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

Hard and sharp as flint, from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire; secret,

and self-contained, and solitary as an oyster.

A simile is use to compare Scrooge

like a stone: cold and hard.

A simile is used to compare Scrooge to an oyster: hard and private.

Sibilance in ‘sharp’, ‘steel’ and ‘secret’ gives him an almost snake like image.

A long, complex sentence add to the feeling that Scrooge is difficult

and complicated.

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.