PEAS
Why use PEAS?
1. It helps to structure your response
2. Writing a detailed analysis can help you
achieve a “C/B” grade
3. Writing a speculation can help you to
achieve an “A/A*”
What is it?
P = point
E = evidence
A = analysis
S = speculation
Point
1. Writing a point is pretty simple. All you have to do is
make sure you answer the question
2. You can do this by recycling the question and turning
it into a statement
So if the question is: How does Steinbeck present Lennie
in “Of Mice and Men”?
You will begin your point by writing: In “Of Mice and
Men”, Steinbeck presents Lennie as an animal.
Evidence
1. This requires you to prove your point by giving a quote from
the text
2. Make your quote as short and focused as possible
3. Introduce you quote by writing...
- for example it states...
- this is evident when...
- for instance...
For example, “Lennie is described “as a terrier” and as
being “strong as a bull”.
Analysis
1. Write about the language the writer has used
2. Always start you your analysis with “This suggests
that...”. In this sentence you can write what your
evidence shows about the character, the writer’s point
of view or how the reader is made to feel (one
sentence is enough)
3. Then, you identify key words from the evidence (these
are the words that stand out to you) and you explore
what they suggest in detail about how the character is
feeling, the writer’s point of view or how the reader is
made to feel.
Key to Analysis
Always think “WHY?”
1.
WHY does the writer use certain writing techniques?
2.
WHY does the writer want the reader to feel a certain way?
3.
WHY does the writer use certain words?
4.
WHY does the writer use certain punctuation marks?
5.
WHY does the writer introduce characters in certain ways?
Everything a writer does, he/she does for a reason – you must
always question “WHY?”
The Analysis Process
1. Ask your self what does the evidence suggest – it suggests
that Lennie is inferior and controlled like an animal.
2. Ask yourself what the key words (words that stand out to
you) are – the key words are:
- terrier
- strong
- bull
3. Ask yourself what the keywords suggest –
- terrier: obedient, tamed, loyal, loving, subservient
- strong: physically powerful, tough
- bull: full of rage, not easily tamed
Example of a Good Analysis
Now put all your ideas together!
• This suggests that Lennie is inferior and easily controlled.
Steinbeck uses the simile “like a terrier” to suggest that Lennie is
subservient and obedient toward George. He is like a dog that is
submissive to his master. However, Steinbeck also uses the simile
“strong as a bull” to remind the reader that there is more to
Lennie than this docile and sensitive side. He is presented as
being physically powerful and this is evident on many occasions,
for instance when he crushes Curley’s hand. At this point in the
novel, Lennie is shown as being full of rage and is presented as
being unstoppable. Steinbeck may present Lennie as acting “like
a terrier” toward George, but even George struggles, on this
occasion, to tame Lennie.
Moving from C/B – A*/A
• To achieve C/B, your response must
be clear and relevant
• To achieve A*/A, your response must
be detailed and perceptive.
Get that analysis right!
• Providing some analysis, for instance, “This suggests
that Lennie is inferior and easily controlled” will not
get you higher than a “D”.
• Developing your analysis will help push you to a “C/B”.
To develop your analysis, you must focus on key words
and explore WHY the writer has used those words,
what effect is being created on the reader, what
does it reveal about the writer’s point of view, what
does it reveal about the character. Write sentences
like, “The writer has used the word “...” because
..... The writer suggests that....”
Speculation
Writing a speculation will help you to achieve anything
between B – A*
In your speculation, you should:
1. write your own interpretation (this will help push
your grade to a comfortable “B”)
2. write another interpretation (this will help push your
grade to an “A”)
3. link everything you have written to the context in
which the text is set (this will help push your grade to
an “A*”)
B grade – provide your own interpretation
This suggests that Lennie is inferior and easily controlled. Steinbeck
uses the simile “like a terrier” to suggest that Lennie is subservient and
obedient toward George. He is like a dog that is submissive to his
master. However, Steinbeck also uses the simile “strong as a bull” to
remind the reader that there is more to Lennie than this docile and
sensitive side. He is presented as being physically powerful and this is
evident on many occasions, for instance when he crushes Curley’s
hand. At this point in the novel, Lennie is shown as being full of rage
and is presented as being unstoppable. Steinbeck may present Lennie
as acting “like a terrier” toward George, but even George struggles, on
this occasion, to tame Lennie. Even though Lennie harms Curley,
and thus it can be said he is presented in a negative light, the
reader cannot help but sympathise with Lennie as he did not
intentionally mean to hurt Curley. Lennie is unaware of his
strength and thus has no control over the destruction he
causes. It is his unawareness that leads to his downfall.
A grade – provide another interpretation
This suggests that Lennie is inferior and easily controlled. Steinbeck uses the simile
“like a terrier” to suggest that Lennie is subservient and obedient toward George.
He is like a dog that is submissive to his master. However, Steinbeck also uses the
simile “strong as a bull” to remind the reader that there is more to Lennie than
this docile and sensitive side. He is presented as being physically powerful and this
is evident on many occasions, for instance when he crushes Curley’s hand. At this
point in the novel, Lennie is shown as being full of rage and is presented as being
unstoppable. Steinbeck may present Lennie as acting “like a terrier” toward
George, but even George struggles, on this occasion, to tame Lennie. Even though
Lennie harms Curley, and thus it can be said he is presented in a negative light, the
reader cannot help but sympathise with Lennie as he did not intentionally mean to
hurt Curley. Lennie is unaware of his strength and thus has no control over the
destruction he causes. It is his unawareness that leads to his downfall.
Additionally, the reader can also not help but pity Lennie as he was merely
following instructions given to him by George. Lennie looks up to George. It can
be argued that their relationship is not only one of dog and master, but that they
also share a father-son relationship.
A*
grade – relate what you have written to context
This suggests that Lennie is inferior and easily controlled. Steinbeck uses the simile “like a
terrier” to suggest that Lennie is subservient and obedient toward George. He is like a dog
that is submissive to his master. However, Steinbeck also uses the simile “strong as a bull” to
remind the reader that there is more to Lennie than this docile and sensitive side. He is
presented as being physically powerful and this is evident on many occasions, for instance
when he crushes Curley’s hand. At this point in the novel, Lennie is shown as being full of
rage and is presented as being unstoppable. Steinbeck may present Lennie as acting “like a
terrier” toward George, but even George struggles, on this occasion, to tame Lennie. Even
though Lennie harms Curley, and thus it can be said he is presented in a negative light, the
reader cannot help but sympathise with Lennie as he did not intentionally mean to hurt
Curley. Lennie is unaware of his strength and thus has no control over the destruction he
causes. It is his unawareness that leads to his downfall. Additionally, the reader can also not
help but pity Lennie as he was merely following instructions given to him by George. Lennie
looks up to George. It can be argued that their relationship is not only one of dog and
master, but that they also share a father-son relationship. Steinbeck presents George and
Lennie’s relationship as being unique as during the time this novella was set itinerant
workers were known to be lonely, as they never settled long enough to build relationships
of any sort. Lennie and George are different as they travel around together and look out
for one another in their own way. Lennie’s unfaltering loyalty towards George, alongside
his innocence, means the reader cannot help but to feel sorry for Lennie even when his
actions cause harm to others.
Still not sure?
• Check out this YouTube clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
M9Yx6eGBKmU