Virginia SOL 9.RI.2.A

ELA9th GradeReading Informational Text

The Standard

Compare characteristics of expository, technical, and persuasive texts, including their differences in purpose, format, and text structure.

Virginia Standards of Learning for English · Craft and Style

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students identify whether a text mainly explains a topic, gives specialized instructions, or argues for a position. They compare how the writer’s goal shapes organization, layout, and language.
What Mastery Looks Like: Given several samples, students accurately classify each one and cite clues from its structure and format. They explain how features such as headings, numbered steps, claims, or evidence support the writer’s goal.
Common Misconceptions: Students may label any factual writing as expository or assume technical writing simply uses difficult words. They may confuse persuasive claims with explanations and overlook texts that combine facts, steps, and opinions.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: Give students a product review, a how-to paragraph, and a textbook paragraph. Ask them to classify each and cite two features supporting each choice.

Lesson moves

Cut apart three sample texts and have groups highlight claims, steps, headings, and evidence, then sort the texts by type.
Ask, “How would the same topic change if the writer wanted to explain, instruct, or persuade?” Students name likely features.
Play Text Type Relay: teams match feature cards, such as numbered steps or counterclaims, to sample passages and justify each match.
Compare a phone manual, a news explainer, and an advertisement, then name how each format serves its audience and goal.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 9.RI.2.A, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

Keep exploring

Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.