SIEL Method

STATE your argument.

ILLUSTRATE your argument with a quotation or paraphrase from the text/selection.

EXPLAIN how the quotation or paraphrase illustrates the argument.

LINK the present argument to the next argument by making a smooth transition.

[STATE:]  Clearly, this work reveals ____________________________.

[ILLUSTRATE:] For instance, his/her (author) emphasis on ________________ appears when he/she describes _______________________________________.

[EXPLAIN:]  This reflects _________________________________.

[LINK:] However, a second/third/fourth major theme of ______________________ is  ________________.