English Language Arts 8. Produce clear, coherent narrative, argument, and informative/explanatory writing in which the development, organization, style, and tone are relevant to task, purpose, and audience, using an appropriate command of language.
a. Write narratives that establish a clear purpose, use narrative techniques, and sequence events coherently.
Examples: narratives - memoir, short story, personal narrative; techniques - dialogue, pacing, description, reflection;
b. Write informative or explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas or processes effectively, by developing the topic with relevant information or data from credible sources and using appropriate transitions and precise vocabulary.
c. Write an argument to defend a position by introducing and supporting a claim, distinguishing the claim from opposing claims, presenting counterclaims and reasons, and citing accurate, relevant textual evidence from credible sources.
Unpacked Content
Teacher Vocabulary:
8.
Narrative writing
Argument writing
Informative/explanatory writing
Writing development
Writing organization
Style
Tone
Task
Purpose
Audience
Command of language
8a.
Narratives
Clear purpose
Narrative techniques
Sequence
8b.
Informative text
Explanatory text
Credible sources
Transitions
Precise vocabulary
8c.
Argument
Defend a position
Claim
Opposing claim
Counterclaims
Relevant evidence
Accurate sources
Credible sources Knowledge:
8. Students know:
A narrative is a piece of writing that tells a story.
The purpose of argumentative writing is to convince the reader to take action or adopt a particular position.
Informative or explanatory text is a piece of writing that provides factual information that was gathered from multiple research sources.
The development, organization, style, and tone of writing will change depending on the writing task, the purpose of the writing, and the intended audience.
Formal academic writing should demonstrate an appropriate command of language.
8a.
A narrative is a piece of writing that tells a story, such as a memoir, a short story, or a personal narrative.
Narrative writing includes techniques, like dialogue, pacing, description, and reflection.
Events in narrative writing should be sequenced in a coherent manner, such as chronological, reverse chronological, or the inclusion of flashbacks.
8b.
Informative or explanatory text is writing that examines and explains complex ideas or processes, utilizing information from multiple credible research sources.
Informative or explanatory text has an organized structure, and usually begins by clearly focusing on the topic, providing credible evidence, and ends with a conclusion.
Informative or explanatory writing should include academic, content-specific technical word meanings.
Words that indicate transitions.
8c.
The purpose of argumentative writing is to defend an opinion.
Argumentative writing includes introducing the topic by stating an argumentative claim, relevant evidence to support the claim, distinguishing the claim from opposing claims, acknowledging counterclaims, and a concluding statement.
Evidence to support the argument must be collected from various accurate and credible sources. Skills:
8. Students are able to:
Produce clear, coherent narrative, argument, and informative/explanatory writings.
Identify the writing task, the purpose of writing, and the intended audience in order to appropriately adapt the development, organization, style, and tone of the writing.
Demonstrate command of the written language.
8a.
Write a narrative with a coherent sequence of plot events and a clear purpose.
Incorporate narrative techniques in their narrative writing, including dialogue, pacing, description, and reflection.
8b.
Gather credible information and data from multiple sources.
Write an informative or explanatory text with an organized structure and formal style that develops the topic and utilizes appropriate transitions, credible information or data, and technical vocabulary words.
8c.
Write an argument to defend a position.
Gather evidence from accurate and credible sources to support the claim.
Include a claim and relevant evidence in argumentative writing.
Acknowledge alternate or opposing claims in argumentative writing.
Present counterclaims and supporting reasons in argumentative writing. Understanding:
8. Students understand that:
There are different genres of writing that serve various purposes.
The writing task, purpose, and audience should be considered in the development, organization, style, and tone of the writing.
Formal academic writing should display their command of the English language.
8a.
Narrative writing can take many forms, but there should be a coherent sequence of events.
Literary techniques are tools that can be used to create a piece of narrative writing.
Literary techniques in narrative writing contribute to the overall meaning and purpose of the text.
8b.
Informative or explanatory writing follows a predictable, organized text structure that utilizes appropriate transition words and precise vocabulary.
They must gather their information and data about the topic from multiple credible research sources.
Using credible information/data can support a writer's ideas and claims.
Writers elaborate on details included in the text by using formal academic, content-specific technical words.
8c.
To effectively defend a position, they must present relevant, well-organized evidence from accurate and credible sources.
An argument can be more effective if a writer acknowledges opposing viewpoints and counterclaims.
