Virginia SOL 12.W
SOL Standard (Knowledge and Skills Cluster)
The student will write in a variety of forms for diverse audiences and purposes linked to grade twelve content and text, with an emphasis on technical writing.
Virginia Standards of Learning for English
Cluster contents
Knowledge and Skills in This Standard
12.W is a Standards of Learning standard. These are the knowledge and skills expectations under it.
- 12.W.1
Modes and Purposes for Writing
- 12.W.1.A.i
Introduce a topic clearly by providing context, presenting well-defined theses, and previewing what follows.
- 12.W.1.A.ii
Adopt an organizational structure that clarifies relationships among ideas and concepts.
- 12.W.1.A.iii
Develop the topic through sustained use of the most significant and relevant facts, concrete details, quotations, or other information from multiple authoritati...
- 12.W.1.A.iv
Provide a concluding section that follows from the information or explanation presented.
- 12.W.1.B.i
Describe personal qualifications for potential occupational or educational opportunities.
- 12.W.1.B.ii
Create clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style matches the intended audience and purpose of the workplace and/or post-secon...
- 12.W.1.B.iii
Generate technical writing (e.g., job description, questionnaire, job application, or business communication) that clearly address specific audiences with ident...
- 12.W.1.C
Blend multiple modes of writing, by routinely engaging in the production of shorter and longer pieces that adapt vocabulary, voice, and tone for a range of audi...
- 12.W.2
Organization and Composition
- 12.W.2.A.i
Composing a thesis statement that clearly communicates the writer’s position or assertion.
- 12.W.2.A.ii
Organizing claims, counterclaims, and evidence in a sustained and logical sequence to exhibit unity.
- 12.W.2.A.iii
Selecting appropriate evidence from multiple texts to clarify ideas, illustrate a counterargument, and/or strengthen a thesis in writing.
- 12.W.2.A.iv
Contextualizing evidence from sources effectively with proper introduction and thorough explanation and appropriate citation.
- 12.W.2.A.v
Embedding narrative techniques and organizing information logically and effectively to guide the audience from one idea to another with transitional words and p...
- 12.W.2.A.vi
Elaborating ideas clearly and effectively through syntactic structure, subordination of ideas, sensory/ concrete details, diction, and purposeful word choice.
- 12.W.3
Usage and Mechanics
- 12.W.3.A
Revise writing for clarity of content, accuracy, and depth of information.
- 12.W.3.B
Use peer- and self-evaluation to edit writing for clarity and quality of information, addressing strengths and making suggestions regarding how writing might be...
- 12.W.3.C
Edit writing for appropriate conventions, style, and language in informal and formal contexts. (See Language Usage for grade level expectations)
- 12.W.3.D
Write and revise to a standard acceptable both in the workplace and in postsecondary education.
Teacher's field guide
What This Cluster Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students write polished extended and technical pieces for specific readers and goals. They build a clear thesis, organize ideas logically, and explain cited evidence from reliable sources. They adjust tone and format, then revise for clarity, accuracy, and correctness.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A proficient student can turn several reliable sources into a focused, well-organized explanation or argument. The student introduces and explains evidence, addresses counterclaims, adapts tone and format, and edits to workplace or college standards.
Common Misconceptions
- Technical writing does not mean using jargon or writing only about science. Students may drop in quotations without context, list evidence without explaining it, or use the same casual voice for every audience. They may treat spellcheck as revision and overlook organization, depth, and source quality.
How to Assess It
- Give students two brief source excerpts and this prompt: Write a 250-word memo recommending one school policy change to the principal. Require a clear claim, one counterclaim, two cited details, and a specific closing recommendation.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give groups a cut-up report to sequence, then have them label the thesis, evidence, counterclaim, transitions, and conclusion.
Rewrite the same request as an email to a friend, a professor, and a hiring manager, then compare tone and detail.
Run an evidence auction where teams spend points on source cards, then defend which facts are authoritative, relevant, and worth citing.
Use a real internship posting to draft a tailored cover email that names two qualifications and matches the employer’s language.
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Printable 12.W Worksheet
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Related Standards
- 10.W
The student will write in a variety of forms for diverse audiences and purposes linked to grade ten content and texts with an emphasis on argumentative writing.
- 9.W
The student will write in various forms for diverse audiences and purposes linked to grade nine content and texts with an emphasis on expository and persuasive ...
- 11.W
The student will write in a variety of forms for diverse audiences and purposes linked to grade eleven content and text with an emphasis on argumentative and an...
- 2.W
The student will write in a variety of forms for diverse audiences and purposes, linked to grade two content and texts.
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