8.1.C
The Standard
advocate a position using anecdotes, analogies, and/or illustrations employing eye contact, speaking rate, volume, enunciation, a variety of natural gestures, and conventions of language to communicate ideas effectively
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for English Language Arts and Reading
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students take a clear position and support it with a brief story, comparison, or concrete example. They present the argument using clear speech, controlled pacing and volume, eye contact, natural gestures, and correct language.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student states a clear position and supports it with a relevant story, comparison, or example. The student explains the connection and speaks clearly with steady pacing, natural gestures, and regular eye contact.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may treat a personal story as proof without explaining how it supports the claim. They may speak too quickly, read from notes, use forced gestures, or confuse loudness with clear delivery.
How to Assess It
- Ask students to give a one-minute speech arguing for or against school uniforms. Require one anecdote, analogy, or illustration, plus clear volume, steady pacing, and eye contact.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give groups claim, anecdote, analogy, and illustration cards to match, then have each student deliver a 30-second argument.
Have students write and present a response to: Should eighth graders have homework every night?
Play Delivery Coach, where partners draw cards naming one skill, such as pacing or eye contact, and give focused feedback after each speech.
Stage a school board pitch where students propose one campus change and support it with a story, comparison, or concrete example.
Keep exploring
Related Standards
- 6.1.C
give an organized presentation with a specific stance and position, employing eye contact, speaking rate, volume, enunciation, natural gestures, and conventions...
- 5.1.C
give an organized presentation employing eye contact, speaking rate, volume, enunciation, natural gestures, and conventions of language to communicate ideas eff...
- 3.1.C
speak coherently about the topic under discussion, employing eye contact, speaking rate, volume, enunciation, and the conventions of language to communicate ide...
- 4.1.C
express an opinion supported by accurate information, employing eye contact, speaking rate, volume, enunciation, and the conventions of language to communicate ...
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