CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.6
The Standard
Analyze the author's purpose in providing an explanation, describing a procedure, or discussing an experiment in a text.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Reading Standards for Literacy in Science and Technical Subjects 6—12
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students identify why an author includes an explanation, a procedure, or a discussion of an experiment. They use specific details to show how the section serves that purpose.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students state a specific purpose, such as explaining a result, guiding a procedure, or showing why an experiment matters. They cite relevant details and explain the connection.
Common Misconceptions
- Students often name the topic instead of the author’s purpose. They may say every passage aims “to inform” or choose evidence without explaining how it reveals the purpose.
How to Assess It
- Give students a short lab report excerpt. Ask: “Why did the author include this section, and which two details best support your answer?”
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give groups cut-up science text sections to sort as explanation, procedure, or experiment discussion, then label each author’s purpose.
Ask students to write: “Why did the author include this section rather than simply list the facts?”
Play Purpose-Evidence Match by pairing purpose cards with supporting sentences from short science and technical passages.
Compare a medicine label, assembly guide, and experiment summary to identify what each author wants the reader to understand or do.
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Printable RST.6-8.6 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.6, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.11-12.6
Analyze the author's purpose in providing an explanation, describing a procedure, or discussing an experiment in a text, identifying important issues that remai...
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Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and explain how it is conveyed in the text.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.6
Analyze the author's purpose in providing an explanation, describing a procedure, or discussing an experiment in a text, defining the question the author seeks ...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.6
Identify the main purpose of a text, including what the author wants to answer, explain, or describe.
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