Watch Your SPEED

Do you encourage your class to watch their SPEED?

Some teachers like their children to PEE (Point, Example, Explanation).

Some say PEA (Point, Evidence, Analysis)

Some teachers prefer their children to PEEL (Point, Example, Explanation, Link).

Another variation is called PETER:

• Point – get your point across.
• Evidence – give evidence to support what you have just said.
• Technique – identify one or more writing techniques the writer uses, e.g. simile, metaphor etc
• Explain – now explain why the technique(s) you identified are effective
• Reader – how does this affect the reader?

And another version is PETAL: 

• Point: I believe that…
• Evidence: This is shown by the quote…
• Technique: This is an example of _____ or This has connotations of…
• Analysis (Explain): This quote proves my point because…
• Link back to Q: Therefore, I believe that…

But then there are those who get their class to SPEED:

S is for Signpost – begin by explaining what the paragraph is about. It also zooms in on a particular issue.

P is for Point – what is the point of the paragraph.

E is for Explanation – elaborate on the P and say more about it.

E is for Example – time to back up the P with some evidence.

D is  Discussion or Development – refer back to the original add to or show another perspective and conclude.

Using the SPEED acronym gives students a model for their writing and clear structure for a coherent paragraph. It contributes to more developed pieces of writing because it grows ideas and allows students to extend their answers in more thought and detail.

Whether you choose to PEE, PEA, PEEL, PETER, PETAL or SPEED is up to you but they can all be used across the curriculum and so serve as transferable skills.