A Practical Guide to Write a Literary Essay Using PEEL Method

Often beginner students are in a loss on how to develop a proper piece of writing for given question on literary genres. We have done some surveys using new AI tools and try to provide you a practical answer to write an essay based on a given past paper question. Get ready! We call this method as PEEL method. 

In this guide, we are going to use Mark Twain’s classic novel, The Prince and the Pauper, to show you exactly how to build a powerful literary answer. By the end of this article, you will know how to turn your thoughts into a structured, convincing argument.

Understanding the Question

Before we write, we must understand what we are being asked.

The Question: In the novel "The Prince and the Pauper," Mark Twain makes a comment about the society in England several centuries ago. Discuss referring to the plot of the novel.

What does this actually mean?

Twain isn't just writing a fun story about two boys who look alike. He is using the story of Edward (the Prince) and Tom (the Pauper) to criticize 16th-century England. He wants to show that the laws were cruel, the rich were out of touch, and the poor were treated like animals. Your job is to prove this using the PEEL method.

The PEEL 

PEEL method is usually used with paragraphs that follow your opening paragraphs. PEEL usually stands for:

• P – Point: Start with a clear sentence that states your main idea for that paragraph. No "I think" or "In my opinion"—just state it as a fact.
• E – Evidence: Support your point with a specific example or a quote from the book. This is your "proof."
• E – Explanation: This is the most important part. Explain how your evidence proves your point. This is where you show your "detective work."
• L – Link: Wrap up the paragraph by connecting it back to the main question (the social commentary).

Let's begin the Essay

The Opening Paragraph/ the introduction.

Your opening paragraph is the map of your answer. It can be crafted as this:

1. The Hook: A general statement about the theme. The question is about the Society at that time. So, you can start by giving a general statement about that right? (e.g., "Society is often judged by how it treats its most vulnerable members.")

2. Context: Mention the title (The Prince and the Pauper) and the author (Mark Twain).

3. The Thesis Statement: This is your "Main Argument." (This is the answer for the question asked in the question, so make sure you hit the nail on the head!)

• Thesis Example: "Through the swapped identities of Edward VI and Tom Canty, Mark Twain criticizes the extreme class inequality and the brutal legal system of 16th-century England."

Your thesis statement should be supported with supporting points. They are your body paragraphs. This is where PEEL comes. Let's see how it is done.

Body Paragraph 1: The Cruelty of the Law

Point: Twain uses the Prince’s journey as a pauper to expose the horrific and unfair laws of the time.

Evidence: When Prince Edward is living as a beggar, he witnesses two women being burned at the stake for their religious beliefs. He also sees people hanged for minor crimes, like stealing a loaf of bread. (You may use extracted quotes from the text instead.)

Explanation: This is where you analyze. Twain places a future King in the middle of this violence so the reader feels the shock with him. By showing that the law punished the poor far more harshly than the rich, Twain is commenting that the "justice" system was actually a system of terror used to keep the lower classes in check. He wants us to see that these laws were not moral; they were simply cruel.

Link: Therefore, through Edward’s horror, Twain highlights that 16th-century English law lacked the basic humanity required for a civilized society.

Body Paragraph 2: The Illusion of Class

Point: A major social comment Twain makes is that "nobility" is often just a matter of clothing and manners, not actual character.

Evidence: When Tom Canty (the pauper) is dressed in royal robes, the entire court—including the King’s closest advisors—believes he is the Prince. Conversely, when Edward (the Prince) is in rags, he is mocked, beaten, and treated as a "madman" by everyone he meets.

Explanation: This swap proves Twain’s point that society’s respect is "skin deep." The people don't respect the person; they respect the outfit. If a pauper can act like a king and a king can be treated like a beggar, then the strict class walls of 16th-century England are shown to be a lie. Twain is mocking the idea of "Divine Right" (the idea that kings are born better than others) by showing that identity is mostly a social performance.

Link: This identity swap serves as a powerful critique of a society that values status and appearance over human worth.

Body Paragraph 3: The Ignorance of the Elite

Point: Twain comments on how the ruling class is dangerously disconnected from the reality of the people they rule.

Evidence: While Tom is acting as the King, he is confused by the elaborate, wasteful rituals of the palace—like having dozens of servants just to help him put on a shirt—while he knows his family is starving in Offal Court.

Explanation: By contrasting the ridiculous wealth of the palace with the extreme poverty of the streets, Twain shows the "blindness" of the monarchy. The Prince had no idea how his subjects lived until he was forced to be one of them. Twain is suggesting that a leader cannot be just if they do not understand the suffering of their people. Tom’s common-sense decisions while on the throne show that "pauper logic" is often more humane than "royal law."

Link: Ultimately, Twain uses these scenes to argue that the English monarchy of the time was built on a foundation of ignorance and social neglect.

The Ending Paragraph/ Conclusion

Never introduce new information in the conclusion. Instead, summarize your journey.

1. Restate the Thesis: Remind the reader that Twain used the plot to attack social injustice.

2. Summary of Points: Mention the cruel laws, the fake nature of class, and the distance between the rich and poor.

3. Final Thought: Why does this matter today?

• Example: "By the end of the novel, Edward returns to his throne as a changed man. Twain’s final comment is that true leadership requires empathy, and a society that ignores the suffering of the poor is a society destined for tragedy."

The main mistake we see in students, they start with quotes not without a point. And they are worried about bigger quotes, for a novel it is hard to keep many quotes. You may include three or two words quotes to show the examiner that you have read the text. However, you can have few long quotations under your sleeve. 

Writing a literary answer is like building a house. The Thesis is the foundation, the PEEL paragraphs are the walls, and the Evidence is the bricks. If you follow this structure, your writing will be strong enough to handle any question your teacher throws at you.

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