The labels and groupings within the table of contents should mirror the labels and groupings of the site content exactly. Show, Don't Tell. Rather than using a sentence to describe what Section X contains, show users its subsections. If you feel like you must have narrative, relegate this to a different area of the site, like a welcome letter, a site tour, or a guide for new users. Focus on textual labels and their arrangement, not on extraneous information.
Text is usually the most efficient way to present an overview.
Eliminate unnecessary numbers, symbols, and graphics, keeping only what's necessary for conveying groupings and relationships between elements. The point is to make scanning the table of contents as easy as possible. A table of contents is neither a billboard attempting to draw users to certain portions of the site, nor a place to highlight new or popular content. It should present like elements equally, providing an objective overview of the entirety of content. Give users enough room to click.