- L.5.1
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
- L.5.2
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
- L.5.3
Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
- L.5.3a
Expand, combine, and reduce sentences for meaning, reader/listener interest, and style.
- L.5.3b
Compare and contrast the varieties of English (e.g., dialects, registers) used in stories, dramas, or poems.
- L.5.4
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 5 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
- L.5.4a
Use context (e.g., cause/effect relationships and comparisons in text) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
- L.5.4b
Use common, grade-appropriate Greek and Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., photograph, photosynthesis).
- L.5.4c
Consult reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation and determine or clarify the precise meaning of key words and phrases.
- L.5.5
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
- L.5.5a
Interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context.
- L.5.5b
Recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs.
- L.5.5c
Use the relationship between particular words (e.g., synonyms, antonyms, homographs) to better understand each of the words.
- L.5.6
Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal contrast, addition, and other logical relationships (e.g., however, although, nevertheless, similarly, moreover, in addition).
- L.6.1
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
- L.6.1.A
Ensure that pronouns are in the proper case (subjective, objective, possessive).
- L.6.1.B
Use intensive pronouns (e.g., myself, ourselves).
- L.6.1.C
Recognize and correct inappropriate shifts in pronoun number and person.
- L.6.1.D
Recognize and correct vague pronouns (i.e., ones with unclear or ambiguous antecedents).
- L.6.1.E
Recognize variations from standard English in their own and others' writing and speaking, and identify and use strategies to improve expression in conventional language.
- L.6.2
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
- L.6.2.A
Use punctuation (commas, parentheses, dashes) to set off nonrestrictive/parenthetical elements.*
- L.6.2.B
Spell correctly.
- L.6.3
Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
- L.6.3.A
Vary sentence patterns for meaning, reader/listener interest, and style.
- L.6.3.B
Maintain consistency in style and tone.
- L.6.4
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 6 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
- L.6.4.A
Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence or paragraph; a word's position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
- L.6.4.B
Use common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., audience, auditory, audible).
- L.6.4.C
Consult reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify its precise meaning or its part of speech.
- L.6.4.D
Verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary).
- L.6.5
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
- L.6.5.A
Interpret figures of speech (e.g., personification) in context.
- L.6.5.B
Use the relationship between particular words (e.g., cause/effect, part/whole, item/category) to better understand each of the words.
- L.6.5.C
Distinguish among the connotations (associations) of words with similar denotations (definitions) (e.g., stingy, scrimping, economical, unwasteful, thrifty).
- L.6.6
Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.
- L.7.1
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
- L.7.1a
Explain the function of phrases and clauses in general and their function in specific sentences.
- L.7.1b
Choose among simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences to signal differing relationships among ideas.
- L.7.1c
Place phrases and clauses within a sentence, recognizing and correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers.*
- L.7.2
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
- L.7.2a
Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives (e.g., It was a fascinating, enjoyable movie but not He wore an old[,] green shirt).
- L.7.2b
Spell correctly.
- L.7.3
Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
- L.7.3a
Choose language that expresses ideas precisely and concisely, recognizing and eliminating wordiness and redundancy.*
- L.7.4
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 7 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
- L.7.4a
Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence or paragraph; a word’s position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
- L.7.4b
Use common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., belligerent, bellicose, rebel).
- L.7.4c
Consult general and specialized reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify its precise meaning or its part of speech.
- L.7.4d
Verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary).
- L.7.5
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
- L.7.5a
Interpret figures of speech (e.g., literary, biblical, and mythological allusions) in context.
- L.7.5b
Use the relationship between particular words (e.g., synonym/antonym, analogy) to better understand each of the words.
- L.7.5c
Distinguish among the connotations (associations) of words with similar denotations (definitions) (e.g., refined, respectful, polite, diplomatic, condescending).
- L.7.6
Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.
- L.8.1
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
- L.8.1a
Explain the function of verbals (gerunds, participles, infinitives) in general and their function in particular sentences.
- L.8.1b
Form and use verbs in the active and passive voice.
- L.8.1c
Form and use verbs in the indicative, imperative, interrogative, conditional, and subjunctive mood.
- L.8.1d
Recognize and correct inappropriate shifts in verb voice and mood.*
- L.8.2
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
- L.8.2a
Use punctuation (comma, ellipsis, dash) to indicate a pause or break.
- L.8.2b
Use an ellipsis to indicate an omission.
- L.8.2c
Spell correctly.
- L.8.3
Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
- L.8.3a
Use verbs in the active and passive voice and in the conditional and subjunctive mood to achieve particular effects (e.g., emphasizing the actor or the action; expressing uncertainty or describing a state contrary to fact).
- L.8.4
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words or phrases based on grade 8 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
- L.8.4a
Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence or paragraph; a word’s position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
- L.8.4b
Use common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., precede, recede, secede).
- L.8.4c
Consult general and specialized reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify its precise meaning or its part of speech.
- L.8.4d
Verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary).
- L.8.5
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
- L.8.5a
Interpret figures of speech (e.g. verbal irony, puns) in context.
- L.8.5b
Use the relationship between particular words to better understand each of the words.
- L.8.5c
Distinguish among the connotations (associations) of words with similar denotations (definitions) (e.g., bullheaded, willful, firm, persistent, resolute).
- L.8.6
Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.
- L.9-10.1
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
- L.9-10.1a
Use parallel structure.*
- L.9-10.1b
Use various types of phrases (noun, verb, adjectival, adverbial, participial, prepositional, absolute) and clauses (independent, dependent; noun, relative, adverbial) to convey specific meanings and add variety and interest to writing or presentations.
- L.9-10.2
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
- L.9-10.2a
Use a semicolon (and perhaps a conjunctive adverb) to link two or more closely related independent clauses.
- L.9-10.2b
Use a colon to introduce a list or quotation.
- L.9-10.2c
Spell correctly.
- L.9-10.3
Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening.
- L.9-10.3a
Write and edit work so that it conforms to the guidelines in a style manual (e.g., MLA Handbook, Turabian’s Manual for Writers) appropriate for the discipline and writing type.
- L.9-10.4
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grades 9–10 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
- L.9-10.4a
Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence, paragraph, or text; a word’s position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
- L.9-10.4b
Identify and correctly use patterns of word changes that indicate different meanings or parts of speech (e.g., analyze, analysis, analytical; advocate, advocacy).
- L.9-10.4c
Consult general and specialized reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify its precise meaning, its part of speech, or its etymology.
- L.9-10.4d
Verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary).
- L.9-10.5
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
- L.9-10.5a
Interpret figures of speech (e.g., euphemism, oxymoron) in context and analyze their role in the text.
- L.9-10.5b
Analyze nuances in the meaning of words with similar denotations.
- L.9-10.6
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.
- L.11-12.1
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
- L.11-12.1a
Apply the understanding that usage is a matter of convention, can change over time, and is sometimes contested.
- L.11-12.1b
Resolve issues of complex or contested usage, consulting references (e.g., Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of English Usage, Garner’s Modern American Usage) as needed.
- L.11-12.2
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
- L.11-12.2.b
Spell correctly.
- L.11-12.2a
Observe hyphenation conventions.
- L.11-12.3
Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening.
- L.11-12.3a
Vary syntax for effect, consulting references (e.g., Tufte’s Artful Sentences) for guidance as needed; apply an understanding of syntax to the study of complex texts when reading.
- L.11-12.4
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grades 11–12 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
- L.11-12.4a
Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence, paragraph, or text; a word’s position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
- L.11-12.4b
Identify and correctly use patterns of word changes that indicate different meanings or parts of speech (e.g., conceive, conception, conceivable).
- L.11-12.4c
Consult general and specialized reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify its precise meaning, its part of speech, its etymology, or its standard usage.
- L.11-12.4d
Verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary).
- L.11-12.5
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
- L.11-12.5a
Interpret figures of speech (e.g., hyperbole, paradox) in context and analyze their role in the text.
- L.11-12.5b
Analyze nuances in the meaning of words with similar denotations.
- L.11-12.6
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.