NOTE

To write a PETAL paragraph, you should start by identifying the main

idea or argument you want to make in the paragraph. Then, find a

specific quotation or example from the text that supports your point.

Next, identify the literary device or technique used in the quotation or

example and explain how it helps to convey meaning. Finally, analyze

how the evidence supports your point and what it reveals about the

text. Be sure to end with a sentence that links your point to the next

paragraph or to the overall argument of your essay.

Here is an example of a PETAL

paragraph:

Point: The poem "Municipal Gum" reflects the concept of

sustainability by highlighting the negative impact of human actions on

the environment.

Evidence: The speaker describes the gum tree as being "racked and

tortured" by the concrete and metal surrounding it, which has

prevented it from growing properly.

Technique: The use of emotive language in the phrase "racked and

tortured" emphasizes the severity of the tree's plight and evokes

empathy in the reader.

Analysis: This quotation highlights the negative impact of human

development on the environment and the need for sustainable

practices that take into account the needs of natural ecosystems. The

use of emotive language emphasizes the severity of the situation and

evokes an emotional response from the reader.

Link: This illustrates how the poem reflects the concept of

sustainability by highlighting the negative impact of human actions on

the environment. The next paragraph will discuss how the poem's call

to action emphasizes the importance of individual and collective

action in promoting sustainability.