Common Core State Standards: Grade 8
Skills available for Washington eighth-grade language arts standards
Strand
Print skill plan
RL.8
Reading: Literature
Key Ideas and Details
RL.8.1 Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Theme
Short stories
Text evidence in literary passages
RL.8.1 Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Theme
Short stories
Text evidence in literary passages
RL.8.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary of the text.
RL.8.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary of the text.
RL.8.3 Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.
RL.8.3 Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.
Craft and Structure
RL.8.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.
Vocabulary in context
Multiple-meaning words
Word choice and usage
Figurative language
RL.8.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.
Vocabulary in context
Multiple-meaning words
Word choice and usage
Figurative language
RL.8.5 Compare and contrast the structure of two or more texts and analyze how the differing structure of each text contributes to its meaning and style.
RL.8.5 Compare and contrast the structure of two or more texts and analyze how the differing structure of each text contributes to its meaning and style.
RL.8.6 Analyze how differences in the points of view of the characters and the audience or reader (e.g., created through the use of dramatic irony) create such effects as suspense or humor.
RL.8.6 Analyze how differences in the points of view of the characters and the audience or reader (e.g., created through the use of dramatic irony) create such effects as suspense or humor.
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
RL.8.7 Analyze the extent to which a filmed or live production of a story or drama stays faithful to or departs from the text or script, evaluating the choices made by the director or actors.
RL.8.7 Analyze the extent to which a filmed or live production of a story or drama stays faithful to or departs from the text or script, evaluating the choices made by the director or actors.
RL.8.9 Analyze how a modern work of fiction draws on themes, patterns of events, or character types from myths, traditional stories, or religious works such as the Bible, including describing how the material is rendered new.
RL.8.9 Analyze how a modern work of fiction draws on themes, patterns of events, or character types from myths, traditional stories, or religious works such as the Bible, including describing how the material is rendered new.
Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity
RL.8.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, at the high end of grades 6–8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
Short stories
Literary passages
RL.8.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, at the high end of grades 6–8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
Short stories
Literary passages
RI.8
Reading: Informational Text
Key Ideas and Details
RI.8.1 Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Text evidence
Text evidence in nonfiction passages
RI.8.1 Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Text evidence
Text evidence in nonfiction passages
RI.8.2 Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to supporting ideas; provide an objective summary of the text.
Central idea
Supporting details
Facts and opinions
Central ideas in informational passages
Central ideas in nonfiction passages
RI.8.2 Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to supporting ideas; provide an objective summary of the text.
Central idea
Supporting details
Facts and opinions
Central ideas in informational passages
Central ideas in nonfiction passages
RI.8.3 Analyze how a text makes connections among and distinctions between individuals, ideas, or events (e.g., through comparisons, analogies, or categories).
Text relationships
Arguments
Supporting details
Text analysis in nonfiction passages
RI.8.3 Analyze how a text makes connections among and distinctions between individuals, ideas, or events (e.g., through comparisons, analogies, or categories).
Text relationships
Arguments
Supporting details
Text analysis in nonfiction passages
Craft and Structure
RI.8.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.
Vocabulary in context
Domain-specific vocabulary
Multiple-meaning words
Word choice and usage
Figurative language
RI.8.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.
Vocabulary in context
Domain-specific vocabulary
Multiple-meaning words
Word choice and usage
Figurative language
RI.8.5 Analyze in detail the structure of a specific paragraph in a text, including the role of particular sentences in developing and refining a key concept.
Text structure
Development of ideas
Development of ideas in nonfiction passages
RI.8.5 Analyze in detail the structure of a specific paragraph in a text, including the role of particular sentences in developing and refining a key concept.
Text structure
Development of ideas
Development of ideas in nonfiction passages
RI.8.6 Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how the author acknowledges and responds to conflicting evidence or viewpoints.
RI.8.6 Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how the author acknowledges and responds to conflicting evidence or viewpoints.
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
RI.8.7 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums (e.g., print or digital text, video, multimedia) to present a particular topic or idea.
RI.8.7 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums (e.g., print or digital text, video, multimedia) to present a particular topic or idea.
RI.8.8 Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; recognize when irrelevant evidence is introduced.
RI.8.8 Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; recognize when irrelevant evidence is introduced.
RI.8.9 Analyze a case in which two or more texts provide conflicting information on the same topic and identify where the texts disagree on matters of fact or interpretation.
RI.8.9 Analyze a case in which two or more texts provide conflicting information on the same topic and identify where the texts disagree on matters of fact or interpretation.
Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity
RI.8.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend literary nonfiction at the high end of the grades 6–8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
Central idea
Nonfiction passages
RI.8.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend literary nonfiction at the high end of the grades 6–8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
Central idea
Nonfiction passages
W.8
Writing
Text Types and Purposes
W.8.1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
W.8.1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
W.8.1.a: Introduce claim(s), acknowledge and distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically.
W.8.1.a: Introduce claim(s), acknowledge and distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically.
W.8.1.b: Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.
Supporting evidence
Logical fallacies
W.8.1.b: Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.
Supporting evidence
Logical fallacies
W.8.1.c: Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.
W.8.1.c: Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.
W.8.1.d: Establish and maintain a formal style.
W.8.1.d: Establish and maintain a formal style.
W.8.1.e: Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.
W.8.1.e: Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.
W.8.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
W.8.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
W.8.2.a: Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information into broader categories; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.
Organization
Text structure
W.8.2.a: Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information into broader categories; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.
Organization
Text structure
W.8.2.b: Develop the topic with relevant, well-chosen facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.
Development and support
Plagiarism
Formatting
W.8.2.b: Develop the topic with relevant, well-chosen facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.
Development and support
Plagiarism
Formatting
W.8.2.c: Use appropriate and varied transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.
W.8.2.c: Use appropriate and varied transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.
W.8.2.d: Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
Word choice and usage
Domain-specific vocabulary
W.8.2.d: Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
Word choice and usage
Domain-specific vocabulary
W.8.2.e: Establish and maintain a formal style.
W.8.2.e: Establish and maintain a formal style.
W.8.2.f: Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented.
W.8.2.f: Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented.
W.8.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
W.8.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
W.8.3.a: Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically.
W.8.3.a: Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically.
W.8.3.b: Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, and reflection, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.
W.8.3.b: Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, and reflection, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.
W.8.3.c: Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence, signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another, and show the relationships among experiences and events.
W.8.3.c: Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence, signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another, and show the relationships among experiences and events.
W.8.3.d: Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events.
Descriptive details
Word choice and usage
W.8.3.d: Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events.
Descriptive details
Word choice and usage
W.8.3.e: Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on the narrated experiences or events.
W.8.3.e: Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on the narrated experiences or events.
Production and Distribution of Writing
W.8.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Author's purpose
Text structure
Organization
Development and support
W.8.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Author's purpose
Text structure
Organization
Development and support
W.8.5 With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.
Organization
Revision
Editing
Complete sentences
Sentence variety
Parallel structure
Pronouns
Nouns
Subject-verb agreement
Verb tense
Adjectives and adverbs
Comparatives and superlatives
Misplaced modifiers
Commas
Semicolons, colons, and commas
Dashes, hyphens, and ellipses
Capitalization
Formatting
Plagiarism
W.8.5 With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.
Organization
Revision
Editing
Complete sentences
Sentence variety
Parallel structure
Pronouns
Nouns
Subject-verb agreement
Verb tense
Adjectives and adverbs
Comparatives and superlatives
Misplaced modifiers
Commas
Semicolons, colons, and commas
Dashes, hyphens, and ellipses
Capitalization
Formatting
Plagiarism
W.8.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and present the relationships between information and ideas efficiently as well as to interact and collaborate with others.
W.8.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and present the relationships between information and ideas efficiently as well as to interact and collaborate with others.
Research to Build and Present Knowledge
W.8.7 Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question), drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration.
W.8.7 Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question), drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration.
W.8.8 Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.
Analyze sources
Text evidence
Plagiarism
Citations
W.8.8 Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.
Analyze sources
Text evidence
Plagiarism
Citations
W.8.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
W.8.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
W.8.9.a: Apply grade 8 Reading standards to literature (e.g., "Analyze how a modern work of fiction draws on themes, patterns of events, or character types from myths, traditional stories, or religious works such as the Bible, including describing how the material is rendered new").
W.8.9.a: Apply grade 8 Reading standards to literature (e.g., "Analyze how a modern work of fiction draws on themes, patterns of events, or character types from myths, traditional stories, or religious works such as the Bible, including describing how the material is rendered new").
W.8.9.b: Apply grade 8 Reading standards to literary nonfiction (e.g., "Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; recognize when irrelevant evidence is introduced").
W.8.9.b: Apply grade 8 Reading standards to literary nonfiction (e.g., "Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; recognize when irrelevant evidence is introduced").
Range of Writing
W.8.10 Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
W.8.10 Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
L.8
Language
Conventions of Standard English
L.8.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
L.8.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
L.8.1.a: Explain the function of verbals (gerunds, participles, infinitives) in general and their function in particular sentences.
L.8.1.a: Explain the function of verbals (gerunds, participles, infinitives) in general and their function in particular sentences.
L.8.1.b: Form and use verbs in the active and passive voice.
L.8.1.b: Form and use verbs in the active and passive voice.
L.8.1.c: Form and use verbs in the indicative, imperative, interrogative, conditional, and subjunctive mood.
L.8.1.c: Form and use verbs in the indicative, imperative, interrogative, conditional, and subjunctive mood.
L.8.1.d: Recognize and correct inappropriate shifts in verb voice and mood.
Verb mood
Verb voice
L.8.1.d: Recognize and correct inappropriate shifts in verb voice and mood.
Verb mood
Verb voice
L.8.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
L.8.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
L.8.2.a: Use punctuation (comma, ellipsis, dash) to indicate a pause or break.
L.8.2.a: Use punctuation (comma, ellipsis, dash) to indicate a pause or break.
L.8.2.b: Use an ellipsis to indicate an omission.
L.8.2.b: Use an ellipsis to indicate an omission.
L.8.2.c: Spell correctly.
Spelling
Frequently confused words
Homophones
Regular plurals
Possessive nouns
Irregular past tense
Comparatives and superlatives
L.8.2.c: Spell correctly.
Spelling
Frequently confused words
Homophones
Regular plurals
Possessive nouns
Irregular past tense
Comparatives and superlatives
Knowledge of Language
L.8.3 Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
L.8.3 Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
L.8.3.a: 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.8.3.a: 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).
Vocabulary Acquisition and Use
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.8.4 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.8.4.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.
Synonyms and antonyms
Multiple-meaning words
Vocabulary in context
Domain-specific vocabulary
Figurative language
L.8.4.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.
Synonyms and antonyms
Multiple-meaning words
Vocabulary in context
Domain-specific vocabulary
Figurative language
L.8.4.b: Use common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., precede, recede, secede).
Greek and Latin roots
Prefixes
Suffixes
Spelling
L.8.4.b: Use common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., precede, recede, secede).
Greek and Latin roots
Prefixes
Suffixes
Spelling
L.8.4.c: 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.
Reference skills
Dictionary skills
Thesaurus skills
L.8.4.c: 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.
Reference skills
Dictionary skills
Thesaurus skills
L.8.4.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.8.4.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.8.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.8.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.8.5.a: Interpret figures of speech (e.g. verbal irony, puns) in context.
L.8.5.a: Interpret figures of speech (e.g. verbal irony, puns) in context.
L.8.5.b: Use the relationship between particular words to better understand each of the words.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Shades of meaning
Analogies
Related words
L.8.5.b: Use the relationship between particular words to better understand each of the words.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Shades of meaning
Analogies
Related words
L.8.5.c: Distinguish among the connotations (associations) of words with similar denotations (definitions) (e.g., bullheaded, willful, firm, persistent, resolute).
Connotation and denotation
Word choice and usage
L.8.5.c: Distinguish among the connotations (associations) of words with similar denotations (definitions) (e.g., bullheaded, willful, firm, persistent, resolute).
Connotation and denotation
Word choice and usage
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.
Prefixes
Suffixes
Greek and Latin roots
Vocabulary in context
Domain-specific vocabulary
Word choice and usage
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.
Prefixes
Suffixes
Greek and Latin roots
Vocabulary in context
Domain-specific vocabulary
Word choice and usage