How do i structure an English Literature essay?

P(oint) E(vidence) E(xplanation) L(ink) is a simple and helpful way to structure an English literature essay in note form. A strong paragraph will intertwine PEEL with the assessment objectives whilst also considering the authors intent.If you are given an extract to analyse the first thing to do is highlight any key quotes that catch your eye especially those with terminology in them, you can develop a main point by finding a commonality between your quotes for example they may both reference nature. The theme of nature in relation to the question will then become your main P(oint) and the quotes you highlighted will become your E(vidence), it is then important to explain the effect these quotes have on your overall reading of the extract, perhaps one quote uses a simile to describe nature, you should explore the effect of this simile and why the author has chosen to use it, how it affects the tone of the extract, how an audience will respond and how the context or time period the extract was written in affects the reading. Answering these questions will make up the bulk of your E(xplanation) and you can end your paragraph by L(ink)ing it either to the question or to your next point.