THE RENAISSANCE - PARAGRAPH WRITING
P–E–E–L
POINT
1st Sentence:
Topic Sentence
This sentence outlines what your paragraph will be about. It should directly answer the question.
EXPLAINING
2nd Sentence:
Taking it further
This sentence gives further information/justification about your topic sentence.
3rd/4th/5th Sentences:
EVIDENCE
Proving your ideas
These sentences provide the information to support the idea from your topic sentence. They should be
filled with facts eg, dates, statistics, events, quotes.
Final Sentence:
LINKING
Making connections
This sentence sums up the ideas presented in your paragraph, and should link back to the question
and/or the next paragraph.
Sample Question: Explain the Feudal System of Medieval Europe.
The Feudal System was how society was structured during the Middle Ages in England and Europe. It was introduced by William
of Normandy in 1066 and was based on land ownership. The King owned all the land, and it was divided out amongst the people
of England in return for taxes and services. After the King, the most important people in the Feudal System were the nobles and
higher clergy, followed by knights and lesser clergy. At the bottom, the peasants had to give the most for their land, including
taxes, working, and paying for services. The historian, Teddy Boddlington-Pitts, describes the feudal system as “a series of give
and take compromises, with the peasants doing the most compromising”. The feudal system lasted until the 15th century after
which it declined, but lay the foundations for change to come.
Common History Stem Words
Account for:
Give reasons for
Outline:
Provide a brief description
Assess:
Make a judgement based on criteria/reasons
Explain:
Talk about why and/or how
Discuss:
Look at points for and against the topic
To what extent:
How far did this affect/change/ etc something?
This resource was written by Anne Gripton, St. Pius X College, Chatswood. Copyright © of this resource is owned by AISNSW.
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Origins of the Renaissance
Instructions:
1. Write down at least four reasons for the origins of the Renaissance
2. Then put them in order of what you think is the MOST important to the LEAST important
Order of importance
Reason for the origin of the Renaissance
What will be your MAIN point about the origins of the Renaissance?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
What EVIDENCE can you find to support your ideas? For example, a quote, an event, a statistic?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Now try writing your paragraph:
The Renaissance had its origins…
OR
The Renassiance began due to…
OR
There were many reasons for…
This resource was written by Anne Gripton, St. Pius X College, Chatswood. Copyright © of this resource is owned by AISNSW.
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