One minute decoder
Underline the route and the task focus.
- Opinion: to what extent, positive or negative
- Discussion: discuss both views and give your opinion
- Advantages vs Disadvantages: do advantages outweigh disadvantages
- Problem and Solution: what problems, what solutions
- Cause and Effect: causes, effects
- Two part: two direct questions
Write a 4 word aim under the prompt: stance, compare, weigh, fix, explain, answer.
Thesis builder: A C E
Answer the route directly.
Give Core reasons (two only).
Mark Extent with a limiter.
Templates
- Opinion: I agree to a large extent because R1 and R2.
- Discussion: Although view A highlights P, view B is stronger since R1 and R2.
- Adv vs Disadv: Despite D1, the advantages outweigh the drawbacks because A1 and A2.
- Problem Solution: The issue stems from C1 and C2, which can be reduced by S1 and S2.
- Cause Effect: This trend occurs due to C1 and C2 and leads to E1 and E2.
- Two part: Question 1 is best answered by A1, and Question 2 by A2.
Limiters
largely, to some extent, in many cases, on balance.
Topic sentence blueprint: T A S K
Topic term from the question
Angle you choose
Scope control with a limiter
Key claim verb
Frames
- Education access improves when fees fall, particularly for low income learners.
- Urban congestion declines with bus lanes, especially during peak hours.
- Data privacy remains a risk, even when rules exist.
Keep topic sentences simple and assertive. Details and examples follow, not inside the topic sentence.
Map the thesis to bodies
- Thesis reasons become Body 1 and Body 2 topic sentences.
- If the route requires both sides, let Body 1 explain the other view fairly, and Body 2 support your view.
Mini map example
Thesis: Advantages outweigh drawbacks because costs fall and access expands.
Body 1 TS: Costs fall for households when X occurs.
Body 2 TS: Access expands for Y groups when Z is applied.
Model rewrites by question type
Opinion
Weak: I agree with online learning.
Upgrade: Online learning improves access for shift workers, and it reduces travel time for commuters.
Discussion
Weak: Some people like public transport, others do not.
Upgrade: Supporters focus on lower emissions, whereas critics stress delays; the evidence favors investment because reliability can be improved.
Adv vs Disadv
Weak: There are many pros and cons of tourism.
Upgrade: Tourism generates seasonal jobs in remote towns, yet it pressures local services; on balance, strict visitor caps protect benefits.
Problem Solution
Weak: Plastic use is a problem and we need solutions.
Upgrade: Low sorting in high rise housing drives plastic leakage, and floor level bins with clear labels raise capture rates.
Two part
Weak: My answer is yes and no.
Upgrade: Schools should teach coding to build problem solving, and employers should offer short internships to apply those skills.
Verbs that power topic sentences
improves, enables, reduces, increases, limits, fosters, deters, widens, narrows, accelerates, stabilises, redistributes
Pick one strong verb and avoid filler like makes, does, gets.
Scope and balance tools
- Add one limiter: often, typically, in dense cities, for younger workers
- Add one condition: when priced fairly, if training is provided
- Add one rebuttal bridge: although X raises cost, targeted subsidies contain it
Balanced TS sample
Remote work increases retention in many service roles, although hybrid days are needed for complex projects.
Paragraph kit: PEEL R with signposts
- Point: Topic sentence from TASK
- Evidence: short scenario or case
- Explanation: mechanism
- Link: back to the route
- Rebuttal: one line counter and reply
Example
Public transport funding should rise in large cities. For example, when bus lanes were added, peak travel times fell for regular commuters. Faster trips reduce lateness and overtime costs. Therefore, investment answers the cost argument. Although upgrades are expensive, staged rollouts spread the burden.
Quick drills
Drill 1: Three routes, three theses
Write one line for Opinion, Discussion, and Problem Solution using A C E.
Drill 2: TASK sprint
Turn each thesis reason into a topic sentence with a limiter and a strong verb.
Drill 3: Alignment check
Read your thesis and both topic sentences aloud. Do they match in wording and angle?
Drill 4: Rebuttal add
Attach one although clause to any topic sentence without changing the claim.
Drill 5: Verb swap
Replace a weak verb with a precise one from section 6.
Common traps and fixes
- Trap: Thesis lists three or more reasons.
Fix: Keep two and park the third as support. - Trap: Topic sentence repeats vague nouns like things or problems.
Fix: Name the type and group affected. - Trap: TS asks a question.
Fix: Answer it as a statement. - Trap: Off route body.
Fix: Rewrite the TS to mirror the thesis clause.
Two minute end audit
- Thesis answers the exact route with two reasons and a limiter
- Body 1 and Body 2 topic sentences mirror those reasons
- Each TS uses a precise verb and clear scope
- One balanced clause appears in at least one TS
- Paragraphs follow PEEL R
- Tone formal and concise
Use this workshop every draft day. Decide the route, build a focused thesis with A C E, convert each reason into a TASK style topic sentence, and keep your paragraphs on message from start to finish.