Writing essay paragraphs can sometimes feel like trying to assemble IKEA furniture on a hot summer day. You’ve got all the pieces, but nothing quite fits together the way you hoped, the instructions are in Swedish, and the sweat dripping down your back is making you reconsider your life choices. That’s where PEEL comes in: the much-needed handyman who not only helps you assemble your literary masterpiece in record time but also plugs in a cooling fan while they’re at it.
Whether you’re in Year 7 just dipping your toes into essay writing or a Year 12 veteran fine-tuning your essays for the HSC, mastering the PEEL structure will help you craft killer paragraphs every time.
Let’s break down PEEL down step by step. Make sure you read to the end for a FREE essay planning template.
PEEL is the secret instruction manual for writing great paragraphs (the essay equivalent of a perfectly assembled dining table). It stands for:
Each step in PEEL is a critical component in building a strong, cohesive argument. Like any good IKEA piece, if one part is missing, the entire thing wobbles—or worse, collapses entirely.
Your Point sentence is the headline of your paragraph. It tells the reader the purpose of the paragraph and sets the tone for everything that follows. Think of it as the first part of the instruction manual: “Attach the table legs to the frame.” Without this, you’re just holding random pieces of wood (or ideas) with no clue where they go.
Example: In Pride and Prejudice, Austen’s satirical delivery critiques the restrictive pressures on Regency women to marry advantagenously and instead urges for women to independently pursue their aspirations.
This sentence succinctly sets up the topic of the paragraph: Austen’s critique of Regency marriage norms. No mystery boxes here—just a clear roadmap of where we’re headed. Avoid vague or overly general statements. Your Point should have a clear connection to the essay question and your overall argument.
This is where you support your Point with textual Evidence and language techniques. Think of it as attaching the screws that hold your dining table together. Without these, your argument falls apart.
Example: Austen employs foreshadowing in the opening line “a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife”.
This quote directly ties to the argument that Austen critiques the societal obsession with marriage and wealth, setting the stage for deeper analysis. Be selective with your evidence and make sure it effectively helps to support your argument. IKEA doesn’t give you extra screws—you shouldn’t use extra evidence either!
Here’s where the real magic happens: unpacking your evidence and connecting it to your Point. If evidence is the screw, the Explanation is the screwdriver—without it, nothing gets secured.
Example: Through this, Austen satirises the preoccupation with marriage among Regency women, criticising how societal expectations ties a woman’s self-worth to her marital status and financial stability.
This analysis connects the quote back to the broader argument, providing insight into Austen’s social critique. Avoid simply restating the evidence. Your Explanation should dig deeper—ask yourself, What does this evidence show? Why is it significant? How does it answer the question?
Your Link ties everything together and transitions smoothly to the next paragraph. Think of it as tightening the final screws and standing back to admire your perfectly assembled table. Without this step, your argument might feel incomplete or disconnected.
Example: Thus, responders can better understand the restraints prevalent in gentry England and the role of context in shaping values and personal aspirations.
This sentence neatly wraps up the paragraph while setting the stage for the next argument. If your Link sentence sounds vague, revisit your Point to make sure everything connects.
Keep in mind that the example above only shows 1 Evidence+Explanation. For an essay paragraph, you will have 3-4 sets of Evidence+Explanation to produce an insightful and in-depth analysis.
Here’s what a PEEL paragraph might look like when it all comes together:
In Pride and Prejudice, Austen’s satirical delivery critiques the restrictive pressures on Regency women to marry advantageously, instead urges for women to independently pursue their aspirations. The patriarchal structure of inheritance in the early 1800’s saw Regency women without security unless they married into financial prosperity. Austen employs the technique of foreshadowing in the opening line “a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife” to satirise the preoccupation with marriage of Regency women, criticising how one’s marital status is central to strengthening a women’s self-worth. Furthermore, Mrs Bennet’s despairing tone in “I do not know who is to maintain you when your father is dead” depicts her desperation to marry off her daughters due to the lack of a male heir which according to Primogeniture laws, would hinder their inheritance of the family wealth. This is further reflected through the characterisation of Charlotte and her hurried acceptance of Mr Collin’s proposal since she asks “only a comfortable home” as she is convinced that her “chances of happiness is as fair as most people can boast.” Through this, audiences can better understand the loveless reality of marriage for most women during Austen’s patriarchal context. However, Charlotte’s character foil, Elizabeth conveys the distinction between those who unthinkingly adhere to social norms and those who incisively challenge them. Elizabeth’s high modal refusal to marry Mr Collin demonstrates her affirmation of genuine love over financial securities, “I am perfectly serious in my refusal”. Austen is shown to approve of Elizabeth who asserts her certainty in subverting social constructs in pursuit of self-identity and aspirations. Thus, responders can better understand the restraints prevalent in gentry England and the role of context in shaping values and personal aspirations.
*Note: an additional context sentence has been added after the Point sentence. To understand how context fits into your essay paragraph, read our article ‘Analysing Through a Contextual Lens”.
Mastering PEEL will take your writing from good to Band 6-worthy. With this structure, you’ll craft paragraphs that are clear, insightful, and rock-solid. Now go forth and assemble your essays like a pro—no Allen key required!
To help you build stronger paragraphs, download our free essay planning template. It’s like getting IKEA instructions in English—finally!
At Gold Standard Academy, we specialise in helping NSW students master the art of English writing. Book a free consultation today to unlock your potential!
You’re all set—happy PEELing (and essay-writing)! 😊
We provide specialised English tutoring for students in Years 7 to 12, ensuring they build strong foundational skills and excel in their senior studies.
Yes, all our lessons are carefully aligned with the NSW syllabus to ensure students are prepared for school assessments, exams, and their HSC requirements.
We start by assessing each student’s strengths, weaknesses, and learning style. Our tutors then tailor lesson plans to address specific goals and areas of improvement, ensuring targeted and effective learning.
All our classes are one-on-one. This allows us to accommodate different learning preferences, ensuring each student receives the attention and support they need.
Absolutely. Our tutors are experienced in guiding students through preparing for specific assessments, exams, and assignments, providing targeted feedback and strategies to help them succeed.
Yes, we provide weekly content, comprehensive resources, including practice materials, worksheets, and model responses, to help students consolidate their learning and practice independently.
Typically, each session is 60 minutes. Our termly courses are at least once a week, but the frequency can be tailored based on their needs and academic goals.
Yes, we offer both in-person and online tutoring to accommodate different preferences and ensure flexibility in learning.
Yes, we offer new students trial lessons with no obligation to continue for the entire term to help them experience our teaching approach and determine if it’s the right fit for their learning needs.
You can contact us either through our email at tutor@goldstandardacademy.com or call us at 0481 336 988
