peel structure for essays
DESCRIPTION
The PEEL structureTRANSCRIPT
The PEEL Structure Point Evidence + Explanation Link
Point An argument that answers the question
Example question: Is Shrek a dynamic character? Explain your answer.
Example stand: Yes, he is a dynamic character who changes over time.
Point Example point:
Shrek is a dynamic character because his attitude towards
friendship changes.
Evidence + Explanation Both should be hand in hand
Evidence can either take the form of references (pointing out specific scenes) or quotations
Explanation should interpret the evidence for the reader
Evidence + Explanation Example evidence:
This can be clearly seen from his care and concern for Donkey and Fiona towards
the end of the story, as compared to how he preferred being alone in the
beginning.
Evidence + Explanation Example evidence:
For instance, he insists on Donkey ‘leav[ing] [him] alone’ in the beginning, but
eventually develops a close friendship with him.
More on Evidence…
SHOULD: SHOULD NOT:
Be concise and carefully selected
Be copied in chunks
Be interwoven into the explanation
Be left standing alone
Very clearly supports your point
Be vaguely related to the point
More on Evidence… Quotes should be given in quotation marks
Language of quotes should be adapted to become reported speech
E.g. in the play: I will do what I want In the evidence: He said that he would ‘do
what [he] want[ed]’.
More on Evidence… Use SQUARE BRACKETS when you change the
speech
E.g. I declared my love for Lucy
He ‘declared [his] love for Lucy’
Applies to tenses too. E.g. want -> ‘want[ed]’
Explanation Use analytical language
This shows that… From this, we can see that… It is evident from this that… This explains…
BEWARE of lapsing into narrative. The examiner already knows the story; please don’t retell it
Explanation
For instance, he insists on Donkey ‘leav[ing] [him] alone’ in the beginning, but eventually develops a close friendship with him. This
shows that Shrek overcame his aversion/dislike of other people and
changed his attitude towards friendship.
Link Show how this point answers the question
Usually 1-2 lines
LinkExample Link:
This shows that Shrek overcame his aversion/dislike of other people and
changed his attitude towards friendship. Therefore, his change in
attitude makes him a dynamic character.
Putting it all together Shrek is a dynamic character because his
attitude towards friendship changes. For instance, he insists on Donkey
‘leav[ing] [him] alone’ in the beginning, but eventually develops a close friendship with him. This shows that Shrek overcame his aversion/dislike of other people and changed his attitude towards friendship.
Therefore, his change in attitude makes him a dynamic character.