CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.3c
The Standard
Differentiate between contexts that call for formal English (e.g., presenting ideas) and situations where informal discourse is appropriate (e.g., small-group discussion).
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students choose words, sentence patterns, and tone that fit their audience and purpose. They adjust the same message for a presentation, adult conversation, or peer discussion.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students use clear, complete sentences and respectful word choices when addressing an audience. They can make the same message sound more conversational for classmates while keeping it clear and appropriate.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think formal language requires long words or a stiff voice. They may also think informal language allows poor grammar, rude comments, or texting abbreviations in every setting.
How to Assess It
- Give students the message, “Can you tell me about the field trip?” Have them write one version for the principal and one for a classmate.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs situation cards to sort into formal and informal groups, then have them write one suitable greeting for each card.
Ask students to write how they would request help from a friend, a teacher, and the principal, then compare their wording.
Play a language switch game where students draw an audience card and restate the same message to suit that audience.
Compare a school announcement with a text to a friend, and highlight words, greetings, and sentence patterns that fit each audience.
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Printable L.4.3c Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.3c, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.5.6
Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, using formal English when appropriate to task and situation.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.8.6
Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.7.6
Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.4.6
Differentiate between contexts that call for formal English (e.g., presenting ideas) and situations where informal discourse is appropriate (e.g., small-group d...
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