What is a PEEL paragraph?

A PEEL paragraph is a carefully constructed piece of writing that helps students exchange information clearly and concisely. The flexibility of the PEEL structure means that it is applicable in a multitude of scenarios, but is most fitting when students are analysing a text. This can be either nonfiction or fiction, poetry or prose.

The PEEL paragraph consists of four parts:

Point - the student states the topic of the paragraph
Evidence - a quotation from the text in question is chosen for analysis
Explain - the quote is analysed for its relevance to the aforementioned topic
Link - the student concludes with a link back to the original question

The benefits of the PEEL structure

The PEEL paragraph is an essential writing tool. It provides a clear, easily understood and repeatable structure to aid in analytical writing. It is particularly useful for IGCSE students who, for the first time, must sit formal examinations. The pressure of such examinations means that some IGCSE students may panic and struggle to produce cogent written responses, particularly if they have never studied composition in any great detail. In this way, the PEEL paragraph suits perfectly the demands placed on the IGCSE student and offers a structure that can then be carried on beyond the IGCSE examinations and into either A-Levels or the International Baccalaureate.

Responding to a question using PEEL

To understand the PEEL paragraph, it is best to see it in action. For this demonstration, a text will be chosen from the IGCSE Edexcel Anthology. This is a book consisting of prose (both fiction and nonfiction) and poetry that IGCSE Edexcel students use in preparation for their English examinations. The text in question is “Young and dyslexic? You’ve got it going on” by Benjamin Zephaniah. The question reads, “How does the writer use language and structure to communicate ideas about personal struggle?”.

Benjamin Zephaniah uses linguistic techniques such as metaphor to present the inhospitable environment he grew up in and communicate the struggles that he faced. In the second paragraph, the author writes of how “the past is a different kind of country”. This use of metaphor highlights the extent to which he, Zephaniah, struggled growing up as a dyslexic person. During the author’s early life, he felt as though he was a foreigner: he could not communicate with those around him as he was expected to and, so, was often misunderstood. Indeed, Zephaniah was unable to fit into the society in which he lived, resulting in difficulties concerning his education and issues with the law. The metaphor is made more powerful by its placement in the text. Included early on in the piece and positioned at the end of paragraph, its placement functions to emphasise the point to the reader. The author wishes that the reader take this information with them throughout the remainder of his text so that they may understand the extent to which he struggled growing up in a world that did not understand his differences. In summary, the writer uses metaphor to convey the struggles that he faced growing up in an intolerant society in which he felt ostracised.

Breaking down the PEEL paragraph

Take a look again at the model PEEL paragraph and its structure is clearly evident:

Point

Benjamin Zephaniah uses linguistic techniques such as metaphor to present the inhospitable environment he grew up in and communicate the struggles that he faced.

Evidence

In the second paragraph, the author writes of how “the past is a different kind of country”.

Explain

This use of metaphor highlights the extent to which he, Zephaniah, struggled growing up as a dyslexic person. During the author’s early life, he felt as though he was a foreigner: he could not communicate with those around him as he was expected to and, so, was often misunderstood. Indeed, Zephaniah was unable to fit into the society in which he lived, resulting in difficulties concerning his education and issues with the law. The metaphor is made more powerful by its placement in the text. Included early on in the piece and positioned at the end of paragraph, its placement functions to emphasise the point to the reader. The author wishes that the reader take this information with them throughout the remainder of his text so that they may understand the extent to which he struggled growing up in a world that did not understand his differences.

Link

In summary, the writer uses metaphor to convey the struggles that he faced growing up in an intolerant society in which he felt ostracised.

IGCSE students and BartyED

The PEEL structure is an essential component of comprehensive writing for all students of English, be they at IGCSE-level or otherwise. Although built as a user-friendly compositional tool, it does take time and care to master. At BartyED, our team of expert tutors have coached innumerable students at IGCSE level, as well as learners who are both pre- and post-IGCSE, in English composition with a focus on the PEEL structure. If you wish for your child to receive high-quality bespoke lessons that aim to improve their English writing ability, contact us today by phone (+852 2882 10174) or email (enquiries@bartyed.com).