The most crucial paragraph in the IELTS writing task 1 by far, is the overview. Achieving a score of 7 or higher is difficult without a good one.
An overview is a brief summary of the most relevant points in a chart, graph, process, or map. It typically consists of 2-3 sentences and should be the second paragraph of your report. It influences the remainder of your report.
I like to think of this analogy, an overview of anything is like flying at cruising altitude in a plane. Somewhere at 30,000 feet or above -you can’t see much and certainly cannot make out the people on the ground. This is the level of detail you will give. No data, no specifics -just the main features as you cruise above.
Keep that in mind as you learn how to write an effective overview. Effective overview = better score.
Give ‘em what they want.
Examiners look for your overview immediately. Why? Because it demonstrates that you can identify the most relevant information from the graph or chart, and clearly identify the overall trends and comparisons. When you look at the official marking criteria, you’ll find that the overview is mentioned from Band 5-7, with Band 7 stating: ) it presents a clear overview, the data are appropriately categorized, and main trends or differences are identified. So, if you do not provide a clear overview as I mentioned before, you will not be able to earn above a 7, and if you do not have an overview at all you’ll score below a 5.
It is super important, so let's get clear on exactly what an overview paragraph is.
It can be helpful to group image(s) in the question of the chart, graph, process, or map into two main categories:
1. Data-related, such as pie charts, line graphs, bar charts/ graphs, and tables. In other words: images with numbers.
2. Processes of change: such as processes, maps, and plans.
You’ll need to adopt a different approach, depending on which image you have and the category it belongs to.
For our purposes in this blog post, I focus on data-related questions.
For process/ diagram writing tasks read this post here.
The best part is the question for academic writing task 1 is always the same:
“Summarize the information by selecting and reporting the main features and make comparisons where relevant.”
You will always know to give a short summary of the main features. Do this in your overview by selecting the 3 or 4 most relevant things you see and writing about them generally. You do not need to present any data from the graph or chat at this stage.
Which features are the main features?
Good question.
You are likely to see two different types of charts and graphs: dynamic and static.
When comparing the two, it's important to note that dynamic charts show data over time, while static charts only show data at one point in time. This distinction affects the type of data you'll select for each type of chart.
When analyzing dynamic graphs, you should pay attention to the following aspects:
• The behavior of the data from the beginning to the end of the graph.
• Whether the data consistently increases or decreases, or if it fluctuates.
• Any significant deviations from the general trend.
• The overall trend of increase or decrease.
• Peaks and lows that occur in the data.
On the other hand, when you analyze static graphs, you should focus on the following:
• The highest and lowest values of the graph.
• The most noticeable differences between the data points.
• Any similarities between the data points.
• Significant exceptions or anomalies in the data.
Your report framework -how your overview slides into the report
This is the framework you should use for every academic writing task 1. If you commit this to memory, you’ll never waste time on how to format your report. You will always write a four-paragraph report. NEVER include a conclusion in writing task 1. Conclusions are only in your writing task 2 discursive essays.
Paragraph 1 – paraphrased sentence by paraphrasing the question.
Paragraph 2 – OVERVIEW
Paragraph 3 – details
Paragraph 4 – details
Always write your overview first it will accomplish two things:
1) it acts as a guidepost to the reader, in your case the examiner, that you have identified the main features.
2) it will help you write the detail paragraphs as you’ll take the statements made in the overview and support them with the data.
What about grammar in the IELTS academic writing task 1 overview?
I have a more detailed post on grammar and vocabulary that will help you write your report, but here are some key things to keep in mind.
Try your best to make complex sentences. Simple sentences will lower your score and compound while better are not best.
Complex sentences will have more than one clause. You can make them by using a subordinate clause, where you join two pieces of information with words like:
• although
• and
• even though
• while
• whereas
A word of caution: as I always say, please do not use vocabulary or grammatical structures unless you are 100% confident in how to use them. Aim for error-free writing!
Have a look at the example below: (the Overview is in bold)
Cambridge IELTS 18
From the line graph, one can see the average monthly rise or fall in how much copper, nickel, and zinc cost throughout 2014.
Overall, nickel started with the highest percentage change but ended with the lowest, whereas zinc began with the smallest change and ended with the highest. While copper prices fluctuated, they were the most consistent throughout the year.
Nickel was up six percent in January but dropped to negative three percent in June, rebounding in July by two percent but ended the year with the least gains and down five percent from January. Even though zinc had a dramatic increase of three percent in February it fell to four percent by June, and after the mid-year dip, it gained an overall one percent increase in price from the start of 2014 finishing the year higher than the other two metals.
While the other two metals saw very dramatic highs and lows in 2014, copper prices did not fluctuate as dramatically. It began the year at a two percent change and finished just under two percent in December.
That's a wrap!
There is your Overview in a nutshell. A very important paragraph, that doesn’t need to be more than 3 sentences and gives 30,000 feet look at the data.
As you are studying you may find these other posts helpful:
IELTS Writing Task 1: Academic + General Training. What do I need to know?
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1: Your 5-step strategy