8th Grade ELA (Ohio's Learning Standards)

Reading Literature (RL)

• RL.8.1 Cite the strongest evidence to support analysis of what the text says and inferences.
• RL.8.2 Determine a theme and how it develops through characters, setting and plot; summarize objectively.
  • a. Trace a theme and its links to characters, setting and plot.
  • b. Write an objective summary connecting theme to other elements.
• RL.8.3 Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents move the action, reveal character or prompt decisions.
• RL.8.4 Work out figurative and connotative meanings and analyze how analogies or allusions affect tone.
• RL.8.5 Compare the structures of two or more texts and how differences affect meaning and style.
• RL.8.6 Analyze how differences in point of view between characters and readers create suspense or humor.
• RL.8.7 Evaluate how faithfully a film or live production follows the text, judging director and actor choices.
• RL.8.9 Analyze how modern fiction draws on themes or patterns from myths, traditional stories or religious works.
• RL.8.10 Read complex grades 6–8 literature independently, connecting it to personal and world experience.

Reading Informational Text (RI)

• RI.8.1 Cite the strongest evidence to support analysis of what the text says and inferences.
• RI.8.2 Analyze how a central idea develops and relates to supporting ideas; summarize objectively.
  • a. Trace the central idea and supporting ideas.
  • b. Write an objective summary.
• RI.8.3 Analyze how a text makes connections and distinctions between individuals, ideas or events.
• RI.8.4 Work out figurative and connotative meanings and analyze how word choice affects tone.
• RI.8.5 Analyze in detail the structure of a paragraph and how sentences develop a key idea.
• RI.8.6 Determine the author's point of view or purpose and how the author responds to conflicting views.
• RI.8.7 Evaluate the pros and cons of different media for presenting a topic.
• RI.8.8 Trace and evaluate an argument, judging reasoning and spotting irrelevant evidence.
• RI.8.9 Analyze texts that disagree on facts or interpretation of the same topic.
• RI.8.10 Read grades 6–8 literary nonfiction independently at the high end. (being checked)

Writing (W)

• W.8.1 Write arguments that support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
  • a. Write a clear thesis statement.
  • b. Introduce claims, distinguish them from counterclaims, order evidence.
  • c. Support claims with logical reasoning and credible sources.
  • d. Use cohesive language to link claims and evidence.
  • e. Keep a formal style.
  • f. End with a conclusion that supports the argument.
• W.8.2 Write informative texts that examine a topic by selecting, organizing and analyzing relevant content.
  • a. Write a clear thesis statement.
  • b. Preview the topic and group ideas into categories.
  • c. Develop with well-chosen facts, definitions and examples.
  • d. Use varied transitions.
  • e. Use precise, subject-specific words.
  • f. Keep a formal style.
  • g. End with a conclusion that supports the information.
• W.8.3 Write real or imagined narratives with effective technique, descriptive details and clear sequence.
  • a. Set point of view, context and characters.
  • b. Use dialogue, pacing, reflection and description.
  • c. Use transitions to show relationships between events.
  • d. Use precise words and sensory language.
  • e. End by reflecting on the events.
• W.8.4 Produce coherent writing whose development, organization and style suit task, purpose and audience.
• W.8.5 With some support, revise writing, judging how well purpose and audience are addressed.
• W.8.6 Use technology to publish writing and show relationships between ideas, and collaborate.
• W.8.7 Do short research projects, including self-generated questions, using several sources.
• W.8.8 Find sources with effective searches, judge credibility and accuracy, and cite them.
• W.8.9 Draw evidence from texts to support analysis, reflection and research.
  • a. Analyze how modern fiction draws on myths and religious works.
  • b. Evaluate arguments and spot irrelevant evidence.
• W.8.10 Write routinely over short and extended time frames for subject-specific tasks and audiences.

Speaking and Listening (SL)

• SL.8.1 Take part in a range of discussions, building on others' ideas and stating own views clearly.
  • a. Come prepared and refer to evidence.
  • b. Follow rules for discussion and decisions, track goals, define roles.
  • c. Ask questions linking several speakers; respond with evidence.
  • d. Acknowledge new information; qualify or justify views.
• SL.8.2 Analyze the purpose of information in different media and evaluate the motives behind it.
• SL.8.3 Trace a speaker's argument, judge reasoning and evidence and spot irrelevant evidence.
• SL.8.4 Present findings focused on key points with sound evidence, eye contact, volume and clear speech.
• SL.8.5 Integrate multimedia and visuals into presentations to clarify information and strengthen claims.
• SL.8.6 Adapt speech to different contexts, using formal English when suitable.

Language (L)

• L.8.1 Explain verbals and use active and passive voice and verb moods correctly.
  • a. Explain gerunds, participles and infinitives.
  • b. Use active and passive voice.
  • c. Use indicative, imperative, subjunctive and other moods.
  • d. Fix inappropriate shifts in voice and mood.
• L.8.2 Use commas, ellipses and dashes correctly and spell correctly.
  • a. Use punctuation to show a pause or break.
  • b. Use an ellipsis to show an omission.
  • c. Spell correctly.
• L.8.3 Use active and passive voice and conditional and subjunctive moods for effect.
  • a. Use voice to stress the actor or the action.
  • b. Use moods to express uncertainty or the contrary-to-fact.
• L.8.4 Work out word meanings using context, Greek or Latin roots, references and checking.
  • a. Use context clues.
  • b. Use Greek or Latin affixes and roots.
  • c. Consult reference materials.
  • d. Verify a guessed meaning.
• L.8.5 Interpret verbal irony and puns and use word relationships and connotations.
  • a. Interpret irony and puns in context.
  • b. Use word relationships to understand words.
  • c. Tell apart connotations of similar words.
• L.8.6 Learn and use grade 8 academic and subject words, researching important unknown terms.