CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.9b
The Standard
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 reasoning is valid and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; identify false statements and fallacious reasoning").
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students map an author’s main position and the smaller points used to build it. They test the logic and source support, spot misleading moves, and cite details when explaining their judgment in writing.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can label claims, evidence, and reasoning in an essay or speech. The student can explain why support does or does not prove a point, name a logical flaw, and cite the passage accurately.
Common Misconceptions
- Students often treat any fact or quotation as strong support, even when it does not address the claim. They may confuse disagreement with faulty logic or assume an emotional appeal is always invalid. Some summarize the argument instead of judging how well it works.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Read, “Our school should replace printed novels with tablets because tablets are newer, and my cousin likes hers.” Identify the claim, judge both reasons, and cite one phrase.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Print claim, evidence, and reasoning strips from an editorial, then have students sort and connect them while removing irrelevant pieces.
After reading a speech, ask students to write: Which claim is best supported, and which exact evidence makes it strongest?
Run a Fallacy Match game with cards for hasty generalization, false choice, circular reasoning, and personal attack paired with sample statements.
Compare two advertisements for the same product, then have students write which makes the more credible claim and why.
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Printable W.9-10.9b Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.9b, 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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Where This Standard Sits
Before This Standard
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Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.7.9b
Apply grade 7 Reading standards to literary nonfiction (e.g. "Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is ...
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.9b
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 sup...
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