Why an Overview Matters in IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 (And How to Write One)
When you’re tackling IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, your job is to describe the key features of a visual—such as a graph, chart, table, or diagram. One element that many students overlook—but is crucial to scoring Band 7 or higher—is the overview.
Let’s explore why the overview is so important, where it should go, and how to write one confidently.
What Is an Overview?
In simple terms, the overview is a summary of the most notable trends, features, or changes in the visual(s). Unlike the body paragraphs, the overview doesn’t include specific data (like numbers or percentages). Instead, it gives a general picture of what the visuals show.
Depending on the task, your overview may highlight:
- Overall trends (increase, decrease, fluctuation)
- Key differences or similarities
- Major changes or developments
- Standout features (e.g., the highest/lowest values)
- Steps in a process or changes over time
If you’re given more than one visual (e.g., two charts or a map and a plan), your overview should cover both visuals, either together (if they’re related) or separately (if they aren’t).
Where Should You Put the Overview?
The overview is usually placed after the introduction, making it the second sentence in your response. Here’s why:
- The introduction tells the examiner what you’re describing (e.g., what kind of chart, when the data was collected).
- The overview gives a big-picture summary of the visual before you go into detailed descriptions.
Some students put the overview at the end like a conclusion, but Task 1 does not require a formal conclusion. If you’re short on time, including it near the beginning helps ensure it’s not forgotten.
Pro tip: Put the overview early (right after the introduction) so the examiner clearly sees you’ve covered the main trend or insight.
How to Write a Strong Overview
Here’s a simple two-step method to write your overview:
- Start with a linking phrase:
- Overall,
- In summary,
- To summarise,
- In brief,
- It can be seen that…
- Mention the main feature or trend:
- Is there a steady increase or decrease?
- Is there a peak or low point?
- Are there noticeable changes over time?
- Is something added, removed, or transformed (especially for maps/plans)?
- Do two visuals show a connection?
Sample Overview Sentences
| Visual Type | Example Overview |
|---|---|
| Table | Overall, the total number of people employed rose steadily, while the proportion of women in the workforce declined. |
| Chart | In summary, Germany remained the leading vehicle producer, followed by France and Norway. |
| Process | It can be clearly seen that the process involves six stages, starting with raw materials and ending with the final product. |
| Map | Overall, the village underwent significant transformation over the century, shifting from a rural area to a tourist hub. |
| Plan | In brief, while the overall space remains unchanged, the internal layout moves towards a more open-plan design. |
| Graph | To summarise, cinema attendance was highest among younger age groups and lowest among older adults. |
| Two visuals | Overall, oil is the most used energy source, and most power is consumed by domestic cooling systems. |
| Three visuals | It can be seen that breakfast has the least sodium and fats, while dinner contributes the highest levels of saturated fat and sodium. |
Why the Overview Matters (According to IELTS Band Descriptors)
The Task Achievement criteria are clear about the role of the overview. Let’s look at what the IELTS public band descriptors say:
| Band Score | Overview Description |
|---|---|
| Band 5 | Details are described mechanically without a clear overview |
| Band 6 | Includes an overview with appropriately selected information |
| Band 7 | Presents a clear overview of trends, differences, or stages |
So, if you don’t include an overview, or it’s unclear, your score for Task Achievement will drop.
Including a well-written overview in your IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 is not optional—it’s essential. It shows the examiner that you’ve understood the visual and can summarise information clearly.
Start practicing your overviews by:
- Looking at different types of visuals
- Identifying the most noticeable features
- Writing a 1–2 sentence summary using the tips above
Once you’re confident, try applying your overview skills to full Task 1 responses using IELTS practice tests.
FAQs
Q1: Is it okay to write the overview at the end of my response?
Yes, but it’s safer to include it after the introduction so you don’t run out of time and skip it.
Q2: Should I include data or figures in the overview?
No. Save specific data (percentages, numbers, etc.) for the body paragraphs. The overview should summarise trends or patterns only.
Q3: Can I write a separate overview for each visual if there are two?
Yes, especially if the visuals aren’t directly related. Otherwise, try summarising them together in one sentence.
Q4: How many sentences should the overview be?
Usually just one or two sentences—enough to clearly capture the main point(s).
Q5: Do I need to use complex vocabulary in the overview?
Not necessarily. Focus on clarity and accuracy, using linking phrases and precise language.