Module 3 · Lesson 2 of 7
The overview: the sentence that matters most
Find the big picture in any Academic Task 1 visual in about 30 seconds and turn it into a clear, accurate overview of one or two sentences, with no figures.
In this lesson
- Explain what an overview is and how it differs from the introduction and the detail paragraphs
- Find the main features of a line graph, bar chart, pie chart, table, process or map in about 30 seconds
- Write a one- or two-sentence overview with no specific figures and nothing the visual does not show
- Spot and fix the most common overview mistakes in your own writing
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Inside this lesson
- What an overview is
- Why the overview carries so much weight
- Where it goes and how long it is
- Finding the big picture in 30 seconds
- Worked example 1: a line graph
- Worked example 2: a bar chart with no time line
- The language of a good overview
- Overviews for every type of visual
- Seven ways to spoil an overview
- Practice: introduction and overview in five minutes
- Check your understanding