Learn how many paragraphs for your IELTS Writing Task 1 with tips about where to put your overview statement. In writing task 1, the examiner will mark you on your structure as part of the marking criterion of Coherence & Cohesion, which is 25% of your marks. Below you learn about how to structure your writing, how to organise information into the right paragraphs and which paragraph is the most important.
IELTS Writing Task 1 Structure
In writing task 1, you will be asked to write a report for a bar chart, line graph, table, pie charts, maps or diagram. All IELTS Writing Task 1 have the same structure, regardless of which task you are given. There are four main paragraphs that you need to use for task one. Only occasionally will there be five.
- Introduction Paragraph
- Overview Paragraph
- Body Paragraph 1
- Body Paragraph 2
- Body Paragraph 3 (not usual, but occasionally possible)
Remember, IELTS writing task 1 is a report, not an essay. This means the structure will be different and the examiner is looking for an overview, not a conclusion.
IELTS Writing Task 1 Paragraphs
Below read about the individual paragraphs you need in your writing task 1 report.
Introduction Paragraph
The first paragraph will be your introduction and that contains a description of the graph – what it shows. IELTS will always give you a description and you can use that information for your introduction but don’t copy it. You need to paraphrase it. So write it again using your own English.
This is your chance to introduction information such as categories, titles, headings, names, dates etc. Make sure your introduction is complete. It is usually one sentence but sometimes it can also contain a second sentence about the measurement of units.
Overview Paragraph
This paragraph is the most important paragraph in your IELTS writing task 1 report. This is where you collect all the key features shown in the task and present them together. This paragraph has a direct impact on your band score for Task Achievement, which is 25% of your score. You can read more about the band scores here: IELTS WRITING TASK 1 BAND SCORES 5-8 TIPS. But to give you an idea:
- Band Score 5 = key features are very limited or there is no overview
- Band Score 6 = a relevant overview is attempted (it is tried but not well done)
- Band Score 7 = presents a clear overview
- Band Score 8 = key features are skilfully selected (referring to the overview)
The clearer and more complete your overview paragraph is, the higher your score for Task Achievement. The biggest challenges with the overview are:
- not spotting all key features
- spreading key features into various paragraphs instead of into one overview paragraph
- presenting only one key feature
You can see examples of key features in all my model answers for writing task 1: ALL MODEL ANSWERS.
All writing task 2 reports have an overview no matter which task you get. An overview is not the same as a conclusion. Writing task 2 has a conclusion, writing task 1 has an overview. This is clearly stated in the IELTS Band Score Descriptors. An overview has a different function to a conclusion. See the video below:
IELTS Writing Task 1: Do You Need a Conclusion or an Overview?
One of the most common questions IELTS students ask is whether they need a conclusion or an overview in Writing Task 1. Making the wrong choice can lower your band score, especially under the “Task Achievement” criterion, which makes up 25% of your total marks.
In this article, we’ll answer five important questions:
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Do you need a conclusion for Task 1?
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What is an overview?
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Is the overview important?
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Can you write both an overview and a conclusion?
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Where should you put the overview?
1. Do I Need a Conclusion for IELTS Writing Task 1?
No, you do not need a conclusion—and in fact, you should not write one. Conclusions are typically used in essays (Writing Task 2) where you restate your opinion or main points.
Writing Task 1 is a report, not an essay. A conclusion would simply repeat information you've already included, which is discouraged. Instead, you need to write an overview, which serves a different purpose and is essential for scoring well.
2. What Is an Overview?
An overview is a short paragraph that summarizes the main trends or key features of the chart, graph, map, or diagram given in Task 1. It gives the reader a clear understanding of the most important patterns or comparisons without going into detailed data.
Think of it as a snapshot of the big picture—what stands out overall in the visual information.
3. Is the Overview Important?
Yes, extremely important. The overview is critical for achieving a good score in the Task Achievement criterion. Without it, it's very difficult to score higher than Band 5 in this area.
A well-written overview shows the examiner that you understand the main features of the visual and can summarize them clearly—exactly what the task requires.
4. Can I Write Both an Overview and a Conclusion?
No, you should not write both. Here’s why:
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A conclusion in Task 1 often just repeats key points, which lowers your score for coherence and cohesion.
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Dividing your key features into two separate parts (overview and conclusion) weakens the structure of your report.
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It confuses the purpose of each paragraph and reduces clarity.
Keep your key features in one place—the overview.
5. Where Should I Put the Overview?
There are two common places to put the overview:
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Immediately after the introduction – This is the most common and preferred location. It allows the reader to understand the main points before going into details.
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At the end of the report – This is also acceptable, though less common.
Both positions are fine, but make sure you include an overview somewhere. Personally, I recommend placing it after the introduction, so the examiner sees the summary of key trends before the specific data.
Final Tips
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Don’t write a conclusion for Task 1.
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Always include an overview.
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Keep your overview brief and focused on main trends.
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Don’t repeat your overview or key features elsewhere in the report.
Including a strong overview can significantly boost your IELTS Writing Task 1 score. For more lessons and practice, check out trusted IELTS preparation resources or ask a teacher for feedback on your writing.
Body Paragraphs
These paragraphs (usually two) contain the details. If your task contains numbers, such as a chart, you will need to support your sentences with data. Failing to do that will lower your score for Task Achievement.
You should organise the details of the task into logical body paragraphs based on the key features. You should also take into consideration what type of task you have. For example, a bar chart shows comparisons between two things, such as men and women, for different categories so your aim is to compare men and women within each category. You would then see which categories are most popular and which are least and then organise categories into body paragraphs. Of course, it might not be about popularity, it might be about which categories have the biggest differences or the least differences. Which ever way you organise the information, it must be logical.
WRITING TASK 1 STRUCTURE & PARAGRAPHING – A SUMMARY
To sum up, it can feel complicated and overwhelming when you first start preparing for your writing task 1. So, I made this video years ago to sum up how to organise your task 1 report. It’s an old video, but of course still relevant today. The test hasn’t changed.
How to Organise Your Writing Task 1 Video
The Ideal Structure for IELTS Writing Task 1
Having the right structure for your IELTS Writing Task 1 report is essential. A clear and logical organization helps the examiner understand your response more easily—and it can have a direct impact on your band score, especially in the Coherence and Cohesion criterion.
In this guide, we’ll break down the four key paragraphs you should include in every Task 1 response.
1. Introduction
The first paragraph of your report is the introduction, which gives a brief description of the visual data (graph, chart, map, process, etc.).
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IELTS always provides a short description of the task, but don’t copy it directly—this can lower your score.
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Instead, paraphrase the task prompt using your own words while keeping the original meaning.
This sets the context for the examiner and shows your ability to rephrase information accurately.
2. Overview
The second paragraph is the overview, one of the most important parts of your report.
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This paragraph summarizes the main trends or key features of the data—such as the highest and lowest values, general increases or decreases, and major comparisons.
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It doesn’t include specific data or numbers—that comes later.
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Keep it concise but informative.
Many IELTS teachers recommend placing the overview right after the introduction. This helps the examiner see the main ideas before moving into the details. However, it is also acceptable to place the overview at the end of the report—just make sure you include it.
3. Body Paragraphs
After the overview, your report should include two body paragraphs:
Body Paragraph A and Body Paragraph B.
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These paragraphs contain the specific details from the graph or chart.
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Include data, numbers, dates, and make comparisons where relevant.
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Group related information logically (e.g., compare two categories in one paragraph, describe changes over time in another).
Avoid simply listing numbers—focus on describing trends and patterns in a clear and structured way.
Summary of Paragraph Structure
Here's a quick overview of the ideal structure for IELTS Writing Task 1:
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Introduction – Paraphrase the task statement
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Overview – Summarize the main trends or features
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Body Paragraph A – Include specific data and comparisons
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Body Paragraph B – Add more detailed information and comparisons
Final Tip
If you place the overview at the end of the report, make sure you manage your time well—do not skip it. The overview is crucial for achieving a Band 6 or above in Task Achievement.
Following this structure will help you write a clear, well-organized, and effective Task 1 report.
For more IELTS lessons and tips, feel free to follow on social media or visit trusted IELTS preparation resources.
Another oldie which is still great today and reviews the paragraphing for writing task 1.
I hope you enjoyed this page and found it useful. I wanted to give you as much as I could because it’s so important to your scores. All the best, Liz
Now it’s time to review model answer for writing task 1 and see what the paragraph looks like.
