Develop arguments to connect ideas
Students often have the vocabulary to state an opinion, but do not have the ability to connect the ideas. This is a common hurdle as we want to explore ideas (not only list them).
The OREO Method
To move beyond shallow speaking, students need a strategy. This strategy- - called OREO- is a map and an excellent tool since it gives us an order to do things:
Letter Part What to do Useful Phrases
O Opinion State your main point clearly. "In my view..." / "I believe..."
R Reason Explain why you feel this way. "This is because..." / "The main reason is..."
E Example Give a specific fact or story. "For instance..." / "A good example is..."
O Opinion Restate your point with more force. "That is why..." / "So, it is clear that..."
Shallow and Deep Arguments
The difference between shallow and deep arguments is often that they do not connect the ideas. Let's look at an example topic: Should schools replace paper books with tablets?
Example 1: A Shallow Argument (The "List" Approach)
"I think tablets are better. They are light. They are modern. Books are heavy. I like tablets."
Why it's shallow: It’s just a list of facts. There is no logical flow or "deep" explanation of how these facts help the student.
Example 2: Deep Argument (The O.R.E.O. Approach)
"(O) I believe schools should definitely use tablets instead of books. (R) The main reason is that it is much better for students' physical health. (E) For example, my backpack weighs 10 kilos because of my history and math books, which gives me back pain. (O) Therefore, using a light tablet would make daily life much healthier for teenagers."
Why it’s deep: It connects the "lightness" of the tablet to a specific consequence (health/back pain) and provides a personal example.
Exercise A: Spot the "Why"
Below are three shallow statements. Your task is to add a Reason (R) and an Example (E) to make them deeper.
"Social media is a waste of time."
"Public transport should be free for everyone."
"Learning a second language is important."
Exercise B: The "But Why?" Challenge
Read the following shallow argument. Rewrite it using the O.R.E.O. method to make it more professional and detailed.
“I think people should work from home. It is comfortable. I like my house. It is good.”
Exercise A (Possible Answers)
Reason: ...because it distracts us from our real-life responsibilities. Example: For instance, many students spend three hours on TikTok instead of doing their homework.
Reason: ...as this would significantly reduce the number of cars on the road. Example: In cities like Luxembourg, free transport has helped reduce traffic jams and pollution.
Reason: ...because it opens up better career opportunities in the global market. Example: Many international companies require staff to speak both English and Spanish to talk to clients.
Exercise B (Possible Answer)
"(O) I am convinced that working from home is better than working in an office. (R) This is because it allows employees to save a lot of time and money on commuting. (E) For example, I used to spend two hours every day on the train, but now I can use that time to exercise or start work early. (O) As a result, remote work leads to a much better work-life balance."