CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.9b
The Standard
Apply grades 11—12 Reading standards to literary nonfiction (e.g., "Delineate and evaluate the reasoning in seminal U.S. texts, including the application of constitutional principles and use of legal reasoning [e.g., in U.S. Supreme Court Case majority opinions and dissents] and the premises, purposes, and arguments in works of public advocacy [e.g., The Federalist, presidential addresses]").
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts
What This Standard Means
Students need to use strong reading skills when writing about literary nonfiction. They should trace an author's claims, evidence, reasoning, purpose, and assumptions, then use that analysis in a clear written response. Texts may include speeches, court opinions, essays, or public arguments.
Mastery looks like writing that explains how an argument works, not just what it says. Students should quote or paraphrase accurately, connect evidence to reasoning, and judge effectiveness. Common trouble spots are summarizing instead of analyzing, missing the author's purpose, and treating famous texts as automatically persuasive.
Ways to Teach It
- Give pairs a majority opinion excerpt and a dissent excerpt, then have them color-code claims, evidence, and constitutional principles.
- Ask students to write: Which part of this argument is strongest, and which assumption is most open to challenge?
- Use an exit ticket with one claim from the text, asking students to name the evidence and explain the reasoning.
- Have students compare a presidential address to a current public statement on the same issue, focusing on purpose and audience.
Before This Standard
If students are struggling here, check these first.
Plan a Lesson for CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.9b
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