How to Write a Good Paragraph: The PEEL Method
Blog / WRITING TIPS
A good paragraph develops one main idea. The PEEL method — Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link — is an easy way to structure body paragraphs in essays, reports and even blog posts.
P — Point
Open with a topic sentence that states the paragraph's single idea. Readers should be able to skim topic sentences alone and follow your argument.
Example: "Later school start times improve attendance."
E — Evidence
Support the point with a fact, quotation, statistic or example, and cite it when required.
Use evidence that directly proves the point rather than something only loosely related.
E — Explanation
Explain how the evidence supports your point. This is where your own thinking appears, and it is the part students most often skip.
A useful test: if you deleted your explanation, would the reader still know why the evidence matters? If yes, your explanation is too thin.
L — Link
End by linking back to the thesis or forward to the next paragraph.
In academic writing, body paragraphs often run 100–200 words; online, shorter paragraphs of two to four sentences are easier to read on phones. Use the word counter to check your paragraph lengths.
Frequently asked questions
How many sentences are in a paragraph?
There is no fixed rule; academic paragraphs often have 4–8 sentences.
Can a paragraph be one sentence?
Yes in journalism and web writing, but rarely in academic essays.
What is a topic sentence?
The sentence, usually first, that states the paragraph's main idea.