CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.8.6

ELA8th GradePresentation of Knowledge and Ideas

The Standard

Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Speaking and Listening Standards

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students adjust word choice, tone, volume, pacing, and detail for the audience, purpose, and setting. They use formal English when the situation calls for it.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students can explain the same topic to different audiences and make clear changes in wording, tone, pacing, and detail. Their formal speech uses complete sentences, precise terms, and a controlled tone.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think formal speech requires long words, a stiff voice, or no personality. They may use slang and fillers in formal settings or assume one speaking style fits every audience.
How to Assess It: Ask students to explain a later school start to a friend, then to the principal. Have them name three changes they made in tone, wording, or detail.

Lesson moves

Print audience and purpose cards; pairs draw one of each and give a 45-second announcement using a fitting tone and vocabulary.
Discuss: How should a request for a deadline extension sound when made to a friend, a teacher, and a principal?
Play Register Switch: speakers explain one topic, then revise immediately when classmates reveal a new audience card.
Record a mock voicemail to a workplace supervisor explaining an absence, using complete sentences, precise details, and a respectful tone.

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