Grades 11–12 ELA (North Dakota Content Standards)

Communication (C)

• 11-12.C.1 Give formal and informal presentations, with multimedia when suitable.
• 11-12.C.2 Use suitable spoken and body language for the task and situation.
• 11-12.C.5 Prepare for discussions by reading and researching ideas.
• 11-12.C.6 Take part in respectful discussions or debates.
  • 11-12.C.6a Listen for different perspectives and evaluate the speaker's logic.
  • 11-12.C.6b Critique how ideas are presented.
  • 11-12.C.6c Present or share synthesized research.
  • 11-12.C.6d Ask and answer questions that move the discussion forward.
• 11-12.C.7 Work productively with others by setting up and following norms, processes and roles.

Reading (R)

• 11-12.R.2 Understand varied, complex texts and make inferences with relevant evidence.
• 11-12.R.3a Summarize or paraphrase nonfiction objectively with relevant information.
• 11-12.R.3b Summarize and paraphrase literary texts objectively with relevant information.
• 11-12.R.4 Work out main ideas, claims or themes as they develop and interact and support them with evidence.
• 11-12.R.5 Work out the meaning, purpose and effect of words, including academic, figurative, ambiguous and connotative ones.
• 11-12.R.6 Evaluate how structure, form and format support the purpose and affect the audience.
• 11-12.R.7 Analyze the combined effect of style, syntax and word choice on meaning, mood and tone.
• 11-12.R.8 Analyze how literary elements develop, interact and shape meaning.
  • 11-12.R.8a Analyze how several complex characters and elements interact and move the themes forward.
  • 11-12.R.8b Analyze how point of view is shaped by background, era, setting and culture.
  • 11-12.R.8c Analyze and evaluate how texts within or across time periods treat similar themes.
• 11-12.R.9 Analyze how informational and argument elements develop and serve the purpose.
  • 11-12.R.9a Analyze the author's point of view, purpose and bias, compare perspectives and evaluate style.
  • 11-12.R.9b Evaluate accounts of a subject in different media, noting what each stresses or leaves out.
  • 11-12.R.9c Evaluate how reasoning, rhetoric and fallacies support or weaken the purpose and affect the audience.

Writing (W)

• 11-12.W.1 Write clearly and coherently for a particular purpose and audience.
• 11-12.W.2 Build a logical structure.
  • 11-12.W.2a Write a relevant introduction.
  • 11-12.W.2b Use transitions that tie sections, paragraphs and sentences together.
  • 11-12.W.2c End with a thoughtful conclusion.
• 11-12.W.3 Inform and explain complex information with a clear thesis and reliable evidence in subject-specific formats.
• 11-12.W.4 Persuade an audience.
  • 11-12.W.4a Set up the relevant context.
  • 11-12.W.4b State a clear position or thesis.
  • 11-12.W.4c Use valid evidence to support claims and answer counterclaims.
  • 11-12.W.4d Use logical reasoning and avoid fallacies.
  • 11-12.W.4e Use rhetorical techniques and appeals.
• 11-12.W.5 Write real, imagined or poetic pieces using narrative, dialogue, sensory detail, figurative language and symbolism.
• 11-12.W.6 Use the writing process to produce good-quality work for the purpose and audience.
• 11-12.W.7 Use vocabulary and figurative language to create a style or voice that suits the purpose.

Language Usage (L)

• 11-12.L.1 Use language knowledge to suit task, purpose and audience and resolve usage problems.
  • 11-12.L.1a Vary syntax (phrases, clauses, sentence types) for meaning and interest.
  • 11-12.L.1b Choose active or passive voice to suit the context.
  • 11-12.L.1c Use dashes, brackets, ellipses and other advanced punctuation.
  • 11-12.L.1d Follow grammar conventions from earlier grades.

Inquiry and Research (IR)

• 11-12.IR.1 Develop complex, relevant research questions and narrow or widen the inquiry.
• 11-12.IR.2 Gather and interpret relevant information from primary and secondary sources.
• 11-12.IR.3 Organize relevant information from varied sources.
• 11-12.IR.4 Evaluate how credible sources are by bias, reasoning, perspective and purpose.
• 11-12.IR.5 Work source information in using a standard format.
  • 11-12.IR.5a Cite sources for quotations, paraphrases and summaries to keep academic integrity.
  • 11-12.IR.5b Make a citation or bibliography page in a subject-specific format.