“The overview is your snapshot—a high-level summary that tells the examiner what’s happening at a glance.”
In IELTS Academic Writing Task 1, the Overview Paragraph is essential to scoring Band 7+. It’s what examiners look for when checking Task Achievement, which contributes 25% of your overall score.
What Is an Overview?
The overview is a brief summary of the main trends, features, or comparisons shown in the graph/chart/diagram.
It usually comes right after your introduction.
Key Features of a Great Overview
No detailed data or numbers Focus on overall patterns or significant trends Written in 1–2 sentences only Uses neutral, academic tone
What to Include in an Overview?
Depending on the question type, include:
| Data Type | Look For |
|---|---|
 Line Graph | Overall upward/downward trend, fluctuations |
 Bar Chart | Highest/lowest values, general differences |
 Maps | Major changes in layout or features |
 Process | Number of stages, direction of process |
 Tables | Big contrasts, highest/lowest categories |
Useful Phrases for Overviews
- “Overall, it is clear that…”
- “It can be seen that…”
- “In general, the data shows that…”
- “The most noticeable trend is…”
- “A key feature is that…”
Example Overviews
Bar Chart (International Students by Country):
“Overall, the number of international students increased significantly in all countries, with Australia and Canada experiencing the most notable growth.”
Line Graph (Internet Usage Over Time): “It is clear that internet usage grew steadily over the 20-year period, with particularly sharp increases after 2010.”
Map Comparison (Town Development): “Overall, the area saw major urban development, with the addition of several residential and commercial zones replacing green spaces.”
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Better |
|---|---|
| “There are many changes.” | “The area experienced significant urban expansion.” |
| Listing numbers | “Don’t include figures—save them for body paragraphs.” |
| Too much detail | Keep it short and high-level! |
Practice Exercise
Look at any IELTS Task 1 visual and try to write:
- One sentence summarizing main trends
- One sentence highlighting notable differences
Example → Line Graph (Electricity Consumption)
“Overall, household electricity consumption increased steadily, while industrial usage fluctuated significantly over the period.”
Quick Recap
Write the overview after the introduction Use no data or numbers Focus on main trends or contrasts Keep it clear, concise, and neutral
Final Thought
“A clear overview tells the examiner: I understand the big picture. I’m not just describing—I’m analyzing.”
A weak overview = lost bands. A strong overview = clear, confident writing. 