Grade Eight
Reading 1.0
Word Analysis, Fluency, and Systematic Vocabulary Development Students use their knowledge of word origins and word relationships, as well as historical and literary context clues, to determine the meaning of specialized vocabulary and to understand the precise meaning of grade-level-appropriate words.

Vocabulary and Concept Development
1.1          Analyze idioms, analogies, metaphors, and similes to infer the literal and figurative meanings of                 phrases.
1.2          Understand the most important points in the history of English language and use common word                   origins to determine the historical influences on English word meanings.
1.3          Use word meanings within the appropriate context and show ability to verify those meanings by                definition, restatement, example, comparison, or contrast.

2.0 Reading Comprehension
(Focus on Informational Materials) Students read and understand grade-level-appropriate material. They describe and connect the essential ideas, arguments, and perspectives of the text by using their knowledge of text structure, organization, and purpose. The selections in Recommended Literature, Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve illustrate the quality and complexity of the materials to be read by students. In addition, students read one million words annually on their own, including a good representation of narrative and expository text (e.g., classic and contemporary literature, magazines, newspapers, online information).

Structural Features of Informational Materials
2.1          Compare and contrast the features and elements of consumer materials to gain meaning from    documents (e.g., warranties, contracts, product information, instruction manuals).
2.2          Analyze text that uses proposition and support patterns.

Comprehension and Analysis of Grade-Level-Appropriate Text
2.3          Find similarities and differences between texts in the treatment, scope, or organization of ideas.
2.4          Compare the original text to a summary to determine whether the summary accurately captures the            main ideas, includes critical details, and conveys the underlying meaning.
2.5          Understand and explain the use of a complex mechanical device by following technical                    
                directions.
2.6          Use information from a variety of consumer, workplace, and public documents to explain a                         situation or decision and to solve a problem.

Expository Critique
2.7          Evaluate the unity, coherence, logic, internal consistency, and structural patterns of text.

3.0 Literary Response and Analysis
Students read and respond to historically or culturally significant works of literature that reflect and enhance their studies of history and social science. They clarify the ideas and connect them to other literary works. The selections in Recommended Literature, Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve illustrate the quality and complexity of the materials to be read by students.

Structural Features of Literature
3.1          Determine and articulate the relationship between the purposes and characteristics of different                 forms of poetry (e.g., ballad, lyric, couplet, epic, elegy, ode, sonnet).

Narrative Analysis of Grade-Level-Appropriate Text
3.2          Evaluate the structural elements of the plot (e.g., subplots, parallel episodes, climax), the plot's                  development, and the way in which conflicts are (or are not) addressed and resolved.
3.3          Compare and contrast motivations and reactions of literary characters from different historical                  eras confronting similar situations or conflicts.
3.4          Analyze the relevance of the setting (e.g., place, time, customs) to the mood, tone, and meaning                 of the text.
3.5          Identify and analyze recurring themes (e.g., good versus evil) across traditional and                            
                contemporary works.
3.6          Identify significant literary devices (e.g., metaphor, symbolism, dialect, irony) that define a                         writer's style and use those elements to interpret the work.

Literary Criticism
3.7          Analyze a work of literature, showing how it reflects the heritage, traditions, attitudes, and                              beliefs of its author. (Biographical approach)

Writing 1.0 Writing Strategies
Students write clear, coherent, and focused essays. The writing exhibits students' awareness of audience and purpose. Essays contain formal introductions, supporting evidence, and conclusions. Students progress through the stages of the writing process as needed.

Organization and Focus
1.1          Create compositions that establish a controlling impression, have a coherent thesis, and end                         with a clear and well-supported conclusion.
1.2          Establish coherence within and among paragraphs through effective transitions, parallel                                 structures,  and similar writing techniques.
1.3          Support theses or conclusions with analogies, paraphrases, quotations, opinions from                                     authorities, comparisons, and similar devices.

Research and Technology
1.4          Plan and conduct multiple-step information searches by using computer networks and modems.
1.5          Achieve an effective balance between researched information and original ideas.

Evaluation and Revision
1.6          Revise writing for word choice; appropriate organization; consistent point of view; and                                     transitions between paragraphs, passages, and ideas.

2.0 Writing Applications (Genres and Their Characteristics)
Students write narrative, expository, persuasive, and descriptive essays of at least 500 to 700 words in each genre. Student writing demonstrates a command of standard American English and the research, organizational, and drafting strategies outlined in Writing Standard 1.0.

Using the writing strategies of grade eight outlined in Writing Standard 1.0, students:

2.1          Write biographies, autobiographies, short stories, or narratives:

a.             Relate a clear, coherent incident, event, or situation by using well-chosen details.

b.             Reveal the significance of, or the writer's attitude about, the subject.

c.             Employ narrative and descriptive strategies (e.g., relevant dialogue, specific action, physical                         description, background description, comparison or contrast of characters).

2.2          Write responses to literature:

a.             Exhibit careful reading and insight in their interpretations.\

b.             Connect the student's own responses to the writer's techniques and to specific textual                                         references.

c.             Draw supported inferences about the effects of a literary work on its audience.

d.             Support judgments through references to the text, other works, other authors, or to personal                     knowledge.

2.3          Write research reports:

a.             Define a thesis.

b.             Record important ideas, concepts, and direct quotations from significant information sources                     and paraphrase and summarize all perspectives on the topic, as appropriate.

c.             Use a variety of primary and secondary sources and distinguish the nature and value of each.

d.             Organize and display information on charts, maps, and graphs.

2.4          Write persuasive compositions:

a.             Include a well-defined thesis (i.e., one that makes a clear and knowledgeable judgment).

b.             Present detailed evidence, examples, and reasoning to support arguments, differentiating                             between facts and opinion.

c.             Provide details, reasons, and examples, arranging them effectively by anticipating and                                     answering reader concerns and counterarguments.

2.5          Write documents related to career development, including simple business letters                 and job applications:

a.             Present information purposefully and succinctly and meet the needs of the intended audience.

b.             Follow the conventional format for the type of document (e.g., letter of inquiry, memorandum).

2.6          Write technical documents:

a.             Identify the sequence of activities needed to design a system, operate a tool, or explain the                             bylaws of an organization.

b.             Include all the factors and variables that need to be considered.

c.             Use formatting techniques (e.g., headings, differing fonts) to aid comprehension.

Written and Oral English Language Conventions
The standards for written and oral English language conventions have been placed between those for writing and for listening and speaking because these conventions are essential to both sets of skills.

1.0 Written and Oral English Language Conventions
Students write and speak with a command of standard English conventions appropriate to this grade level.

Sentence Structure
1.1          Use correct and varied sentence types and sentence openings to present a lively and effective                          personal style.
1.2          Identify and use parallelism, including similar grammatical forms, in all written discourse to                         present items in a series and items juxtaposed for emphasis.
1.3          Use subordination, coordination, apposition, and other devices to indicate clearly the                                         relationship between ideas.

Grammar
1.4          Edit written manuscripts to ensure that correct grammar is used.

Punctuation and Capitalization
1.5          Use correct punctuation and capitalization.

Spelling
1.6          Use correct spelling conventions.

Listening and Speaking
1.0 Listening and Speaking Strategies
Students deliver focused, coherent presentations that convey ideas clearly and relate to the background and interests of the audience. They evaluate the content of oral communication.

Comprehension
1.1          Analyze oral interpretations of literature, including language choice and delivery, and the effect                 of the interpretations on the listener.
1.2          Paraphrase a speaker's purpose and point of view and ask relevant questions concerning the                           speaker's content, delivery, and purpose.

Organization and Delivery of Oral Communication
1.3          Organize information to achieve particular purposes by matching the message, vocabulary, voice                modulation, expression, and tone to the audience and purpose.
1.4          Prepare a speech outline based upon a chosen pattern of organization, which generally includes                 an introduction; transitions, previews, and summaries; a logically developed body; and an                             effective conclusion.
1.5          Use precise language, action verbs, sensory details, appropriate and colorful modifiers, and the                   active rather than the passive voice in ways that enliven oral presentations.
1.6          Use appropriate grammar, word choice, enunciation, and pace during formal presentations.
1.7          Use audience feedback (e.g., verbal and nonverbal cues):

a.             Reconsider and modify the organizational structure or plan.

b.             Rearrange words and sentences to clarify the meaning.

Analysis and Evaluation of Oral and Media Communications
1.8          Evaluate the credibility of a speaker (e.g., hidden agendas, slanted or biased material).
1.9          Interpret and evaluate the various ways in which visual image makers (e.g., graphic artists,                             illustrators, news photographers) communicate information and affect impressions and                                 opinions.

2.0 Speaking Applications (Genres and Their Characteristics)
Students deliver well-organized formal presentations employing traditional rhetorical strategies (e.g., narration, exposition, persuasion, description). Student speaking demonstrates a command of standard American English and the organizational and delivery strategies outlined in Listening and Speaking Standard 1.0.

Using the speaking strategies of grade eight outlined in Listening and Speaking Standard 1.0, students:

2.1          Deliver narrative presentations (e.g., biographical, autobiographical):

a.             Relate a clear, coherent incident, event, or situation by using well-chosen details.

b.             Reveal the significance of, and the subject's attitude about, the incident, event, or situation.

c.             Employ narrative and descriptive strategies (e.g., relevant dialogue, specific action, physical                         description, background description, comparison or contrast of characters).

2.2          Deliver oral responses to literature:

a.             Interpret a reading and provide insight.

b.             Connect the students' own responses to the writer's techniques and to specific textual                                         references.

c.             Draw supported inferences about the effects of a literary work on its audience.

d.             Support judgments through references to the text, other works, other authors, or personal                             knowledge.

2.3          Deliver research presentations:

a.             Define a thesis.

b.             Record important ideas, concepts, and direct quotations from significant information sources                     and paraphrase and summarize all relevant perspectives on the topic, as appropriate.

c.             Use a variety of primary and secondary sources and distinguish the nature and value of each.

d.             Organize and record information on charts, maps, and graphs.

2.4          Deliver persuasive presentations:

a.             Include a well-defined thesis (i.e., one that makes a clear and knowledgeable judgment).

b.             Differentiate fact from opinion and support arguments with detailed evidence, examples, and                     reasoning.

c.             Anticipate and answer listener concerns and counterarguments effectively through the                                     inclusion and arrangement of details, reasons, examples, and other elements.

d.             Maintain a reasonable tone.

2.5          Recite poems (of four to six stanzas), sections of speeches, or dramatic soliloquies,                 using voice modulation, tone, and gestures expressively to enhance the meaning.

Grades Nine & Ten

Reading 1.0
Word Analysis, Fluency, and Systematic Vocabulary Development Students apply their knowledge of word origins to determine the meaning of new words encountered in reading materials and use those words accurately.

Vocabulary and Concept Development
1.1          Identify and use the literal and figurative meanings of words and understand word derivations.
1.2.         Distinguish between the denotative and connotative meanings of words and interpret the                 connotative power of words.
1.3          Identify Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology and use the knowledge to understand the origin                     and meaning of new words (e.g., the word narcissisticdrawn from the myth of Narcissus and                         Echo).

2.0 Reading Comprehension (Focus on Informational Materials)
Students read and understand grade-level-appropriate material. They analyze the organizational patterns, arguments, and positions advanced. The selections in Recommended Literature, Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve illustrate the quality and complexity of the materials to be read by students. In addition, by grade twelve, students read two million words annually on their own, including a wide variety of classic and contemporary literature, magazines, newspapers, and online information. In grades nine and ten, students make substantial progress toward this goal.

Structural Features of Informational Materials
2.1          Analyze the structure and format of functional workplace documents, including the graphics                     and headers, and explain how authors use the features to achieve their purposes.
2.2          Prepare a bibliography of reference materials for a report using a variety of consumer,                                     workplace, and public documents.

Comprehension and Analysis of Grade-Level-Appropriate Text
2.3          Generate relevant questions about readings on issues that can be researched.
2.4          Synthesize the content from several sources or works by a single author dealing with a single                        issue; paraphrase the ideas and connect them to other sources and related topics to demonstrate                 comprehension.
2.5          Extend ideas presented in primary or secondary sources through original analysis, evaluation,                     and elaboration.
2.6          Demonstrate use of sophisticated learning tools by following technical directions (e.g., those                         found with graphic calculators and specialized software programs and in access guides to World                 Wide Web sites on the Internet).

Expository Critique
2.7          Critique the logic of functional documents by examining the sequence of information and                              procedures in anticipation of possible reader misunderstandings.
2.8          Evaluate the credibility of an author's argument or defense of a claim by critiquing the                                     relationship between generalizations and evidence, the comprehensiveness of evidence, and the                 way in which the author's intent affects the structure and tone of the text (e.g., in professional                     journals, editorials, political speeches, primary source material).

3.0 Literary Response and Analysis
Students read and respond to historically or culturally significant works of literature that reflect and enhance their studies of history and social science. They conduct in-depth analyses of recurrent patterns and themes. The selections in Recommended Literature, Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve illustrate the quality and complexity of the materials to be read by students.

Structural Features of Literature
3.1          Articulate the relationship between the expressed purposes and the characteristics of different                  forms of dramatic literature (e.g., comedy, tragedy, drama, dramatic monologue).
3.2          Compare and contrast the presentation of a similar theme or topic across genres to explain how                 the selection of genre shapes the theme or topic.

Narrative Analysis of Grade-Level-Appropriate Text
3.3     Analyze interactions between main and subordinate characters in a literary text (e.g., internal and             external conflicts, motivations, relationships, influences) and explain the way those interactions                 affect the plot.
3.4          Determine characters' traits by what the characters say about themselves in narration, dialogue,                  dramatic monologue, and soliloquy.
3.5          Compare works that express a universal theme and provide evidence to support the ideas                                 expressed in each work.
3.6          Analyze and trace an author's development of time and sequence, including the use of complex                 literary devices (e.g., foreshadowing, flashbacks).
3.7          Recognize and understand the significance of various literary devices, including figurative                             language, imagery, allegory, and symbolism, and explain their appeal.
3.8          Interpret and evaluate the impact of ambiguities, subtleties, contradictions, ironies, and                                   incongruities in a text.
3.9          Explain how voice, persona, and the choice of a narrator affect characterization and the tone,                         plot, and credibility of a text.
3.10        Identify and describe the function of dialogue, scene designs, soliloquies, asides, and character                    foils in dramatic literature.

Literary Criticism
3.11        Evaluate the aesthetic qualities of style, including the impact of diction and figurative language                 on tone, mood, and theme, using the terminology of literary criticism. (Aesthetic approach)
3.12        Analyze the way in which a work of literature is related to the themes and issues of its historical                 period. (Historical approach)

Writing 1.0 Writing Strategies
Students write coherent and focused essays that convey a well-defined perspective and tightly reasoned argument. The writing demonstrates students' awareness of the audience and purpose. Students progress through the stages of the writing process as needed.

Organization and Focus
1.1          Establish a controlling impression or coherent thesis that conveys a clear and distinctive                                 perspective on the subject and maintain a consistent tone and focus throughout the piece of                         writing.
1.2          Use precise language, action verbs, sensory details, appropriate modifiers, and the active rather                 than the passive voice.

Research and Technology
1.3          Use clear research questions and suitable research methods (e.g., library, electronic media,                              personal interview) to elicit and present evidence from primary and secondary sources.
1.4          Develop the main ideas within the body of the composition through supporting evidence (e.g.,                  scenarios, commonly held beliefs, hypotheses, definitions).
1.5          Synthesize information from multiple sources and identify complexities and discrepancies in                     the information and the different perspectives found in each medium (e.g., almanacs,                                         microfiche, news sources, in-depth field studies, speeches, journals, technical documents).
1.6          Integrate quotations and citations into a written text while maintaining the flow of ideas.
1.7          Use appropriate conventions for documentation in the text, notes, and bibliographies by                                 adhering to those in style manuals (e.g., Modern Language Association Handbook, The Chicago                 Manual of Style).
1.8          Design and publish documents by using advanced publishing software and graphic programs.

Evaluation and Revision
1.9          Revise writing to improve the logic and coherence of the organization and controlling                                     perspective, the precision of word choice, and the tone by taking into consideration the                                     audience, purpose, and formality of the context.

2.0 Writing Applications (Genres and Their Characteristics)
Students combine the rhetorical strategies of narration, exposition, persuasion, and description to produce texts of at least 1,500 words each. Student writing demonstrates a command of standard American English and the research, organizational, and drafting strategies outlined in Writing Standard 1.0.

Using the writing strategies of grades nine and ten outlined in Writing Standard 1.0, students:

2.1          Write biographical or autobiographical narratives or short stories:

a.             Relate a sequence of events and communicate the significance of the events to the audience.

b.             Locate scenes and incidents in specific places.

c.             Describe with concrete sensory details the sights, sounds, and smells of a scene and the specific                 actions, movements, gestures, and feelings of the characters; use interior monologue to depict                     the characters' feelings.

d.             Pace the presentation of actions to accommodate changes in time and mood.

e.             Make effective use of descriptions of appearance, images, shifting perspectives, and sensory                         details.

2.2          Write responses to literature:

a.             Demonstrate a comprehensive grasp of the significant ideas of literary works.

b.             Support important ideas and viewpoints through accurate and detailed references to the text or                  to other works.

c.             Demonstrate awareness of the author's use of stylistic devices and an appreciation of the effects                 created.

d.             Identify and assess the impact of perceived ambiguities, nuances, and complexities within the                     text.

2.3          Write expository compositions, including analytical essays and research reports:

a.             Marshal evidence in support of a thesis and related claims, including information on all                                 relevant perspectives.

b.             Convey information and ideas from primary and secondary sources accurately and coherently.

c.             Make distinctions between the relative value and significance of specific data, facts, and ideas.

d.             Include visual aids by employing appropriate technology to organize and record information on                 charts, maps, and graphs.

e.             Anticipate and address readers' potential misunderstandings, biases, and expectations.

f.              Use technical terms and notations accurately.

2.4          Write persuasive compositions:

a.             Structure ideas and arguments in a sustained and logical fashion.

b.             Use specific rhetorical devices to support assertions (e.g., appeal to logic through reasoning;                         appeal to emotion or ethical belief; relate a personal anecdote, case study, or analogy).

c.             Clarify and defend positions with precise and relevant evidence, including facts, expert                                     opinions, quotations, and expressions of commonly accepted beliefs and logical reasoning.

d.             Address readers' concerns, counterclaims, biases, and expectations.

2.5 Write business letters:

a.             Provide clear and purposeful information and address the intended audience appropriately.

b.             Use appropriate vocabulary, tone, and style to take into account the nature of the relationship                     with, and the knowledge and interests of, the recipients.

c.             Highlight central ideas or images.

d.             Follow a conventional style with page formats, fonts, and spacing that contribute to the                                 documents' readability and impact.

2.6          Write technical documents (e.g., a manual on rules of behavior for conflict                                     resolution, procedures for conducting a meeting, minutes of a meeting):

a.             Report information and convey ideas logically and correctly.

b.             Offer detailed and accurate specifications.

c.             Include scenarios, definitions, and examples to aid comprehension (e.g., troubleshooting guide).

d.             Anticipate readers' problems, mistakes, and misunderstandings.

Written and Oral English Language Conventions
The standards for written and oral English language conventions have been placed between those for writing and for listening and speaking because these conventions are essential to both sets of skills.

1.0 Written and Oral English Language Conventions
Students write and speak with a command of standard English conventions.

Grammar and Mechanics of Writing
1.1          Identify and correctly use clauses (e.g., main and subordinate), phrases (e.g., gerund, infinitive,                    and participial), and mechanics of punctuation (e.g., semicolons, colons, ellipses, hyphens).
1.2          Understand sentence construction (e.g., parallel structure, subordination, proper placement of                   modifiers) and proper English usage (e.g., consistency of verb tenses).
1.3          Demonstrate an understanding of proper English usage and control of grammar, paragraph and                 sentence structure, diction, and syntax.

Manuscript Form
1.4          Produce legible work that shows accurate spelling and correct use of the conventions of                                 punctuation and capitalization.
1.5          Reflect appropriate manuscript requirements, including title page presentation, pagination,                         spacing and margins, and integration of source and support material (e.g., in-text citation, use                     of direct quotations, paraphrasing) with appropriate citations.

Listening and Speaking

1.0 Listening and Speaking Strategies
Students formulate adroit judgments about oral communication. They deliver focused and coherent presentations of their own that convey clear and distinct perspectives and solid reasoning. They use gestures, tone, and vocabulary tailored to the audience and purpose.

Comprehension
1.1          Formulate judgments about the ideas under discussion and support those judgments with                              convincing evidence.
1.2          Compare and contrast the ways in which media genres (e.g., televised news, news magazines,                        documentaries, online information) cover the same event.

Organization and Delivery of Oral Communication
1.3          Choose logical patterns of organization (e.g., chronological, topical, cause and effect) to inform                     and to persuade, by soliciting agreement or action, or to unite audiences behind a common belief                 or cause.
1.4          Choose appropriate techniques for developing the introduction and conclusion (e.g., by using                       literary quotations, anecdotes, references to authoritative sources).
1.5          Recognize and use elements of classical speech forms (e.g., introduction, first and second                                transitions, body, conclusion) in formulating rational arguments and applying the art of                                 persuasion and debate.
1.6          Present and advance a clear thesis statement and choose appropriate types of proof (e.g.,                                 statistics, testimony, specific instances) that meet standard tests for evidence, including                                     credibility,   validity, and relevance.
1.7          Use props, visual aids, graphs, and electronic media to enhance the appeal and accuracy of                             presentations.
1.8          Produce concise notes for extemporaneous delivery.
1.9          Analyze the occasion and the interests of the audience and choose effective verbal and                                     nonverbal  techniques (e.g., voice, gestures, eye contact) for presentations.

Analysis and Evaluation of Oral and Media Communications
1.10        Analyze historically significant speeches (e.g., Abraham Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address," Martin                 Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream") to find the rhetorical devices and features that make them                       memorable.
1.11        Assess how language and delivery affect the mood and tone of the oral communication and make                  an impact on the audience.
1.12        Evaluate the clarity, quality, effectiveness, and general coherence of a speaker's important                             points,  arguments, evidence, organization of ideas, delivery, diction, and syntax.
1.13        Analyze the types of arguments used by the speaker, including argument by causation, analogy,                 authority, emotion, and logic.
1.14        Identify the aesthetic effects of a media presentation and evaluate the techniques used to create                 them (e.g., compare Shakespeare's Henry V with Kenneth Branagh's 1990 film version).

2.0 Speaking Applications (Genres and Their Characteristics)
Students deliver polished formal and extemporaneous presentations that combine the traditional rhetorical strategies of narration, exposition, persuasion, and description. Student speaking demonstrates a command of standard American English and the organizational and delivery strategies outlined in Listening and Speaking Standard 1.0.

Using the speaking strategies of grades nine and ten outlined in Listening and Speaking Standard 1.0, students:

2.1          Deliver narrative presentations:

a.             Narrate a sequence of events and communicate their significance to the audience.

b.             Locate scenes and incidents in specific places.

c.             Describe with concrete sensory details the sights, sounds, and smells of a scene and the specific                 actions, movements, gestures, and feelings of characters.

d.             Pace the presentation of actions to accommodate time or mood changes.

2.2          Deliver expository presentations:

a.             Marshal evidence in support of a thesis and related claims, including information on all                                 relevant perspectives.

b.             Convey information and ideas from primary and secondary sources accurately and coherently.

c.             Make distinctions between the relative value and significance of specific data, facts, and ideas.

d.             Include visual aids by employing appropriate technology to organize and display information                     on charts, maps, and graphs.

e.             Anticipate and address the listener's potential misunderstandings, biases, and expectations.

f.              Use technical terms and notations accurately.

2.3          Apply appropriate interviewing techniques:

a.             Prepare and ask relevant questions.

b.             Make notes of responses.

c.             Use language that conveys maturity, sensitivity, and respect.

d.             Respond correctly and effectively to questions.

e.             Demonstrate knowledge of the subject or organization.

f.              Compile and report responses.

g.             Evaluate the effectiveness of the interview.

2.4          Deliver oral responses to literature:

a.             Advance a judgment demonstrating a comprehensive grasp of the significant ideas of works or                 passages (i.e., make and support warranted assertions about the text).

b.             Support important ideas and viewpoints through accurate and detailed references to the text or                 to other works.

c.             Demonstrate awareness of the author's use of stylistic devices and an appreciation of the effects                 created.

d.             Identify and assess the impact of perceived ambiguities, nuances, and complexities within the                     text.

2.5          Deliver persuasive arguments (including evaluation and analysis of problems and                 solutions and causes and effects):

a.             Structure ideas and arguments in a coherent, logical fashion.

b.             Use rhetorical devices to support assertions (e.g., by appeal to logic through reasoning; by                             appeal to emotion or ethical belief; by use of personal anecdote, case study, or analogy).

c.             Clarify and defend positions with precise and relevant evidence, including facts, expert                                     opinions, quotations, expressions of commonly accepted beliefs, and logical reasoning.

d.             Anticipate and address the listener's concerns and counterarguments.

2.6          Deliver descriptive presentations:

a.             Establish clearly the speaker's point of view on the subject of the presentation.

b.             Establish clearly the speaker's relationship with that subject (e.g., dispassionate observation,                     personal involvement).

c.             Use effective, factual descriptions of appearance, concrete images, shifting perspectives and                     vantage points, and sensory details.

Grades Eleven & Twelve

Reading 1.0 Word Analysis, Fluency, and Systematic Vocabulary Development Students apply their knowledge of word origins to determine the meaning of new words encountered in reading materials and use those words accurately.

Vocabulary and Concept Development
1.1          Trace the etymology of significant terms used in political science and history.
1.2          Apply knowledge of Greek, Latin, and Anglo-Saxon roots and affixes to draw inferences concerning            the meaning of scientific and mathematical terminology.
1.3          Discern the meaning of analogies encountered, analyzing specific comparisons as well as            relationships and inferences.

2.0 Reading Comprehension (Focus on Informational Materials) Students read and understand grade-level-appropriate material. They analyze the organizational patterns, arguments, and positions advanced. The selections in Recommended Literature, Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve illustrate the quality and complexity of the materials to be read by students. In addition, by grade twelve, students read two million words annually on their own, including a wide variety of classic and contemporary literature, magazines, newspapers, and online information.

Structural Features of Informational Materials
2.1          Analyze both the features and the rhetorical devices of different types of public documents (e.g., policy statements, speeches, debates, platforms) and the way in which authors use those features    and devices.

Comprehension and Analysis of Grade-Level-Appropriate Text
2.2          Analyze the way in which clarity of meaning is affected by the patterns of organization, hierarchical             structures, repetition of the main ideas, syntax, and word choice in the text.
2.3          Verify and clarify facts presented in other types of expository texts by using a variety of consumer,                workplace, and public documents.
2.4          Make warranted and reasonable assertions about the author's arguments by using elements of the              text to defend and clarify interpretations.
2.5          Analyze an author's implicit and explicit philosophical assumptions and beliefs about a subject.

Expository Critique
2.6          Critique the power, validity, and truthfulness of arguments set forth in public documents; their        appeal to both friendly and hostile audiences; and the extent to which the arguments anticipate and              address reader concerns and counterclaims (e.g., appeal to reason, to authority, to pathos and              emotion).

3.0 Literary Response and Analysis Students read and respond to historically or culturally significant works of literature that reflect and enhance their studies of history and social science. They conduct in-depth analyses of recurrent themes. The selections in Recommended Literature, Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve illustrate the quality and complexity of the materials to be read by students.

Structural Features of Literature
3.1          Analyze characteristics of subgenres (e.g., satire, parody, allegory, pastoral) that are used in          poetry, prose, plays, novels, short stories, essays, and other basic genres.

Narrative Analysis of Grade-Level-Appropriate Text
3.2          Analyze the way in which the theme or meaning of a selection represents a view or comment on life, using textual evidence to support the claim.
3.3          Analyze the ways in which irony, tone, mood, the author's style, and the "sound" of language          achieve specific rhetorical or aesthetic purposes or both.
3.4          Analyze ways in which poets use imagery, personification, figures of speech, and sounds to evoke              readers' emotions.
3.5          Analyze recognized works of American literature representing a variety of genres and traditions:

a.             Trace the development of American literature from the colonial period forward.

b.             Contrast the major periods, themes, styles, and trends and describe how works by members of different cultures relate to one another in each period.

c.             Evaluate the philosophical, political, religious, ethical, and social influences of the historical period that shaped the characters, plots, and settings.

3.6          Analyze the way in which authors through the centuries have used archetypes drawn from myth
                and tradition in literature, film, political speeches, and religious writings (e.g., how the archetypes of             banishment from an ideal world may be used to interpret Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth).
3.7          Analyze recognized works of world literature from a variety of authors:

a.             Contrast the major literary forms, techniques, and characteristics of the major literary periods (e.g., Homeric Greece, medieval, romantic, neoclassic, modern).

b.             Relate literary works and authors to the major themes and issues of their eras.

c.             Evaluate the philosophical, political, religious, ethical, and social influences of the historical period that shaped the characters, plots, and settings.

Literary Criticism
3.8          Analyze the clarity and consistency of political assumptions in a selection of literary works or         essays on a topic (e.g., suffrage, women's role in organized labor). (Political approach)
3.9          Analyze the philosophical arguments presented in literary works to determine whether the authors'              positions have contributed to the quality of each work and the credibility of the characters.          (Philosophical approach)

Writing 1.0 Writing Strategies Students write coherent and focused texts that convey a well-defined perspective and tightly reasoned argument. The writing demonstrates students' awareness of the audience and purpose and progression through the stages of the writing process.

Organization and Focus
1.1          Demonstrate an understanding of the elements of discourse (e.g., purpose, speaker, audience,    form) when completing narrative, expository, persuasive, or descriptive writing assignments.
1.2          Use point of view, characterization, style (e.g., use of irony), and related elements for specific        rhetorical and aesthetic purposes.
1.3          Structure ideas and arguments in a sustained, persuasive, and sophisticated way and support them            with precise and relevant examples.
1.4          Enhance meaning by employing rhetorical devices, including the extended use of parallelism,      repetition, and analogy; the incorporation of visual aids (e.g., graphs, tables, pictures); and the         issuance of a call for action.
1.5          Use language in natural, fresh, and vivid ways to establish a specific tone.

Research and Technology
1.6          Develop presentations by using clear research questions and creative and critical research            strategies (e.g., field studies, oral histories, interviews, experiments, electronic sources).
1.7          Use systematic strategies to organize and record information (e.g., anecdotal scripting, annotated                bibliographies).
1.8          Integrate databases, graphics, and spreadsheets into word-processed documents.

Evaluation and Revision
1.9          Revise text to highlight the individual voice, improve sentence variety and style, and enhance        subtlety of meaning and tone in ways that are consistent with the purpose, audience, and genre.

2.0 Writing Applications (Genres and Their Characteristics) Students combine the rhetorical strategies of narration, exposition, persuasion, and description to produce texts of at least 1,500 words each. Student writing demonstrates a command of standard American English and the research, organizational, and drafting strategies outlined in Writing Standard 1.0.

Using the writing strategies of grades eleven and twelve outlined in Writing Standard 1.0, students:

2.1          Write fictional, autobiographical, or biographical narratives:

a.             Narrate a sequence of events and communicate their significance to the audience.

b.             Locate scenes and incidents in specific places.

c.             Describe with concrete sensory details the sights, sounds, and smells of a scene and the specific actions, movements, gestures, and feelings of the characters; use interior monologue to depict the characters' feelings.

d.             Pace the presentation of actions to accommodate temporal, spatial, and dramatic mood changes.

e.             Make effective use of descriptions of appearance, images, shifting perspectives, and sensory details.

2.2          Write responses to literature:

a.             Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the significant ideas in works or passages.

b.             Analyze the use of imagery, language, universal themes, and unique aspects of the text.

c.             Support important ideas and viewpoints through accurate and detailed references to the text and to other works.

d.             Demonstrate an understanding of the author's use of stylistic devices and an appreciation of the effects created.

e.             Identify and assess the impact of perceived ambiguities, nuances, and complexities within the text.

2.3 Write reflective compositions:

a.             Explore the significance of personal experiences, events, conditions, or concerns by using rhetorical strategies (e.g., narration, description, exposition, persuasion).

b.             Draw comparisons between specific incidents and broader themes that illustrate the writer's important beliefs or generalizations about life.

c.             Maintain a balance in describing individual incidents and relate those incidents to more general and abstract ideas.

2.4          Write historical investigation reports:

a.             Use exposition, narration, description, argumentation, or some combination of rhetorical strategies to support the main proposition.

b.             Analyze several historical records of a single event, examining critical relationships between elements of the research topic.

c.             Explain the perceived reason or reasons for the similarities and differences in historical records with information derived from primary and secondary sources to support or enhance the presentation.

d.             Include information from all relevant perspectives and take into consideration the validity and reliability of sources.

e.             Include a formal bibliography.

2.5          Write job applications and résumés:

a.             Provide clear and purposeful information and address the intended audience appropriately.

b.             Use varied levels, patterns, and types of language to achieve intended effects and aid comprehension.

c.             Modify the tone to fit the purpose and audience.

d.             Follow the conventional style for that type of document (e.g., résumé, memorandum) and use page formats, fonts, and spacing that contribute to the readability and impact of the document.

2.6          Deliver multimedia presentations:

a.             Combine text, images, and sound and draw information from many sources (e.g., television broadcasts, videos, films, newspapers, magazines, CD-ROMs, the Internet, electronic media-generated images).

b.             Select an appropriate medium for each element of the presentation.

c.             Use the selected media skillfully, editing appropriately and monitoring for quality.

d.             Test the audience's response and revise the presentation accordingly.

Written and Oral English Language Conventions The standards for written and oral English language conventions have been placed between those for writing and for listening and speaking because these conventions are essential to both sets of skills.

1.0 Written and Oral English Language Conventions Students write and speak with a command of standard English conventions.

1.1           Demonstrate control of grammar, diction, and paragraph and sentence structure and an understanding of English usage.

1.2           Produce legible work that shows accurate spelling and correct punctuation and capitalization.

1.3           Reflect appropriate manuscript requirements in writing.

Listening and Speaking 1.0 Listening and Speaking Strategies Students formulate adroit judgments about oral communication. They deliver focused and coherent presentations that convey clear and distinct perspectives and demonstrate solid reasoning. They use gestures, tone, and vocabulary tailored to the audience and purpose.

Comprehension
1.1          Recognize strategies used by the media to inform, persuade, entertain, and transmit culture (e.g.,                 advertisements; perpetuation of stereotypes; use of visual representations, special effects,           language).
1.2          Analyze the impact of the media on the democratic process (e.g., exerting influence on elections,                 creating images of leaders, shaping attitudes) at the local, state, and national levels.
1.3          Interpret and evaluate the various ways in which events are presented and information is                communicated by visual image makers (e.g., graphic artists, documentary filmmakers, illustrators,         news photographers).

Organization and Delivery of Oral Communication
1.4          Use rhetorical questions, parallel structure, concrete images, figurative language, characterization,              irony, and dialogue to achieve clarity, force, and aesthetic effect.
1.5          Distinguish between and use various forms of classical and contemporary logical arguments,       including:

a.             Inductive and deductive reasoning
b.             Syllogisms and analogies

1.6          Use logical, ethical, and emotional appeals that enhance a specific tone and purpose.
1.7          Use appropriate rehearsal strategies to pay attention to performance details, achieve command of              the text, and create skillful artistic staging.
1.8          Use effective and interesting language, including:

a.             Informal expressions for effect
b.             Standard American English for clarity
c.             Technical language for specificity

1.9          Use research and analysis to justify strategies for gesture, movement, and vocalization, including                dialect, pronunciation, and enunciation.
1.10        Evaluate when to use different kinds of effects (e.g., visual, music, sound, graphics) to create        effective productions.

Analysis and Evaluation of Oral and Media Communications
1.11        Critique a speaker's diction and syntax in relation to the purpose of an oral communication and the              impact the words may have on the audience.
1.12        Identify logical fallacies used in oral addresses (e.g., attack ad hominem, false causality, red          herring, overgeneralization, bandwagon effect).
1.13        Analyze the four basic types of persuasive speech (i.e., propositions of fact, value, problem, or      policy) and understand the similarities and differences in their patterns of organization and the use               of persuasive language, reasoning, and proof.
1.14        Analyze the techniques used in media messages for a particular audience and evaluate their        effectiveness (e.g., Orson Welles' radio broadcast "War of the Worlds").

2.0 Speaking Applications (Genres and Their Characteristics) Students deliver polished formal and extemporaneous presentations that combine traditional rhetorical strategies of narration, exposition, persuasion, and description. Student speaking demonstrates a command of standard American English and the organizational and delivery strategies outlined in Listening and Speaking Standard 1.0.

Using the speaking strategies of grades eleven and twelve outlined in Listening and Speaking Standard 1.0, students:

2.1          Deliver reflective presentations:

a.             Explore the significance of personal experiences, events, conditions, or concerns, using appropriate rhetorical strategies (e.g., narration, description, exposition, persuasion).

b.             Draw comparisons between the specific incident and broader themes that illustrate the speaker's beliefs or generalizations about life.

c.             Maintain a balance between describing the incident and relating it to more general, abstract ideas.

2.2          Deliver oral reports on historical investigations:

a.             Use exposition, narration, description, persuasion, or some combination of those to support the thesis.

b.             Analyze several historical records of a single event, examining critical relationships between elements of the research topic.

c.             Explain the perceived reason or reasons for the similarities and differences by using information derived from primary and secondary sources to support or enhance the presentation.

d.             Include information on all relevant perspectives and consider the validity and reliability of sources.

2.3          Deliver oral responses to literature:

a.             Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the significant ideas of literary works (e.g., make assertions about the text that are reasonable and supportable).

b.             Analyze the imagery, language, universal themes, and unique aspects of the text through the use of rhetorical strategies (e.g., narration, description, persuasion, exposition, a combination of those strategies).

c.             Support important ideas and viewpoints through accurate and detailed references to the text or to other works.

d.             Demonstrate an awareness of the author's use of stylistic devices and an appreciation of the effects created.

e.             Identify and assess the impact of perceived ambiguities, nuances, and complexities within the text.

2.4          Deliver multimedia presentations:

a.             Combine text, images, and sound by incorporating information from a wide range of media, including films, newspapers, magazines, CD-ROMs, online information, television, videos, and electronic media-generated images.

b.             Select an appropriate medium for each element of the presentation.

c.             Use the selected media skillfully, editing appropriately and monitoring for quality.

d.             Test the audience's response and revise the presentation accordingly.

2.5           Recite poems, selections from speeches, or dramatic soliloquies with attention to performance details to achieve clarity, force, and aesthetic effect and to demonstrate an understanding of the meaning (e.g., Hamlet's soliloquy "To Be or Not to Be").