8th Grade ELA Targeted Standards (W) Writing Strand Cluster: Text Types and Purposes
ELA-08.W.02 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
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.
b. Develop the topic with relevant, well-chosen facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.
c. Use appropriate and varied words, phrases, and clauses as transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.
d. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
e. Establish and maintain a formal writing style.
f. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.
Student Learning Targets:
Knowledge Targets
I can explain what informational writing looks like.
I can understand the purpose and audience for whom I am writing.
Reasoning Targets
I can include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.
Skills (Performance) Targets
I can introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow.
I can organize ideas, concepts, and information into broader categories.
I can use appropriate and varied words, phrases, and clauses as transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.
I can develop the topic with relevant, well-chosen facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.
I can use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
I can establish and maintain a formal writing style.
Product Targets
I can provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.
Proficiency Scale
Score
Description
Sample Activity
4.0
In addition to Score 3.0, the student demonstrates in-depth inferences and applications regarding more complex material that go beyond end of instruction expectations.
-
3.5
In addition to Score 3.0 performance, the student demonstrates in-depth inferences and applications regarding the more complex content with partial success.
3.0
“The Standard.” The student demonstrates no major errors or omissions regarding any of the information and processes that were end of instruction expectations. The student can:
include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.
introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow.
organize ideas, concepts, and information into broader categories.
use appropriate and varied words, phrases, and clauses as transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.
develop the topic with relevant, well-chosen facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.
use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
establish and maintain a formal writing style.
provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.
-
2.5
The student demonstrates no major errors or omissions regarding the simpler details and processes (Score 2.0 content) and partial knowledge of the more complex ideas and processes (Score 3.0 content).
2.0
The student demonstrates no major errors or omissions regarding the simpler details and processes but exhibits major errors or omissions regarding the more complex ideas and processes (Score 3.0 content). The student can:
explain what informational writing looks like.
understand the purpose and audience for whom I am writing.
-
1.5
The student demonstrates partial knowledge of the simpler details and processes (Score 2.0 content) but exhibits major errors or omissions regarding the more complex ideas and procedures (Score 3.0 content).
1.0
With help, the student demonstrates a partial understanding of some of the simpler details and processes (Score 2.0 content) and some of the more complex ideas and processes (Score 3.0 content).
-
0.5
With help, the student demonstrates a partial understanding of some of the simpler details and processes (Score 2.0 content) but not the more complex ideas and processes (Score 3.0 content).