A method comprising extrusion compounding a styrenic polymer and a layered compound to produce a composite, and orienting the composite to produce an oriented composite wherein the layered compound comprises natural clay, synthetic clay, natural colloid, synthetic colloid, natural sol, synthetic sol, natural gel, synthetic gel, natural fumes, synthetic fumes, or combinations thereof. A method of preparing an oriented film comprising extrusion compounding a styrenic polymer and a clay to produce a nanocomposite, casting the nanocomposite into a film, and orienting the film in at least one direction.