Virginia SOL 11.W.2.A.iii
The Standard
Effectively contextualizing evidence from sources with proper introduction and thorough explanation.
Virginia Standards of Learning for English
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students decide what readers need to know before a quotation or paraphrase appears. They introduce the source, present evidence accurately, and explain how it supports the claim and purpose.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students write paragraphs in which evidence fits smoothly between a clear claim and a full explanation. Their introductions give readers needed context, and their explanations show why the evidence matters for the intended audience.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may drop a quotation into a paragraph without naming the source or setting up its meaning. They may assume a citation explains relevance, or they may repeat the evidence instead of connecting it to the claim.
How to Assess It
- Give students a claim and a two-sentence source excerpt. Ask them to write three sentences that introduce the source, use the evidence, and explain how it supports the claim.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs evidence cards and paragraph frames, then have them place each quote between a source introduction and two explanation sentences.
Compare a dropped quotation with a contextualized version, then ask students to explain which better serves the audience and why.
Play Quote Sandwich Relay, where teams race to add an accurate signal phrase and a clear explanation to each evidence slip.
Revise a letter to the school board by adding context and explanation around evidence from a student survey.
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Related Standards
- 8.W.2.A.iii
Stating and defending conclusions or positions with reasons and precise, relevant evidence and complete explanation of how evidence and details support a positi...
- 7.W.2.A.iii
Defending conclusions or positions with reasons and precise, relevant evidence (e.g., facts, definitions, details, quotations, and examples).
- 7.C.2.A.ii
Providing evidence to support the main ideas, including pertinent descriptions, facts, details, and examples.
- 12.W.2.A.iv
Contextualizing evidence from sources effectively with proper introduction and thorough explanation and appropriate citation.
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