T.R.E.E.

**T.R.E.E.**

**Content** The specific content being taught is the steps for writing an argumentative essay. In Social Studies students are asked to write argumentative essays related to the content being taught. The mnemonic TREE has the components of a good argumentative essay so the student can follow them through the prompts by each letter.

**Grade Level** This strategy is appropriate to use in middle and high schools.

**Curriculum Standards** For 7th grade students, this strategy uses the following CSO’s:  SS.O.7.1.4 research and organize information about an issue of public concern from multiple points of view.  SS.O.7.2.4 debate the importance of limited government and the rule of law.  RLA.O.7.2.5 from a prompt use the five-step writing process to develop a focused composition that contains specific, relevant details and vivid and precise words.  RLA.O.7.2.1 use note-taking strategies including paraphrasing and summarizing to develop a written composition.

**Description of Practices** TREE is a mnemonic, which stands for the following: Topic: note the topic sentence. Reasons: note the reasons. Examine: examine your reasons (will the reader buy them?). Ending: note an ending. When using this mnemonic students have to generate ideas about the topic, support the topic, and develop a conclusion.

**Implementation Considerations** This strategy can be used in self-contained, coteaching, small group, and whole group. It may be more beneficial to use the strategy in whole group so other students can hear other students thoughts. Teachers should expose students to this mnemonic as a whole group so problems/issues can be resolved as a class and if they still occur they can be addressed individually.

**Example** Below is just an example about a students experience using TREE to write a persuasive essay. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[]

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Brad is a student that has trouble being interested in writing. By expanding his simple sentences they used TREE to help him write. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[]

**Citation** <span style="color: #262626; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hoover, T. M., Kubina, R. M., & Mason, L. H. (2012). Effects of Self-Regulated Strategy Development for POW+TREE on High School Students with LearningDisabilities. Exceptionality, 20(1), 20-38.