CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9-10.5

ELAGrades 9–10Production and Distribution of Writing

The Standard

Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience.

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 treat writing as a process, not a one-shot assignment. They should plan before drafting, revise for ideas and organization, edit for clarity and correctness, and rewrite when the piece is not working. They also need to make choices based on purpose and audience.

Mastery looks like a student who can explain what they changed and why. In history, science, or technical writing, they keep the main claim, evidence, and reader in mind. Students often get stuck fixing only commas and spelling, or adding random details instead of improving the strongest points.

Ways to Teach It

Give students a weak lab conclusion or history paragraph and have them cut, move, add, and rewrite sentences with colored pens.
Ask students to write, 'My reader needs to understand ___, so I revised ___,' after peer review.
Collect one draft and one revision, then check whether the revision improves claim, evidence, organization, or clarity.
Have students revise a school safety email for two audiences, the principal and ninth graders.

What This Unlocks

Mastery here sets students up for these next.

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.11-12.5
Students carry forward planning, revising, editing, and audience-focused rewriting with the same writing process expectations at higher text complexity.

Related Standards

Ready to Teach This Standard?

Generate a complete lesson plan aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9-10.5, with objectives, activities, and materials. Free, no account needed.

Chat About This Standard Generate a Lesson Plan