South Dakota ELA 9-10.WHST.1.c
The Standard
- 9-10.WHST.1
- Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
Use appropriate and varied transitional words, phrases, and clauses to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships between claim(s) and reasons, between reasons and evidence, and between claim(s) and counterclaims.
South Dakota English Language Arts Standards (2025) · Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science and Technical Subjects
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students connect the parts of an argument so readers can follow their thinking. They choose words and phrases that show when they are giving a reason, offering evidence, or introducing an opposing view.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can link a claim to a reason with 'because' and a reason to data with 'for example.' They can open a new section with 'however' to signal an opposing view instead of using 'also' for every shift.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may use 'however' to add a supporting fact or put 'for example' before a new reason rather than evidence. Some use 'first,' 'second,' and 'third' at every section break, even when the ideas contrast.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Give students these sentences: 'The town should protect the wetland. It absorbs floodwater. A city report says nearby streets flooded half as often last year. Some residents want parking instead.' Ask them to add transitions that show how the reason, evidence, and opposing view relate to the claim.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs four sentence strips from a wetland argument and three transition cards, then have them arrange and tape a clear paragraph.
Ask students to rewrite 'Parking helps drivers, but wetlands limit floods' using 'although,' then discuss what the new opening emphasizes.
Play Transition Swap: display a short argument with three misplaced transitions, and have teams replace each one and explain their choices.
Give students a four-sentence bike lane letter to the town council and ask them to add transitions before one statistic and one opposing view.
Free download
Printable 9-10.WHST.1.c Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 9-10.WHST.1.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
- 11-12.W.1.c
Use appropriate and varied transitions and syntax to fluently link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships between claim(...
- 11-12.WHST.1.c
The Grades 11–12 version of this standard.
- 9-10.W.1.c
Use appropriate and varied transitional words, phrases, and clauses to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships betwe...
- 7.W.1.c
Use transitional words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), reasons, and evidence.
Turn this exact standard into a lesson
Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.
Also for this standard:Make a WorksheetMake a QuizMake a Sub Lesson