Supporting Structured Writing
across all Grades:
Using PEEL, PEEEL, TEEL & OREO 

Teaching students how to write clear, cohesive paragraphs is one of the cornerstones of effective literacy instruction. But for many students — and even some teachers — breaking down the steps of paragraph writing can feel overwhelming. That’s where structured writing models like PEEL, PEEEL, TEEL, and OREO come in.

These frameworks help students organise their thinking, develop ideas logically, and build confidence as writers. When paired with visuals, graphic organisers, sentence starters, and hands-on tasks, they offer a Universal Design for Learning (UDL)-aligned approach that supports a wide range of learners across different stages.

Understanding the Elements: Why Paragraph Structure Matters

Let’s face it — a paragraph isn’t just a chunk of sentences. A strong paragraph has purpose and flow, guiding the reader through a single idea with clarity. The PEEL structure, and its variations, help students understand how to do that:

• P – Point: The main idea or point/purpose/position sentence
• E – Explain: Why is this important?
• E – Evidence: A fact, quote, or example that supports the point
• L – Link: Connect back to the topic or transition to the next point

In some versions like PEEEL, we add a second “E” for Evaluate, encouraging students to dig deeper into their explanation. Similarly, TEEL (Topic, Evidence, Explain, Link) and OREO (Opinion, Reason, Evidence, Opinion restated) are tailored to suit students at different developmental levels.

Adapting PEEL for Different Year Levels

One of the great strengths of paragraph structures like PEEL is how adaptable they are across grade levels. Here's how I scaffold paragraph writing in my own classroom and through the resources I create:

• Grades 3–4: I introduce students to paragraph writing through the OREO model. It’s simple, engaging, and perfect for persuasive writing. The use of “Opinion” and “Restated Opinion” helps young learners develop confidence in expressing their point of view.
• Grades 5–6: At this stage, students are ready to move to TEEL, a slightly more formal structure that mirrors what they’ll need in high school. It prepares them for analytical and expository writing with a focus on clear evidence and explanation.
• Grades 7–10: In secondary classrooms, I use PEEL and PEEEL to guide students through more complex texts and tasks. This structure encourages critical thinking and pushes students to not just present an idea, but justify and analyse it. I especially love teaching the "THINK and LINK" strategy here — showing students that their explanation needs to go beyond surface-level and connect ideas logically and meaningfully.

Why Visuals Matter: Posters, Banners & Anchor Charts

It’s no secret — students benefit from clear, visual reminders. A colourful poster on the wall or a banner above a writing station serves as a constant visual scaffold for those learning to master paragraph structure.

Visuals:

• Reinforce key vocabulary (Point, Evidence, Explain, etc.)
• Help reduce cognitive overload for neurodiverse learners
• Provide quick reference points during independent writing

Displaying PEEL, TEEL, and OREO posters in the classroom helps keep expectations visible and learning accessible — all day, every day.

Scaffold Writing with Organisers, Starters & Hands-On Tasks

To support diverse learners, we need to go beyond instruction and provide tools that break writing into manageable chunks. That’s where graphic organisers, sentence starter mats, and cut-and-paste activities come in.

• Graphic organisers give students a place to brainstorm and map out ideas before writing.
• Sentence starter mats provide structure for those who struggle to begin. They’re especially helpful for EAL/D students and students with learning difficulties.
• Cut-and-paste activities make writing interactive and tactile, supporting kinaesthetic learners and turning writing into an engaging task.

These tools are not just “extras” — they are essential supports that align with Universal Design for Learning. They allow all students, regardless of ability or background, to access the content and build their writing skills with confidence.

Final Thoughts

Teaching paragraph writing doesn’t have to feel like starting from scratch every time. With the right frameworks — OREO, TEEL, PEEL, and PEEEL — and the use of clear visuals and hands-on scaffolds, you can build strong, structured writers from Year 3 through to Year 10.

These supports aren’t just for students who need "help" — they benefit every learner. Structure supports creativity, and scaffolding builds independence. When students know the structure, they can focus on what really matters: communicating their ideas clearly and powerfully.