Language and Literature

PEEL and PEA

PEEL and PEA are structures used in analytical essays to organize ideas clearly. PAFT helps you analyse a text. Combining them makes your essays stronger and more structured.

• PEEL: A paragraph structure used to explain ideas clearly.
  • P - Point: Make a clear statement about the text or theme. (e.g., "The author shows the challenges women faced in medieval society.")
  • E - Evidence: Provide a quotation or example from the text. (e.g., "For instance, the protagonist is told, 'You must remain silent in public,' illustrating gender restrictions.")
  • E - Explanation: Explain how the evidence supports your point. (e.g., "This shows the societal expectation for women to be obedient and passive.")
  • L - Link: Connect back to the question, theme, or PAFT element. (e.g., "This highlights the author's critique of social norms and gender roles.")
• PEA: A shorter paragraph structure, often used for single-point analysis.
  • P - Point: State your argument or observation.
  • E - Evidence: Use a quotation, example, or fact from the text.
  • A - Analysis: Explain the significance or effect of the evidence.

  PEA is useful for quick analysis, especially when linking PAFT elements.

• Combining PAFT with PEEL:

  Just write everything in PAFT, but when writing and you make a point (example: The purpose of this text is to talk about oranges) you evidence it with direct quotations from the text then you explain that point and link it back to the text

  • Example: Analysing tone using PEEL and PAFT:
    • P (Point): The author conveys a critical tone towards societal expectations of orange politicians.
    • E (Evidence): This is evidenced by the quote "Trump was expected to talk, even when his ideas were unimportant."
    • E (Explanation): This shows how oranges' voices were taken inequally, creating tension and highlighting inequality.
    • L (Link): Linking the explanation back to the text and it's overall purpose, this ties in with PAFT again.

  Conventions of Drama

  • Dialogue: Spoken words between characters; conveys conflict, relationships, and power dynamics
  • Stage Directions: Instructions for actors, movement, tone, and setting; IB: Analyse how these affect meaning
  • Characters: Protagonist, antagonist, supporting characters; analyse motivations and power relationships
  • Setting: Time, place, and context; IB: Consider how setting amplifies conflict or highlights power structures
  • Monologue & Soliloquy: Reveals inner thoughts and emotions; IB: Useful for analysing internal conflict and character development
  • Foreshadowing & Suspense: Creates tension and anticipation; IB: Analyse dramatic effect on audience
  • Symbolism and Props: Objects or actions representing ideas, themes, or power
  • Stagecraft: Lighting, sound, costume, set design; IB: Consider contribution to mood and thematic focus

  Five-Act Plot Structure

  • Act 1 – Exposition: Introduction of characters, setting, and context; establishes initial conflict
  • Act 2 – Rising Action: Development of conflict; characters face obstacles
  • Act 3 – Climax: Turning point of the play; highest tension; power dynamics revealed
  • Act 4 – Falling Action: Conflict begins to resolve; consequences of the climax unfold
  • Act 5 – Resolution (Denouement): Conflict resolved, characters’ fates revealed; IB: Link to theme and message
  • IB Tip: When analysing, identify how the structure enhances tension, conflict, and audience engagement

  Creative Writing: Script Writing

  In IB-style creative writing tasks, you may be asked to write a script based on an image, quote, or scenario. Scripts focus on dialogue, character interactions, and stage directions.

  • Based on an Image or Prompt:

    IB often gives a stimulus (visual or textual) to inspire your script. Analyze the prompt for themes, mood, and possible conflicts before writing.

  • Script Elements:
    • Dramatis Personae (Characters): List all characters at the start. Include brief descriptions and notes on how they speak.
    • Byline: Always indicate the author as “XYZ” (unless mentioned otherwise).
    • Character Names and Dialogue: Clearly label who speaks. In brackets, indicate tone, emotion, or way of speaking. Example:
      ALICE (excitedly): “I can’t believe we finally found the treasure!”
      BOSTRICH (whispering nervously): “Shh… someone might hear us.”
    • Stage Directions: Indicate actions, movements, expressions, or interactions. Example: (ALICE picks up the map and examines it carefully. BOSTRICH glances around, frowning.)
    • Setting: Clearly describe location, time, and atmosphere. Example: Setting: A dimly lit forest clearing at dusk. Mist curls around the trees; a sense of suspense hangs in the air.
    • Conflict: Introduce tension, power struggles, or emotional challenges early in the script. Conflict drives dialogue and actions.
  • Tips for IB Assessment:
    • Plan the plot briefly before writing. Use a five-act structure if suitable: Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, Resolution.
    • Keep language and tone consistent with each character and the context of the scene.
    • Make sure eveything is written in format, that's the only thing iB cares about.
    • Ensure dialogue is natural, concise, purposeful, and advances the plot.
    • Use stage directions to guide action and tone.

  Example Script Format:

        Genesis
        
  By: xyz
  Dramatis Personae:
  - ALICE: Adventurous, curious (speaks energetically)
  - BOSTRICH: Cautious, nervous (speaks quietly)
  
  Setting: A dark forest at dusk, mist curling around the trees.
  
  (ALICE holds a map, peering into the shadows. BOSTRICH glances nervously around.)
  
  ALICE (excitedly): "I think we’re close to the treasure!"
  
  BOSTRICH (whispering nervously): "We need to be careful… something feels off."
  
  (ALICE steps forward, shining a flashlight on a strange symbol carved into a tree. BOSTRICH jumps back.)
    

  Click for a Tip

  Introduction to Film Genres

  • Purpose: Understand the type of story, audience, and stylistic conventions
  • Common Genres:
    • Drama: Emotional, character-driven stories
    • Comedy: Humour, satire, light-hearted conflicts
    • Action/Adventure: Physical stunts, fast-paced plot
    • Horror/Thriller: Suspense, fear, tension
    • Documentary: Factual storytelling, social or historical focus
    • Musical: Songs integrated with narrative
  • IB Focus: Identify genre conventions and how they influence audience expectations

  Introduction to Film Techniques

  • Cinematography: Camera angles, shots (close-up, wide, tracking), framing
  • Editing: Cuts, transitions, pacing; IB: Consider how editing shapes meaning and tension
  • Sound: Dialogue, music, diegetic/non-diegetic sound
  • Lighting: Mood, focus, contrast (high key, low key, natural, artificial)
  • Special Effects & Mise-en-Scène: Props, costumes, setting, body language, gestures
  • IB Focus: Analyse how techniques communicate theme, emotion, or perspective

  Text Type: Film Review

  • Purpose: Critically evaluate a film, inform audience about plot, performance, and production
  • Structure:
    • Introduction: Film title, director, genre, brief synopsis
    • Body: Analysis of plot, characters, cinematography, editing, sound, and performance
    • Evaluation: Strengths, weaknesses, overall impact
    • Conclusion: Recommendation or rating
  • IB Focus: Support opinions with textual evidence from the film; link analysis to theme or audience response

  Annotation and Analysis of a Film Review

  • Highlight key phrases describing technique, performance, or plot
  • Identify evaluative language and tone (positive, negative, neutral)
  • Analyse how language, structure, and stylistic features convey meaning
  • Link observations to the film’s genre, intended audience, and social/cultural context
  • IB Tip: Annotate with symbols or color codes for techniques, opinions, and evaluation points

  Writing a Film Review

  • Use clear headings or paragraphs for plot summary, analysis, and evaluation
  • Incorporate film techniques and examples to support points
  • Maintain appropriate tone for intended audience
  • Conclude with personal opinion or recommendation
  • IB Tip: Use PEEL structure (Point, Evidence, Explanation, Link) for every analysis point

  Mode of Assessment / Submission

  • Criterion Assessed:
    • Criterion A: Analysing
    • Criterion B: Organising
    • Criterion C: Producing Text
    • Criterion D: Using Language
  • Assessment Task: Annotate and analyse a film review excerpt, then write your own review using IB textual analysis techniques

  Exam Tip: Always link film techniques to effect on audience and theme. When writing a review, be analytical and evaluative, not just descriptive. Include examples from film scenes, camera angles, lighting, and dialogue. Use PEEL structure consistently.

  Text Types

  • Autobiography: Written by the subject themselves; reflects personal experiences, thoughts, and reflections
  • Biography: Written by someone else; provides factual account and context of a person's life
  • Letters: Personal or formal communication; analyse tone, audience, and purpose
  • Diary Entry: Personal reflections; use of first-person, informal tone, and intimate perspective
  • IB Focus: Analyse conventions, purpose, audience, tone, and structure for each text type

  Text Type Conventions

  • Autobiography: Chronological structure, reflection on life events, personal voice
  • Biography: Third-person narration, research-based, highlights achievements and challenges
  • Letters: Greeting, body, closing; tone and form vary based on audience
  • Diary Entry: Date, personal reflections, emotional tone, candid language

  Creative Writing: Autobiographies and Biographies

  • Plan structure before writing (chronological, thematic, or combination)
  • Use descriptive language to convey experiences, emotions, and context
  • Maintain voice: first-person for autobiography, third-person for biography
  • Incorporate reflection or analysis of life events
  • IB Tip: Link personal or historical context to broader societal themes where relevant

  Exam Tip: Focus on identifying purpose, audience, tone, and conventions. In creative writing, ensure clarity of voice, structure, and reflection. Always support your points with examples or context.

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