EVALUATION (Putting the ‘E’ in PEEEL)
Rationale: You may be familiar with the PEEL framework but how can you further enhance your arguments without necessarily
becoming a critical deconstructionist overnight? Perhaps these ideas on evaluation might help (assuming you already have
relevant points with adequate evidence) to reinforce your normal PEEL structure with an additional E before your link.
Step I: Using a rebuttal or qualification (or a combination of both)
Basically you have to ‘imagine’ that some opponent is always opposite you when you’re writing your essay and you need to make
sure your argument will be able to ‘defeat’ this sorry brute who has chosen to stand in your way!
Rebuttal: A refutation of a reasonable opposing argument
E.g. Some people might claim that women today are
educated enough to not be negatively influenced by the
contest mages. However, that argument simply sidesteps
the issue of moral responsibility, which is important for any
organization with massive influence.
Qualification: Refining your point by acknowledging certain
conditions
E.g. Although we cannot say that all girls are negatively affected by
the beauty contests, but given how such contest news and images
are getting more pervasive and accessible, it is hard to deny its
psychological impact on a majority of them.
Step II: Using possible BASES for making a rebuttal or qualification1
Sample question: Are beauty contests harmful?
Sample argument: Yes they are because they perpetuate a stereotypical and narrow definition of beauty.
Example
SPACE: Number of people
However, some may argue that pageants are beneficial as newly-crowned winners often use
impacted
their fame to do goodwill acts for the local and international community. Although such acts of
goodwill cannot be disparaged, the actual tangible help rendered is relatively insignificant
when compared to more the more widespread social, psychological and health effects of the
kind of harmful messages these contests perpetuate. (Similar to above qualification point too)
MORAL or ETHICAL value basis Refer again to ‘rebuttal’ example above.
(especially human rights)
ASSUMPTIONS: What might
Beauty contest supporters might claim that holding such events help to recognize and
the opposing argument be
celebrate beauty but they often assume that all people share this similar notion of beauty. This
taking for granted?
is untrue as different cultures have different ideas of beauty and such contests often do not
encourage this diversity.
REASONING
Refer to the ‘rebuttal’ example above where the logic of the opposing argument is refuted for
Is the logic sound? What is the
avoiding the issue (i.e. red herring fallacy).
premise? (especially useful for
*Note: One good way to point out faulty reasoning is by looking at possible fallacies (E.g. ad
rebuttals)
hominem/against the person, non sequitur, post hoc/false cause, red herring, false dilemma,
false premise, guilt by association, slippery slope 2 etc.)
TIME: Long vs. short term
Although some may say beauty contests pose no risk because they are only competitive short
impact
events with little prolonged influence, it is hard to deny how the longer-term psychological
impact on younger impressionable girls.
ROOT CAUSE or IMPACT
Refer to example on ‘space’ above. If we compare economic help from pageant winners with
their negative psychological impact, we can observe one has more deep seated impact.
IMPLICATIONS: What might
Some might argue that such contests are merely celebrating beauty. However, if we look at
happen if this is not addressed
look at how pet and even baby beauty contests are spawning all over America and other
developed countries, we see how beauty contests nurture an unfettered obsession with
holding competition over appearance and who knows what else might be ‘measured’ in the
future if such beauty contests today are not critically evaluated.
CASE STUDIES: Analyzing
Although some it might be true that these contests are trying to judge its contestants based on
recent cases/trends
wider criteria such as intellect and creativity, a simple visual survey of recent contests reveal
how most contestants still possess a similar slim body, adorned with the prettiest dresses and
elaborate make up and glitter.
HUMAN NATURE and
Refer to how example on ‘implications’ also considers human nature and how beauty contests
PSYCHOLOGY
might over indulge our inherent need to compete and compare.
Mnemonic acronym: SMART RICH 
1
List is not exhaustive and the bases are not mutually exclusive (i.e. notice how the examples above actually utilize them in
combination)
2
Can refer to http://blog.geekpress.com/2006/09/excellent-list-of-logical-fallaciesad.html