CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.2b
The Standard
Develop the topic with relevant, well-chosen facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students choose information that directly develops an informative topic. They use facts, definitions, details, quotations, and examples, then explain how each piece supports the main idea.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student develops each main idea with accurate, specific, and relevant information. The student chooses strong support, blends it smoothly into the writing, and explains how it helps readers understand the topic.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may assume more facts always make writing stronger, even when details repeat or drift from the topic. They may drop in quotations without context, explanation, or a clear link to the main idea.
How to Assess It
- Give students a topic and five possible supporting details. Ask them to select the two strongest details and write three sentences that introduce, use, and explain them.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give groups fact, definition, quotation, and example cards; have them sort by relevance to a topic, then rank the strongest three.
Ask: Which detail best explains why school start times affect students, and what makes it stronger than the others?
Play Evidence Draft: teams take turns selecting support for a sample paragraph and earn points for a clear relevance explanation.
Use a local news article to identify three supporting details, then explain in writing how each helps readers understand the issue.
Free download
Printable W.8.2b Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.2b, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
Download the worksheetLearning progression
Where This Standard Sits
Before This Standard
If students are struggling here, check these first.
What This Unlocks
Mastery here sets students up for these next.
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Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.2b
The 7th Grade version of this standard.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.2b
Develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.2b
Develop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples related to the topic.
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