Hey everyone! Today we’re going to learn how to make a great introduction to your IELTS Academic Writing Task 1.

The introduction is the most important part of your Task 1. That is because it contains an overview of the main trends/features of the graph.

The overview is important because it shows the examiner that you understand and can accurately explain the most significant information in the graph. Actually, examiners are specifically looking for a clear overview when marking your paper!

Don’t worry, though. Today we’ll learn exactly why the overview is so important, how to make a great introduction with an overview, and then we’ll look at some great example answers.

A great Task 1 Introduction has two steps:

• Step 1: State the Purpose of the Graph

• Step 2: Give a Clear Overview

Let’s look at them in more detail.

Intro, Step 1: State the Purpose of the Graph

The first thing you should do in your introduction is state the purpose of the graph, like this:

“This chart shows the total minutes (in billions) of all telephone usage in the UK between 1995 and 2002, in three different categories: local fixed lines, national/international fixed lines, and mobile calling.”

You can do this easily by rephrasing the Task 1 question! Just make sure you don’t use exactly the same wording, or you may get a lower score.

The question for the above answer was this:

The example answer said “all telephone usage” instead of “telephone calls”, and “between 1995 and 2002” instead of “from 1995-2002”. The example answer also listed the three categories.

When paraphrasing, you don’t have to worry about changing every single word. As long as you change a little bit, you will not lose marks. It’s important to be accurate with your paraphrasing, so don’t go crazy with synonyms that might alter the meaning!

After you state the graph’s overall purpose, you need to give an overview of the graph.

Intro, Step 2: Give a Clear Overview

“What is an Overview? Why is it important?”

An overview is one to three sentences that summarize the most important trends or features of the graph/chart/diagram. Here’s an example:

“Both national/international as well as mobile calling minutes increased throughout the period, while local fixed line calls rose and fell, peaking in 1999.”

An overview is important because it shows your examiner that you can understand and explain the overall ‘point’ of the graph. Actually, your examiner is specifically looking for it as part of your Task Achievement criteria… which is worth 25% of your band score for Task 1!

Take a look at the Task Achievement criteria for Task 1:

This means that if you do not include a clear, accurate overview somewhere in your answer, you cannot get higher than Band 5 for your Task Achievement criteria!

Don’t worry, this is good news. It means that simply including a clear, accurate overview – which is not very difficult – is a straightforward way to make sure you get a good score in Task Achievement. This will make your examiner’s job really easy in giving you a high score!

“So how do I give a Great Overview?”

To give a great overview, simply select 2, 3 or 4 most significant trends or features of the graph – the biggest changes, or the highest or lowest numbers, for example – and explain them in a general way.

Note, you do not need to mention precise data from the graph here. That is not the purpose of the overview. It’s better to simply describe things in general terms.

Let’s take it step by step. Take a look at the graph below.

1. What do you think are the most important trends or features?

Some ideas:

-The US rate was very high in 1993, and the Japanese rate was very low

-The rate in the US went down throughout the period

-The rate in Japan went up throughout the period

-In March 1999 they were both around the same level

2. How would you write the overview? Try one yourself before you check the example! Don’t forget, you don’t need to include everything, and you don’t need to cite specific data.

Example answer:

In the graph, the overall level of US unemployment started much higher than the Japanese level, and steadily decreased throughout the period. On the other hand, while Japanese unemployment started low, it increased throughout, matching the US level in March 1999.

“One more question... how do I write an overview for a process chart, or a map??"

Good question! This can seem tricky, but actually it's a bit simpler than regular graphs. Just say something about what the overall process is describing, and try to include one or two of the most important steps.

"This diagram shows the process for turning cement and water into concrete. The process involves using heat and mixing water in order to achieve the final product."

For maps, it is the same; simply choose one big part of the map and describe the changes.

So… writing a great Task 1 introduction means stating the overall purpose of the graph in your own words (you can do this by rephrasing the question), and then giving a clear overview of the most significant overall trends or features.

Let’s Get Some Practice.

Now that we know how to write a great Task 1 introduction by stating the overall purpose of the graph in your own words, and then giving a clear and accurate overview of what’s happening… it’s time to get some practice!

Here we’ll look at three different Task 1 question types, and practice making introductions for each, then look at fantastic example answers.

A few reminders:

• Don’t forget to paraphrase the question in your own words when you state the purpose of the graph, to avoid losing marks.

• Your overview should focus on the 2-4 most significant trends or features, and not minor information.

• Your overview doesn’t need to cite specific data.

Go grab a pen or pencil and some paper. By the way, I recommend using the IELTS official writing test paper, which you can find online!

If you want to improve at Task 1, you should practice writing your own answers before revealing the example answers! You wont improve if you don’t practice doing it yourself.

Sample Answer 1: Pie Chart

Step 1: State the purpose of the pie chart. 

Try this yourself first. Remember, you can do this by paraphrasing the question.

Step 2: Select 2-4 main trends or features and write an overview.

Try writing a good overview. Remember you don’t need to include all the specifics of the data, but you definitely can mention specific categories!

Sample Answer 2: Table

Step 1: State the purpose of the table. 

Take a moment to try this for yourself. Good luck!

Step 2: Select 2-4 main trends or features and write an overview.

A tricky one. Notice here that the oldest routes are also the longest and most popular!

Sample Answer 3: Diagram

Step 1: State the purpose of the table. 

Try it out. A good way to paraphrase “stages” is to use the word “process”. Also, making something is called “production”.

Step 2: Select 2-4 main trends or features and write an overview.

This one is a little different because it’s a diagram. What do you think is the most important information here?

You might notice the ingredients used in each process, or you might talk about which process is simpler overall.

So that is it. Again, for extra practice I highly recommend recopying example answers onto paper yourself. It’s a bit boring but it’s actually very useful practice – it helps you get a “feel” for the grammar and vocabulary and flow of the writing used in these excellent answers.

Good luck!