Why Is the Overview Important in IELTS Writing Task 1?
Examiners expect candidates to identify key trends or patterns instead of listing all data points. A strong overview shows that you:
- Understand the main idea or trend in the visual.
- Can summarize information clearly and concisely.
- Are able to focus on important changes, similarities, or comparisons—not unnecessary details.
Band 6 and below: Candidates often miss the overview or just restate individual data points.
Band 7 and above: High-scoring candidates summarize the main trends effectively without too much detail.
Key Strategies for Writing a Strong Overview
1. Identify Key Trends or Main Features
Before writing, take a few moments to look at the visual data. Your goal is to spot two to three major trends or features. These may include:
- An increase or decrease over time.
- Similarities or differences between categories.
- The highest or lowest figures in a chart.
- A significant shift or change in trends.
Example:
Graph: The number of tourists visiting Bali increased steadily from 2010 to 2020.
Overview: The number of tourists visiting Bali rose consistently over the 10-year period, with a sharp increase in the final three years.
2. Avoid Detailed Numbers or Data
Your overview should be broad and generalized, not a place for precise figures. Save the specific data and numbers for the body paragraphs. Focus on highlighting trends or features instead.
❌ Incorrect: The number of visitors in 2010 was 1 million, and it reached 3 million in 2020.
✅ Correct: Tourist numbers rose steadily over the decade, peaking in 2020.
3. Use Comparison and Contrast
In tasks with multiple categories (e.g., comparing countries or industries), highlight the biggest differences or similarities between them.
Example (Comparing Two Countries):
The unemployment rate in Country A declined over the period, while Country B experienced a gradual increase.
Pro Tip: Words like while, whereas, in contrast, similarly can make your comparisons smoother.
4. Mention Overall Trends Without Explaining Why
The IELTS overview should only describe the trends, not explain causes or reasons. Avoid adding opinions or assumptions.
❌ Incorrect: The increase in tourism was likely due to improved transportation links.
✅ Correct: There was a steady increase in tourism over the decade.
5. Use Clear and Simple Language
While variety in vocabulary is important, your overview should remain concise and easy to understand. Use formal but straightforward language.
Here are some helpful phrases for overviews:
- There was a significant increase / decrease.
- The figures remained stable throughout the period.
- A sharp rise was observed in…
- Overall, the trend shows that…
Sample Overviews for Common IELTS Visuals
1. Line Graph
Prompt: The graph shows the number of students enrolled in online courses between 2010 and 2020.
Overview: The number of students enrolled in online courses increased significantly over the decade, with a rapid rise in the final three years.
2. Bar Chart
Prompt: The bar chart compares the sales of three smartphone brands in 2021.
Overview: Brand A recorded the highest sales among the three companies, while Brand C had the lowest figures throughout the year.
3. Pie Chart
Prompt: The pie chart illustrates the distribution of energy consumption across different sectors.
Overview: The largest portion of energy consumption came from the industrial sector, followed by transportation, while the residential sector accounted for the smallest share.
4. Map Comparison
Prompt: The maps show the layout of a town in 1990 and 2020.
Overview: The town underwent significant changes between 1990 and 2020, with new residential areas and public facilities being developed.
5. Table
Prompt: The table shows the average salaries of five professions in 2022.
Overview: Among the five professions, doctors earned the highest average salary, while teachers received the lowest.
IELTS Writing Task 1 requires a well-written overview in order to receive a high score. It demonstrates to the examiner your ability to recognize important trends and efficiently summarize data. With experience, you’ll be able to identify and succinctly convey the most crucial aspects of visual data.