RL/RI.9.1
Cite Textual Evidence
Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Your writing includes relevant textual evidence that is smoothly integrated into your own sentences with correct citations. The selected evidence clearly supports your analysis of explicit and/or inferred meanings from the text, and connects logically to your main points.
I can identify relevant details and quotes from the text to support basic observations I can select and accurately quote strong evidence to support analysis of the text I can synthesize precisely quoted evidence to support sophisticated text analysis RL/RI.9.2
Determine Theme or Central Idea
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
I can identify the central idea/theme of a text and locate basic details that support it I can analyze how the central idea/theme evolves throughout specific sections of the text I can synthesize how multiple elements and techniques transform the central idea/theme across the text RI.9.6
Analyze Author's Purpose and Rhetoric
Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how an author uses rhetoric to advance that point of view or purpose.
I can identify the author's main point of view or purpose in a text I can analyze how different rhetorical strategies work to support the author's purpose I can critique the effectiveness of the author's rhetorical choices in achieving their purpose W.9.5
Develop and Strengthen Writing
Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.
Your writing shows evidence of revision that improves clarity and readability. You address major issues in mechanics and organization, while also making some meaningful changes to content and word choice that help better convey your message to your audience.
I can create a basic plan for my writing that considers purpose and audience I can implement specific revisions to strengthen my writing for my intended purpose I can strategically select and apply different writing approaches to best achieve my purpose W.9.7
Conduct Research and Problem Solving
Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
I can formulate a basic research question to guide my investigation I can develop and refine my research question as I investigate my topic I can generate and strategically modify complex research questions based on my findings W.9.9
Use Evidence as Support
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
Your work draws relevant and specific evidence from texts and uses it effectively to support your analysis and claims. When you include evidence, it clearly connects to and strengthens your points, and you cite your sources properly.
I can select basic evidence from texts that relate to my topic or claim I can evaluate evidence from texts to select examples that best support my analysis I can assess and select sophisticated evidence that enriches my analysis or reflection SL.9.1.c
Initiate and Propel Collaborative Discussions
Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively. c. Propel conversations by posing and responding to questions that relate the current discussion to broader themes or larger ideas; actively incorporate others into the discussion; and clarify, verify, or challenge ideas and conclusions.
I can ask and answer basic questions to keep a discussion going I can pose questions that connect our discussion to broader themes or ideas I can strategically guide discussions by connecting immediate topics to larger themes and universal ideas L.9.6
Acquire and Use New Vocabulary
Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.
You demonstrate a systematic approach to understanding and using new vocabulary in your work. When encountering unfamiliar words, you analyze them in context, explore their meanings and uses, and show your understanding through clear documentation and accurate application. Your engagement with new vocabulary shows both careful attention to understanding individual words and an increasing ability to use them effectively in your own communication.
I can identify and define general academic vocabulary in my reading and listening I can accurately use academic and domain-specific vocabulary in my writing and discussions I can integrate sophisticated academic and domain-specific vocabulary naturally in my communication RL/RI.10.1
Cite Textual Evidence
Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Your writing includes relevant textual evidence that is smoothly integrated into your own sentences with correct citations. The selected evidence clearly supports your analysis of explicit and/or inferred meanings from the text, and connects logically to your main points.
I can identify relevant details and quotes from the text to support basic observations I can select and accurately quote strong evidence to support analysis of the text I can synthesize precisely quoted evidence to support sophisticated text analysis RL/RI.10.2
Determine Theme or Central Idea
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
I can identify the central idea/theme of a text and locate basic details that support it I can analyze how the central idea/theme evolves throughout specific sections of the text I can synthesize how multiple elements and techniques transform the central idea/theme across the text RI.10.6
Analyze Author's Purpose and Rhetoric
Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how an author uses rhetoric to advance that point of view or purpose.
I can identify the author's main point of view or purpose in a text I can analyze how different rhetorical strategies work to support the author's purpose I can critique the effectiveness of the author's rhetorical choices in achieving their purpose RL/RI.10.7
Evaluate and Integrate Multiple Media Sources
Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words in order to address a question or solve a problem.
I can identify relevant information from different media formats (text, visual, numerical data) I can analyze how different media formats present complementary information I can synthesize complex information across multiple media formats to develop sophisticated solutions W.10.1.a/b
Argumentative Writing
Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence. a. Introduce precise claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that establishes clear relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.
Your writing presents a precise claim and develops it with sufficient, relevant evidence and valid reasoning that acknowledges the complexity of the topic. The argument demonstrates thoughtful consideration of potential counterpoints through its development and support.
I can write a basic claim about my topic that states my position I can develop precise claims that demonstrate analysis of my topic and its complexity I can craft sophisticated claims that demonstrate deep analysis of complex topics W.10.4
Clear and Coherent Writing
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Your writing uses clear language and logical organization to convey ideas, with error-free mechanics and grammar. Ideas are fully developed in well-structured paragraphs that include adequate detail and purposeful sentence structure, flowing logically from one to the next to create a cohesive whole.
I can write in complete paragraphs with basic organization I can develop my ideas thoroughly with relevant details and examples I can craft sophisticated, well-developed paragraphs that enhance my message W.10.7
Conduct Research and Problem Solving
Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
I can formulate a basic research question to guide my investigation I can develop and refine my research question as I investigate my topic I can generate and strategically modify complex research questions based on my findings SL.10.4
Clear and Logical Presentation
Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and task.
You present information and findings with a clear understanding of your subject matter, structuring your spoken presentation in a logical sequence that guides listeners through the key points. You explain specific examples and create connections between ideas, using any visual aids to support rather than replace your own explanation of evidence and reasoning.
I can identify the main points and supporting evidence for my presentation I can synthesize information and evidence to demonstrate a clear understanding of my subject matter I can evaluate and select the most compelling evidence to support complex arguments RL/RI.11.2
Determine Themes or Central Ideas
Determine two or more themes or central ideas of a text and analyze their development over the course of the text, including how they interact and build on one another to produce a complex account; provide an objective summary of the text.
I can identify multiple themes/central ideas within a text I can analyze how multiple themes/central ideas develop throughout the text I can analyze subtle ways multiple themes/central ideas evolve and intersect RL/RI.11.4
Analyze Word/Phrase Choice and Impact
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including words with multiple meanings or language that is particularly fresh, engaging, or beautiful.
I can identify basic figurative language in a text I can analyze how figurative language creates layers of meaning in a text I can evaluate how sophisticated figurative language enhances the text's meaning RI.11.6
Analyze Author's Purpose and Rhetoric
Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text in which the rhetoric is particularly effective, analyzing how style and content contribute to the power, persuasiveness, or beauty of the text.
I can identify an author's stated point of view in a text and explain their purpose for writing I can analyze how rhetorical strategies/techniques work to advance the author's purpose I can evaluate the effectiveness of complex rhetorical strategies RI.11.7
Evaluate and Integrate Multiple Media Sources
Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words in order to address a question or solve a problem.
I can identify relevant information from different media formats (text, visual, numerical data) I can analyze how different media formats present complementary information I can synthesize complex information across multiple media formats to develop sophisticated solutions W.11.1
Argumentative Writing
Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence. a. Introduce precise, knowledgeable claim(s), establish the significance of the claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that logically sequences claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.
Your writing presents a precise, significant claim and develops it with sufficient, relevant evidence and valid reasoning that acknowledges the complexity of the topic. The argument demonstrates thoughtful consideration of potential counterpoints through its logical development and support, clearly establishing why your claim matters within the broader context of the subject.
I can write a basic claim about my topic that states my position I can develop precise claims that demonstrate analysis of my topic and its complexity I can craft sophisticated claims that demonstrate deep analysis of complex topics W.11.4
Clear and Coherent Writing
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Your writing uses precise language and sophisticated organization to convey complex ideas, with error-free mechanics and grammar. Ideas are thoroughly developed in well-structured paragraphs that demonstrate intentional variety in detail and sentence structure, flowing seamlessly from one to the next to create a polished, cohesive whole that's clearly tailored to your purpose and audience.
I can write in complete paragraphs with basic organization I can develop my ideas thoroughly with relevant details and examples I can craft sophisticated, well-developed paragraphs that enhance my message W.11.9
Use Evidence as Support
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
Your work draws relevant and specific evidence from multiple texts and synthesizes it effectively to support sophisticated analysis and claims. When you include evidence, you not only connect it clearly to your points but also analyze its deeper implications, acknowledging complexities in the texts while maintaining proper citations throughout.
I can select basic evidence from texts that relate to my topic or claim I can evaluate evidence from texts to select examples that best support my analysis I can assess and select sophisticated evidence that enriches my analysis or reflection SL.11.1.c
Initiate and Propel Collaborative Discussions
Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 11–12 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively. c. Propel conversations by posing and responding to questions that relate the current discussion to broader themes or larger ideas; actively incorporate others into the discussion; and clarify, verify, or challenge ideas and conclusions.
You engage effectively in a variety of speaking and listening contexts, consistently demonstrating thoughtful and purposeful communication. In discussions, you drive conversations forward by connecting specific ideas to broader themes and skillfully involving others, building on their contributions while respectfully challenging ideas when appropriate. Your communication shows careful attention to both speaking and listening - you express your own ideas clearly and purposefully while also synthesizing and responding to the perspectives of others.
I can ask and answer basic questions to keep a discussion going I can pose questions that connect our discussion to broader themes or ideas I can strategically guide discussions by connecting immediate topics to larger themes and universal ideas