CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.11-12.2
The Standard
Write informative/explanatory texts, including the narration of historical events, scientific procedures/experiments, or technical processes.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects 6—12
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students explain a historical event, scientific procedure, experiment, or technical process clearly and accurately. They organize ideas, select relevant evidence, define key terms, and connect details logically for a specific audience.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students organize complex information so readers can follow the topic, event, experiment, or process. They use accurate evidence, precise vocabulary, clear transitions, and a conclusion that follows from the explanation.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may list facts without showing how the ideas connect. They may also use vague terms, assume readers know the background, or add opinions unsupported by evidence.
How to Assess It
- Give students a diagram of a simple process and ask for one paragraph explaining how it works. Check for logical order, precise terms, transitions, and relevant details.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give students shuffled cards from a lab procedure, then have them sequence the steps and write a clear explanation using precise transitions.
Ask students to explain why background information matters when describing a historical event to a reader unfamiliar with the period.
Play a revision relay where teams improve a vague process paragraph by adding precise terms, evidence, transitions, and a stronger conclusion.
Have students write instructions for a school task, such as submitting an assignment online, then test them with a classmate.
Free download
Printable WHST.11-12.2 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.11-12.2, 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
See the whole path on the Writing: History, Science & Technical Subjects progression map.
Before This Standard
If students are struggling here, check these first.
Keep exploring
Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.2
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.2
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.2
The 7th Grade version of this standard.
Turn this exact standard into a lesson
Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.