NOTE
To write a PETAL paragraph, you should start by identifying the main
idea or argument you want to make in the paragraph. Then, find a
specific quotation or example from the text that supports your point.
Next, identify the literary device or technique used in the quotation or
example and explain how it helps to convey meaning. Finally, analyze
how the evidence supports your point and what it reveals about the
text. Be sure to end with a sentence that links your point to the next
paragraph or to the overall argument of your essay.
Here is an example of a PETAL
paragraph:
Point: The poem "Municipal Gum" reflects the concept of
sustainability by highlighting the negative impact of human actions on
the environment.
Evidence: The speaker describes the gum tree as being "racked and
tortured" by the concrete and metal surrounding it, which has
prevented it from growing properly.
Technique: The use of emotive language in the phrase "racked and
tortured" emphasizes the severity of the tree's plight and evokes
empathy in the reader.
Analysis: This quotation highlights the negative impact of human
development on the environment and the need for sustainable
practices that take into account the needs of natural ecosystems. The
use of emotive language emphasizes the severity of the situation and
evokes an emotional response from the reader.
Link: This illustrates how the poem reflects the concept of
sustainability by highlighting the negative impact of human actions on
the environment. The next paragraph will discuss how the poem's call
to action emphasizes the importance of individual and collective
action in promoting sustainability.