Point, Evidence, Explain is a really useful tool when writing a paragraph. It helps to keep your paragraphs structured, relevant and not too long or too short.
Point
Each paragraph that you write should make one point. If you are starting to make another point, it needs to be in a new paragraph. If you are writing a plan before you start, plan out which point each paragraph is going to contain. If you are forming your structure as you write, look back over your paragraphs and make sure that each only makes one point. Stating the point is a good way to begin the paragraph. For example:
It is raining in Derby today.
Evidence
Evidence is the facts or information that show that your point is valid, or true. It is how you back up the point that you've made. To continue the example above, the evidence is:
When I look out of the window I can see the raindrops falling to the ground.
Explain
In the last part of the paragraph, explain how the evidence you have provided proves the point that you have made. For example:
Raindrops falling to the ground is clear evidence that it is raining, as they would not appear in any other way.
Extra Information
You may want to include further evidence or opinion that either backs up or undermines your original point. This is called being critical, or critical thinking. Critical thinking does not mean criticising, rather it is about not taking the evidence at face value. For example:
However, earlier this morning I looked out of the window and did not see any rain, so it has not been raining for the whole of the day.