What is a PEEA Paragraph?

What is a PEEA Paragraph?
A PEEA paragraph is a system we use in English
(and other subjects) to explain, analyse and
evaluate an aspect of a text.
It is vital that you know how to write using this
structure for you to effectively discuss what
you read.
Explain – What’s happening in the quote?
Analyse – What techniques have the writer’s
used? What ideas are there?
Evaluate – How effective is the technique and
quote?
PEEA
Point: State your point/argument clearly.
Evidence: ‘Cut out’ a quote that supports
your point
Explain: What is happening in the quote?
What does it suggest?
Analyse: Zoom in and spotlight individual
words/punctuation in the quote and
explain how they make the reader feel. Is
the writer effective in achieving what
he/she wants to? Why?
Which is the best quote to support the
point?
Success Criteria for a quote:
1) Is it good one for analysis (is there lots to say
about it?)
2) Does it have two or more aspects of language
or structure to discuss?
3) Is it a good length (more than 3 words, less
than two lines?)
4) Does it support the point you are making?
5) Does it help to answer your essay question?
Useful Sentence starters
This is shown in the quote…
This suggests that…and makes the reader feel…
Moreover it implies…which supports Boyne’s
purpose to…
The word ‘____’ from the quote is powerful
because it makes the reader think of…
Look at any exciting punctuation, the sentence
structure or language techniques here – explain
what specific effect it has on the reader.
This is effective because…
A Worked Example: A Christmas Carol
Let’s discuss the question:
How is Scrooge presented in Stave 1?
A ‘how’ question requires you to explain
the methods Dicken’s has used to create
the character of Scrooge?
What Quote Do I Choose?
An Extract
• But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grind- stone,
Scrooge! a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping,
clutching, covetous, old sinner! Hard and sharp as flint,
from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire;
secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an
oyster. The cold within him froze his old features,
nipped his pointed nose, shrivelled his cheek, stiffened
his gait; made his eyes red, his thin lips blue and spoke
out shrewdly in his grating voice. A frosty rime was on
his head, and on his eyebrows, and his wiry chin.
There are many good quotes in this extract. This is a
particularly good as it is descriptive and Dickens has
used a variety of techniques.
Exploring The Quote
A simile is use to
compare Scrooge
like a stone: cold and
hard.
A long, complex sentence add to
the feeling that Scrooge is difficult
and complicated.
Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel
had ever struck out generous fire; secret,
and self-contained, and solitary as an
oyster.
Sibilance in ‘sharp’, ‘steel’
and ‘secret’ gives him an
almost snake like image.
A simile is used to
compare Scrooge to an
oyster: hard and private.
A Good Paragraph
Scrooge is presented negatively in Stave 1. This is
suggested when he is described as, “Hard and sharp as
flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous
fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an
oyster”. Here, he is presented as a cold, mean and a
private person suggesting he is never warm or
generous. By using the simile to compare Scrooge to a
stone, “flint” we understand that he is hard-hearted
yet also sharp and quick-witted. Furthermore, Dickens
uses another simile to compare him to “oyster”
supporting his hard image and also presenting him as
secretive and isolated. The two similes give Scrooge an
interesting and detailed description. The quotation is
very effective as it gives the reader a strongly negative
image of him.
A Great Paragraph
Scrooge is presented negatively in Stave 1. This is suggested when he is
described as, “Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck
out generous fire; secret, and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster”.
Here, he is presented as a cold, mean and a private person suggesting he is
never warm or generous. By using the simile to compare Scrooge to a
stone, “flint” we understand that he is hard-hearted yet also sharp and
quick-witted. The reader would link the image of a flint as a stone the
sharpen knives giving him a menacing image. Furthermore, Dickens uses
another simile to compare him to “oyster” supporting his hard image and
also presenting him as secretive and isolated. The reader may also
sympathise with Scrooge as it suggests loneliness. Also, like an oyster,
Dickens is suggesting that he may also have a special quality, yet to be
revealed. Sibilance is used throughout , “sharp”, “steel”, “secret” giving an
almost snake like image by repeating the ‘s’ sound. Finally, Dickens’ use of
the long, complex sentence structure adds to the feeling that Scrooge is
difficult and complicated. The description of Scrooge is highly effective as
it is detailed and layered. On the surface he is unpleasant and friendless.
However, Dickens also foreshadows a more positive character to come and
creates sympathy in the reader.
What’s the difference between a good
and a great paragraph?
Deeper discussion of language.
Discussion of structure.
The understanding of the character is much
more thorough.
Detailed explanation of the experience of the
reader.
Discusses the writer’s purpose and craft.
How Would I Further Improve The
Great Paragraph ?
Some suggestions to create an exceptional
paragraph:
 Start to move away from the formulaic approach.
 Imbed shorter quotes into sentences
throughout.
 Link analysis to the context of the text.
 Inventive analysis –more than what is discussed
in class. Own ideas!
 Link to form – novel, poetry or play?
 More developed personal opinion.