The document provides guidance on writing effective paragraphs. It recommends that each paragraph should include a Point (topic sentence), Evidence to support the point, Explanation of how the evidence relates to the point, and a Link that ties the paragraph back to the overall topic or argument. Specifically, it advises including an elaborated topic sentence to introduce the main point, using specific facts, quotes, or examples as evidence, explaining the significance of the evidence, and explicitly connecting the ideas in the paragraph together and back to the thesis statement. Following this "PEEL" or "PEEEL" structure can help writers construct coherent and persuasive paragraphs.
2. The type of paragraph
I expect from
students.
What students
give me.
3. (By the way)
• Everything in this presentation pertains to
formal writing, such as informative, analytical
and argumentative writing.
• It does NOT apply to creative forms of writing.
5. Your paragraph should have:
P E E L
Point Evidence Explana-
tion
Links
Have a topic
sentence
that makes
your point
clear.
Provide evidence to
support your point,
which may include:
Facts & statistics
Quotes form
authority
Anecdotes
(examples)
Explain how the
evidence fits
together and
supports your
point. Show why
it’s important.
Link this point
back to your
main topic or
argument for
the overall
essay.
6. P = Point
• A paragraph should always start with a topic
sentence.
• We need to know the point of the paragraph
early on. Reader’s like to know why they are
reading. It makes our job easier.
• (You may have a transition in front of the topic
sentence, but nothing else.)
• Make sure EVERYTHING else in your paragraph
relates to and supports this point.
7. More on the E’s:
•Elaboration (Expand)
•Evidence
•Examples
•Explanation
So I guess
it’s PEEEL.
8. E = ELABORATION
• After stating your topic (P= point, the topic
sentence), elaborate on the idea.
• The first statement is usually simplified for
the purposes of a general topic sentence.
• Before jumping into evidence, expand on the
what that idea really means by exploring it
further. Give more information.
• In other words, put the idea into in other
words!
• Strive to achieve more depth, not just be
repetitive.
9. E = EVIDENCE
Support ideas with evidence that helps prove
your ideas. Evidence generally consists of
facts, quotes and ideas that come from outside
sources.
10. E = EVIDENCE
• In a legal case, the side that brings
the charges has “the burden of
proof,” meaning they have the
responsibility to prove their side is
right through use of evidence.
• Writing is the same. You, the
writer, have the responsibly to
prove your claims correct through
solid, researched evidence.
11. Avoid “Hit and Run” evidence.
This is when a writer gives a piece of evidence, say a
quote or a statistic, but then just stops the paragraph
there or jumps to another point. You can’t just hit the
reader with some evidence and then run away. You
have to interpret the evidence for the reader. Make
meaning of it. Connect it to other ideas. Give the “So
what?” That’s the point of the last E: EXPLAIN.
12. Quotes as Evidence
When presenting evidence,
use the Quote Sandwich
idea. The quote is the
filling of the sandwich, but
you must surround it with
your own sentences, which
serve as the bread on either
end. This is true of any
evidence, even if it’s not a
direct quotation.
The explanation is the
most important part!
13. Quotes as Evidence
The best writer BLEND quotes into their own
sentences:
YES: In his book Epic of America, historian and author
James Truslow Adams defines the American Dream as “a
land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for
everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or
achievement.”
NO: James Truslow Adams talks about the American
Dream in his book Epic of America: “America is a land in
which life should be better and richer and fuller for
everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or
achievement.”
14. E =EXAMPLES
General ideas are not
interesting to read and
not very convincing.
Give specific examples
of the idea to illustrate.
These may be real or
hypothetical. Specific
means using names,
places, etc.
15. E = EXAMPLES
General example: Many athletes have been arrested for
assault.
Specific example: Baltimore Ravens running back Ray
Rice was arrested for striking his then-fiancée and
dragging her out of an elevator unconscious.
It’s okay to lead with a general
statement like the one above, so
long as you follow it with one or
more SPECIFIC examples.
Examples should be specific, not vague.
16. But wait -- don’t EVIDENCE and
EXAMPLES overlap?
YES
The Ray Rice example on the previous slide can also be evidence.
It’s specific, anecdotal evidence in the form of an example. If you
are writing an in-class essay and can’t research statistics and outside
quotes, you can (and should!) always bring in specific examples.
17. E=EXPLAIN
• Once evidence and/or example is
given, it needs to be explained.
• You interpret the evidence for the
reader, explaining why it is important.
• This is also called ANALYSIS or
COMMENTARY.
18. L = LINK
• This is the most important part of the
paragraph! It’s where you tie everything
together and show how the ideas make
sense as a whole.
• You must CONNECT all the ideas in your
paragraph TOGETHER and BACK TO THE
THESIS.
19. L = LINK
• Ask yourself these
questions:
– Why is this evidence
important?
– Why is this point important?
– How does this relate to my
main point?
• Make sure you answer these
questions before wrapping
up your paragraph.
