Grade 12 English (Virginia SOL)

Developing Skilled Readers and Building Reading Stamina (DSR)

• 12.DSR Build knowledge and comprehension by reading challenging texts, gathering evidence, and using strategies when meaning breaks down.
• Read grade-level complex texts accurately and fluently, rereading and self-correcting as needed.
• Understand demanding literary and informational texts and answer a range of question types.
• Support claims in discussion and writing with several accurate, traceable pieces of evidence.
• Read sets of related texts on a topic to build knowledge and vocabulary.
• Use reading strategies to support and monitor understanding when a text becomes challenging.

Reading and Vocabulary (RV)

• Build vocabulary and word knowledge systematically from grade 12 content and texts.
• 12.RV.1 Develop vocabulary and word analysis through reading, discussing, and writing about grade-level texts.
• Use general academic and subject-specific vocabulary accurately in reading, discussion, and writing.
• Use context and sentence structure to work out the meanings of words and phrases.
• Use roots, affixes, and word origins to work out unfamiliar complex words.
• Analyze subtle differences in meaning among words with similar denotations.
• Explain and analyze idioms in context.
• Interpret figurative language and literary or classical allusions and their function in texts.
• Use newly learned words and phrases in discussion, speaking, and writing.

Reading Literary Text (RL)

• Use textual evidence to understand complex literary texts, with emphasis on British literature.
• 12.RL.1 Key ideas and details: plot, character, theme, and dramatic conventions.
• Analyze universal themes in British works from different eras.
• Examine how structure, order of events, and subplots create mystery, tension, or surprise.
• Analyze how complex characters with conflicting motives change and affect the plot.
• Evaluate how dramatic conventions shape theme and effect in plays.
• 12.RL.2 Craft and style: figurative language, diction, and irony and their effect on meaning, tone, and mood.
• Evaluate how figurative language in poetry and prose affects meaning.
• Interpret how diction creates effects and shapes tone and mood.
• Evaluate satire, sarcasm, irony, and understatement as stated versus implied meaning.
• 12.RL.3 Integrate concepts across cultures, eras, and themes, including authors' contexts.
• Compare traditional and contemporary texts that share themes or character types.
• Compare how a universal theme develops across two or more works.
• Analyze how authors' attitudes and beliefs reflect historical, social, or cultural contexts.

Reading Informational Text (RI)

• Use textual evidence to understand complex informational texts.
• 12.RI.1 Key ideas: workplace and admissions documents, structure, reasoning, and claims.
• Complete applications and summarize the purpose and main ideas of workplace documents.
• Evaluate how structure and rhetorical devices advance an author's viewpoint.
• Judge whether reasoning is valid, evidence relevant, and claims supported.
• 12.RI.2 Craft and style: structure and word choice in informational writing.
• Analyze how structures shape meaning in informational and technical writing.
• Analyze how cumulative word choice shapes meaning, attitude, and mood.
• 12.RI.3 Integrate concepts: differing viewpoints on the same issue and how ideas are developed.
• Evaluate texts with differing viewpoints by weighing claims, reasoning, and evidence.
• Analyze how authors order, introduce, develop, and connect ideas or events.

Writing (W)

• Write in a range of forms for different audiences and purposes, with emphasis on technical writing.
• 12.W.1 Modes and purposes: extended, technical, and blended writing.
• Write extended pieces with a clear introduction, organized ideas, sourced details, and conclusion.
• Write technical pieces, such as describing qualifications, suited to specific audiences and purposes.
• Blend modes of writing, adjusting voice and tone for different audiences.
• 12.W.2 Organization and composition through a writing process.
• Plan and draft writing with a thesis, evidence, transitions, and precise word choice.
• 12.W.3 Usage and mechanics: revise, edit, and format writing for work and further education.
• Revise for clarity, accuracy, and depth of information.
• Use peer and self-evaluation to edit writing and suggest improvements.
• Edit for conventions, style, and language suited to formal and informal contexts.
• Write and revise to standards expected at work and in further education.

Language Usage (LU)

• Use Standard English conventions and tell formal from informal contexts.
• 12.LU.1 Grammar: varied clauses for sentence variety and meaning.
• Use several clause types to vary sentences and sharpen meaning.
• 12.LU.2 Mechanics: citation style and spelling.
• Apply MLA or APA rules to punctuate and format direct quotations.
• Spell correctly, checking reference materials when needed.

Communication and Multimodal Literacies (C)

• Develop oral communication and collaboration skills so learners make sense of content together.
• 12.C.1 Communication, listening, and collaboration in discussions with a range of partners.
• Take part in sustained discussions, responding to different views with evidence.
• 12.C.2 Speaking and presenting ideas, including reciting a dramatic monologue.
• Present reports or opinions with suitable vocabulary, rhetoric, and awareness of audience.
• Memorize and recite a dramatic monologue, conveying emotion through voice and body.
• 12.C.3 Integrating multimodal literacies.
• Plan and deliver multimodal presentations, alone or with others, for a range of audiences.
• Evaluate multimodal sources for reliability, relevance, and bias.
• Synthesise several streams of information to summarize a topic or take a position.
• Arrange visual, audio, and graphic components to convey meaning in media messages.
• Cite all content taken from outside sources.
• 12.C.4 Examining media messages: values, purpose, bias, and effect on audiences.
• Defend a hypothesis about an author's underlying values, viewpoint, and purpose in media.
• Critique how effective media messages are by weighing purpose, evidence, and clarity.
• Analyze how symbolism, imagery, metaphor, and bias affect a media message.
• Explain how media include or leave out viewpoints and shape beliefs.
• Determine cause-and-effect links between media coverage and shifts in public opinion.

Research (R)

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