What is a coherence map
A coherence map is a quick diagram of your essay’s logic. It shows how your thesis links to topic sentences, how reasons connect to examples, and where a concession or solution lives. Macro structure is the big layout of paragraphs. Micro linking is the sentence-level glue such as signposts like “however” and “as a result”.

Why it helps Band 7
Coherence maps prevent idea drift, repeated points, and contradiction between paragraphs. They force one clear stance, two focused reasons, and a balanced close. The result is a tighter throughline (the main idea that runs from start to finish).

The five core templates

1. Opinion Map (Agree or disagree)
   Thesis → Reason A → Example A → Mini counter → Link back
   Thesis → Reason B → Example B → Mini counter → Link back
   Conclusion → Restate stance → Big picture result
2. Problem–Solution Map
   Problem 1 → Impact → Feasible fix
   Problem 2 → Impact → Feasible fix
   Conclusion → Prioritise fixes → One condition for success
3. Two-Views + Your View Map
   View A claim → strongest support → limit
   View B claim → strongest support → limit
   Your view → synthesis that keeps one point from each side
4. Cause–Effect Map
   Cause A → Mechanism → Outcome
   Cause B → Mechanism → Outcome
   Conclusion → Most important driver → Policy or habit implication
5. Compare–Contrast Map
   Criterion 1 → X vs Y → So what
   Criterion 2 → X vs Y → So what
   Conclusion → Which is better in which context

Legend for arrows and boxes
[Claim] → because → [Reason] → shown by → [Example] → leads to → [Result]
Square brackets are your line items. “Because” and “shown by” remind you to justify each claim with logic and a concrete example.

Fast planning routine: 4–30–4 for Task 2

• 4 minutes map: write thesis, pick a template, draft two topic sentences and one example each.
• 30 minutes write: follow the map; do not add new branches.
• 4 minutes check: fix article use, subject–verb agreement, and pronoun reference. Target 260 to 290 words.

Example 1: Opinion Map (worked)

Prompt: Some people think universities should prioritise job skills rather than academic research. Do you agree or disagree.

Map
Thesis: Mostly agree, but research with public benefit stays vital.
Body 1 TS: Skills-based modules cut training time for employers.
Reason: real projects build applied problem solving.
Example: final year industry collaboration.
Balance: pure theory still trains logic, but it is insufficient for teams.
Body 2 TS: Redirect research funds to areas markets ignore but society needs.
Reason: cleaner water and public health help many, not a few investors.
Example: low-cost filtration pilot at public universities.
Conclusion: Tilt to skills while ring-fencing social-impact research.

Why it works
Each topic sentence is a claim, not a theme. Each body contains one example and one balance line. The conclusion synthesises the stance.

Example 2: Problem–Solution Map (worked)

Prompt: Household waste is rising in cities. What are the problems and what can be done.

Map
Problem 1: Cheap single-use packaging → bins fill faster → fee on single-use bags plus refill stations near bus stops.
Problem 2: Inconvenient recycling → low participation → doorstep pickup on fixed days and SMS reminders.
Conclusion: Price the throwaway option and add frictionless alternatives; measure kg per household monthly.

Why it works
Each problem line contains mechanism and a feasible fix. The conclusion prioritises and sets a metric.

Mini case: Ayaan’s turnaround

Ayaan wrote 340-word essays that wandered. He adopted the Opinion Map and capped each body to one claim, one example, one balance. Over 12 essays, average length fell to 280 words, repetition flags dropped from 5 to 1 per script, and paragraph aims matched the thesis in every draft. Mock band moved from 6.0 to 7.0.

Measurable drills

• Two-TS drill: For any prompt, write only the thesis and two topic sentences in 90 seconds. Score for clarity: can a partner predict your examples.
• One-branch expansion: Take Body 1 and add Reason, Example, Balance in 60 seconds.
• Link-back pass: After drafting, underline one sentence in each body that restates the thesis term in new words.
  Targets: map in 4 minutes, 2 topic sentences that contain claims, 2 examples that name a place, time, or group.

Common mistakes

• Theme sentences not topic sentences: “Education is important” has no claim.
• Arrow soup: too many branches makes you list ideas instead of developing two.
• Missing balance line: essays read as one-sided and less analytical.
• Contradictory bodies: Body 2 undermines Body 1 because stance was vague.

Edge cases and fixes

• Mixed prompt (discuss both views and give your opinion): use Two-Views + Your View Map so your stance appears in intro and conclusion while each body gives one strongest point for each side.
• Data-led prompts: convert figures into one claim per body, for example, “most growth is among seniors, so design policy for that group”.
• Rare topics: swap to Cause–Effect or Compare–Contrast; anchor with universal lenses like cost, access, safety, long term impact.

Tips and tricks

• Write topic sentences as full claims using a verb of effect: increases, reduces, enables, undermines.
• Name one lens per body (cost, access, fairness, safety). This avoids overlap.
• Keep a micro bank of signposts: to begin, in contrast, for instance, as a result, however, overall.
• If stuck, draft the conclusion first. It clarifies your end state and back-solves paragraph aims.

To avoid

• New ideas in the conclusion.
• Two examples in one body with no development.
• Vague nouns like things, stuff, many people. Replace with group labels.
• Overusing statistics without source or context.

Glossary

Coherence map: a quick diagram of how thesis, reasons, and examples connect.
Throughline: the main idea that runs across the whole essay.
Topic sentence: the controlling claim of a paragraph.
Lens: the dimension you choose to analyse a problem, such as cost or access.
Balance line: a sentence that concedes a limit or offers a counterpoint.
Signpost: a linking word or phrase that guides the reader.

Next steps
Pick three prompts. For each, choose a template and produce a 4-minute map, then a 270-word essay. Track three numbers: mapping time, words per essay, and whether every body has Reason, Example, Balance. Reduce mapping time to under 4 minutes and keep both bodies aligned to the thesis for a week.

1. Actionable closing — Case study then lessons

Case study: Sohana’s “smart cities” essay
Sohana mapped with Compare–Contrast: “smart transport vs smart energy”. Body 1 claimed bus priority lanes reduce commute times; Body 2 claimed solar roofs cut peak loads. Her draft scored 6.5 because Body 2 repeated cost points from Body 1 and the conclusion added a new idea about data privacy.

Lessons you can apply now

1. Name a distinct lens per body in the map to avoid repetition.
2. Write the concluding sentence on the map before drafting to stop new ideas at the end.
3. Add one balance line per body during mapping so nuance is planned, not improvised.
4. After drafting, perform a link-back pass: underline a phrase in each body that echoes the thesis.
5. Keep a visible metric in the conclusion, for example, “reduce commute time by 15 percent within a year”, to make the close concrete.

CTA: Choose one prompt and map it using the template that fits best. Write two claim-first topic sentences, add one named example and one balance line per body, then draft 270 words. Time your map to under 4 minutes and repeat tomorrow with a different template.