CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.8
The Standard
Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the usefulness of each source in answering the research question; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Writing Standards
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students find useful information from reliable print and digital sources. They use focused searches and judge each source for authority and relevance. They paraphrase, quote selectively, and cite sources without disrupting the writing.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student finds several reliable print and digital sources using focused search terms and filters. They explain how each source helps answer the research question. They blend selected quotations and paraphrases into clear writing with correct citations.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may trust the first search result or assume every .org site is reliable. They may choose a credible source that does not answer the question. Some copy wording too closely or list sources without adding in-text citations.
How to Assess It
- Give students a research question and three short source cards. Ask them to choose the best source, explain why, and paraphrase one fact with an in-text citation.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs four source printouts to rank by authority, relevance, evidence, and date, then defend their top choice.
Ask students to write: When might a trustworthy source still be a poor choice for your research question?
Run a search-query challenge where teams improve a broad search using quotation marks, exclusions, site filters, and date limits.
Investigate a school policy using a district document, local news report, and student post, then write a cited recommendation.
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Printable W.9-10.8 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.8, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
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