NY Next Generation ELA 7R4
The Standard
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings. Analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning, tone, and mood, including words with multiple meanings.
New York State Next Generation English Language Arts Learning Standards
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students determine contextual, figurative, connotative, and multiple meanings of words and phrases. They analyze how precise language shapes meaning, tone, and mood.
What Mastery Looks Like
- The student selects the intended meaning from context and explains its effect. The analysis connects exact wording to the author’s attitude, text meaning, or reader response.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may stop after defining a word and omit its impact. They may confuse tone with mood or claim an effect without citing language.
How to Assess It
- Provide a short passage with a figurative phrase and a connotative word. Ask students to explain both meanings and analyze their combined effect.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Annotate loaded and figurative language, then replace selected words to test shifts in tone.
Ask students which word most strongly shapes the mood and what alternative would change it.
Play Word Impact Match with excerpts, connotations, tones, and moods.
Compare language in two advertisements for the same type of product.
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Printable 7R4 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 7R4, 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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Related Standards
- 8R4
The 8th Grade version of this standard.
- 9-10R4
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings. Analyze the impact of specific word choice...
- 5R4
Determine the meaning of words, phrases, figurative language, academic, and content- specific words and analyze their effect on meaning, tone, or mood.
- 6R4
The 6th Grade version of this standard.
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