Virginia SOL 8.RI.2

8.RI.2 is a Standards of Learning standard. These are the knowledge and skills expectations under it.

• 8.RI.2.A

  Evaluate an author’s use of text features (e.g., boldface and italics; type set in color; underlining; indentation; sidebars; illustrations, graphics, and photo...

• 8.RI.2.B

  Analyze how an author’s word choice, organizational pattern, language structure, viewpoints, and qualifications impact meaning and credibility of a text.

• 8.RI.2.C

  Analyze how an author establishes and conveys a perspective or purpose in a text and acknowledges and responds to conflicting evidence or viewpoints.

01

What Students Need to Do

Students trace how a reader is guided through an article, from headings and graphics to sidebars and notes. They explain how wording, sentence structure, organization, viewpoint, and the writer's background affect meaning and trust. They determine the writer's purpose, then judge how fairly contrary evidence is handled.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

A student can point to specific features and passages, then explain how they guide understanding. The student connects wording, structure, viewpoint, and author background to meaning and credibility. The student can identify purpose and judge the treatment of opposing evidence.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students often name a heading, graphic, or sidebar without explaining its effect on the reader. They may confuse topic with purpose, trust credentials automatically, or assume that mentioning an opposing view means it was answered fairly.

04

How to Assess It

Give students a short article with a heading, graphic, author bio, and counterclaim. Ask them to explain how two choices affect understanding or credibility, then judge whether the counterclaim is answered fairly.

1. 01

   Pairs use four sticky-note colors to mark reader aids, wording, credentials, and opposing views, then write each choice's effect.

2. 02

   Ask students to write: Which author choice most shapes your trust in this article, and what specific evidence supports your answer?

3. 03

   Play an author choice match game: students pair feature cards with effect cards, then defend one match using a sample article.

4. 04

   Compare a product page with an independent review, noting how layout, wording, credentials, and counterclaims shape trust.

• 11.RL.2

  The 11th Grade version of this standard.

• 11.RI.2

  The 11th Grade version of this standard.

• 9.RL.2

  The 9th Grade version of this standard.

• 4.RL.2

  The 4th Grade version of this standard.