Virginia SOL 11.LU.2.B
The Standard
Write and edit work so that it conforms to the guidelines in style manual, such as that of the Modern Language Association (MLA) or the American Psychological Association (APA).
Virginia Standards of Learning for English · Mechanics
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students format papers and source documentation according to an assigned style guide. They use the guide to find rules, check details, and edit inconsistencies.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A proficient student applies headings, spacing, page numbers, quotations, citations, and source list rules consistently. When unsure, the student finds the relevant rule and corrects the draft.
Common Misconceptions
- Students often mix MLA and APA features, trust citation generators without checking them, or treat formatting as decoration. They may format the source list correctly but omit matching in-text citations.
How to Assess It
- Give students a one-page draft with five errors in headings, spacing, citations, and the source list. Ask them to correct each error and cite one relevant guide section.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs a badly formatted sample paper, sticky notes, and a style guide, then have them label and fix eight errors.
Ask students to compare one MLA page and one APA page, then write which choices suit each academic field and why.
Run a citation relay where teams correct source cards and earn points only when they identify the matching rule in the manual.
Give students a mock college assignment sheet and have them format the first page and source list exactly as the professor requests.
Free download
Printable 11.LU.2.B Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 11.LU.2.B, 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.LU.2.B
Apply a style manual, such as that of the Modern Language Association (MLA) or the American Psychological Association (APA), to apply rules for punctuation and ...
- 12.LU.2.A
Apply a style manual, such as that of the Modern Language Association (MLA) or the American Psychological Association (APA), to apply rules for punctuation and ...
- 9.W.3.C
Edit writing for appropriate conventions, style, and language (See Language Usage for grade level expectations).
- 9.LU.2.B
Apply a style manual, such as that of the Modern Language Association (MLA) or the American Psychological Association (APA) to apply rules for citing sources.
Turn this exact standard into a lesson
Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.