CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9-10.7
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 relevant evidence from several reliable sources. They adjust the question as new information appears. They combine findings to reach a supported conclusion or solution.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can plan and complete research that fits the available time and materials. They connect evidence from several sources, explain agreements or conflicts, and revise the question when needed.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may treat a broad topic as a research question or use the first search results they find. They often summarize sources one at a time instead of connecting findings. Some keep an unworkable question rather than revising its scope.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Give students three short source excerpts and ask them to write a focused question, combine two findings, and name one needed revision.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give groups four source excerpts and sticky notes, then have them sort evidence by claim and revise a research question.
Ask students to write: How did your evidence change, narrow, or expand your original question?
Play Synthesis Match by having teams pair evidence cards from different sources and explain the connection in one sentence.
Have students investigate a school issue, such as cafeteria waste, and present an evidence-based recommendation to an administrator.
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Printable WHST.9-10.7 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9-10.7, 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.
What This Unlocks
Mastery here sets students up for these next.
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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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