The TEEL structure is used in English when writing an extended response to a question. A series of TEEL paragraphs will form an essay. Using the TEEL paragraph structure will prevent you from recounting and describing what you have read and instead, ensure that you argue and analyse the text set for study.
The structure is as follows:
T-Topic Sentence
E- Explanation
E- Evidence and examples
L- Links back to your main idea and set question.
What goes in each section?
TOPIC SENTENCE: this is the opening sentence of your paragraph. It should state very clearly what your main idea/point is. It should be straight to the point and include the ideas you want to discuss. It is only one sentence.
EXPLANATION: this can be 2-3 sentences and is very important. Here you explain what you mean, what your understanding of the topic sentence is. You give more detail and depth and reasons about your ideas, explaining what the text is saying about these ideas and why you think them to be true. Your understanding of the text is best shown here.
EVIDENCE/EXAMPLE: This is where you examine the techniques in the text and provide evidence to prove your ideas true. It can be 2-3 sentences where you use quotes from the text and specific examples/ scenes that best show what you are arguing. Sentences in this section often start with
“This is shown when…”
“The composer uses……to convey….”
“This can be seen when….”
Once you have identified the technique in the text, you then have to explain the effect of it on the meaning of the text. These sentences often start with:
“This creates a sense of….”
“This highlights the ….”
“In doing this, the reader is shown….”.
All quotes should contain a technique. Do not quote to show what happens. This does not need proving. Remember- you are using quotes to show your understanding of the meaning- not the plot!
LINK: Here you conclude your paragraph by referring back to your main idea in the topic sentence or the question being asked. You are linking the effect of the technique back to the main idea. These sentences can begin with
“In this way it is shown that…”
“This helps communicate the idea that…”
Altogether, your TEEL paragraph can be anything from 8 lines to 15, depending on your sophistication and detail. Start simply and add detail as you become more experienced.