Do we have to write PEE or PETAL or PEAL paragraphs?

NO! Actually, you sort of do. The elements from each of these infuriating acronyms should appear in your standard paragraph. Remember every paragraph must have at least three sentences to be a paragraph, and every paragraph should have some sort of point to it that is relevant to the question. However, just because you've completed your point- evidence - explain does not mean you have written the perfect response. Just like the writers whose work you are analysing you must be creative! An essay is a form of argument. If you and I were arguing over whether living a life of luxury or living a life of simplicity were better I would expect you to vary your approach. Sometimes you might start with evidence. Sometimes you might start with opinion. Sometimes you might start with a broad statement. Essay writing should be no different. The examiner is going to read hundreds of PEE paragraphs, you want yours to be the one he reads and is shocked by. So throw out your PEE paragraphs and write an essay that critically discusses the text in an intelligent manner.