Virginia SOL 3.C.2.A.iii
The Standard
Using language (formal or informal) and style as appropriate to audience, topic, and purpose.
Virginia Standards of Learning for English · Speaking and Presentation of Ideas
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students adjust their words and speaking style for the people listening and the reason they are speaking. They use a more formal or informal tone when each one fits.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students choose words, tone, and details that fit their listeners and reason for speaking. They can explain why they would speak differently to a classmate, teacher, or community guest.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may use slang or private jokes when speaking to an unfamiliar audience. They may think formal language means using long words, or switch styles without considering their purpose.
How to Assess It
- Give an exit ticket with two audiences: a close friend and the principal. Students write one opening sentence for each audience about the same school event.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs audience cards, such as kindergartners or the principal, and have them present the same playground update using fitting language.
Ask students to rewrite an informal message to a friend as a formal announcement for families, then explain each change.
Play Audience Switch: students describe a book, draw a new audience card, and repeat the description with a fitting tone and word choice.
Students record two voicemail greetings about a class event, one for a friend and one for a community guest.
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Printable 3.C.2.A.iii Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 3.C.2.A.iii, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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Related Standards
- 6.C.2.A.iii
Using language, vocabulary, and style appropriate to the audience, topic, and purpose.
- 4.C.2.A.iii
Using language (formal or informal) and style as appropriate to the audience, topic, or purpose.
- 9.C.2.A.i
Choosing vocabulary, language and tone appropriate to the topic, audience, and purpose.
- 10.C.2.A.i
Choosing vocabulary, language, and tone appropriate to the topic, audience, and purpose.
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