PEE Paragraphs

In the CSSE 11+ English paper, you will need to write extended answers that go beyond a single sentence. The CSSE places heavy emphasis on extended writing, so knowing how to structure a clear, well-supported answer is essential. The PEE paragraph is your most powerful tool.

---

What Is a PEE Paragraph?

PEE stands for Point, Evidence, Explain. It is a simple but effective structure for writing comprehension answers that demonstrate genuine understanding.

Letter	Stands for	What to do
P	Point	State your answer or idea clearly
E	Evidence	Quote a short phrase from the passage to support your point
E	Explain	Say what the evidence shows, means, or suggests

Think of it as a three-layer sandwich: the point and explanation are the bread (holding everything together), and the evidence is the filling (the substance that makes it worthwhile).

---

Why Does PEE Matter for the CSSE?

The CSSE exam rewards candidates who can:

• Answer the question directly — not waffle or go off topic
• Use evidence from the text — showing they have read and understood the passage
• Explain their thinking — demonstrating deeper comprehension, not just surface-level understanding

A PEE paragraph does all three of these things. Without PEE, students often:

• Make a point but do not prove it
• Quote from the text but do not say why the quote is relevant
• Write a lot but do not actually answer the question

---

How to Write a PEE Paragraph: Step by Step

Step 1: Make your POINT

Start by clearly stating your answer to the question. Be direct and specific.

Weak point: "The character is feeling something."

Strong point: "The writer shows that Ella is feeling anxious and uncertain."

Step 2: Give your EVIDENCE

Now support your point with a short, relevant quotation from the passage. Use quotation marks around the exact words.

Example: The text says she was "biting her lip and glancing at the clock every few seconds".

Top tip: Keep quotations short — usually a phrase, not a whole sentence. You can embed them within your own sentences for a smoother writing style.

Step 3: EXPLAIN what the evidence shows

This is the most important step — and the one many students miss. You need to say what the quotation tells us and why it supports your point.

Example: The fact that Ella is "biting her lip" suggests she is nervous, as this is a physical sign of anxiety. "Glancing at the clock every few seconds" implies she is waiting for something and feels that time is passing slowly, which reinforces the idea that she is on edge.

---

A Complete PEE Paragraph Example

Question: How does the writer show that Mr Harding is upset?

Answer (PEE):

P — The writer shows that Mr Harding is deeply upset by the letter he has received.

E — The text describes how he "read it three times" but the words "seemed to blur together".

E — The fact that he read the letter three times suggests he is struggling to accept or understand the news. The word "blur" implies that his eyes may be filling with tears, or that shock is preventing him from focusing. This makes the reader feel sympathy for Mr Harding, as we can picture him sitting alone, unable to process what he has read.

---

Extending PEE: PEEL and PEEZ