CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.2d

ELAGrades 9–10Text Types and Purposes

The Standard

Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to manage the complexity of the topic.

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts

What This Standard Means

Students need to choose words that fit the topic, audience, and purpose. They should use exact nouns, strong verbs, and subject-specific terms so their explanation is clear, not vague or oversimplified. The goal is to help readers follow a complex idea without getting lost.

Mastery looks like writing that uses terms correctly and explains them when needed. Students avoid filler words like things, stuff, good, bad, and many. They often get stuck by adding big words that do not fit, using terms without understanding them, or assuming the reader already knows the vocabulary.

Ways to Teach It

Give students a vague paragraph and a topic word bank, then have them replace weak words with precise academic and domain-specific terms.
Ask students to explain when a technical term should be defined for the reader and when context is enough.
Collect one sentence from each student that uses a domain-specific term, then check if the term is accurate and useful.
Have students revise a school handbook rule, a lab report step, or a sports explanation using precise vocabulary for that field.