8th Grade ELA (South Dakota Content Standards)

Reading Literature (RL)

• 8.RL.1 Cite the evidence that most strongly supports analysis of what the text says directly and inferences.
• 8.RL.2 Work out a theme or central idea.
  • a. Analyze how it develops, including its link to characters, setting and plot.
  • b. Identify key details that support the analysis.
• 8.RL.3 Analyze how particular dialogue or incidents move the action, reveal character or lead to a decision.
• 8.RL.4 Interpret words and phrases as the author intended.
  • a. Work out technical, figurative and connotative meanings.
  • b. Analyze how particular word choices shape meaning, mood and tone.
• 8.RL.5 Analyze the structures of two or more texts and how they add to meaning and style.
• 8.RL.6 Analyze how differences in points of view of characters and audience create effects such as suspense or humor.
• 8.RL.7 Analyze how a filmed or live production stays true to or departs from the text, evaluating director and actor choices.
• 8.RL.9 Analyze how modern fiction draws on myths, traditional stories or religious works and makes that material new.
• 8.RL.10 Read and understand varied literary texts at grade 8 level on one's own.
  • a. Show proficiency with grade-level texts.
  • b. Choose texts for enjoyment, interest and schoolwork.
  • c. Read widely to understand different perspectives.

Reading Informational Text (RI)

• 8.RI.1 Cite the evidence that most strongly supports analysis of what the text says directly and by inference.
• 8.RI.2 Work out a central idea.
  • a. Analyze how it develops, including its link to supporting ideas.
  • b. Give an objective summary.
• 8.RI.3 Analyze how a text links and tells apart people, ideas or events through comparisons, analogies or categories.
• 8.RI.4 Work out figurative, connotative and technical meanings and how word choice, analogy or allusion affects meaning and tone.
• 8.RI.5 Analyze how particular sentences, paragraphs and text features develop a key concept.
• 8.RI.6 Work out the author's point of view or purpose and how the author answers conflicting evidence or views.
• 8.RI.7 Evaluate the pros and cons of print, digital, video and multimedia for presenting a topic.
• 8.RI.8 Break down and evaluate an argument and its claims.
  • a. Judge whether the reasoning is sound.
  • b. Judge whether the evidence is relevant and sufficient.
  • c. Recognize when irrelevant evidence is brought in.
• 8.RI.9 Analyze texts that conflict on one topic and identify where they disagree on facts or interpretation.
• 8.RI.10 Read and understand literary nonfiction and informational texts at grade 8 level.
  • a. Show proficiency with grade-level texts.
  • b. Choose texts for enjoyment, interest and schoolwork.
  • c. Read widely to understand different perspectives.

Language (L)

• 8.L.1 Use standard grammar and usage in writing or speaking, building on earlier skills.
  • a. Explain what verbals (gerunds, participles, infinitives) do.
  • b. Form and use active and passive voice.
  • c. Form and use indicative, imperative, interrogative, conditional and subjunctive moods.
  • d. Spot and fix unsuitable shifts in verb voice and mood.
• 8.L.2 Use standard capitalization, punctuation and spelling when writing.
  • a. Use commas, ellipses and dashes to show pauses or breaks.
  • b. Use an ellipsis to show something left out.
  • c. Spell correctly, knowing some words have accepted variants.
• 8.L.3 Use knowledge of language and its conventions in writing, speaking, reading and listening.
  • a. Keep style and tone consistent while varying sentence patterns.
  • b. Recognize nonstandard English and judge whether it suits the purpose and audience.
• 8.L.4 Work out or clarify unknown and multiple-meaning words using a range of strategies.
  • a. Use context clues.
  • b. Use common Greek or Latin affixes and roots, e.g. precede, recede, secede.
  • c. Use general and specialized references.
  • d. Check first guesses at word meanings.
• 8.L.5 Understand figurative language, word relationships and shades of meaning.
  • a. Interpret figures of speech such as verbal irony and puns.
  • b. Use the relationship between words to understand each one better.
  • c. Tell apart the connotations of words with similar dictionary meanings.
• 8.L.6 Learn grade-level academic and subject-specific words and use them in reading, writing, speaking and listening.

Writing (W)

• 8.W.1 Write arguments backed by clear reasons and relevant evidence.
  • a. Introduce claims, set them apart from opposing claims and organize logically.
  • b. Support claims with sound reasoning and credible sources.
  • c. Use varied syntax and transitions to show how claims, counterclaims, reasons and evidence relate.
  • d. Keep a formal style.
  • e. End with a conclusion that supports the argument.
• 8.W.2 Write informative pieces that examine a topic through well-chosen, organized and analyzed content.
  • a. Preview the topic, organize it into broader categories and use headings or graphics when useful.
  • b. Develop the topic with well-chosen facts, definitions, details, quotations and examples.
  • c. Use varied transitions.
  • d. Use precise language and subject-specific words.
  • e. Keep a formal style.
  • f. End with a conclusion that supports the explanation.
• 8.W.3 Write narratives and creative texts with effective technique, details and a well-built order of events.
  • a. Set the context and point of view, introduce the narrator or characters and order events logically.
  • b. Use dialogue, pacing, rhythm, description and reflection.
  • c. Use transitions to signal sequence and shifts in time or setting.
  • d. Use precise words, details and sensory and figurative language.
  • e. End by reflecting on the experience, when it suits the genre.
• 8.W.4 Write clearly and coherently with development, organization, style, tone and voice suited to task, purpose and audience.
• 8.W.5 Develop and strengthen writing as needed.
  • a. Use the writing process: plan, draft, revise, edit, rewrite or try a new approach.
  • b. Focus on how well purpose and audience are addressed.
  • c. Use help from peers, adults and digital tools, editing to show command of Language standards 1–3.
• 8.W.6 Use technology to format, produce and publish writing.
  • a. Link to and cite sources in MLA or APA format.
  • b. Show relationships between ideas efficiently.
  • c. Interact and work with others.
  • d. Type well enough to write with stamina in one sitting.
• 8.W.7 Carry out short research projects, including one's own questions, using several sources and raising focused new questions.
• 8.W.8 Gather relevant information from several print and digital sources.
  • a. Use search terms well.
  • b. Judge the credibility and accuracy of each source.
  • c. Quote or paraphrase others' data and conclusions without plagiarizing.
  • d. Follow a standard citation format.
• 8.W.9 Draw on evidence from literature or informational texts for analysis, interpretation, reflection and research.
• 8.W.10 Write regularly over longer and shorter time frames and choose topics and formats independently.

Speaking and Listening (SL)

• 8.SL.1 Take part well in group discussions with different partners on grade 8 topics.
  • a. Come prepared and refer to evidence from the material.
  • b. Follow agreed rules, track goals and deadlines and define roles.
  • c. Ask questions that connect several speakers' ideas and respond with evidence.
  • d. Acknowledge new information and qualify or justify views with evidence.
  • e. Cooperate, mediate and solve problems to reach group decisions.
• 8.SL.2 Analyze the purpose of information in different media and evaluate the motives behind it.
• 8.SL.3 Set out a speaker's argument and claims, evaluate reasoning and evidence and spot irrelevant evidence.
• 8.SL.4 Present claims and findings suited to purpose and audience.
  • a. Include relevant evidence, sound reasoning and well-chosen details.
  • b. Use suitable eye contact, volume and clear pronunciation.
  • c. Stress key points in a focused, coherent way.
• 8.SL.5 Combine multimedia and visual displays to clarify information, strengthen claims and add interest.
• 8.SL.6 Adapt speech to different contexts, audiences and tasks using self-reflection, feedback and formal English when suitable.