main features of the data without referring to specific numbers or figures. This means you should focus on things like:
For dynamic charts (data over time):
Does the data go up or down over time?
Is there a significant increase or decrease?
Are there any noticeable peaks or lows?
For static charts (data at a single point in time):
What are the highest and lowest values?
Are there significant differences between values?
Any similarities or exceptions?
Remember, you’re looking at the big picture here—don’t worry about the exact numbers.
What Grammar Should I Use?
Try using complex sentences in your overview to show your range of grammar. You can do this by joining two pieces of information with words like “while,” “although,” “with,” “even though,” or “whereas.” Just make sure you understand how to use these words correctly in sentences.
Where Does the Overview Fit in My Essay?
Your overview should be the second paragraph in a simple four-paragraph structure:
Paragraph 1: Paraphrase the question.
Paragraph 2: Write the overview.
Paragraph 3: Provide details (support the trends or features you mentioned in the overview).
Paragraph 4: Provide more details (support the other key features).
It’s best to write the overview first because it helps you identify the most important features and sets you up for writing the details paragraphs.
Should I Write a Conclusion?
No, don’t write a conclusion. Task 1 is not an opinion essay—it’s about summarizing the data. Save conclusions for Task 2, where you express your own opinions.
Next Steps
I hope you found this post helpful! If you have any questions or need further clarification, feel free to drop a comment below.
Alternatively, you can always reach out to us via email at: info@sultanaconsultancy.com.
For more support with IELTS Writing Task 1, you might find my Grammar Guide for IELTS Task 1 useful. It’s packed with useful phrases that will help you describe data effectively.