PEEL paragraphs: Point, Evidence, Explain, Link
PEEL is the paragraph engine LearnUp uses across English: Point, Evidence, Explain, Link. It structures comprehension answers, the content points in situational writing, and every body paragraph in a FLARE argument essay. The Explain sentence is where most of the marks are won or lost.
Key facts
| Stands for | Point · Evidence · Explain · Link |
| Use for | Comprehension, situational points, essay paragraphs |
| Marks live in | The Explain sentence |
| Used inside | FLARE essay arc |
The four parts
Point: state the claim or answer directly, in one clear sentence. Evidence: support it — a quotation, an example, or a detail from the text. Explain: show why the evidence supports the point; this is the reasoning. Link: tie back to the question or forward to the next idea.Done well, a PEEL paragraph reads as a single, complete thought rather than a list of disconnected sentences.
Why Explain wins the marks
Most students manage Point and Evidence — they state an answer and quote the text. Marks are lost at Explain, the step that turns an example into an argument. An examiner can see a quotation; what they reward is the student showing what it means and why it answers the question. In comprehension this is the difference between a literal lift and an inference; in an essay it is the difference between an opinion and a case.
Where PEEL is used
PEEL is deliberately versatile. In comprehension, answers often run Point-Evidence-Explain. In situational writing, each required content point can be written as a mini-PEEL so it is fully developed. In argument essays, every body move of the FLARE arc is a PEEL paragraph. Learning it once pays off across the whole paper.
A quick before-and-after
Weak: “The writer is sad. ‘I stared at the empty chair.’” — a point and a quote, no reasoning. Strong: “The writer conveys grief (Point). ‘I stared at the empty chair’ (Evidence) shows her fixed on an absence rather than a person, suggesting the loss still feels unreal (Explain), which answers how she feels in this moment (Link).” The second earns the marks because it explains.Frequently asked questions
What does PEEL stand for?
Point, Evidence, Explain, Link — a four-part structure for a well-developed paragraph or answer.
Why is the Explain step so important?
Explain is the reasoning that connects your evidence to your point. It's where most marks are won, because examiners reward analysis, not just a quotation.
Where can I use PEEL?
In comprehension answers, in each content point of situational writing, and as the body-paragraph engine inside a FLARE argument essay.
Is PEEL only for English?
It's taught here for English, but the Point-Evidence-Explain-Link discipline transfers to any subject that asks for a reasoned written answer.
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