The PEEL method: explain how your example supports your point

PEEL means Point, Evidence, Explanation and Link in this guide. State one point, support it, explain the support and connect it to your overall position. Some schools teach a different order for the E steps.

Before you start

A paragraph can contain an opinion and an example but still leave the argument unfinished. The missing piece is often the explanation: why should that example change the reader's mind? PEEL puts that question directly after the support.

This version works well when you already have a specific example to discuss. For a research assignment, evidence might be a sourced fact. In a short practice argument, a clearly labelled possible situation can help you develop a reason.

Step by step

  1. Point: make a claim you can develop

    Choose a reason rather than a broad topic. 'Borrowing sports equipment would let more students join lunchtime games' tells the reader what the paragraph will establish. 'Sport is important' leaves too many directions open.

  2. Evidence: select useful support

    Choose an example that matches the point. If the claim is about access, show a situation where access changes. An example about winning a tournament might be interesting but does not automatically support that claim.

  3. Explanation: interpret the example

    Tell the reader what the support demonstrates. Try completing 'This matters because...' in your plan. Then write that thought as a natural sentence. This is where the paragraph develops reasoning rather than listing information.

  4. Link: show the result

    Connect the developed point to the proposal. You can also prepare the next reason, but finish this reason first. Avoid a closing sentence that introduces a new argument with no explanation.

Worked PEEL paragraph: borrowing playground equipment

Original practice topic: Should schools lend sports equipment at lunch? The situation below is hypothetical.

Point

A lunchtime equipment box would make playground games easier for more students to join.
Explanation. The claim focuses on participation.

Evidence

For example, a group that has no ball could borrow one for a handball game instead of waiting for someone to bring one from home.
Explanation. The example shows the specific obstacle being removed.

Explanation

When the school supplies the equipment, joining a game depends less on what students own and more on whether they want to play.
Explanation. The writer explains how the example supports participation.

Link

A simple borrowing system would give students a fairer chance to take part during the break.
Explanation. The conclusion follows from the argument about access.

Keep evidence and explanation separate in your thinking

Evidence answers 'What supports this?' Explanation answers 'How does that support the point?' If both sentences merely say that equipment is useful, the paragraph has not moved forward.

In an analytical school essay, a quotation would need discussion of the words or event it shows. In a persuasive response, the explanation might trace a practical consequence. The same check applies: the reader should not have to guess the connection.

Choose a precise point before you draft

If you cannot find an example, your point may be too broad. Narrow 'Schools should be better' to one change, such as a borrowing system, then explain the effect of that change.

Say the point aloud, then finish a sentence beginning 'because'. To test the proposal further, explain how the borrowing system would handle returns.

Try it yourself

Should classrooms keep a shared box of spare pencils?

  1. Write one point about access to learning materials.
  2. Describe a possible moment when a student needs a pencil.
  3. Explain how sharing supplies changes that moment.
  4. Link the explanation to your position without starting a new reason.

Check your draft

Circle the words that connect the example to the point. Replace a repeated opinion with an explanation of what changes.

Common questions

Is PEEL always four sentences?

No. The letters describe jobs within a paragraph. You may need more than one sentence to explain an example, or one sentence may do two related jobs.

Can the two E steps change order?

Yes. Some teachers use Point, Explain, Evidence and Link. Follow your classroom version, while checking that the paragraph includes both relevant support and reasoning.

Can I use PEEL for a story?

PEEL is mainly useful for developing an argument or analysing a text. Story paragraphs usually follow changes in action, time, setting or speaker rather than a point-and-evidence pattern.

Curriculum connection

These exercises practise planning, organising and revising written ideas. Australian Curriculum English includes creating texts for an audience and grouping related information into paragraphs. TEEL, PEEL and the other planning methods are teaching aids, not compulsory curriculum formats.

QCAA: Australian Curriculum v9.0 English, Year 3

Sources and further reading

These resources provide background on the skill. The examples and practice tasks above are original.

Put PEEL into practice

Apply PEEL to a body paragraph in your next persuasive response. Read the evidence and explanation together before you submit your draft.

Practise a PEEL paragraph

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Examples and activities are NAPLAN Expert teaching material. Sources checked in October 2026.