Grades 9–12 ELA (Maine Learning Results)

Language 1: Grammar and usage

• L1.9-12.1 Use parallel structure.
• L1.9-12.2 Use a range of phrase and clause types to convey precise meaning and add variety to writing and talks.
• L1.9-12.3 Understand that usage is set by convention, changes over time and can be disputed.
• L1.9-12.4 Settle questions of tricky or disputed usage, checking references when needed.

Language 2: Capitalization, punctuation and spelling

• L2.9-12.1 Join closely related independent clauses with a semicolon, with or without a conjunctive adverb.
• L2.9-12.2 Use a colon before a list or a quotation.
• L2.9-12.3 Follow the rules for hyphens.
• L2.9-12.4 Spell correctly.

Language 3: Using knowledge of language

• L3.9-12.1 Write and edit to follow a style manual that fits the subject and task.
• L3.9-12.2 Vary syntax for effect, using references as needed, and use syntax knowledge to read complex texts.

Language 4: Working out word meanings

• L4.9-12.1 Use context across a sentence, paragraph or whole text, or a word's role, as a clue to meaning.
• L4.9-12.2 Recognize and use word-form changes that signal new meanings or parts of speech, such as conceive and conception.
• L4.9-12.3 Use general and specialist references for pronunciation, exact meaning, part of speech, word origin or usage.
• L4.9-12.4 Check a guessed meaning against context or a dictionary.

Language 5: Figurative language and word relationships

• L5.9-12.a Interpret figures of speech such as hyperbole, paradox and oxymoron in context and analyze their role.
• L5.9-12.b Analyze subtle differences in meaning between words with similar denotations.

Language 6: Academic and subject vocabulary

• L6.9-12.1 Learn and use academic and subject words at college and career level and independently build vocabulary.

Speaking and Listening 1: Collaborative discussion

• SL1.9-12.1 Take part in a range of high school discussions, building on others' ideas and arguing their own persuasively.
• SL1.9-12.2 Come prepared from reading and research and use evidence to spark a well-reasoned exchange.
• SL1.9-12.3 Work with peers to keep discussion civil and democratic, set goals and deadlines and assign roles.
• SL1.9-12.4 Move discussion forward by asking and answering questions that test reasoning and evidence.
• SL1.9-12.5 Weigh diverse views, synthesize all sides, resolve contradictions where possible and identify further research needed.

Speaking and Listening 2: Understanding and judging what is presented

• SL2.9-12.1 Combine sources in different media to make decisions and solve problems, judging credibility and noting discrepancies.
• SL2.9-12.2 Evaluate a speaker's technique, including evidence, reasoning, style and rhetoric.

Speaking and Listening 3: Presenting information and evidence

• SL3.9-12.1 Present findings and evidence with a clear perspective so listeners can follow the reasoning.
• SL3.9-12.2 Address opposing views, with organization, content and style suited to purpose, audience and task.
• SL3.9-12.3 Make eye contact, speak loudly enough and pronounce words clearly.
• SL3.9-12.4 Use multimedia strategically to strengthen understanding of findings, reasoning and evidence.

Speaking and Listening 4: Adapting speech

• SL4.9-12.1 Adapt speech to different contexts using a suitable register (see grades 9–Diploma Language 1 and 3).

Reading 4: Close reading and textual evidence

• R4.9-12.1 Cite strong, thorough evidence for what texts state and imply, including points of inconsistency or ambiguity.

Reading 5: Summary, themes and central ideas

• R5.9-12.1 Summarize texts accurately, showing how key details and ideas relate.
• R5.9-12.2 Identify themes or central ideas and analyze how they develop and build together into a complex account.

Reading 6: How characters, events and ideas develop

• R6.9-12.1 Analyze the effect of an author's choices on how characters, events, ideas or techniques interact and develop.

Reading 7: Word meanings in texts

• R7.9-12.1 Work out figurative, connotative and technical meanings and analyze word choice, including words with several meanings.

Reading 8: Text structure and features

• R8.9-12.1 Analyze how specific features and parts of texts are organized and structured.
• R8.9-12.2 Evaluate how well a text's structure conveys its overall meaning or purpose.

Reading 9: Perspective and purpose

• R9.9-12.1 Analyze and evaluate how authors from varied backgrounds use perspective and purpose to shape content, style and effect.

Reading 10: Arguments and claims

• R10.9-12.1 Evaluate how well authors use literary or rhetorical strategies to build arguments.
• R10.9-12.2 Evaluate premises, claims and conclusions, verifying facts and checking conclusions against other sources.

Reading 11: Integrating texts, forms and media

• R11.9-12.1 Evaluate and synthesize many sources, including visual and quantitative texts, for a purpose or question.
• R11.9-12.2 Analyze how different authors or texts treat similar themes to build knowledge or compare approaches.
• R11.9-12.3 Synthesize sources such as texts and experiments into a coherent understanding, noting differing perspectives.

Reading 12: Fluency

• R12.9-12.1 Read accurately and fluently enough to understand.
• R12.9-12.2 Read a range of grade-level texts with purpose and understanding.
• R12.9-12.3 Use context to check or correct word reading.

Writing 1: Inquiry and research

• W1.9-12.1 Pursue their own questions through sustained inquiry or problem solving, using advanced searches as needed.
• W1.9-12.2 Judge the credibility and usefulness of authoritative sources and synthesize them into sound conclusions.
• W1.9-12.3 Take organized notes from many sources without plagiarizing or leaning too heavily on one source.
• W1.9-12.4 Use a standard citation format, in text and in a source list, suited to task and audience.

Writing 2: Process, production and technology

• W2.9-12.1 Improve writing through planning, revising, editing and reflection, focusing on what matters most for purpose and audience.
• W2.9-12.2 Use technology plus continuing feedback, such as new arguments and facts, to make writing more dynamic.
• W2.9-12.3 Keep up keyboarding skills that allow longer pieces of writing.

Writing 3: Composing for audience and purpose

• W3.9-12.1 Write clear, varied and complex pieces with deliberately designed sections that explore ideas in depth.
• W3.9-12.2 Develop and support the topic with varied techniques, embedding the most important details on purpose.
• W3.9-12.3 Use varied transitions and deliberate syntax to connect increasingly complex ideas.
• W3.9-12.4 Use sophisticated, precise language to build a well-developed voice and tone.
• W3.9-12.5 End with a closing that strengthens and reflects the purpose of the piece.