CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.8
The Standard
Assess the extent to which the reasoning and evidence in a text support the author's claim or a recommendation for solving a scientific or technical problem.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Reading Standards for Literacy in Science and Technical Subjects 6—12
What This Standard Means
Students need to identify an author's claim or recommendation, then judge whether the reasons and evidence actually back it up. They should separate data, facts, examples, and expert statements from opinions or weak explanations.
Mastery looks like a student saying, “The recommendation is partly supported because the test results show X, but the author ignores Y.” Students often get stuck by accepting technical language as proof, missing gaps in evidence, or summarizing the text instead of evaluating the argument.
Ways to Teach It
- Hands-on: Give pairs a short lab equipment safety article and have them highlight claims in one color and evidence in another.
- Prompt: Ask students to write, “The author’s recommendation is strong or weak because the evidence shows...” using two quoted details.
- Quick assessment: Exit ticket with one claim, one piece of supporting evidence, and one missing or weak point from the text.
- Real-world connection: Analyze a product recall notice and decide whether the company’s recommended action is well supported by the evidence given.
Plan a Lesson for CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.9-10.8
Generate a complete lesson plan aligned to this standard, with objectives, activities, and materials. Free, no account needed.
What This Unlocks
Mastery here sets students up for these next.
Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.9-10.8
Assess the extent to which the reasoning and evidence in a text support the author's claims.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.11-12.1
Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts, attending to important distinctions the author makes and to any gaps or incon...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RST.6-8.1
Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts.