12th Grade ELA (Utah Core Standards)

Strand 1: Speaking and Listening

• 11–12.SL.1 Take part in a wide range of conversations and group work on topics, texts and issues.
  • a. Respond thoughtfully to differing views in decision-making discussions and settle claims with evidence.
  • b. Ask and answer questions that probe reasoning and evidence and challenge ideas with proof.
  • c. Resolve contradictions and decide whether more information or research is needed.
• 11–12.SL.2 Interpret, evaluate and combine sources in different formats, checking credibility and noting conflicting data.
• 11–12.SL.3 Choose language, organization and delivery that fit the purpose and audience in any setting.
  • a. Use data displays and digital media strategically to clarify and strengthen presentations.

Strand 2: Reading

• 11–12.R.4 Read grade-level text accurately and fluently enough to understand it fully.
• 11–12.R.5 Cite relevant evidence for explicit meaning, inferences and places where the text is ambiguous.
• 11–12.R.6 Analyze several themes or main ideas and summarize objectively with evidence.
  • RL. Trace how two or more themes interact and build on one another across texts.
  • RI. Combine main ideas, details and their relationships across two or more informational texts.
• 11–12.R.7 Analyze how authors develop texts through structure, character and the course of an argument.
  • RL. Analyze how complex characters interact and how plot and theme advance.
  • RI. Analyze how an argument is ordered and how ideas are introduced, developed and connected.
• 11–12.R.8 Analyze how word choice shapes tone, mood, figurative and connotative meaning and subject-specific meaning.
• 11–12.R.9 Work out unknown and multiple-meaning words with flexible strategies, including context and references.
  • a. Analyze how changes in word form signal different meanings or parts of speech.
  • b. Use references to find pronunciation, exact meaning, part of speech, word origin and usage.
• 11–12.R.10 Evaluate how the structures of related texts make points clear, convincing or engaging.
• 11–12.R.11 Assess how an author's background, era, place and identity shape the perspective and messages of their work.
• 11–12.R.12 Compare how one subject is presented in different media, noting what is stressed, changed or left out and why it matters.
• 11–12.R.13 Evaluate arguments and claims across several texts, judging whether the evidence is relevant and sufficient.
• 11–12.R.14 Analyze literary or culturally significant texts that share themes, topics or conflicts.
  • RL. Compare the purposes, style and rhetorical features of literary works from different periods.
  • RI. Evaluate how culturally significant works treat similar issues and why they still matter today.

Strand 3: Writing

• 11–12.W.1 Write arguments on complex topics with logical reasoning, enough evidence and a concluding statement.
  • a. Introduce claims and their significance, address counterclaims and order reasons and evidence logically.
  • b. Interpret strong evidence from credible sources and weigh each claim's strengths and limits for the audience.
  • c. Use varied syntax and transitions to link sections and clarify relationships among claims and evidence.
  • d. Use conventions and style suited to audience, purpose and task.
• 11–12.W.2 Write informative texts that convey complex ideas clearly by choosing and organizing content.
  • a. Organize ideas so each element builds on the one before, using formatting and multimedia when useful.
  • b. Develop the topic thoroughly with facts, extended definitions, examples and figurative language.
  • c. Use varied transitions and syntax to link sections and clarify relationships.
  • d. Use precise, subject-specific vocabulary to handle complex ideas.
  • e. Use conventions and style suited to audience, purpose and task.
• 11–12.W.3 Write narratives with well-structured events, well-chosen details and a resolution that gives closure.
  • a. Open by presenting a complex problem, situation or observation that engages the reader.
  • b. Establish one or more points of view and develop a setting, narrator or characters.
  • c. Use dialogue, pacing, reflection, flashback and multiple plot lines to develop characters and events.
  • d. Use varied syntax and descriptive language to create mood and tone.
  • e. Use conventions and style suited to audience, purpose and task.
• 11–12.W.4 Do research to build an argument, answer a question or provide analysis.
  • a. Gather, assess and combine information from credible sources.
  • b. Evaluate evidence and develop ideas that show understanding of topic and purpose.
  • c. Avoid plagiarism by quoting, paraphrasing and citing in a standard format.
  • d. Work with others through the writing process.