PEE Writing Strategy - Part 1: Mastering The Point

Focuses on Part 1 of the PEE (Point, Evidence, Explanation) analytical framework.
Details techniques for crafting clear, focused, and complete opening topic sentences for high-scoring analytical paragraphs.

The Point ( $P$ ) serves as the structural foundation of an analytical paragraph.
Directly restates the essay prompt.
Introduces the core response and overarching argument of the paragraph.

Title of Text: Clearly state the title of the novel, play, article, or film using proper formatting (italics or quotation marks).
Author / Creator: State the author's full name (or director for a film) to establish an academic tone.
Prompt Keywords: Reuse key terms directly from the essay prompt question to maintain sharp focus on the central argument.
Direct Answer: Provide a direct answer to the question asked. A Point fails its purpose if it does not directly answer the specific question.

A high-quality Point achieves three specific goals:
- Answers the question: Delivers a direct answer to the specific prompt.
- Makes a claim: States an opinion or argument requiring proof, rather than stating a simple fact.
- Is specific: Avoids vague generalities (e.g., stating "the story is sad") and explicitly details the mechanism or reason (e.g., "The story creates sadness through the theme of loss").

Rule #1: A Good Point MUST Answer the Question Directly!
- No matter how accurately the title and author are stated, if the sentence does not directly answer the essay prompt, the paragraph loses its central purpose.
Opening Topic Sentence Placement: State the direct answer immediately at the very beginning of the paragraph—never hide or bury it in the middle.
Target the Prompt Specifically: Address character traits, motives, or authorial techniques as explicitly requested by the prompt.
Concise and Quotation-Free: Formulate a single, clear, direct claim without including textual quotes (quotes are reserved strictly for Evidence).

Essay Prompt: "In the novel The Breadwinner, what is the main character like?"
- Prompt Structure: Asks specifically about character traits of the protagonist in a designated book.
Exemplar Point: "In the novel The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis, the main character Parvana is made out to be a very brave person through the the speeches she makes that inspires others."
Ingredient Breakdown:
- Includes Title & Author: The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis.
- Uses Prompt Keywords: Uses the exact phrase "main character".
- Directly Answers Question: Identifies Parvana as a "brave person through the the speeches she makes that inspires others".

Every draft Point must be tested by asking: "So what?"
Bad Point Example: "The main character is brave."
- Analysis: Fails the test because it merely states an obvious plot fact ("So what? That's just a fact.").
Good Point Example: "The main character's bravery is essential to the plot because it inspires others to fight back."
- Analysis: Passes the test because it answers "so what?" by demonstrating that bravery is essential to the plot.

Context Essay Prompt: "In the book Wonder, what does the author do to make us like the main character (Auggie)?"
Draft 1: "The author makes Julian mean towards Auggie because he is selfish."
- Rating: WEAK
- Reason: Missing title and author; fails to directly answer what the author does to make us like Auggie.
Draft 2: "In the novel Wonder, R.J. Palacio makes Auggie win our hearts with his wit."
- Rating: FLAWED
- Reason: Focuses on Auggie's personal traits rather than answering what technique the author used.
Draft 3: "R.J. Palacio in the novel Wonder makes us like Auggie by showing Auggie's internal thoughts."
- Rating: STRONG
- Reason: Includes author, title, keywords, and directly answers what the author specifically does.

Essay Prompt Question: "In Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird, how is Atticus Finch presented as a moral role model?"
Option A: "Atticus Finch is a lawyer in Maycomb who defends Tom Robinson in a famous court trial."
- Evaluation: Flawed. Contains plot summary only and fails to directly answer HOW he is a moral role model.
Option B: "In Harper Lee's novel To Kill a Mockingbird, Atticus Finch is presented as a moral role model through his unwavering dedication to justice and equality."
- Evaluation: Strong. Includes title, author, keywords, and DIRECTLY answers how he is a moral role model.
Option C: "To Kill a Mockingbird is a really famous 1960 novel written by Harper Lee about prejudice in the American South."
- Evaluation: Flawed. Provides background context about the book while completely ignoring Atticus Finch and the prompt.

Essay Prompt Question: "In William Golding's novel Lord of the Flies, what causes the collapse of order among the boys on the island?"
Option A: "In Lord of the Flies by William Golding, Jack is very aggressive and mean towards Piggy and Ralph."
- Evaluation: Flawed. Describes Jack's specific behavior but fails to directly answer what causes the overall breakdown of order.
Option B: "The boys get stranded on an island after a plane crash and try to build a signal fire."
- Evaluation: Flawed. Recounts initial plot setup without including title, author, or answering the prompt question.
Option C: "In William Golding's novel Lord of the Flies, the collapse of order among the boys is caused by their growing fear and descent into savagery."
- Evaluation: Strong. Incorporates all 4 essential ingredients and DIRECTLY answers what causes the collapse of order.