Techniques for writing an effective overview in Task 1 Writing

Techniques for writing an effective overview in Task 1 Writing

Describe the main trends shown in the bar chart illustrating the decrease in traffic accidents in Bridgewater after the installation of additional lanes on busy roads.

Explanation:

A. This option talks about mixed results, which does not accurately reflect the data presented in the chart. The chart shows a clear decrease in traffic accidents, not mixed results.

B. This option only refers to popularity, which is not a relevant factor in the analysis of the data presented. The chart is concerned with the decrease in traffic accidents, not popularity.

C. This option identifies the roads with the largest amount of traffic, which is not the main focus of the chart. The chart is about the decrease in traffic accidents and the effect of the additional lanes on busy roads.

D. This option is the correct overview. It accurately describes the main trend shown in the chart, which is a decrease in traffic accidents after the installation of additional lanes on busy roads.

E. This option is an opinion and not relevant to the analysis of the data presented in the chart.

Techniques for writing an overview:

  • The overview should be a general summary of the main trends shown in the chart or graph.
  • It should not include specific numbers or percentages.
  • It should be concise and to the point.
  • It should accurately reflect the data presented in the chart or graph.

Writing an effective overview is a crucial aspect of academic writing, especially when it comes to graph and chart interpretation. The overview provides the reader with a general understanding of the main trends and most important information presented in the graph or chart. It is often the first thing a reader will see, and therefore, it needs to be written with care and attention to detail. In this context, it is important to understand the typical structures, patterns, and vocabulary used for writing an effective overview. Let's explore some examples of overview sentences and the categories in which they can be organized.

  1. Trends over time:
  • Overall, these opposing trends mean that the death rate will probably overtake the birth rate in around 2041 and the large gap between the two levels will be reversed in the later part of this century.
  • Overall, what stands out from the graph is that there were considerable upward trends in the income of both Bernie’s Buns and Robbie’s Bakery, while the earnings of Lovely Loaves saw a substantial fall over the period in question.
  • The general trend, therefore, was that the proportion of people with higher education who planned to leave the country fell sharply, while the proportion of people with primary and lower education rose sharply.
  1. Comparison between categories:
  • The trends for male and female graduates were similar.
  • Clearly, there were similar trends for male and female graduates over this period, but the number of women graduating increased at a higher rate than the number of men.
  1. Prediction:
  • Overall, the table predicts a massive increase in the use of cars by 2020, at the expense of other forms of transport.
  1. Impact of intervention:
  • In every case, adding an extra lane on main roads had a positive effect on traffic incidents.
  1. Changes in participation or behavior over time:
  • The overall rise in numbers was not always steady.
  • Overall, participation in swimming у fluctuated/dropped considerably during the period. Team sports, however, remained popular, while participation in gym activities declined/rose significantly over the period.
Note that some of these sentences may fit into more than one category, depending on how they are interpreted.


Category 1: Trends over Time

  • Overall, it can be seen from the chart that there was a steady increase in the number of tourists visiting the country from 2010 to 2019, with the highest number recorded in 2019.
  • In general, the data indicates that the use of renewable energy sources has been increasing over the past decade, while the use of fossil fuels has been decreasing.
  • From the table, it is clear that there was a significant rise in the number of people taking online courses in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while traditional classroom courses saw a decline in enrollment.

Category 2: Correlations and Relationships

  • Overall, the research shows that there is a strong correlation between exercise and mental health, with those who exercise regularly reporting lower levels of stress, anxiety, and depression.
  • It can be concluded from the data that there was a decrease in the number of marriages and an increase in the number of divorces over the past decade, reflecting a trend towards lower rates of marriage and higher rates of divorce.
  • Overall, the analysis reveals that there is a gender pay gap in the workforce, with men earning significantly more than women on average, although the gap has been decreasing slowly over time.

Category 3: Preferences and Attitudes

  • In general, the survey results indicate that most people prefer to shop online for convenience and time-saving purposes, but still value the option of shopping in physical stores for the experience and social interaction.

Category 4: Cause and Effect

  • From the graph, it is evident that there has been a decline in the use of public transportation in recent years, while the use of personal vehicles has increased, resulting in more traffic congestion and environmental concerns.
  • In summary, the study suggests that a healthy diet and exercise are key factors in preventing chronic diseases and maintaining overall health, with a balanced intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains being particularly important.