South Dakota ELA 8.W.1.c
The Standard
- 8.W.1
- Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
Use varied syntax and transitional words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion, clarify relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence, and enhance the clarity and effectiveness of the argument.
South Dakota English Language Arts Standards (2025)
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students write an argument that connects a claim, reasons, evidence, and an opposing view. They vary sentence structure and use linking words to show support or contrast.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can use because to connect survey evidence to a claim. They can introduce an objection with although, answer it clearly, and vary short and long sentences.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may put however before evidence that supports their claim, making it sound like an objection. They may list a claim and a survey result without explaining how the result supports the claim.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Use these notes to write two connected sentences: school should start later; 18 of 25 surveyed students report too little sleep; some families need early drop-off. Use because to connect the survey result to the claim and although to introduce the objection.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs sentence strips with a claim, survey result, and counterclaim; have them arrange the strips and add linking words.
After 'School should start later,' compare 'because teens need sleep' with 'although buses cost more'; explain how each clause works.
Play transition match: students pair because, however, and for example with sentence cards about school lunches, then combine each pair.
Print a school lunch menu and student survey tally; students write a lunch-change proposal connecting their claim, tally, and a cost objection.
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