CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.4

ELAGrades K–12Craft and Structure

The Standard

Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for Reading

What This Standard Means

Students need to figure out what words and phrases mean in context, not just from a dictionary. They should notice technical terms, emotional associations, figurative language, and repeated wording. They also need to explain how an author’s word choice affects meaning, mood, tone, or the reader’s reaction.

Mastery looks like pointing to exact words, explaining their likely meaning, and connecting them to the author’s purpose or tone. Students often get stuck by choosing the first dictionary definition, missing sarcasm or symbolism, or saying a word “sounds good” without explaining its effect.

Ways to Teach It

  • Give pairs a short poem or article excerpt, highlighters, and sticky notes to mark words that change the mood or meaning.
  • Ask students to write: Which three words in this paragraph most shape the tone, and what would change if they were replaced?
  • Use an exit ticket with one sentence from today’s text, asking students to define one key word and explain its effect.
  • Bring in a product review, song lyric, or sports headline and have students identify words meant to persuade or create feeling.

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Related Standards

Standard text verified against corestandards.org on July 10, 2026.

Page updated July 10, 2026.

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