PEEL: Unlocking the Power of Paragraphs - A Writing Strategy for Success!

Encouraging students to write with a clear purpose is key to their development as writers. One strategy we use at Shalom is PEEL paragraphing. It stands for Point, Evidence, Explanation, and Link and provides a scaffold for writing paragraphs focusing on a single clear argument. By following the PEEL structure, students can enhance the coherence and strength of their writing.

Let's break down the components of a PEEL paragraph:

1. Point: The paragraph begins with a clear and succinct sentence that establishes the main point the student is trying to make. Using keywords from the task statement students should directly answer the question or prompt. This sentence should set the direction for the rest of the paragraph.

2. Evidence: The next step is to incorporate evidence from texts or examples to support the point being made. It is essential to provide context for the evidence by discussing the broader topic and explaining its relevance to the main point.

3. Explanation: After presenting the example, it is time to analyse and explain how it supports the main point. This is where students should delve deeper into the example, providing additional information, and discussing the significance of the idea. They must align their explanation to the main point to avoid going off-topic.

4. Link: The last step is to wrap it up by summarising what has been discussed and creating cohesion. The link sentence should restate the main point and directly respond to the task statement or question. It should tie everything together and provide a connection to the broader context.

The length and organisation of the paragraph can be adjusted as needed to effectively convey ideas.

Knowing how your students are structuring their writing can help you in supporting your teen when having conversations about their homework and assessments.

Ms Camilla Cook
Teacher and Literacy Coordinator
Camilla_cook@shalomcollege.com