CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.11-12.7
The Standard
Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
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 develop a focused research question and gather information from several credible sources. They adjust the scope when needed and combine findings into a supported answer or solution.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students can frame a manageable question, choose useful sources, and revise the question as their understanding grows. Their final explanation connects ideas across sources and supports a clear answer or solution.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may treat the first question as fixed, even when sources suggest a better focus. They often summarize sources one at a time, pile up quotations, or confuse many sources with strong synthesis.
How to Assess It
- Give students three short source excerpts and a broad question. Ask them to narrow the question and write four sentences that combine evidence from two excerpts.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give groups topic cards and source cards, then have them sort evidence into themes and revise their research question based on gaps.
Ask students to write: How did one source change, narrow, or complicate your research question?
Play Question Zoom, where teams revise broad questions through three rounds until each can guide a focused research project.
Investigate a school problem using survey data, one interview, and a policy document, then write a supported recommendation.
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Printable WHST.11-12.7 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.11-12.7, 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
See the whole path on the Writing: History, Science & Technical Subjects progression map.
Before This Standard
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Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.7
The Grades 9–10 version of this standard.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.W.7
Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.7
The Grades 11–12 version of this standard.
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