Full PEEL Paragraph Templates

1. Introduction: Why Use a Full PEEL Paragraph Template?

An academic paragraph is easier to write if it has a clear structure.  Full PEEL Paragraph Templates provide students with a practical starting point to develop ideas, provide evidence and link their discussion to the main argument in a paragraph. Sometimes a template is helpful when you have an idea for a paragraph, but you aren't sure how to put it into words. It can support you in making decisions about where evidence fits in, improve analysis, and stay focused and relate parts to the whole of an assignment. PEEL is an acronym that signifies Point, Evidence, Explanation and Link.

2. The Fill-in-the-Blank PEEL Paragraph Template

Using a Full PEEL paragraph template will help with planning and drafting. Students will be provided with the following PEEL writing template and will substitute the information in brackets:

Now, here is how you can do it:

Point:

An important argument regarding it [topic] is that [main idea]. 

Evidence:

This can be illustrated with [research/example/statistic/quotation]. 

Explanation:

This evidence indicates [interpret the evidence] because [explain its significance and connection to the point].

Link:

So, [link the paragraph's argument to the essay question, thesis or broader topic].

This is a PEEL paragraph format that is not intended to be copied per se, but rather used as a guideline. Insert the information that is directly connected to your assignment and argument in the brackets.

3. PEEL Template With Academic Sentence Starters

PEEL paragraph sentence starters can be used to help students to get started on each section and to help them develop their own academic voice through an academic paragraph template.

For the Point

• One significant aspect of [topic] is...
• One of the critical points is that...
• One important reason is...

For Evidence

• According to [source] research, ….
• For example...
• As seen in [source], it is proven that...

For Explanation

• All of this evidence indicates that...
• This can be accounted for by...
• This evidence is important because…

For the Link

• Hence, this is proof of the fact that...
• This is evidence to support the claim that...
• Therefore, it [topic] may be defined as...

These Full PEEL Paragraph Templates are starting points and need to be adapted, not repeated mechanically as a starter throughout an assignment.

4. PEEL Template for Analytical Assignments

Not all tasks call for only fact descriptions. They expect students to interpret evidence and demonstrate critical thinking. The following PEEL paragraph structure is helpful for analytical writing:

Point:

The argument [A] is related to [B] in an important way.

Evidence:

There is [specific evidence] in support of this relationship.

Explanation:

The evidence is important for the following reason(s): [analyse meaning]. That suggests that [interpretation] shows [connection to argument].

Link:

It is therefore logical to conclude that [a more general statement].
This method allows more room for students to reason and state why evidence is important and not just given.

5. PEEL Templates for Different Subjects

Students can use the full PEEL paragraph template for students, but it can be modified based on the subject and what type of evidence is needed.

History Template

• Point: [historical event] was due in part to [argument].
• Evidence: Evidence from history from [source/event] indicates that...
• Explanation: It's shown that...
• Link: So, [factor] played a major role in... 

Literature Template

• Point: The author introduces [theme/character] as...
• Evidence: When [quotation/example]…
• Explanation: The language/technique indicates...

This supports the overall presentation of... in the text. 

Nursing / Health Template

• Point: [Practice/intervention] is necessary for...
• Evidence: Research indicates...
• Explanation: This evidence shows...
• Conclude: For this reason, this method can help with….

The evidence and the degree of analysis must always be appropriate to the topic.

6. How to Customise a PEEL Template

Do not consider a PEEL template as a complete paragraph. To make it useful:

1. Read the question carefully to determine the exact nature of the assignment.
2. Make a specific Point which responds to it.
3. Identify evidence that directly supports the Point.
4. Add to the explanation by analysis.
5. Make an Inference back to the original argument.
6. Eliminate unnatural beginnings to sentences.

The student's own argument, evidence and academic voice must be seen clearly in the final PEEL paragraph.

7. Using a Full PEEL Template in an Assignment

While planning and drafting, students can use a PEEL paragraph example/template. A simple procedure is:

Question → Main Argument → Evidence → Analysis → Connection

This helps to keep each paragraph focused and to link the evidence to the assignment as a whole, as opposed to having it included without any explanation. These easy templates will help you learn how to Write A PEEL paragraph: structure, Format, and example.