Grades 11–12 ELA (South Dakota Content Standards)

Reading Literature (RL)

• 11-12.RL.1 Cite strong, relevant, thorough evidence for what a text states and implies, including where it is open to interpretation.
• 11-12.RL.2 Work out two or more themes or central ideas.
  • a. Analyze and judge how they develop, interact and build a complex account.
  • b. Give an objective summary to support the analysis of theme.
• 11-12.RL.3 Analyze the effect of the author's choices in developing and linking elements such as setting, plot, structure and character.
• 11-12.RL.4 Interpret how word choice and figurative language shape meaning, mood and tone, including connotation, jargon, allusion and colloquial speech.
• 11-12.RL.5 Analyze how structural choices for parts of a text, such as where it starts or ends, shape its meaning and artistic effect.
• 11-12.RL.6 Analyze how an author's background, viewpoint or purpose shapes diverse texts, judge what is stated or implied, and reflect on one's own reading.
• 11-12.RL.7 Analyze several versions of a story, play or poem in different media, judging how each interprets the source.
• 11-12.RL.9 Analyze foundational American, British or world literature, including works from one period, and how authors use or transform sources.
• 11-12.RL.10 By year end, independently read and grasp varied literary texts at grades 11–12 complexity.
  • a. Show proficiency with grade-level texts.
  • b. Choose texts for enjoyment, interest and schoolwork.
  • c. Read widely to understand multiple perspectives and viewpoints.

Reading Informational Text (RI)

• 11-12.RI.1 Cite strong, relevant, thorough evidence for what a text states and implies, including where it is open to interpretation.
• 11-12.RI.2 Work out two or more central ideas or claims.
  • a. Analyze and judge how they develop, interact and build a complex text.
  • b. Give an objective summary to support the analysis.
• 11-12.RI.3 Analyze a complex set of ideas or events and explain how people, ideas or events interact and develop.
• 11-12.RI.4 Interpret figurative, connotative and technical meanings and analyze how an author refines key terms to shape meaning or tone.
• 11-12.RI.5 Judge how well the structure of an exposition or argument makes its points clear, convincing and engaging.
• 11-12.RI.6 Analyze viewpoint or purpose in a text with strong rhetoric and check it for bias, misinformation, propaganda, counterarguments or fallacies.
• 11-12.RI.7 Combine and judge sources in different media and formats to answer a question or solve a problem.
• 11-12.RI.8 Trace and judge reasoning in key U.S. and British or global texts, including founding principles, legal reasoning and arguments.
• 11-12.RI.9 Analyze foundational U.S. and British or global documents and compare authors' central ideas, purposes and rhetoric.
• 11-12.RI.10 By year end, independently read and grasp nonfiction and informational texts at grades 11–12 complexity.
  • a. Show proficiency with grade-level texts.
  • b. Choose texts for enjoyment, interest and schoolwork.
  • c. Read widely to understand different perspectives and viewpoints.

Language (L)

• 11-12.L.1 Show control of standard English grammar and usage, checking references when needed.
  • a. Understand that usage is a convention that shifts over time and context and is sometimes disputed.
  • b. Settle questions of complex or disputed grammar and usage.
  • c. Understand why writers may use nonstandard grammar, e.g. for style or dialect.
• 11-12.L.2 Show control of standard English mechanics, checking references when needed.
  • a. Understand that mechanics are conventions that shift over time and context and are sometimes disputed.
  • b. Settle questions of complex or disputed mechanics.
  • c. Understand why writers may use nonstandard capitals, punctuation or spelling for style.
• 11-12.L.3 Use knowledge of how language works in different contexts to make good choices; vary syntax for effect and use syntax to read complex texts.
• 11-12.L.4 Figure out new and multiple-meaning words met in grades 11–12 reading and content, using several strategies.
  • a. Use sentence, paragraph or text context and a word's role as clues.
  • b. Study word parts to see how meanings or parts of speech change.
  • c. Use general and specialized references for pronunciation, meaning, part of speech, origin or usage.
• 11-12.L.5 Show understanding of semantics.
  • a. Analyze figurative language in context and what it does in the text.
  • b. Analyze how word relationships, including word parts and origins, create shades of meaning.
  • c. Analyze connotations of words with similar definitions.
• 11-12.L.6 Learn and use college- and career-ready academic and subject vocabulary.
  • a. Build a broad, deep and precise vocabulary independently.
  • b. Understand why vocabulary matters for understanding and expression.

Writing (W)

• 11-12.W.1 Write arguments analyzing substantive topics or texts with valid reasoning and enough relevant evidence.
  • a. State precise, informed claims and why they matter, separate them from opposing claims, and sequence claims, counterclaims, reasons and evidence logically.
  • b. Develop claims and counterclaims fairly and fully with the strongest evidence, noting strengths and limits for the audience.
  • c. Use varied transitions and syntax to join sections smoothly and clarify how claims, reasons, evidence and counterclaims relate.
  • d. Keep a formal style and clear, engaging voice that respects the norms of the subject.
  • e. Write an effective conclusion.
• 11-12.W.2 Write informative pieces that present complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through well-chosen, organized content.
  • a. Introduce the topic, organize ideas into a unified whole, and add headings, graphics or media when useful.
  • b. Develop the topic fully with the most relevant facts, extended definitions, details, quotations and examples for the audience.
  • c. Use varied syntax to join sections smoothly and clarify links among complex ideas.
  • d. Use precise vocabulary and devices such as metaphor, simile and analogy to handle complexity.
  • e. Establish a clear, engaging voice.
  • f. Write an effective conclusion.
• 11-12.W.3 Write narratives or other creative pieces, such as poems, memoirs or graphic stories, with effective technique, a set voice, detail and event order.
  • a. Hook the reader with a problem, situation or observation and its importance, set points of view, introduce characters and order events deliberately.
  • b. Use a range of narrative, literary or poetic devices.
  • c. Sequence events into a coherent whole that builds toward a chosen tone and outcome.
  • d. Use strong word choice and figurative language.
  • e. Establish a clear, engaging voice.
  • f. Write an effective conclusion when the genre calls for one.
• 11-12.W.4 Produce clear, coherent writing whose development, organization, style, voice and tone fit the task, purpose and audience.
• 11-12.W.5 Use a writing process of planning, revising, editing or rewriting to address what matters most, using feedback from peers, adults or digital tools.
• 11-12.W.6 Use technology to create and share writing and to work with others.
• 11-12.W.7 Do short and longer focused research using suitable methods to show thorough understanding.
• 11-12.W.8 Gather relevant information from multiple credible sources.
  • a. Use advanced searches well.
  • b. Weigh each source's strengths and limits for the task, purpose and audience.
  • c. Blend in information smoothly through paraphrase, summary, quotation and attribution.
  • d. Avoid plagiarism and overreliance on one source, and cite in a standard format.
• 11-12.W.9 Use evidence from literary or informational texts for analysis, reflection, creative writing and research, applying grades 11–12 reading standards.
• 11-12.W.10 Write regularly over long and short time frames for many tasks and audiences, choosing topics and formats for interest and schoolwork.

Speaking and Listening (SL)

• 11-12.SL.1 Start and take part well in varied discussions on grades 11–12 topics, building on others' ideas and stating their own clearly and persuasively.
  • a. Arrive prepared and use evidence from texts and research to spark a thoughtful, reasoned exchange.
  • b. Work with peers to foster civil, democratic discussion and decisions, with clear goals, deadlines and roles.
  • c. Move talk forward with questions that test reasoning and evidence, make room for all positions and encourage creative views.
  • d. Respond to diverse views, pull together claims from all sides, resolve contradictions and see what more research is needed.
• 11-12.SL.2 Combine sources when presenting and evaluate media sources to make decisions and solve problems, noting credibility and discrepancies.
• 11-12.SL.3 Judge a speaker's viewpoint, reasoning, audience, evidence and rhetoric, including stance, premises, word choice, emphasis and tone.
• 11-12.SL.4 Present material that fits the audience, task and purpose, respecting others' intellectual property.
  • a. Show organization, development, substance and style.
  • b. Use effective body language such as eye contact, expression, gesture and presence.
  • c. Use effective voice: volume, pace, tone and clear speech.
• 11-12.SL.5 Use digital media and visual displays strategically to deepen understanding and add interest.
• 11-12.SL.6 Adapt speech and communication to varied contexts, audiences and tasks, using self-reflection, feedback and standard English when called for.