Double Stuffed Argument: Using the Oreo Method for Argument Writing

Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

Subject Area

English Language Arts

Grade(s)

12

Overview

The Oreo Method of writing an argument essay helps students to develop an argument using textual evidence and commentary to support a claim.  This method also allows the student to develop a pattern for creating clear, vivid and precise writing.  This Learning Activity would be for any non-fiction text.

This activity results from the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

Phase

During/Explore/Explain
English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 12

ELA21.12.11

Compose, edit, and revise both short and extended products in which the development, organization, and style are relevant and suitable to task, purpose, and audience, using an appropriate command of language.

UP:ELA21.12.11

Vocabulary

  • Compose
  • Edit
  • Revise
  • Short products
  • Extended products
  • Writing development
  • Writing organization
  • Writing style
  • Task
  • Purpose
  • Audience
  • Command of language

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Writing products can be short, such as a paragraph, or extended, such as constructed responses and essays.
  • The skills required by the writing process.
  • The development, organization, and style of writing will change depending on the writing task, the purpose of the writing, and the intended audience.
  • Formal academic writing should demonstrate an appropriate command of language.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Compose, edit, and revise short and extended writing products.
  • Identify the writing task, the purpose of writing, and the intended audience in order to appropriately adapt the development, organization, and style of the writing.
  • Demonstrate command of the written language.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • There are different genres of writing that serve various purposes.
  • The writing process is a series of steps that improve writing over time.
  • The writing task, purpose, and audience should be considered in the development, organization, and style of the writing.
  • Formal academic writing should display their command of the English language.

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to

  • write an argument to support a claim.
  • write with predictable structure.
  • construct a graphic organizer that provides a logical sequence.

Activity Details

This activity can be used with any non-fiction text.

  • Choose a non-fiction text 
  • Allow students to read and annotate the text. This process can be done as a whole group, small group or pairs.
  • Conduct a whole group guided discussion. Questions for the discussion can include, but are not limited to:
    • What is the author's argument?
    • How does the author develop his/her argument?
    • What evidence does the author use to support his argument? Do you agree with the author's argument? 

Assessment Strategies

The teacher should monitor the students progress on the graphic organizer and suggest ideas for students who may have difficulty in finding relevant evidence to support their claims.

Variation Tips

  • The activity can be used with any text.
  • The activity can be used as an individual assignment or as a small group assignment.
  • The activity can also be used as a review exercise for developing confirmation paragraphs for an argument essay.

Background / Preparation

  1. Students should have been introduced to using evidence to support a claim.
  2. The teacher should have copies of the graphic organizer for each student. (The lesson can also be completed using small group instruction where students as a group can develop a group argument with one Graphic Organizer or a with graphic organizers for each student in the group.) 

Total Duration

46 to 60 Minutes
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