Grade 10 English (Virginia SOL)

Developing Skilled Readers and Building Reading Stamina (DSR)

• 10.DSR Build knowledge and comprehension by reading challenging, content-rich texts fluently and gathering evidence.
• Read a range of grade-level complex texts accurately, fluently, and with expression, self-correcting.
• Understand literary and informational texts in the grades 9–10 complexity band.
• Support responses with several accurate, located pieces of evidence, quoted or paraphrased.
• Regularly read sets of related texts at varied levels to build knowledge and vocabulary.
• Use strategies such as structure analysis, summarizing, and questioning when a text becomes challenging.

Reading and Vocabulary (RV)

• Build vocabulary and word knowledge systematically from grade 10 content and texts.
• 10.RV.1 Develop vocabulary and word analysis through context, word parts, connotation, idioms, and allusions.
• Build general academic and subject-specific vocabulary through reading, discussion, and writing.
• Use context and sentence structure to work out literal and figurative meanings.
• Use roots, affixes, and word origins to clarify unfamiliar complex words.
• Tell connotation from denotation and interpret connotations.
• Identify and explain idioms in context.
• Explain literary and classical allusions and figurative language and their role in texts.
• Use newly learned words and phrases in a range of contexts, including speaking and writing.

Reading Literary Text (RL)

• Use textual evidence to show comprehension of a range of complex literary texts, with emphasis on world literature.
• 10.RL.1 Key ideas and details: theme, structure, character roles, and dramatic conventions.
• Analyze universal themes in world literature across cultures and eras.
• Analyze how structure moves the plot forward, linking events and foreshadowing.
• Describe character roles such as foil, tragic hero, or hero and their effect on theme.
• Explain how dramatic conventions shape theme and effect in plays.
• 10.RL.2 Craft and style: literary devices, point of view, and tone.
• Explain a poem's structure and how sound, rhythm, and imagery convey meaning and emotion.
• Analyze literary devices and figurative language, including allusion, allegory, and paradox.
• Analyze how word choice, syntax, tone, and voice reveal the author's intent and viewpoint.
• Tell stated from implied meaning in satire, irony, sarcasm, and understatement.
• 10.RL.3 Integrate concepts: historical, cultural, and literary contexts across traditions.
• Explain how historical and cultural context shapes form, style, characters, and point of view.
• Compare the structure and conventions of plays with features of other literary forms.
• Analyze similarities and differences in literature from different cultures and eras.

Reading Informational Text (RI)

• Use textual evidence to show comprehension and build knowledge from complex informational texts.
• 10.RI.1 Key ideas and details: organization of ideas and soundness of arguments and data.
• Explain how authors organize ideas or events, order points, and connect them.
• Compare information across historical, scientific, and technical texts and interpret data displays.
• Evaluate claims for valid reasoning, relevant evidence, and unsupported or false statements.
• 10.RI.2 Craft and style: structure, key terms, and rhetorical techniques.
• Analyze how structure shows relationships among ideas across sentences, paragraphs, and sections.
• Analyze key terms and ideas in historical, scientific, and technical texts.
• Analyze the purpose and effect of hyperbole, analogy, and paradox.
• 10.RI.3 Integrate concepts: how several informational texts treat the same topic.
• Evaluate how authors present the same topic through facts, opinions, and reasoning.
• Compare the conclusions of several texts on the same topic.

Writing (W)

• Write in a range of forms for different audiences and purposes, with emphasis on argumentative writing.
• 10.W.1 Modes and purposes: extended, argumentative, reflective, and routine writing.
• Write extended pieces with clear context, thesis, organization, sourced details, and conclusion.
• Write arguments with a debatable thesis, evidence, rebuttal of counterclaims, and a logical conclusion.
• Write reflectively, comparing two or more texts using details and evidence.
• Routinely write short and long pieces, adapting content, technique, and voice to purpose.
• 10.W.2 Organization and composition through a writing process for a given audience and purpose.
• Plan writing with a thesis, logical order, credible evidence, transitions, and precise word choice.
• 10.W.3 Usage and mechanics: revise, peer- and self-edit, and apply conventions.
• Revise for clarity, accuracy, and enough elaboration.
• Use peer and self-evaluation to edit for clarity and quality of information.
• Edit for conventions, style, and language suited to the grade.

Language Usage (LU)

• Use Standard English conventions and tell formal from informal contexts.
• 10.LU.1 Grammar: parallelism, complex sentences, voice, subordination, and consistent tense.
• Use and revise parallel structure in complex sentences and paragraphs.
• Use complex sentences with main and subordinate clauses for variety.
• Recognize and use active and passive voice for intended effect.
• Use subordination, coordination, and apposition to show relationships between ideas.
• Keep verb tense consistent in speaking and writing.
• 10.LU.2 Mechanics: colons, punctuating quotations, and spelling.
• Use colons to join clauses and introduce lists and quotations.
• Apply a style manual such as MLA or APA to punctuate and format quotations.
• Spell correctly, using reference materials as needed.

Communication and Multimodal Literacies (C)

• Develop oral communication and collaboration skills so learners make sense of content together.
• 10.C.1 Communication, listening, and collaboration in sustained discussions.
• Lead and join discussions through active listening, shared roles, respectful responses, and reflection.
• 10.C.2 Speaking and presenting ideas, including reciting a speech.
• Report orally or present opinions with suitable language and evaluate presentations.
• Memorize and recite a speech with intonation and feeling suited to the mood.
• 10.C.3 Integrating multimodal literacies.
• Use two or more interdependent modes of communication to convey a message.
• Monitor, analyze, and use several streams of information at once.
• Create media messages for a range of audiences and purposes.
• 10.C.4 Examining media messages.
• Analyze the viewpoint of print and digital publications such as adverts, editorials, and blogs.
• Compare visual and verbal media for content, intent, impact, and effectiveness.
• Examine how media messages are built from different opinions, values, and viewpoints.
• Evaluate the motives behind media messages to separate purpose, fact, opinion, and bias.
• Describe possible cause-and-effect links between media coverage and public opinion.

Research (R)

• Conduct research and read related texts on chosen topics to build knowledge.
• 10.R.1 Evaluate, synthesise, cite, and use information from research sources ethically.
• Write and revise research questions, broadening or narrowing them as needed.
• Gather and organize information from a range of sources, including the internet and databases.
• Evaluate sources objectively for credibility, reliability, accuracy, bias, and limitations.
• Synthesise information from several sources to support claims and address counterclaims.
• Create research products that meet the reading and writing standards.
• Cite quoted and paraphrased ideas using a standard style such as MLA or APA.
• Define plagiarism and its legal consequences and follow ethical and legal rules for using information.
• Use sources, including the internet and AI tools, ethically and responsibly.