Philadelphia Writing Project
Supporting Civically Engaged Argument Writing with Primary Sources
Text Set
Palm Oil
Palm oil is used in a number of household and food products that we use every day. Due to the demand for palm oil, plantations in tropical climates around the world often harvest palm oil by clearing threatened rainforests. Over-harvesting of palm oil has contributed to deforestation, affecting fragile ecosystems and endangering native species. What should we do in our part of the world, if anything, to address this issue?
FEATURED PRIMARY SOURCES
TEXT SET
Introduce the Issue
Teachers may introduce one or both of the featured historical primary sources above alongside more current news articles to introduce the issue and jumpstart inquiry.
A day in your life with palm oil. Infographic showing the range of products we use each day that may contain palm oil. (Meijaard et al., 2018).
The problem with palm oil. News video that introduces facts about the destruction of rainforest habitats to create palm oil plantations. (Take Part, 2016).
Orangutan-friendly candy without palm oil. List of products that do not contain palm oil created by a palm oil activist. (productswithoutpalmout.com, updated 2022).
Palm Oil – What is it and why is it important? University-created news brief and infographic explaining how palm oil is produced and possible solutions. (University of Maine, 2021).
Go Deeper
Students may use these texts—or excerpts from these texts—to identify additional perspectives on the issue.
5 problems with ‘sustainable’ palm oil. Web page created by environmental group explaining how even sustainable palm oil may be problematic. (Greenpeace, 2019).
How do we go palm oil free?. News article explaining possible alternatives to using palm oil. (BBC, 2020).
Smallholder farmers are key to making the palm oil industry sustainable. Non-profit organization web article about possibilities for supporting local farmers who can sustainably farm palm oil. (World Resources Institute, 2018).
Courting controversy, scientists team with industry to tackle one of the world's most destructive crops. Scientific magazine article on possible scientific innovations that can decrease the harmful effects of current palm oil production practices. (Science, 2019).
Additional Planning Resources
Primary Sources
Trademark registration by Hershey Chocolate co. for HCO brand Chocolate. Government document. (Library of Congress, 1898).
Eating chocolate. Photograph. (Library of Congress, c1886).
Classroom Informational Text
Why does chocolate melt in your hand? (Library of Congress).
This website features resources created by educators affiliated with the Philadelphia Writing Project (PhilWP), supported by a Teaching with Primary Sources grant from the Library of Congress.
The following Philadelphia Writing Project teacher consultants contributed to this page: L. Lapina, J. Ross, and J. F. Smith.
Some of the resources and approaches referenced on this page were developed by the National Writing Project's (NWP) College, Career, and Community Writers Program.
Teacher Consultants in the NWP Write Now Teacher Studio and members of the Teaching with Primary Sources Teachers Network have provided feedback on and suggestions for this page.
This page was updated 2 November 2024.