8th Grade ELA (North Dakota Content Standards)

Communication (C)

• 8.C.1 Plan and give formal and informal presentations, with multimedia when useful.
• 8.C.2 Use suitable eye contact, body language, volume and pronunciation when presenting.
• 8.C.5 Prepare for discussions by finding relevant, specific links to the topic or text.
• 8.C.6 Take part in a range of discussions and debates.
  • 8.C.6a Listen actively to stay focused.
  • 8.C.6b Refer to others' ideas or links to a text.
  • 8.C.6c Synthesize texts.
• 8.C.7 Work with others cooperatively toward a shared goal.

Reading (R)

• 8.R.2 Make inferences backed by relevant evidence and reasoning.
• 8.R.3a Summarize or paraphrase nonfiction objectively, keeping only relevant details.
• 8.R.3b Summarize or paraphrase literary texts objectively, keeping only relevant details.
• 8.R.4 Identify main ideas, claims or themes with evidence and reasoning.
• 8.R.5 Work out meanings and purposes of words and phrases (figurative, denotative, connotative).
• 8.R.6 Analyze how sections, paragraphs, stanzas and sentences organize and develop ideas.
• 8.R.7 Analyze how figurative language and word choice shape meaning and tone.
• 8.R.8 Analyze fiction using evidence from the text.
  • 8.R.8a Analyze how characters and plot develop, interact and move the themes forward.
  • 8.R.8b Analyze how point of view affects overall meaning.
  • 8.R.8c Analyze how several works or genres treat the same topic.
  • 8.R.8d Analyze how the author's background, setting, era or culture shapes the story.
• 8.R.9 Analyze nonfiction using evidence from the text.
  • 8.R.9a Analyze how the author's point of view shapes the purpose.
  • 8.R.9b Compare how authors present similar topics.

Writing (W)

• 8.W.1 Write clearly and logically, organized for task, purpose and audience.
• 8.W.2 Use a clear structure: introduction, transitions, body paragraphs and conclusion.
• 8.W.3 Write informative or explanatory pieces on complex ideas, using other media when useful.
• 8.W.4 Write arguments with claims, counterclaims, evidence and reasoning.
• 8.W.5 Write narratives with well-chosen details and a clear order of events.
• 8.W.6 Plan, draft, revise and edit to suit the genre and audience.
• 8.W.7 Choose words and voice deliberately to suit the purpose.

Language Usage (L)

• 8.L.1 Use language knowledge to suit task, purpose and audience and fix usage problems.
  • 8.L.1a Use simple, compound, complex and compound-complex sentences for variety.
  • 8.L.1b Spot and fix fragments and run-ons.
  • 8.L.1c Use varied punctuation accurately.
  • 8.L.1d Follow grammar conventions from earlier grades.

Inquiry and Research (IR)

• 8.IR.1 Develop research questions from one's own topics or needs.
• 8.IR.2 Gather and interpret relevant information for different purposes.
• 8.IR.3 Organize main ideas from many sources using several note-taking strategies.
• 8.IR.4 Judge how credible sources are by bias, perspective and purpose.
• 8.IR.5 Work source information in using a standard format.
  • 8.IR.5a Cite sources, including in-text citations, when quoting, paraphrasing or summarizing.
  • 8.IR.5b Make a citation or bibliography page in a standard format.