What is PEEL?

PEEL is a simple, reliable structure for writing any body paragraph so it stays focused and complete:

• P — Point: state the specific claim this paragraph will make. This is just the outline's lettered sub-point (A, B, C) turned into a full sentence.
• E — Evidence: give the fact, example, case study, or data that supports the point. This is the outline's numbered supporting detail (1, 2, 3).
• E — Explain: unpack why or how the evidence actually supports the point — this is the same "Reasoning" step already covered on the Argumentation page.
• L — Link: close by tying the paragraph back to the essay's central thesis, and transition toward the next paragraph.

From Outline to PEEL Paragraph

• Each lettered outline sub-point (A, B, C…) becomes exactly one PEEL paragraph — this is the same "mirror your paragraphs" rule from the Outline Writing page, just applied at the sentence level.
• Point = the sub-point itself, written out as a full topic sentence (not left as a fragment like it is in the outline).
• Evidence = whatever is listed under it in the outline (the 1, 2, 3 supporting facts).
• Explain = the reasoning that connects the evidence back to the point — the part that shows the examiner independent thinking, not just a fact dump.
• Link = a transition sentence back to the thesis and into the next paragraph, so paragraphs don't read as a disconnected list.

Worked Example (from the Politics vs. Economy Sample Essay)

Outline sub-point: II.B — Evidence: Nelson Mandela's leadership in South Africa's democratic transition

• Point: "South Africa's transition under Nelson Mandela offers concrete evidence for this logic."
• Evidence: "The peaceful dismantling of apartheid and the negotiated transfer of political power preceded, rather than followed, the country's subsequent economic recovery."
• Explain: "Reconciliation between previously hostile political factions removed the constant threat of civil conflict that had deterred both domestic and foreign investment for decades."
• Link: "Once that political foundation was secured, capital that had been withheld out of fear of instability began to flow back into the economy, demonstrating that political settlement was the precondition for economic revival rather than a parallel or secondary process."

Notice this is the exact paragraph already sitting on the sample essay page — PEEL isn't a different technique from what's already being taught, it's just a memorable label for the same P→E→R→L flow the outline and argumentation pages already describe.

English Level & Sentence Structure Guidelines