What Even Is PEEL?
- PEEL is a structure that makes your ideas land.
Think of PEEL as the four-part recipe for writing a body paragraph that doesn’t just sit there but slaps.
- To break it down:
- P = Point
- This is your topic sentence. It's not a vague statement like “the writer uses metaphor.” It’s your clear claim for the paragraph, what the writer is doing and why.
- Smart move: Link it directly to the guiding question. That way, your examiner already sees you’re focused.
- E = Evidence
- Now you back it up. A short, well-chosen quote or description from the extract that clearly supports your point.
- Don't just throw in a line because it sounds fancy, use the one that gives you something to analyze.
- E = Explanation
- This is where you flex your analysis muscles. Don’t just identify the technique, go deeper.
- What effect does it create? What’s the tone? What is the writer really saying under the surface? Connect it back to your main argument.
- L = Link
- Tie it back to the guiding question and your thesis.
- This shows the examiner you’re not just doing technique-spotting you’re actually building a coherent argument.
- P = Point
Note
- Why this structure works:
- It keeps your ideas focused and layered, no rambling.
- It forces you to go beyond "what" and into "how and why"
- It helps your writing feel intentional, which markers love.
Step 1: Point (Topic Sentence)
- What to do:
- Start with a clear, specific, and analytical sentence that states your main idea.
- This must include the writer’s purpose or intended effect.
- Avoid vague descriptions:
- Instead of describing what’s happening, explain why the writer does it.
Example
- Example (Bad):
- “The first paragraph introduces the setting.”
- This is too vague and descriptive. It doesn't say how or why the setting is introduced.
- Example (Good):
- “In the opening lines, Hart uses a sparse and quiet setting to mirror Daniel’s emotional isolation and establish the passage’s melancholic tone.”
- This clearly names the technique, setting, and explains its emotional and narrative purpose.
Step 2: Evidence (Quote Selection)
- What to do:
- Choose 2 to 3 short, precise quotes that contain strong techniques relevant to your point. These are your textual evidence.
- Your quotes should:
- Directly support the point you're making.
- Contain literary or visual techniques (e.g. metaphor, tone, imagery, juxtaposition).
- Be short enough to stay focused and analyzable.
Example
- If your point is about emotional isolation, you might select:
- “The silence pressed in like a weight”
- “The room held only shadows and an out-of-tune piano”
- Both contain rich imagery and symbolism supporting the idea of emotional distance.
Step 3: Explanation (Analysis)
- What to do:
- Now explain how the quotes support your point and why the writer uses the techniques.
- Key questions to guide your analysis:
- What is the technique?
- What effect does it create?
- How does that effect support the writer’s purpose?
- What theme or tone does this reinforce?
Example
- “The simile ‘silence pressed in like a weight’ uses sensory imagery to convey Daniel’s emotional burden. The oppressive atmosphere reflects his inner loneliness and unresolved conflict with his father.”
- “The broken piano symbolizes a fractured connection, once capable of harmony, now incapable of communication, mirroring the breakdown in their relationship.”
Tip
- Be thorough but concise.
- Try to incorporate multiple techniques if possible.
- Focus on depth of insight, not just identifying the device.
Step 4: Link (Back to Thesis)
- What to do:
- Wrap up your paragraph by connecting your analysis back to the subject statement (your main thesis).
- Add a final reflection or insight if possible.
- Avoid generic or formulaic sentences like:
- “This shows the use of metaphor and irony to build theme.”
- Instead, give a concise, thoughtful link that reinforces your paragraph's purpose in the bigger picture.
Example
“By combining muted setting and symbolic imagery, Hart deepens the portrayal of Daniel’s emotional estrangement and lays the groundwork for the passage’s overarching tone of suppressed grief.”
Example
- Putting it all together
- Point: In the opening lines, Hart uses a sparse and quiet setting to mirror Daniel’s emotional isolation and establish the passage’s melancholic tone.
- Evidence: The line “The silence pressed in like a weight” evokes a sensory stillness, while the “out-of-tune piano” remains untouched in the corner.
- Explanation: The simile creates a sense of emotional heaviness, reinforcing the idea that Daniel is burdened by thoughts he cannot express. The broken piano acts as a powerful symbol of his fractured relationship with his father, something once capable of harmony now reduced to disuse. Hart’s choice to foreground these details positions Daniel’s environment as a reflection of his inner world.
- Link: Through these symbolic and atmospheric techniques, Hart effectively conveys the psychological tension of unresolved familial conflict, contributing to the overall introspective tone of the passage.
Final Tips:
- Use 2 to 3 quotes per paragraph with rich technique.
- Always tie analysis back to the writer’s purpose.
- Stay focused: one clear point per paragraph.
- Prioritise clarity, depth of insight, and logical flow.
- Link each point clearly to your thesis.
Hint
- Before writing your body paragraph, try turning your point into a question.
- For example: "How does the writer use setting to reflect the character’s emotional state?"
- If you can answer that question with evidence and explanation, you're on the right track.
