CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.9b
The Standard
Apply grade 6 Reading standards to literary nonfiction (e.g., "Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not").
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students analyze arguments in literary nonfiction by identifying claims, reasons, and evidence. They judge whether the evidence supports each claim, then use text details in their own writing.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students can trace how an author connects a claim, reasons, and evidence. They can quote or paraphrase relevant details and explain why a claim is well supported or unsupported.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may confuse the topic or the author’s opinion with a specific claim. They may treat any fact as strong evidence, even when it does not support the claim. Some summarize the text instead of judging the author’s reasoning.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Name one claim from the assigned essay, cite one supporting detail, and explain whether that detail supports the claim.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs cut-up claim, reason, and evidence cards from a short essay, then have them build and defend the strongest chain.
Read a personal essay and ask students to write which claim is strongest, using two details to explain their choice.
Run an evidence auction where teams spend ten tokens on details that best support a stated claim, then justify each purchase.
Examine a school newspaper opinion column, check its claims against its sources, and write whether readers should trust the argument.
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Printable W.6.9b Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.9b, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.9b
Apply grades 9—10 Reading standards to literary nonfiction (e.g., "Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reas...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.9a
Apply grade 6 Reading standards to literature (e.g., "Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres [e.g., stories and poems; historical novels and fa...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.9b
Apply grade 8 Reading standards to literary nonfiction (e.g., "Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasonin...
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