Georgia 12.T.SS.2.c
The Standard
Build credibility through a consistent formal, authoritative tone indicative of a confident and knowledgeable expert. (C)
Georgia's K-12 English Language Arts Standards · Texts (T) · Structure & Style
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students choose precise words, sentence structures, and evidence that make academic writing sound informed and assured. They maintain that voice without slipping into slang, hedging, exaggeration, or unsupported claims.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can revise a paragraph so its word choice, sentence patterns, and level of certainty fit an academic audience. The writer states claims directly, uses evidence accurately, and avoids slang, exaggeration, and needless hedging.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think formal writing requires long words, jargon, or passive sentences. They may confuse authority with absolute certainty, exaggeration, or dismissing other views. Some shift between academic language and casual phrases.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Using the fact that pediatricians recommend later secondary school start times, write three sentences supporting a change in school schedules. Maintain formal language and explain how the fact supports your claim.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs sentence strips in formal, informal, hesitant, and exaggerated tones; have them sort, label, and revise two weak examples.
Ask, “When does confidence become overstatement?” Students compare two claims and justify which writer sounds more credible.
Run a tone consistency challenge: students replace one weak sentence in each paragraph, then earn points for matching diction and certainty.
Have students rewrite a real college email or public comment so it sounds informed, respectful, and confident.
Free download
Printable 12.T.SS.2.c Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 12.T.SS.2.c, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
Download the worksheetKeep exploring
Related Standards
- 10.T.SS.2.c
Use formal style when speaking or writing to establish credibility and tone. (C)
- 6.T.C.2.d
Use credible sources to research the answers to questions on academic and individual topics of interest. (C)
- 11.T.SS.2.c
The 11th Grade version of this standard.
- 9.T.SS.2.c
Use formal or informal style, as appropriate to audience, purpose, and context. (C)
Turn this exact standard into a lesson
Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.