Academic standards list
Grade 8 — English/Language Arts
Introduction
Academic standards define the expectations for knowledge and skills that students are to learn in a subject by a certain age or at the end of a school grade level. This page contains a list of standards for a specific content area, grade level, and/or course. The list of standards may be structured using categories and sub-categories.
Language
TSS.ELA.8.L
Conventions of Standard English
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage.
There are 5 components within this standard.
There are 5 components within this standard.
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling. When reading and writing, explain the functions of …
Knowledge of Language
When writing and speaking, adjust style and tone to a variety of contexts; when reading or listening, analyze stylistic choices to determine context.
Vocabulary Acquisition and Use
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on 8th grade-level text by choosing flexibly from a range of…
There are 4 components within this standard.
There are 4 components within this standard.
When reading, listening, writing, and speaking, explain the function of figurative language, word relationships, and connotation/denotation and use them …
Acquire and accurately use grade-appropriate general academic and domainspecific words and phrases; develop vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or…
Reading - Literature
TSS.ELA.8.RL
Key Ideas and Details
Analyze what a text says explicitly and draw logical inferences; support an interpretation of a text by citing relevant textual evidence.
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,…
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
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…
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.
Analyze how similarities and differences in the points of view of the audience and the characters create effects such as suspense, humor, or dramatic irony.
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
Analyze the extent to which a filmed or live production of a story or drama stays faithful to or departs from a text or script, evaluating the choices made…
Analyze how contemporary texts are shaped by foundational texts or literary archetypes and how authors allude to traditional works, myths, or religious…
Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity
Read and comprehend a variety of literature at the high end of the grades 6-8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
Reading - Informational Text
TSS.ELA.8.RI
Key Ideas and Details
Analyze what a text says explicitly and draw logical inferences; support an interpretation of a text by citing relevant textual evidence.
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…
Analyze the techniques used to distinguish between and to make connections among individuals, events, or ideas in a text.
Craft and Structure
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of a…
Analyze in detail the structure of a specific paragraph or section in a text, including the role of particular sentences in developing and refining a key…
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
Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums to present a particular topic or idea.
Delineate and evaluate the rgument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether evidence is relevant and sufficient to support the claims and the…
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…
Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity
Read and comprehend a variety of literary nonfiction at the high end of the grades 6-8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
Speaking and Listening
TSS.ELA.8.SL
Comprehension and Collaboration
Prepare for collaborative discussions on 8th grade level topics and texts; engage effectively with varied partners, building on others' ideas and…
Analyze the purpose of information presented in diverse media formats; evaluate the motives, such as social, commercial, and political, behind its presentation.
Delineate a speaker's argument and specific claims, evaluating the soundness of the reasoning and relevance and sufficiency of the evidence; identify…
Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas
Present claims and findings in a focused, coherent manner with relevant evidence; sound, valid reasoning, and well-chosen details; use appropriate eye…
Integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations to clarify information, strengthen claims and evidence, and to add interest.
Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.
Writing
TSS.ELA.8.W
Text Types and Protocol
Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
There are 9 components within this standard.
There are 9 components within this standard.
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of…
There are 10 components within this standard.
There are 10 components within this standard.
Write narratives (fiction and nonfiction) to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques, relevant descriptive details, and…
There are 7 components within this standard.
There are 7 components within this standard.
Production and Distribution of Writing
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new…
Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to collaborate with others; present the relationships between information and…
Research to Build and Present Knowledge
Conduct research to answer a question (including a self-generated question), drawing on multiple sources and generating additional related, focused…
Use search terms effectively; integrate relevant and credible information from print and digital sources; quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of…
Support interpretations, analyses, reflections, or research with evidence found in literature or informational texts, applying grade 8 standards for…
Range of Writing
Write routinely over extended time frames and shorter time frames for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
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