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, including its relationship to the characters, setting, plot, and supporting details; provide an objective summary of the text (RL.2; RI.2)
C. Story Elements
Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a grade-level story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision (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
Compare/Contrast the structure of two or more texts and analyze how the differing structure of each text contributes to its meaning and style; analyze the structure of a specific paragraph in a text, including the role of particular sentences in developing and refining a key concept. (RL.5; RI.5)
F. Point of View
Analyze how differences in points of view of characters create such effects as suspense or humor in a grade-appropriate text, and how an author acknowledges/responds to conflicting evidence or viewpoints in a text. (RL.6; RI.6)
G. Visual & Auditory Media
Analyze the extent to which a filmed or live production stays faithful to or departs from the text or script, evaluating the choices made by the actors/directors; evaluate advantages, disadvantages, and motives behind using different mediums to present a topic; integrate visual media into presentations to clarify, strengthen, and add interest to a topic. (RL.7, RI.7, SL.2, SL.5)
H. Historical & Cultural Contexts (2017-18) I. Rhetorical Criticism
Analyze a case in which two or more texts provide conflicting information on the same topic and identify where the texts disagree on matters of fact or interpretation. (RI.9)
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 into broader categories; include formatting, graphics, and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension. (W.4)
Develop the topic with relevant, well-chosen facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples. (W.8; W.9)
Use appropriate and varied 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 and show the relationships among experiences and events.
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.