Virginia SOL 12.W.1.A.iii
The Standard
Develop the topic through sustained use of the most significant and relevant facts, concrete details, quotations, or other information from multiple authoritative sources appropriate to the audience’s knowledge.
Virginia Standards of Learning for English
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students build an extended piece by selecting the strongest facts, examples, and quotations from several credible sources. They organize and explain that evidence so the topic develops clearly for a specific audience.
What Mastery Looks Like
- The paper develops each main point with well-chosen evidence from several credible sources. Quotations and details are introduced, explained, and connected rather than dropped into paragraphs. Background and terminology fit what the intended reader already knows.
Common Misconceptions
- Students often stack quotations without explaining how each one develops the topic. They may choose sources because they are easy to find, not because they are reliable or useful. Some repeat the same point with several facts or assume readers already know key context.
How to Assess It
- Give students three short source excerpts and identify the audience as parents unfamiliar with the issue. Ask for one developed paragraph using two excerpts, with context and an explanation after each detail.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give groups source cards on one issue; students sort them by credibility and relevance, then build an evidence sequence on chart paper.
Ask, “What would a new reader need explained before this evidence makes sense?” Students revise one paragraph for that audience.
Run an Evidence Draft game: teams draw a claim card and choose two strong source details while rejecting one weak detail.
Have students create a city council briefing using a government report, local news story, and expert interview for residents.
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- 5.C.2.A.i
Using content specific vocabulary, appropriate fact,s and relevant descriptive details to support themes or central ideas.
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