Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what a grade-appropriate text says explicitly, as well as to support inferences drawn from the text (RL.1; RI.1)
B. Themes & Central Ideas
Analyze the of a theme/central idea over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text. (RL.2, RI.2)
C. Story Elements
Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g. how setting shapes the characters or plot (RL.3)
D. Academic Vocabulary & Word Meanings
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a grade-appropriate text, including technical meanings and gather knowledge when considering a word important to comprehension (RL.4; RI.4)
E. Text Structures & Features
Analyze how a grade-appropriate drama’s or poem’s form or structure contribute to its meaning including how the major sections contribute to the whole and to the development of ideas (RL.5; RI.5)
F. Point of View
Analyze how an author develops and contrasts the points of view of different characters or narrators in a text or distinguishes his or her opinion from that of others. (RL.6; RI.6)
G. Visual & Auditory Media
Compare/contrast a written story, drama, or poem to its audio, filmed, staged, or multimedia version, analyzing the effects of techniques of each medium, and its portrayal of the subject (RL.7, RI.7, SL.2, SL.5)
H. Historical & Cultural Contexts (2017-18)
Compare/contrast a fictional portrayal of a time, place, or character and a historical account of the same period as a means of understanding how authors of fiction use or alter history. (RL.9)
I. Rhetorical Criticism
Analyze how two or more authors writing about the same topic shape their presentation of key information by emphasizing different evidence or advancing different interpretations of facts. (RI.9)
Writing: Informative, Narrative, & Argumentative
J. Argumentative Writing Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence (W.1)
Introduce claim(s), acknowledge alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence clearly. (W.4)
Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.(W.8, W.9)
Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), reasons, and evidence..
Establish and maintain a formal style
Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.
K. Informative/Explanatory Writing Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content. (W.2)
Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information, using strategies such as definition, classification, comparison/contrast, and cause/effect; include formatting, graphics, and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension. (W.4)
Develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples. (W.8; W.9)
Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.
Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
Establish and maintain a formal style
Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented.
L. Narrative Writing Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences. (W.3)
Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically. (W.4)
Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.
Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another.
Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events.
Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on the narrated experiences or events.