CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.8.7

ELA8th GradeResearch to Build and Present Knowledge

The Standard

Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question), drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration.

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Writing Standards

What This Standard Means

Students need to ask a researchable question, gather information from several sources, and use what they find to shape better follow-up questions. They should move past copying facts and start steering their own research based on what the sources reveal.

Mastery looks like a focused question, notes from credible sources, and a clear record of new questions that open different paths. Students often get stuck with questions that are too broad, sources that repeat the same idea, or notes that list facts without connecting them.

Ways to Teach It

Hands-on activity: Give students three short articles on school start times and have them sort facts, questions, and possible subtopics on sticky notes.
Writing prompt: After reading two sources, write one new question that narrows your topic and one question that broadens it.
Quick assessment: Collect each student’s research question, two source titles, and three follow-up questions on an index card.
Real-world connection: Have students research a local issue, like cafeteria waste, and list questions they would ask a principal or community member.