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The PEEL paragraph writing approach is a proven way to help students’ writing process by providing a structure for their writing.
Point
Your first sentence must state your point. It introduces the topic you’re about to discuss and tells the reader what the paragraph is going to be about. This is sometimes called a topic sentence.
Explain
This is where you show your understanding by explaining in more detail how and why your evidence supports your point. Your explanation should interpret the evidence for the reader.
Evidence/Examples
Support your point with evidence and examples. In the next one or two sentences, give evidence to expand upon and support the point you made. Evidence can include facts, statistics, research findings, quotes from a credible authority or a primary text.
Link
The last sentence should reinforce your original point or link your writing to the next paragraph.
Note:
In some circumstances it may make more sense to switch Explain and Examples/Evidence.
It is okay to be flexible with these two.
Like all writing, PEEL paragraph writing works best if it is carefully planned.
Feel free to use one of the planning scaffolds below.
See also:
PEEL Paragraph Checklist
How to Write a Topic Sentence
Academic writing
ALARM - A Learning and Responding Matrix
Your first sentence must state your point. It introduces the topic you’re about to discuss and tells the reader what the paragraph is going to be about. This is sometimes called a topic sentence.
Explain
This is where you show your understanding by explaining in more detail how and why your evidence supports your point. Your explanation should interpret the evidence for the reader.
Evidence/Examples
Support your point with evidence and examples. In the next one or two sentences, give evidence to expand upon and support the point you made. Evidence can include facts, statistics, research findings, quotes from a credible authority or a primary text.
Link
The last sentence should reinforce your original point or link your writing to the next paragraph.
Note:
In some circumstances it may make more sense to switch Explain and Examples/Evidence.
It is okay to be flexible with these two.
Like all writing, PEEL paragraph writing works best if it is carefully planned.
Feel free to use one of the planning scaffolds below.
See also:
PEEL Paragraph Checklist
How to Write a Topic Sentence
Academic writing
ALARM - A Learning and Responding Matrix
PEEL Paragraph Scaffolds
Watch the video
Assessment for/as learning
Using PEEL with Hattie's Learning Intention & Success Criteria
Using PEEL with Hattie's Learning Intention & Success Criteria
Some PEEL Paragraph examples
Q. Should Animals Be Kept in Zoos?
Q. Why Does Volcanic Activity Occur in the Pacific Ring of Fire?
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References and further reading
Barker, N. (2014). Lesson 3 – Thesis Statement and PEEL Method /Writing. EdTech 506. Retrieved from http://edtech2.boisestate.edu/nonabarker/502/506/Lesson%203_NLB_ET506.pdf
Bell, M. (2011). John Hattie: Visible Learning Pt1. Disasters and below average methods. YouTubeRetrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sng4p3Vsu7Y
Bell, M. (2011). John Hattie, Visible Learning. Pt 2: effective methods. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pD1DFTNQf4
Best Custom Writing. (2013). P.E.E.L paragraphs: useful tips and a good sample. Bestcustomwriting.com. Retrieved from http://www.bestcustomwriting.com/blog/essay-writing/peel-paragraphs-useful-tips-and-a-good-sample
Catholic Education Office Melbourne. (2013). Learning Intentions and Success Criteria. Catholic Education Office. Retrieved from https://cpb-ap-se2.wpmucdn.com/global2.vic.edu.au/dist/7/31021/files/2013/08/Corpus-Christi-LISC-July-2013-2dz21eo.pdf
Education Services Australia. (2012). Learning intentions. Curriculum Corporation. Retrieved from https://www.assessmentforlearning.edu.au/professional_learning/modules/learning_intentions/learning_intentions_landing_page.html
Fennessy, M. (2013). Peel essay writing. Slideshare.net. Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/meghanlouisefennessy/peel-essay-writing
Janssen Creighton, S., Tobey, C. R., Karnowski, E, Fagan, E.R. (2015). Guidelines for Writing Learning Intentions (LI) and Success Criteria (SC). From Bringing Math Students Into the Formative Assessment Equation: Tools and Strategies. Corwin. Thousand Oaks. Retrieved from
https://resources.corwin.com/sites/default/files/06.6_Guidelines%20for%20Writing%20LI%20%26%20SC.pdf
Mcgrooby. (2016). PEEL paragraphs. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1dQvPtwp0I
Orman, T. (2012). PEEL Anchor Chart and Paragraph Writing Tips. syracusecityschools.com. Retrieved from http://www.syracusecityschools.com/tfiles/folder836/3.12%20CommonCoreWritingPEELAnchorChart.pdf
Read Write Think. (2017). Editing Checklist for Self- and Peer Editing. ReadWriteThink. Retrieved from http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/printouts/editing-checklist-self-peer-30232.html
Teach Starter. (2015). PEEL Paragraph Structure - Poster and Worksheets Teaching Resource. Teach Starter. Retrieved from https://www.teachstarter.com/teaching-resource/peel-paragraph-structure-poster-worksheet/
Visible Learning Partnership. (2019). Visible Learning. Retrieved from https://www.visiblelearningplus.com/
Barker, N. (2014). Lesson 3 – Thesis Statement and PEEL Method /Writing. EdTech 506. Retrieved from http://edtech2.boisestate.edu/nonabarker/502/506/Lesson%203_NLB_ET506.pdf
Bell, M. (2011). John Hattie: Visible Learning Pt1. Disasters and below average methods. YouTubeRetrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sng4p3Vsu7Y
Bell, M. (2011). John Hattie, Visible Learning. Pt 2: effective methods. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pD1DFTNQf4
Best Custom Writing. (2013). P.E.E.L paragraphs: useful tips and a good sample. Bestcustomwriting.com. Retrieved from http://www.bestcustomwriting.com/blog/essay-writing/peel-paragraphs-useful-tips-and-a-good-sample
Catholic Education Office Melbourne. (2013). Learning Intentions and Success Criteria. Catholic Education Office. Retrieved from https://cpb-ap-se2.wpmucdn.com/global2.vic.edu.au/dist/7/31021/files/2013/08/Corpus-Christi-LISC-July-2013-2dz21eo.pdf
Education Services Australia. (2012). Learning intentions. Curriculum Corporation. Retrieved from https://www.assessmentforlearning.edu.au/professional_learning/modules/learning_intentions/learning_intentions_landing_page.html
Fennessy, M. (2013). Peel essay writing. Slideshare.net. Retrieved from http://www.slideshare.net/meghanlouisefennessy/peel-essay-writing
Janssen Creighton, S., Tobey, C. R., Karnowski, E, Fagan, E.R. (2015). Guidelines for Writing Learning Intentions (LI) and Success Criteria (SC). From Bringing Math Students Into the Formative Assessment Equation: Tools and Strategies. Corwin. Thousand Oaks. Retrieved from
https://resources.corwin.com/sites/default/files/06.6_Guidelines%20for%20Writing%20LI%20%26%20SC.pdf
Mcgrooby. (2016). PEEL paragraphs. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1dQvPtwp0I
Orman, T. (2012). PEEL Anchor Chart and Paragraph Writing Tips. syracusecityschools.com. Retrieved from http://www.syracusecityschools.com/tfiles/folder836/3.12%20CommonCoreWritingPEELAnchorChart.pdf
Read Write Think. (2017). Editing Checklist for Self- and Peer Editing. ReadWriteThink. Retrieved from http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/printouts/editing-checklist-self-peer-30232.html
Teach Starter. (2015). PEEL Paragraph Structure - Poster and Worksheets Teaching Resource. Teach Starter. Retrieved from https://www.teachstarter.com/teaching-resource/peel-paragraph-structure-poster-worksheet/
Visible Learning Partnership. (2019). Visible Learning. Retrieved from https://www.visiblelearningplus.com/
Last updated January 2025
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