PEEL Writing Technique Adapted for History essays 5

PEEL Writing Technique Adapted for History essays

5 Paragraph Essay • Introduction • Body Paragraph 1 • Body Paragraph 2 • Body Paragraph 3 • Conclusion

Introduction • The introduction should answer the essay question • The body of the essay simply expands on the introduction. • Nothing can be introduced in the body that was not first identified in the introduction.

Introduction • Introduction – provides the context for the topic, states thesis and previews the main points or arguments to support thesis. C Contextualize Provide some relevant background or context to the question. It could be related material or information that places the question into historical or social context. A Arguments Identify the separate arguments in a very brief manner. These will become topic sentences for the paragraphs. (2 -3 arguments) T Thesis State thesis (1 or 2 sentences) in a manner that links to the arguments you previewed. It should have an analytical or evaluative tone and provide a decision / response to the question you have been asked.

Essay Question • • SECTION B: ESSAY QUESTION Answer the following essay question. Your essay should be about TWO pages long. QUESTION 2: SONGHAI, AN AFRICAN EMPIRE IN THE 15 th AND 16 th CENTURIES • Explain the factors that made the Songhai kingdom a powerful empire in West Africa. •

Approach / Strategy • Identify EXACTLY what you need to write about in order to be able write a sufficient essay. (Hint - look at the question) • Consider what the relevant points would be that are needed to answer the question. • State whether you agree or disagree with a statement (only if you are given a statement). • Contextualize your essay and provide a thesis statement.

Introduction Example • The Songhai Empire was established and expanded by their first great king Sonni Ali in the 15 th century whereafter the empire’s power continued to grow as the successors to the throne introduced their own developmental strategies. The leaders of the empire were brilliant administrators which aided the growth and development of the empire. Education and especially literacy was extremely important and considered to be a more valuable commodity than gold and for this reason universities and centres of learning were established. Furthermore, Timbuktu was taken over by the Songhai and it formed an integral part of the empire as it was the centre of cultural development within the empire. Trade was also extremely important and flourished during the reign of Askia Mohammed who ensured that Timbuktu became a commercial centre where traders and merchants met to sell their goods. . These factors indicate the development of the Songhai Empire which is indicative of their power in West Africa. .

Intro - Contextualization • The Songhai Empire was established and expanded by their first great king Sonni Ali in the 15 th century whereafter the empire’s power continued to grow as the successors to the throne introduced their own developmental strategies.

Intro - Argument 1 • The leaders of the empire were brilliant administrators which aided the growth and development of the empire.

Intro - Argument 2 • Education and especially literacy was extremely important and considered to be a more valuable commodity than gold and for this reason universities and centres of learning were established.

Intro - Argument 3 • Furthermore, Timbuktu was taken over by the Songhai and it formed an integral part of the empire as it was the centre of cultural development within the empire.

Intro - Argument 4 • Trade was also extremely important and flourished during the reign of Askia Mohammed who ensured that Timbuktu became a commercial centre where traders and merchants met to sell their goods.

Intro - Thesis (Your understanding of the main idea The whole essay revolves around this) • These factors indicate the development of the Songhai Empire which is indicative of their power in West Africa. .

Body Paragraph A paragraph is a unified piece of writing in which a single idea or topic is developed. It may stand alone as, for example, the answer to a short response question or it may be part of an extended piece of prose writing. P Point A topic sentence that introduces the point or central argument to be made in the paragraph. It may connect with the linking sentence of the previous paragraph. E Explanation In 1 -2 sentences, explain in more detail the statement made in the topic sentence. Clarify and expand on all parts of the topic sentence. E Evidence L Link Cite evidence to support and prove the point. Linking sentences perform 2 roles: to link the material of this paragraph back to the point of your paragraph and also to your thesis.

Body Paragraph 1 • The leaders of the empire were brilliant administrators which aided the growth and development of the empire. Sonni Ali was a brilliant administrator who managed to divide the Songhai Empire into provinces with each one having its own governor. He also increased his empire’s military power by reorganising the army. The army consisted of 1000 soldiers on horseback and a further 30000 foot soldiers. The next leader of the Songhai, Askia Mohammed built on the success of Sonni Ali by introducing new laws and a system of taxation. He also introduced a uniform system of weights and measures to regulate trade and he also appointed an inspector at each trade centre to keep everything in order and ensure trade occurred lawfully. Education also helped the empire to grow in

Body Paragraph 2 • Education and especially literacy was extremely important and considered to be a more valuable commodity than gold and for this reason universities and centres of learning were established. By the 12 th century (1300 -1399), Timbuktu had already become a celebrated center of Islamic learning and a commercial establishment. The university in Timbuktu had three main renown departments and 180 Quranic schools. These are as follows: the department of Sankore, the department of Jingaray Ber and the department of Sidi Yahya. While gold was Timbuktu’s most frequent export, one of its most important imports was said to be books. “In Timbuktu there are numerous judges, scholars and priests, all well paid by the king, who greatly honours learned men. Many manuscript books coming from Barbary are sold. Such sales are more profitable than any other goods, ” wrote Leo Africanus in the 16 th century. Education was more valued than other commodities and aided the growth of Timbuktu which in turn stood out as a model of the development of the Songhai Empire and another factor showing the power of the empire was the cultural development.

Body Paragraph First Sentence = Argument One in Introduction = Point of Paragraph • Education and especially literacy was extremely important and considered to be a more valuable commodity than gold and for this reason universities and centres of learning were established. • Taken as is from the introduction • This is the main point of the entire paragraph

Body Paragraph Explanation • By the 12 th century (1300 -1399), Timbuktu had already become a celebrated center of Islamic learning and a commercial establishment. Timbuktu had a university with three main renown departments and 180 Quranic schools. These are as follows: the department of Sankore, the department of Jingaray Ber and the department of Sidi Yahya. • The Topic sentence must be explained thoroughly

Body Paragraph Evidence from Text • While gold was Timbuktu’s most frequent export, one of its most important imports was said to be books. “In Timbuktu there are numerous judges, scholars and priests, all well paid by the king, who greatly honours learned men. Many manuscript books coming from Barbary are sold. Such sales are more profitable than any other goods, ” wrote Leo Africanus in the 16 th century. • This evidence must be taken from research that you have done on the topic. (May also be quotations from your textbooks).

Body Paragraph Link – Topic Sentence / Thesis • Education was more valued than other commodities and aided the growth of Timbuktu which in turn stood out as a model of the development of the Songhai Empire and another factor showing the development was the cultural development. • This sentence links to both the Topic sentence which starts the paragraph and thesis sentence in the introduction.

• Conclusion — confirms or restates thesis and key arguments. Restate thesis, perhaps in a slightly different form to that used in the introduction T Thesis A Arguments Make clear the separate arguments that were presented in the essay, including the way each point is interrelated and/or linked G General statement End your essay with a final, summarizing statement

Conclusion Example • As a result of the aforementioned factors the Songhai Empire was able to grow in its power. The leaders were able to establish laws and administer their empire brilliantly. Education was extremely important and valuable and led to the establishment of higher education facilities. Their cultural development was excellent as they were able to live together in harmony within a diverse and multicultural environment whilst still adhering to the Islamic Sharia laws. Traders and Merchants also flourished in the city making it a great commercial centre. This was truly an extraordinary empire which stands as a beacon of hope for African civilizations.

Activity 4 • Essay question • Explain the political, economic and social features of the Songhai and indicate why the empire collapsed in the late 16 th century. (50) • For Activity 4 – write the introduction to this essay in your books (Use the correct structure).

Conclusion Restate the Thesis • As a result of the aforementioned factors the Songhai Empire was able to grow in its power.

Conclusion Clarify the Arguments • The leaders were able to establish laws and administer their empire brilliantly. Education was extremely important and valuable and led to the establishment of higher education facilities. Their cultural development was excellent as they were able to live together in harmony within a diverse and multicultural environment whilst still adhering to the Islamic Sharia laws. Traders and Merchants also flourished in the city making it a great commercial centre.

Conclusion General Statement • This was truly an extraordinary empire which stands as a beacon of hope for African civilizations.