How to write a PEEL Paragraph

TL;DR

• The PEEL paragraph technique is a four-part approach to writing paragraphs that are clear, concise, and focused.
• The four parts of the technique are Point, Evidence, Explanation, and Link, and each step serves a specific purpose in creating an effective paragraph.
• The PEEL paragraph technique is important because it helps students structure their writing, making it more engaging and persuasive, while also ensuring that every sentence contributes to the overall argument of their essay or assignment.

Introduction

As a student, you’re often required to write essays and assignments that require well-structured paragraphs. English is the obvious subject but the requirement to write well-crafted paragraphs applies also to other subject disciplines including History, Geography, Commerce and Business. 

Many students find writing effective paragraphs difficult but it doesn’t have to be. This is where the PEEL paragraph technique comes in. In this article, we’ll discuss the PEEL paragraph in detail and show you how to master this writing technique.

What is a PEEL paragraph?

PEEL is an acronym that stands for Point, Evidence, Explanation, and Link. A PEEL paragraph is a structured way of writing a paragraph that follows this four-part approach. The technique is designed to help you write paragraphs that are clear, concise, and focused.

• Point: This is the first sentence of your paragraph and it should state the main point you want to make. This sentence should be clear and specific, and it should summarise the main idea of the paragraph.
• Evidence or Example: The next step is to provide evidence to support your point. This can be a quote, a statistic, or any other type of evidence that supports your argument. The evidence should be relevant, credible, and accurately cited. It should be consistent and usually logically follows from the explanation.
• Explanation: After you’ve presented your evidence, you need to explain how it supports your point. This is where you show how the evidence is relevant to your argument and how it strengthens your point. You should also provide your own analysis and interpretation of the evidence.
• Link: The final step is to link your point back to the overall argument of your essay or assignment. This is where you show how your point fits into the bigger picture and how it supports your thesis statement. Where you are only writing a single paragraph the link is back to your point to summarise the argument you have made in the paragraph.

Why is the PEEL paragraph important?

The PEEL paragraph is important because it helps you structure your paragraphs in a way that is clear, concise, and focused. Each paragraph follows a logical order where a general statement is made followed by increasingly detailed information to support it and the paragraph ends by reorienting the reader to the overall thesis (or argument) you are making. By following the four-part approach, you ensure that your paragraphs have a clear purpose and that every sentence contributes to the overall argument of your essay or assignment.

How to write a PEEL paragraph?

To write a PEEL paragraph, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Choose a point you want to make

The first step is to choose a specific point you want to make in your paragraph. This point should be related to your thesis statement or the overall argument of your essay or assignment.

Step 2: Find evidence to support your point

The next step is to find evidence to support your point. This can be a quote, a statistic, or any other type of evidence that is relevant and credible. Make sure to accurately cite your evidence to avoid plagiarism. 

Step 3: Explain your point

After you’ve presented your evidence, you need to explain how it supports your point. This is where you show how the evidence is relevant to your argument and how it strengthens your point. You should also provide your own analysis and interpretation of the evidence.

Step 4: Link your point back to the overall argument

The final step is to link your point back to the overall argument of your essay or assignment. This is where you show how your point fits into the bigger picture and how it supports your thesis statement.

PEEL paragraph example:

Here’s an example of a PEEL paragraph:

• Point: The internet has revolutionised the way we communicate and access information.
• Evidence: According to a study conducted by Pew Research Center, 81% of Americans go online on a daily basis. This shows that the internet has become an integral part of our daily lives.
• Explanation: The fact that such a high percentage of Americans use the internet on a daily basis demonstrates how important it has become for communication and accessing information. With the internet, we are able to connect with people all over the world in real-time and access a wealth of knowledge at our fingertips. Furthermore, the internet has made it possible for people to work remotely and for businesses to expand their reach beyond physical boundaries.
• Link: Overall, the widespread use of the internet has fundamentally changed the way we interact with each other and access information. This highlights the significance of the internet in our daily lives and reinforces the importance of understanding how to navigate and utilise this technology effectively.

We’ve written it in dot point and separated so you can see the construction. In an essay you would combine the dot points into a single paragraph that would flow from sentence to sentence. 

Final thoughts

Mastering the PEEL paragraph technique is an important skill for any student looking to improve their writing. By following the four-part approach of Point, Evidence, Explanation, and Link, you can ensure that your paragraphs are well-structured and focused. This not only makes your writing more engaging and persuasive but also helps you convey your arguments clearly and effectively. 

You can practise your PEEL writing using this downloadable worksheet!