Lets check your understanding of IELTS writing task 1 paragraphing. This is for academic writing task 1.
Below are a number of options for how to structure your writing task 1. Are all these options good for IELTS writing task 1?
Option A
- Paragraph 1 = introduction & overview
- Paragraph 2 = body 1 detail
- Paragraph 3 = body 2 detail
Option B
- Paragraph 1 = introduction
- Paragraph 2 = overview
- Paragraph 3 = body 1 detail
- Paragraph 4 = body 2 detail
Option C
- Paragraph 1 = introduction
- Paragraph 2 = body 1 detail
- Paragraph 3 = body 2 detail
- Paragraph 4 = overview
Option D
- Paragraph 1 = introduction
- Paragraph 2 = overview
- Paragraph 3 = body 1 detail
- Paragraph 4 = conclusion
Questions for You
- Which paragraphing options are suitable for writing task 1?
- Is there an option above which will get you a higher score?
- Which structure is not acceptable?
Paragraph Options Explained: Answers
Options A, B, & C are all possible to be used in Writing Task 1 and get a high score. Option D will not give you a good score. Read the details below to learn more:
Option A
When the introduction is very short, such as with diagrams, I sometimes put my overview statement with the introduction. I feel it gives a better balanced of paragraphs. Although the introduction and overview are in the same paragraph, they MUST be separate statements. The introduction presents the information (paraphrases the description) and the overview contains all key features.
Option B
This is my personal favourite. Writing task 1 is not an essay. It is a report. The overview contains all the key features and I prefer to present that before giving all the smaller details. I like the reader to understand the gist of the chart, before seeing small examples of data.
Furthermore, the overview is THE MOST IMPORTANT PARAGRAPH IN WRITING TASK 1. For this reason also, I like to put it early on in the writing. The overview needs to be both clear and contain information well selected.
Option C
It is also 100% fine to put the overview at the end of the report. However, if you choose this option, make sure you manage your time well – your overview is the most important part and needs to be thought about carefully and written very very well.
Option D
There are two very serious problems with this structure.
- The body must be divided into a minimum of two paragraphs. You are being marked on how you take the detail and divide it into logical sections. Most writing task 2 will have two paragraphs for the body, but occasionally you might have three.
- You cannot have both an overview which contains the key features and a conclusion that summarises the key features. This would mean in a short report, you would have repeated the key features twice. This will lower your score. There is no reason to repeat anything at all. Once you state the key features in the overview, your body paragraphs (plural) will present all main details. You never repeat it all again. This means you do not need a conclusion.
I hope you have found this useful 🙂 My main writing task 1 page has lots of model answers which show both option A and B. CLICK BELOW:
IELTS Writing Task 1 Tips, Model Answers & More
If you want letter writing tips for GT writing task 1, see this page: https://ieltsliz.com/ielts-letter-writing-essential-tips/
All the best
Liz