CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.2b

ELA6th GradeText Types and Purposes

The Standard

Develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts

What This Standard Means

Students need to build an informative piece with evidence that actually teaches the reader something. They should choose facts, definitions, details, quotes, examples, and explanations that fit the topic and support the main idea, not just add random information.

Mastery looks like a paragraph where each piece of information has a clear job. Students often get stuck using vague facts, dropping in quotes without explaining them, or adding examples that are interesting but off topic. They also need practice balancing their own words with source material.

Ways to Teach It

Hands-on: Give students topic sentences and evidence strips, then have them sort, reject, and explain which details best support each topic.
Prompt: Which detail teaches the reader the most about your topic, and how will you explain why it matters?
Quick assessment: Ask students to highlight one fact, one definition, and one example in their draft, then label each purpose.
Real-world connection: Show a short museum sign or news explainer, then identify how facts, quotes, and examples help readers understand.