P.E.E Paragraphs

An example of how to write a P.E.E paragraph, using 'Of Mice and Men' as a reference. 

Task: Write a paragraph describing the character of Curley. 

P = Make a point. 

E = Give evidence to prove your point. This must include a quotation from the text.

E = Explain how your evidence proves your point.

Here is an example:

Steinbeck introduces Curley as a guarded and unfriendly character. When he first meets the two protagonists he " glanced coldly” at them. The word 'coldly' suggests that Curley's attitude towards Lennie and George is hostile and unkind. The fact that he merely 'glanced' at the two men implies that he is indifferent to their presence. Perhaps he is so used to seeing vast numbers of migrant workers pass through the ranch that he simply can't be bothered to be pleasant; he knows that they too will move on eventually. Furthermore, he may also be feeling threatened by the new arrivals and wants to convey a sense of authority over them. As this is the first time Curley appears in the novella, readers can infer that Steinbeck knows his readers will be sympathetic towards Lennie and George and therefore be wary of the boss' son. 

Keywords:

implies = suggests, hints at, points to
convey = show, transmit
infer = assume, speculate, interpret
wary = unsure, suspicious, distrustful 

Less is More!

For the writing parts of any exam, you will often have a specified word count to adhere to. You should try not to go over or under this count by more than 10%. This can be a blessing or a curse, depending on how confident you are with the topic. 

If you are struggling to keep within the word count limit, have a look at my example attached below. 

You can see in the first version, I am using superfluous* words and phrases which are not really adding any value to the content. In the second version I have removed these and (hopefully) it still makes sense.

I have also added notes so you can see some of the rhetorical devices used in the writing. 

*superfluous = unnecessary or excessive 

PAU EXAM – Writing Practise

5. Write about 100 to 150 words on the following topic.

Does technology help you to save time or make you waste it? Explain your views.

Pre-edited version

(An essay arguing FOR technology)

Example 1: Pre-edited Version

Without technology, my life would be disorganized, inefficient and maybe even a little dull. From waking up in the morning, to falling asleep - and even while I am sleeping - technology is saving me time.

The sleep tracker app on my iPhone monitors my sleep pattern exactly, so that it wakes me up at precisely the optimum time for my body. This saves me endless minutes of ´snoozing´, which just makes me grumpy and late and ruins my whole day!

Added to this technological time-saving device, Google Maps lets me check my journey time in advance, so I know when I need to leave the house. This means I get more time sleeping (not snoozing) and less time hanging around a bus station waiting for a bus that is still 30 minutes away.

Anyone who says technology doesn’t save you time has clearly too much time on their hands! Think about it. Without a dishwasher, microwave and washing machine, our lives would be burdened by domestic chores. Instead, we just press a button and the dishes get cleaned while we sit back and watch amazing videos of dancing grannies on YouTube! Thank heavens for technology – it’s given me my time back!                                                                  

202 Words

Example 1: Edited Version (yellow highlighted words have been removed)

Without technology, my life would be disorganized, inefficient and dull[U1] . From waking up in the morning, to falling asleep, technology is saving me time.

The sleep tracker app on my iPhone monitors my[U2]  sleep pattern, so that it wakes me up at the optimum time for my body. This saves me endless minutes of ´snoozing´, which just makes me grumpy and late![U3] 

Additionally, Google Maps lets me check my journey time in advance, so I know when to leave the house. This means more time sleeping (not snoozing[U4] ) and less time hanging around a bus station.

Anyone who says technology doesn’t save you time has clearly too much time on their hands![U5] Without a dishwasher, microwave and washing machine, our lives would be burdened by domestic chores. Instead, we just press a button and the dishes get cleaned while we sit back and watch amazing videos of dancing grannies on YouTube! [U6] 

151 Words

 [U1]Triple emphasis (power of 3)

 [U2]Personal language

 [U3]Emphasis

 [U4]Repetition

 [U5]Exaggeration

 [U6]Humour and emphasis 

(An essay arguing AGAINST technology)

Example 2: Pre-edited Version

In today’s society there are so many distractions around us, we can hardly get anything done. Technology, in my view, is simply a time-wasting device which enables us to sit around the house playing mindless video games when we could be getting work done, or be outside interacting with each other and benefitting from fresh air and exercise.

It is so depressing that people spend hours at a time with their eyes glued to their mobile phones. What are they actually doing? ‘Liking’ a ridiculous photo of someone’s ugly baby on Instagram? Playing some terrible ‘Candy Crush’ game (what is that anyway?) which a ‘friend’ you didn’t even know you had invited you to play on Facebook? How is this a good use of your time?

Think about all of the books you could read, instruments you could learn to play, hobbies you could have without some pesky technological gadget robbing you of minutes, hours, days of your life.

No one ever dies wishing they had spent more time on YouTube, do they? Technology is draining your life and your time away. It’s time to reclaim your precious time by spending it with your friends and family (in the real world, not the virtual one). Click the ‘off’ button. Permanently.                          

210 Words

Example 2: Edited Version

Technology, in my view[U1] , is simply a time-wasting device which enables us to sit around the house playing mindless video games when we could be getting work done, or be outside interacting with each other.

It’s so depressing that people spend hours with their eyes glued to their mobile phones. What are they doing? [U2] ‘Liking’ a ridiculous photo of someone’s ugly baby on Instagram? Playing some terrible ‘Candy Crush’ game (what is that anyway?) which a ‘friend’ you didn’t even know you had invited you to play on Facebook? How is this a good use of time?

Think about all the books you could read[U3] , instruments you could play, hobbies you could have without some pesky technological gadget robbing you of time.  

It’s time to reclaim your[U4]  precious time by spending it with your friends and family (in the real world, not the virtual one). Click the ‘off’ button. Permanently.                                     
150 Words

---

 [U1]Personal language

 [U2]Rhetorical questions

 [U3]Command

 [U4]Personal language

Cambridge English Language Assessment

Turn exam hell into exam heaven by doing some quick research online.

Take a look at the Cambridge website for help with the FCE and CAE exams.

There are loads of helpful hints and tips on how to prepare. 

Good Luck! 

Watch TV in English!

Download  zenmate to help you watch TV programmes in English. 

You'll find plenty of fun and interesting TV series', one-off documentaries and films on the following websites:

• BBC
• 4od
• ITV

Please make sure you get permission from a parent or guardian before accessing these sites.