CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9-10.8

ELAGrades 9–10Research to Build and Present Knowledge

The Standard

Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the usefulness of each source in answering the research question; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.

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 find information from several trustworthy print and digital sources by using focused search terms and filters. They judge each source's usefulness, choose relevant evidence, blend it into their writing, and cite it in a standard format.

What Mastery Looks Like

Students use focused searches to find credible print and digital sources that directly address a research question. They select, paraphrase, and connect evidence smoothly, then cite it consistently without copying source language.

Common Misconceptions

Students may treat the first search result as reliable or assume every fact they find belongs in the paper. They may copy wording too closely, add citations inconsistently, or confuse a bibliography entry with an in-text citation.

How to Assess It

Give students three short sources on one question. Ask them to choose the most useful source, explain why, paraphrase one relevant fact, and cite it correctly.

Lesson moves

Ways to Teach It

  1. Set out books, articles, and webpages; students rank each source for authority, relevance, and usefulness using evidence cards.

  2. Ask students to explain which of two sources better answers a shared research question and defend their choice in four sentences.

  3. Run a search-string challenge where teams revise keywords, quotation marks, and filters to locate the strongest source within ten minutes.

  4. Have students investigate a local policy question, select two reliable sources, and write a cited recommendation for the school board.

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Printable WHST.9-10.8 Worksheet

Preview of the CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9-10.8 printable worksheet

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.WHST.9-10.8, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

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Learning progression

Where This Standard Sits

See the whole path on the Writing: History, Science & Technical Subjects progression map.

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