Grades 9–10 ELA (Iowa Core)

Reading Literature (RL)

• RL.9-10.1 Back up analysis of what a text states and implies with strong, thorough evidence.
• RL.9-10.2 Identify a theme or central idea, trace in detail how specific details shape it, and summarize objectively.
• RL.9-10.3 Analyze how complex characters develop, interact with others and drive the plot or theme.
• RL.9-10.4 Figure out word meanings and how word choices add up to shape meaning and tone, e.g. a sense of time and place.
• RL.9-10.5 Analyze how choices about structure, event order and time, such as pacing or flashbacks, create mystery, tension or surprise.
• RL.9-10.6 Analyze a viewpoint or cultural experience in non-U.S. literature, drawing on wide reading of world texts.
• RL.9-10.7 Analyze how a subject or key scene is handled in two art forms, including what each stresses or leaves out.
• RL.9-10.9 Analyze how an author uses and reshapes source material in a particular work.
• RL.9-10.10 Read grade 9–10 band literature well with support by end of grade 9, and the top of the band on their own by end of grade 10.

Reading Informational Text (RI)

• RI.9-10.1 Back up analysis of what a text states and implies with strong, thorough evidence.
• RI.9-10.2 Identify a central idea, trace in detail how specific details shape it, and summarize objectively.
• RI.9-10.3 Analyze how an author unfolds a set of ideas or events, including order, development and links between points.
• RI.9-10.4 Figure out word meanings and how word choices add up to shape meaning and tone, e.g. legal versus news language.
• RI.9-10.5 Analyze in detail how particular sentences, paragraphs or sections develop an author's ideas or claims.
• RI.9-10.6 Identify the author's viewpoint or purpose and analyze how rhetoric is used to advance it.
• RI.9-10.7 Analyze accounts of one subject in different media and which details each one stresses.
• RI.9-10.8 Trace and judge an argument's validity and evidence, spotting false statements and fallacies.
• RI.9-10.9 Analyze key U.S. historical and literary documents, including how they treat related themes.
• RI.9-10.10 Read grade 9–10 band literary nonfiction well with support by end of grade 9, and the top of the band alone by end of grade 10.

Writing (W)

• W.9-10.1 Write arguments analyzing substantive topics or texts with valid reasoning and enough relevant evidence.
  • a. State precise claims, separate them from opposing claims, and organize claims, counterclaims, reasons and evidence clearly.
  • b. Develop claims and counterclaims fairly with evidence, noting strengths and limits of each with the audience in mind.
  • c. Use linking words and clauses to join sections, build cohesion and clarify how claims, reasons, evidence and counterclaims relate.
  • d. Keep a formal style and objective tone that respects the norms of the subject.
  • e. End with a closing statement or section that grows out of and backs the argument.
• W.9-10.2 Write informative pieces that present complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through well-chosen, organized content.
  • a. Introduce the topic, organize complex ideas to show key connections and distinctions, and add headings, graphics or media when useful.
  • b. Develop the topic with well-chosen facts, extended definitions, details, quotations and examples suited to the audience.
  • c. Use varied transitions to join sections, build cohesion and clarify links among complex ideas.
  • d. Use precise and subject-specific vocabulary to handle the topic's complexity.
  • e. Keep a formal style and objective tone that respects the norms of the subject.
  • f. Close with a section that supports the explanation, e.g. stating implications or significance.
• W.9-10.3 Write narratives of real or imagined events with effective technique, telling detail and a well-built order of events.
  • a. Hook the reader with a problem, situation or observation and its importance, set one or more points of view, and introduce characters.
  • b. Develop events and characters smoothly with dialogue, pacing, description, reflection and more than one plot line.
  • c. Sequence events with techniques such as flashback, foreshadowing and cause and effect so they form a coherent whole.
  • d. Use precise words, telling details and sensory language to paint a vivid picture.
  • e. End with a conclusion that reflects on what was experienced, observed or resolved.
• W.9-10.4 Produce clear, coherent writing whose development, organization and style fit the task, purpose and audience.
• W.9-10.5 Strengthen writing by planning, revising, editing, rewriting or a new approach, focusing on what matters most for purpose and audience.
• W.9-10.6 Use technology to create, publish and revise solo or group writing, using links and flexible displays.
• W.9-10.7 Do short and longer research projects on a question or problem, narrowing or widening the inquiry and synthesizing sources.
• W.9-10.8 Gather information from credible primary and secondary sources with advanced searches, judge usefulness, and integrate it smoothly with proper citation.
• W.9-10.9 Draw on evidence from literature or informational texts to back up analysis, reflection and research.
  • a. Apply grades 9–10 literature reading standards in writing.
  • b. Apply grades 9–10 literary nonfiction reading standards in writing.
• W.9-10.10 Write regularly over long and short time frames for many tasks, purposes and audiences, with support as needed.

Speaking and Listening (SL)

• SL.9-10.1 Start and take part well in varied discussions on grades 9–10 topics, building on others' ideas and stating their own clearly and persuasively.
  • a. Arrive prepared and use evidence from texts and research to spark a thoughtful, reasoned exchange.
  • b. Work with peers to set discussion and decision rules, clear goals, deadlines and roles.
  • c. Move talk forward with questions tying it to bigger ideas, include others, and clarify or challenge conclusions.
  • d. Respond to diverse views, sum up agreement and disagreement, and refine their own views in light of evidence.
• SL.9-10.2 Combine sources from varied media and formats, judging each one's credibility and accuracy.
• SL.9-10.3 Judge a speaker's viewpoint, reasoning, evidence and rhetoric, spotting fallacies and distorted evidence.
• SL.9-10.4 Present findings and evidence clearly and logically so listeners can follow the reasoning, with fitting organization and style.
• SL.9-10.5 Use digital media strategically in presentations to deepen understanding and add interest.
• SL.9-10.6 Adjust speech to contexts such as interviews, performances or debate, using formal English when called for and clear delivery.

Language (L)

• L.9-10.1 Show control of standard English grammar and usage in speech and writing.
  • a. Use parallel structure.
  • b. Use many kinds of phrases and clauses to convey exact meaning and add variety.
• L.9-10.2 Show control of capital letters, punctuation and spelling in writing.
  • a. Join closely related independent clauses with a semicolon, perhaps with a conjunctive adverb.
  • b. Introduce a list or quotation with a colon.
  • c. Spell correctly, checking references when needed.
• L.9-10.3 Apply knowledge of how language works in different contexts to make effective choices and understand more fully.
  • a. Write and edit to follow a style manual, such as MLA or APA, suited to the subject.
• L.9-10.4 Use varied strategies to work out unknown and multiple-meaning words from grades 9–10 reading and content.
  • a. Use sentence, paragraph or text context and a word's role as clues.
  • b. Recognize and use word-change patterns that signal different meanings or parts of speech.
  • c. Use print and digital references for pronunciation, meaning, part of speech or word origin.
  • d. Check a guessed meaning in context or in a reference.
• L.9-10.5 Show understanding of figurative language, word relationships and small differences in meaning.
  • a. Interpret figures of speech such as euphemism, oxymoron and paradox in context and analyze their role.
  • b. Analyze fine shades of meaning among words with similar definitions.
• L.9-10.6 Learn and use college- and career-ready academic and subject vocabulary, building word knowledge independently.