Grade 9 English (Virginia SOL)

Developing Skilled Readers and Building Reading Stamina (DSR)

• 9.DSR Build knowledge and comprehension by reading challenging texts, gathering evidence, and using strategies.
• Read complex texts fluently, monitoring and self-correcting word recognition and meaning.
• Understand literary and informational texts in the lower part of the grades 9–10 complexity band.
• Support responses with several accurate pieces of evidence, noting where they appear.
• Read sets of related texts on a topic to build knowledge and vocabulary.
• Use reading strategies when understanding breaks down in a challenging text.

Reading and Vocabulary (RV)

• Build vocabulary and word knowledge systematically from grade 9 content and texts.
• 9.RV.1 Vocabulary development and word analysis.
• Use general academic and subject-specific vocabulary accurately in reading, discussion, and writing.
• Use context and sentence structure to clarify literal and figurative meanings.
• Use roots, affixes, and word origins to explain unfamiliar complex words.
• Tell connotation from denotation and interpret connotations.
• Identify and explain idioms in context.
• Explain allusions and figurative language and analyze their role in texts.
• Use new words and phrases in a range of contexts, including speaking and writing.

Reading Literary Text (RL)

• Use textual evidence to show comprehension of complex narratives, literary nonfiction, poetry, and drama.
• 9.RL.1 Key ideas and details.
• Explain themes and how characters, setting, and plot develop them.
• Analyze the features of literary forms and how structure shapes meaning and style.
• Tell types of characters apart and explain their effect on theme.
• Describe how dramatic conventions shape theme and effect in plays.
• 9.RL.2 Craft and style.
• Analyze rhyme, rhythm, sound, imagery, and other poetic devices and their emotional effect.
• Explain how word choice, syntax, tone, and voice shape meaning.
• Explain point of view and implied meaning in hyperbole, irony, sarcasm, and understatement.
• 9.RL.3 Integration of concepts.
• Describe how a text's social or historical role depends on its context.
• Explain how setting, plot, characters, and other literary elements relate to each other.

Reading Informational Text (RI)

• Use textual evidence to show comprehension and build knowledge from complex informational texts.
• 9.RI.1 Key ideas and details.
• Analyze how main ideas are developed through details to reveal the author's purpose.
• Explain the purpose of and interpret data in maps, charts, graphs, timelines, tables, and diagrams.
• Tell facts, reasoned judgments, and speculation apart to confirm or modify arguments.
• 9.RI.2 Craft and style.
• Compare expository, technical, and persuasive texts by purpose, format, and structure.
• Analyze word choice and rhetorical appeals (ethos, logos, pathos) used to persuade.
• 9.RI.3 Integration of concepts.
• Compare authors' perspectives on the same topic, including the details they stress.
• Evaluate the clarity and accuracy of information by checking it against other sources.

Writing (W)

• Write in a range of forms for different audiences and purposes, with emphasis on expository and persuasive writing.
• 9.W.1 Modes and purposes for writing.
• Write extended pieces with a clear introduction, logical structure, developed evidence, and conclusion.
• Write reflectively, comparing two or more texts with evidence to support a position.
• Routinely write shorter and longer pieces for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences.
• 9.W.2 Organization and composition.
• Plan, draft, revise, and edit for audience and purpose, using a thesis, transitions, and counterarguments.
• 9.W.3 Usage and mechanics.
• Revise for clarity of content, accuracy, and enough elaboration.
• Use peer and self-evaluation to edit for clarity and quality.
• Edit for conventions, style, and language suited to the grade.

Language Usage (LU)

• Use Standard English conventions and tell formal from informal contexts.
• 9.LU.1 Grammar.
• Use parallel structure to link and compare or contrast ideas.
• Build a range of sentence structures for variety.
• Use active and passive voice appropriately.
• Use appositives and main and subordinate clauses to clarify meaning.
• Keep verb tense consistent in speaking and writing.
• 9.LU.2 Mechanics.
• Use commas and semicolons to join closely related independent clauses.
• Apply MLA or APA rules for citing sources.
• Spell correctly, using reference materials as needed.

Communication and Multimodal Literacies (C)

• Develop oral communication and collaboration skills to build a community of learners.
• 9.C.1 Communication, listening, and collaboration.
• Lead and contribute to sustained, respectful discussions with a range of partners.
• 9.C.2 Speaking and presenting ideas.
• Present orally with suitable vocabulary and tone and evaluate introductions, central ideas, and conclusions.
• Memorize and recite a short selection with expression that suits its tone and voice.
• 9.C.3 Integrating multimodal literacies.
• Use multimodal tools strategically.
• Monitor and analyze several streams of information at once.
• Create media messages for a range of audiences and purposes.
• 9.C.4 Examining media messages.
• Determine the purpose of a media message and its effect on the audience.
• Analyze persuasive techniques used across media formats.
• Evaluate credibility, word choice, viewpoint, and bias in media presentations.
• Examine how the values included or left out shape beliefs, behavior, and interpretation.
• Evaluate how a source's intent relates to its factual content.
• Identify cause-and-effect links between media coverage and trends in public opinion.

Research (R)

• Conduct research and read related texts on chosen topics to build knowledge.
• 9.R.1 Evaluate and synthesise information.
• Write and revise research questions, broadening or narrowing them as needed.
• Gather and organize information from a range of sources, including databases.
• Evaluate sources for credibility, reliability, accuracy, usefulness, bias, and conflicting information.
• 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 rules for using information.
• Use the internet, AI tools, and new technologies ethically and responsibly.