CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9-10.1
The Standard
Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects 6—12
What This Standard Means
Students need to write a clear argument about a topic from history, science, or a technical field. They should make a claim, support it with accurate evidence, explain how the evidence proves the point, and use the vocabulary and facts of the subject area.
Mastery looks like a focused claim, organized reasons, relevant evidence from sources or data, and explanation that connects back to the claim. Students often get stuck summarizing information instead of arguing, dropping in quotes without explaining them, or making claims that are too broad to prove.
Ways to Teach It
- Hands-on activity: Give students three source cards and have them sort evidence into supports, weak support, and does not support for one claim.
- Writing prompt: Should the school replace some textbooks with digital materials, using evidence from a short article and a cost chart?
- Quick assessment: Ask students to write one claim, one piece of evidence, and two sentences explaining how the evidence proves the claim.
- Real-world connection: Have students read a product safety report and write a short argument about whether the product should stay on the market.
What This Unlocks
Mastery here sets students up for these next.
Related Standards
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