CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.6-8.2a

ELA7th GradeText Types and Purposes

The Standard

Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information into broader categories as appropriate to achieving purpose; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts

What This Standard Means

Students need to open an informative piece with a clear topic and a short preview of what the reader will learn. They also need to group related facts into sections that make sense, using headings, charts, tables, images, or slides only when those tools help the reader understand.

Mastery looks like a report, article, or presentation that feels planned before it starts. The reader can predict the main parts, follow the order, and use visuals without confusion. Students often get stuck by listing facts randomly, writing vague introductions, making headings too cute to be useful, or adding pictures that decorate instead of explain.

Ways to Teach It

Hands-on activity: Give students shuffled fact cards about a topic and have them sort cards into labeled section headings before writing an introduction.
Writing prompt: Write three possible openings for a school cafeteria report, then choose the one that best previews the main sections.
Quick assessment: Show a short student draft and ask students to underline the topic, box the preview, and rate the headings from 1 to 4.
Real-world connection: Compare two museum exhibit signs, one with clear headings and a chart and one without, then discuss which is easier to use.

Related Standards

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