Cheat Sheet Harris

P.E.A.S.

Almost all good arguments and papers follow an internal P.E.A.S. structure in explaining their points.

P is for Point. Authors open with declarative statements of purpose and topic, often connected (explicitly [+] or implicitly [-]) with their thesis or main purpose.

E is for Evidence. Authors will support their declarative statement with specific pieces of evidence, often in the form of:

Quotations

Data (Historical, empirical, literary, etc…)—things like dates, statistics, and other such info are especially popular

Examples (hypothetical or otherwise

The kinds of evidence will depend on the kind of writing you are dealing with.

A is for Analysis. Good authors do NOT just drop evidence in your lap without taking time to explain an analyze it. Readers presented with the same evidence may draw different conclusions or emphases from it, which is why the Authors MUST MUST MUST take time to analyze and interpret the evidence for their readers.

S is for So What? The Author then justifies why the information, that evidence, that analysis, that point, matter/should matter to the reader.

Sample PEAS paragraph based on analyzing the picture –>.

One way to interpret this picture is that it shows us how things in life are always changing. The artist uses an optical illusion to represent change. If you look from left to right a bridge slowly transforms into a ship. The transformation shows us that things change as we move forward, and the optical illusion shows us that this change can be gradual. This is also true in our lives, where things are constantly and gradually changing. We move through school, to new places, and all of these things change us, and we have to adapt. Understanding this pictures’ message can inspire us and help us feel determined going forward.

Color-code & Order PEAS components as follows.

Point (red): [first 1-2 sentences] Make an argument, and use the thesis/point structure (Noun/topic + Action Verb + Theme from Class).

Evidence (green): Quotes, paraphrases, and examples that support your point. These should be properly cited based always!

Analysis (blue): Be sure you are taking the time to tie your evidence back to your point. This is where you showcase your thinking!

[Remember to intermix your E and A….It shouldn’t be GIANT BLOCK OF E then

GIANT BLOCK OF A. Go back and forth between the two]

So What? (purple): [last 1-3 sentences] Of all of the arguments you could’ve made, why did you make this one? Why does your point matter? So what? Who cares?

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