Grades 11–12 ELA (Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks)

Reading: Literature (RL)

• RL.11-12.1 Back up analysis of what a text says and implies with strong, thorough evidence, noting where it leaves things open.
• RL.11-12.2 Work out two or more themes, analyze how they interact and build on each other, and summarize objectively.
• RL.11-12.3 Analyze the effect of an author's choices in developing and relating story elements (setting, order of action, characters).
• RL.11-12.4 Work out figurative and connotative meanings and analyze how words or rhetorical patterns create a sense of time, place or shifting meaning.
• RL.11-12.5 Analyze how choices about structuring parts of a text (where to begin or end, comic or tragic resolution, a new tone) shape its meaning and effect.
• RL.11-12.6 Analyze a case where understanding point of view means separating what is said from what is meant (satire, sarcasm, irony, understatement).
• RL.11-12.7 Analyze one or more critical responses to literature and how the critical lens (formal, historical, feminist, sociological, psychological) shapes interpretation.
• RL.11-12.9 Show knowledge of foundational American literature of the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries, including how works of one period treat similar themes.
• RL.11-12.10 Read and understand literary texts of many genres, cultures and perspectives at the grade/course level on your own.

Reading: Informational Text (RI)

• RI.11-12.1 Back up analysis of what a text says and implies with strong, thorough evidence, noting where it leaves things open.
• RI.11-12.2 Work out two or more central ideas, analyze how they interact and build a complex analysis, and summarize objectively.
• RI.11-12.3 Analyze a complex set of ideas or events and how particular people, ideas or events interact and develop.
• RI.11-12.4 Work out figurative, connotative and technical meanings and analyze how an author refines the meaning of a key term across a text.
• RI.11-12.5 Analyze and judge whether the structure of an exposition or argument makes the points clear, coherent, convincing and engaging.
• RI.11-12.6 Work out the author's point of view or purpose where rhetoric is especially effective, analyzing how style and content give it power or beauty.
• RI.11-12.7 Combine and evaluate several sources in different media and in words to answer a question or solve a problem.
• RI.11-12.8 Outline and evaluate reasoning in landmark U.S. texts, including constitutional principles and legal reasoning in Supreme Court opinions and dissents.
• RI.11-12.9 Analyze pre-20th-century documents of historical and literary importance (e.g. the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights) for themes, purposes and rhetoric.
• RI.11-12.10 Read and understand literary nonfiction of many genres, cultures and perspectives at the grade/course level on your own.

Writing (W)

• W.11-12.1 Write arguments on substantial topics or texts using valid reasoning and enough relevant evidence.
  • a. State exact, informed claims and why they matter, set them apart from counterclaims and order the parts logically.
  • b. Develop claims and counterclaims fully and fairly with the most relevant evidence, weighing strengths and limits for the reader.
  • c. Use words, phrases, clauses and varied syntax to link sections and show how claims, reasons, evidence and counterclaims relate.
  • d. Keep a style suited to reader and purpose while following the norms of the subject.
  • e. End with a conclusion that follows from and supports the argument.
• W.11-12.2 Write informative/explanatory texts that explain complex ideas clearly and accurately through well-chosen, organized content.
  • a. Introduce the topic, build ideas so each new part adds to the last into a unified whole, and use headings, graphics or multimedia if helpful.
  • b. Develop the topic fully with the most significant facts, extended definitions, details, quotations and examples for the reader.
  • c. Use varied transitions and syntax to link sections and show how complex ideas relate.
  • d. Use exact language, subject vocabulary and devices such as metaphor, simile and analogy to handle complexity.
  • e. Keep a style suited to reader and purpose while following the norms of the subject.
  • f. End with a conclusion that supports the explanation, e.g. by stating implications or importance.
• W.11-12.3 Write narratives using literary techniques, telling details and well-structured events.
  • a. Draw the reader in with a problem, situation or observation and why it matters, points of view and a narrator or characters.
  • b. Use dialogue, pacing, description, reflection and more than one plot line.
  • c. Order events so they build into a whole and toward a chosen tone and outcome (mystery, suspense, growth).
  • d. Paint a vivid picture with exact words, telling details and figurative and sensory language.
  • e. End with a conclusion that reflects on what was experienced, observed or resolved.
• W.11-12.4 Produce clear, coherent writing whose development, organization and style fit the task, purpose and reader.
• W.11-12.5 Plan, revise, edit, rewrite or try a new approach, focusing on what matters most for the purpose and reader.
  • a. Use standard English conventions up to grades 11–12 Language Standards 1–3.
  • b. Choose accurate vocabulary for the reader, purpose and style, up to grades 11–12 Language Standards 4–6.
• W.11-12.6 Use technology, including web-based platforms, to produce, publish and update writing in response to ongoing feedback.
• W.11-12.7 Carry out short and longer research projects to answer a question or solve a problem, narrowing or widening the inquiry and combining sources.
• W.11-12.8 Gather information from authoritative sources with advanced searches, weigh each source's strengths and limits, use it selectively and cite it, avoiding plagiarism.
• W.11-12.9 Draw on evidence from literary or informational texts in analysis, interpretation, reflection and research.
• W.11-12.10 Write regularly over long and short time frames for many tasks, purposes and readers.

Speaking and Listening (SL)

• SL.11-12.1 Start and take part well in different discussions on grades 11–12 topics, building on others' ideas and putting your own clearly and persuasively.
  • a. Come prepared and refer to evidence from texts and research to spark a well-reasoned exchange.
  • b. Work with peers to keep discussion civil and democratic, set goals and deadlines and give roles.
  • c. Move talk forward with questions that probe reasoning and evidence, make sure all positions are heard and clarify or challenge ideas.
  • d. Respond to different views, pull together claims and evidence from all sides, resolve contradictions and spot what needs more research.
• SL.11-12.2 Combine several sources in different formats to make informed decisions and solve problems, judging credibility and noting discrepancies.
• SL.11-12.3 Judge a speaker's viewpoint, reasoning, evidence and rhetoric, including stance, premises, links between ideas, word choice, emphasis and tone.
• SL.11-12.4 Present information and evidence with a clear perspective so listeners can follow, addressing opposing views and suiting purpose, audience and task.
• SL.11-12.5 Use digital media on purpose in presentations to deepen understanding of findings and evidence and add interest.
• SL.11-12.6 Adjust speech to the situation and task, showing command of formal English when needed.

Language (L)

• L.11-12.1 Use standard English grammar and usage in writing and speaking, keeping earlier skills.
  • a. Know that usage is a matter of convention that changes over time and is sometimes disputed.
  • b. Settle questions of complex or disputed usage using usage guides as needed.
• L.11-12.2 Use standard English capitals, punctuation and spelling when writing.
  • a. Hyphenate according to convention.
  • b. Spell correctly, knowing some words have accepted variants.
• L.11-12.3 Use knowledge of language to understand how it works in different contexts, make good choices and read or listen more fully.
  • a. Vary syntax for effect, using references for guidance, and use knowledge of syntax to study complex texts.
  • b. Revise and edit to make writing more concise and cohesive.
• L.11-12.4 Figure out what unfamiliar words and words with several meanings mean, choosing from a range of strategies.
  • a. Use context from the sentence, paragraph or text and a word's position or job as a clue.
  • b. Spot and use patterns of word change that show new meanings or parts of speech (conceive, conception, conceivable).
  • c. Check general and specialist references for pronunciation, exact meaning, part of speech, origin or usage.
  • d. Confirm a first guess at a meaning from context or a dictionary.
• L.11-12.5 Understand figurative language, word relationships and shades of meaning.
  • a. Interpret figures of speech such as hyperbole and paradox and analyze their role in the text.
  • b. Analyze small differences between words with similar meanings.
• L.11-12.6 Learn and use grades 11–12 academic and subject words, researching words on your own.