PEAS

Why use PEAS? It helps to structure your response Writing a detailed analysis can help you achieve a “C/B” grade Writing a speculation can help you to achieve an “A/A*”

What is it? P = point E = evidence A = analysis S = speculation

Point Writing a point is pretty simple. All you have to do is make sure you answer the question You can do this by recycling the question and turning it into a statement So if the question is: How does Steinbeck present Lennie in “Of Mice and Men”? You will begin your point by writing: In “Of Mice and Men”, Steinbeck presents Lennie as an animal.

Evidence This requires you to prove your point by giving a quote from the text Make your quote as short and focused as possible Introduce you quote by writing... - for example it states... - this is evident when... - for instance... For example, “Lennie is described “as a terrier” and as being “strong as a bull”.

Analysis Write about the language the writer has used Always start you your analysis with “This suggests that...”. In this sentence you can write what your evidence shows about the character, the writer’s point of view or how the reader is made to feel (one sentence is enough) Then, you identify key words from the evidence (these are the words that stand out to you) and you explore what they suggest in detail about how the character is feeling, the writer’s point of view or how the reader is made to feel.

Key to Analysis Always think “WHY?” WHY does the writer use certain writing techniques? WHY does the writer want the reader to feel a certain way? WHY does the writer use certain words? WHY does the writer use certain punctuation marks? WHY does the writer introduce characters in certain ways? Everything a writer does, he/she does for a reason – you must always question “WHY?”

The Analysis Process Ask your self what does the evidence suggest – it suggests that Lennie is inferior and controlled like an animal. Ask yourself what the key words (words that stand out to you) are – the key words are: - terrier - strong - bull Ask yourself what the keywords suggest – - terrier: obedient, tamed, loyal, loving, subservient - strong: physically powerful, tough - bull: full of rage, not easily tamed

Example of a Good Analysis Now put all your ideas together! This suggests that Lennie is inferior and easily controlled. Steinbeck uses the simile “like a terrier” to suggest that Lennie is subservient and obedient toward George. He is like a dog that is submissive to his master. However, Steinbeck also uses the simile “strong as a bull” to remind the reader that there is more to Lennie than this docile and sensitive side. He is presented as being physically powerful and this is evident on many occasions, for instance when he crushes Curley’s hand. At this point in the novel, Lennie is shown as being full of rage and is presented as being unstoppable. Steinbeck may present Lennie as acting “like a terrier” toward George, but even George struggles, on this occasion, to tame Lennie.

Moving from C/B – A*/A To achieve C/B, your response must be clear and relevant To achieve A*/A, your response must be detailed and perceptive.

Get that analysis right! Providing some analysis, for instance, “This suggests that Lennie is inferior and easily controlled” will not get you higher than a “D”. Developing your analysis will help push you to a “C/B”. To develop your analysis, you must focus on key words and explore WHY the writer has used those words, what effect is being created on the reader, what does it reveal about the writer’s point of view, what does it reveal about the character. Write sentences like, “The writer has used the word “...” because ..... The writer suggests that....”

Speculation Writing a speculation will help you to achieve anything between B – A* In your speculation, you should: write your own interpretation (this will help push your grade to a comfortable “B”) write another interpretation (this will help push your grade to an “A”) link everything you have written to the context in which the text is set (this will help push your grade to an “A*”)

B grade – provide your own interpretation This suggests that Lennie is inferior and easily controlled. Steinbeck uses the simile “like a terrier” to suggest that Lennie is subservient and obedient toward George. He is like a dog that is submissive to his master. However, Steinbeck also uses the simile “strong as a bull” to remind the reader that there is more to Lennie than this docile and sensitive side. He is presented as being physically powerful and this is evident on many occasions, for instance when he crushes Curley’s hand. At this point in the novel, Lennie is shown as being full of rage and is presented as being unstoppable. Steinbeck may present Lennie as acting “like a terrier” toward George, but even George struggles, on this occasion, to tame Lennie. Even though Lennie harms Curley, and thus it can be said he is presented in a negative light, the reader cannot help but sympathise with Lennie as he did not intentionally mean to hurt Curley. Lennie is unaware of his strength and thus has no control over the destruction he causes. It is his unawareness that leads to his downfall.

A grade – provide another interpretation This suggests that Lennie is inferior and easily controlled. Steinbeck uses the simile “like a terrier” to suggest that Lennie is subservient and obedient toward George. He is like a dog that is submissive to his master. However, Steinbeck also uses the simile “strong as a bull” to remind the reader that there is more to Lennie than this docile and sensitive side. He is presented as being physically powerful and this is evident on many occasions, for instance when he crushes Curley’s hand. At this point in the novel, Lennie is shown as being full of rage and is presented as being unstoppable. Steinbeck may present Lennie as acting “like a terrier” toward George, but even George struggles, on this occasion, to tame Lennie. Even though Lennie harms Curley, and thus it can be said he is presented in a negative light, the reader cannot help but sympathise with Lennie as he did not intentionally mean to hurt Curley. Lennie is unaware of his strength and thus has no control over the destruction he causes. It is his unawareness that leads to his downfall. Additionally, the reader can also not help but pity Lennie as he was merely following instructions given to him by George. Lennie looks up to George. It can be argued that their relationship is not only one of dog and master, but that they also share a father-son relationship.

A* grade – relate what you have written to context This suggests that Lennie is inferior and easily controlled. Steinbeck uses the simile “like a terrier” to suggest that Lennie is subservient and obedient toward George. He is like a dog that is submissive to his master. However, Steinbeck also uses the simile “strong as a bull” to remind the reader that there is more to Lennie than this docile and sensitive side. He is presented as being physically powerful and this is evident on many occasions, for instance when he crushes Curley’s hand. At this point in the novel, Lennie is shown as being full of rage and is presented as being unstoppable. Steinbeck may present Lennie as acting “like a terrier” toward George, but even George struggles, on this occasion, to tame Lennie. Even though Lennie harms Curley, and thus it can be said he is presented in a negative light, the reader cannot help but sympathise with Lennie as he did not intentionally mean to hurt Curley. Lennie is unaware of his strength and thus has no control over the destruction he causes. It is his unawareness that leads to his downfall. Additionally, the reader can also not help but pity Lennie as he was merely following instructions given to him by George. Lennie looks up to George. It can be argued that their relationship is not only one of dog and master, but that they also share a father-son relationship. Steinbeck presents George and Lennie’s relationship as being unique as during the time this novella was set itinerant workers were known to be lonely, as they never settled long enough to build relationships of any sort. Lennie and George are different as they travel around together and look out for one another in their own way. Lennie’s unfaltering loyalty towards George, alongside his innocence, means the reader cannot help but to feel sorry for Lennie even when his actions cause harm to others.

Still not sure? Check out this YouTube clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9Yx6eGBKmU