CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.3
The Standard
Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Language Standards
What This Standard Means
Students need to choose language that fits the purpose, audience, and situation. They should adjust word choice, sentence style, tone, and formality when they write or speak. They also need to notice how authors use language choices to create meaning or effect.
Mastery looks like a student revising a sentence for a different audience and explaining why the change works. Students often get stuck using one tone for everything, adding big words that do not fit, or changing grammar without changing the effect on the reader or listener.
Ways to Teach It
- Hands-on activity: Give pairs three audience cards, then have them rewrite the same announcement for a principal, a friend, and a public sign.
- Discussion or writing prompt: Ask students, “How does word choice change when you want to sound respectful, funny, serious, or excited?”
- Quick assessment: Show two versions of a sentence and have students circle the better fit for the audience, then write one reason.
- Real-world connection: Bring in a school email, sports flyer, and text message, then compare how each uses tone and word choice.
Before This Standard
If students are struggling here, check these first.
Plan a Lesson for CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.3
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What This Unlocks
Mastery here sets students up for these next.
Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.3
Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.8.3
Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.2.3
Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.