9th Grade ELA (Oregon Common Core)

Reading Literature (RL)

• ELA.9-10.RL.1 Analyze what a literary text says directly and implies, using strong, thorough evidence.
• ELA.9-10.RL.2 Identify a theme or central idea, trace how it develops and links to characters, setting and plot, and summarize with evidence.
• ELA.9-10.RL.3 Analyze how an author's choices build complex characters, considering their interactions and social, cultural or historical context.
• ELA.9-10.RL.4 Work out figurative, connotative and technical meanings and analyze how word choice shapes meaning and tone.
• ELA.9-10.RL.5 Analyze structural choices such as event order, pacing, repetition and framing that advance plot or theme or handle time.
• ELA.9-10.RL.6 Analyze viewpoints and cultural experiences in world literature, noticing which perspectives appear and which are missing.
• ELA.9-10.RL.7 Compare how different art forms present a subject or key scene and what each stresses or leaves out.
• ELA.9-10.RL.9 Analyze how an author alludes to themes or topics from another source.
• ELA.9-10.RL.10 Use a range of comprehension strategies to read and analyze complex literature for grades 9–10 on their own.

Reading Informational Text (RI)

• ELA.9-10.RI.1 Analyze what an informational text says directly and implies with strong evidence, and judge how well claims are supported.
• ELA.9-10.RI.2 Identify a central idea and examine closely how particular details shape and refine it, then summarize with evidence.
• ELA.9-10.RI.3 Analyze how an author orders, introduces, develops and connects ideas, events or points.
• ELA.9-10.RI.4 Work out word and phrase meanings in their different senses and evaluate how word choice affects meaning, tone and credibility.
• ELA.9-10.RI.5 Analyze how sentences, paragraphs or sections develop and refine claims, judging the effect on clarity, coherence and persuasion.
• ELA.9-10.RI.6 Work out an author's background, viewpoint, bias or purpose and how rhetoric and evidence advance it.
• ELA.9-10.RI.7 Analyze accounts of one subject in different formats and media, judging which details or readings each stresses.
• ELA.9-10.RI.8 Evaluate an argument's claims and reasoning, judging evidence and spotting false statements, bias and fallacies.
• ELA.9-10.RI.9 Analyze documents of historical, cultural or literary importance and how they treat related themes and ideas.
• ELA.9-10.RI.10 Use a range of comprehension strategies to read and analyze complex informational texts for grades 9–10 on their own.

Writing (W)

• ELA.9-10.W.1 Write arguments on substantial topics or texts with precise claims, valid reasoning and sufficient evidence.
  • a. State precise claims, set them apart from opposing claims and organize how claims, reasons and evidence connect.
  • b. Develop evidence for claims and counterclaims fairly, showing strengths and limits with the audience in mind.
  • c. Use linking words and transitions to hold the argument together and show how its parts relate.
  • d. Use a style and tone that suit the subject and purpose.
  • e. End in a way that follows from and strengthens the argument.
• ELA.9-10.W.2 Write informative or explanatory texts that convey complex ideas clearly and accurately through careful choice and analysis.
  • a. Introduce the topic, organize complex ideas to show links and differences and add helpful formatting or media.
  • b. Develop the topic with relevant, credible and sufficient evidence from varied reliable sources and viewpoints.
  • c. Use deliberate transitions and structures to link ideas and sections.
  • d. Use precise language and subject vocabulary to handle a complex topic.
  • e. Keep a clear style and tone for the subject, purpose and audience.
  • f. End in a way that follows from and strengthens the explanation.
• ELA.9-10.W.3 Write narratives, and use narrative techniques purposefully in other writing, with strong technique, detail and order.
  • a. Orient the reader to a situation, viewpoint(s) and narrator or characters, leading into a purposeful sequence.
  • b. Use narrative techniques: dialogue, pacing, description, reflection and more than one plot line.
  • c. Order events so they build logically into a coherent whole.
  • d. Use precise words, details and sensory language to paint a vivid picture.
  • e. End by making clear why the narrative matters for its purpose.
• ELA.9-10.W.4 Produce clear, connected writing whose development, organization and style suit the task, purpose and audience.
• ELA.9-10.W.5 Improve writing by planning, drafting, revising, editing, rewriting or trying new approaches, keeping purpose and audience in mind.
• ELA.9-10.W.6 Use digital tools, the internet or handwriting to produce and update writing, citing sources consistently.
• ELA.9-10.W.7 Do short and longer research, including on their own questions, narrowing or widening the scope and combining credible sources.
• ELA.9-10.W.8 Gather information from several sources with advanced searches, judge each source's usefulness and work it in selectively with citations.
• ELA.9-10.W.9 Draw and cite credible evidence from literature and informational texts, linking it clearly to claims.
• ELA.9-10.W.10 Write often over short and long periods for many subject tasks, including research, analysis, reflection and creative work.

Language (L)

• ELA.9-10.L.1 Use standard English grammar and usage correctly in writing and speech.
  • a. Use parallel structure.
  • b. Use a variety of phrases and clauses to add meaning and variety.
• ELA.9-10.L.2 Show control of capital letters, punctuation and spelling when writing.
  • a. Use semicolons, with or without conjunctive adverbs, to join closely linked independent clauses.
  • b. Use colons to introduce lists, quotations or information that follows on from the first clause.
  • c. Spell correctly.
• ELA.9-10.L.3 Apply what they know about how English works whenever they write, speak, read or listen.
  • a. Understand how language works in different settings and make choices for meaning, style and audience.
• ELA.9-10.L.4 Use strategies flexibly to work out unknown and multiple-meaning words in grades 9–10 reading and content.
  • a. Use context clues.
  • b. Recognize and use patterns of word change that signal meaning or part of speech.
  • c. Use print or digital dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses and other references to check pronunciation, meaning, part of speech or word origin.
  • d. Check a first guess at a word's meaning.
  • e. Use common Greek and Latin roots and affixes as hints to meaning.
• ELA.9-10.L.5 Show understanding of figurative language, word relationships and shades of meaning.
  • a. Interpret figures of speech in context and analyze the part they play in the text.
  • b. Analyze fine differences between words with similar dictionary meanings.
• ELA.9-10.L.6 Learn and use correctly academic and subject words at a college- and career-ready level, looking up meanings on their own.

Speaking and Listening (SL)

• ELA.9-10.SL.1 Take part well in many kinds of group discussion with varied partners, building on others' ideas and stating views persuasively.
  • a. Come ready, using material they have read and researched as evidence.
  • b. Work with others for civil, inclusive and democratic discussion and decisions, setting goals, deadlines and roles.
  • c. Move conversations forward with questions that connect to bigger ideas, bring others in and clarify or challenge ideas.
  • d. Respond thoughtfully to different views, sum up agreement and disagreement and refine their own views with evidence.
  • e. Judge how well the discussion worked.
• ELA.9-10.SL.2 Combine information from varied media and formats, judging each source's credibility and accuracy.
• ELA.9-10.SL.3 Evaluate a speaker's viewpoint, reasoning, evidence and rhetoric, spotting fallacies or distorted evidence.
• ELA.9-10.SL.4 Present findings and evidence clearly and logically, with style and organization suited to purpose, audience and task, and good delivery.
• ELA.9-10.SL.5 Use digital media creatively and deliberately in presentations to clarify findings and add interest.
• ELA.9-10.SL.6 Adapt speech to different settings and tasks, using formal English when suitable.