English Language Arts Grade 8-10 Benchmarks

East Central Ohio Area Media Center

Resources for English Language Arts Grade 8-10 Benchmarks

Phonemic Awareness, Word Recognition and Fluency

This standard is a K-3 standard. Therefore, there are no benchmarks beyond third grade.

Acquisition of Vocabulary

A. Use context clues and text structures to determine the meaning of new vocabulary.

B. Examine the relationships of analogical statements to infer word meanings.

C. Recognize the importance and function of figurative language.

D. Explain how different events have influenced and changed the English language.

E. Apply knowledge of roots and affixes to determine the meanings of complex words and subject area vocabulary.

F. Use multiple resources to enhance comprehension of vocabulary.

Reading Process: Concepts of Print, Comprehension Strategies and Self-Monitoring Strategies

A. Apply reading comprehension strategies to understand grade-appropriate text.

B. Demonstrate comprehension of print and electronic text by responding to questions (e.g., literal, inferential, evaluative and synthesizing).

C. Use appropriate self-monitoring strategies for comprehension.

Reading Applications: Informational, Technical and Persuasive Text

A. Evaluate how features and characteristics make information accessible and usable and how structures help authors achieve their purposes.

B. Identify examples of rhetorical devices and valid and invalid inferences, and explain how authors use these devices to achieve their purposes and reach their intended audiences.

C. Analyze whether graphics supplement textual information and promote the authoršs purpose.

D. Explain and analyze how an author appeals to an audience and develops an argument or viewpoint in text.

E. Utilize multiple sources pertaining to a singular topic to critique the various ways authors develop their ideas (e.g., treatment, scope and organization).

Reading Applications: Literary Text

A. Analyze interactions between characters in literary text and how the interactions affect the plot.

B. Explain and analyze how the context of setting and the authoršs choice of point of view impact a literary text.

C. Identify the structural elements of the plot and explain how an author develops conflicts and plot to pace the events in literary text.

E. Analyze the use of a genre to express a theme or topic.

F. Identify and analyze how an author uses figurative language, sound devices and literary techniques to shape plot, set meaning and develop tone.

G. Explain techniques used by authors to develop style.

Writing Processes

A. Formulate writing ideas and identify a topic appropriate to the purpose and audience.

B. Determine the usefulness of organizers and apply appropriate pre-writing tasks.

C. Use revision strategies to improve the style, variety of sentence structure, clarity of the controlling idea, logic, effectiveness of word choice and transitions between paragraphs, passages or ideas.

D. Edit to improve sentence fluency, grammar and usage.

E. Apply tools to judge the quality of writing.

F. Prepare writing for publication that is legible, follows an appropriate format and uses techniques such as electronic resources and graphics.

Writing Applications

A. Compose narratives that establish a specific setting, plot and a consistent point of view, and develop characters by using sensory details and concrete language.

B. Write responses to literature that extend beyond the summary and support references to the text, other works, other authors or to personal knowledge.

C. Produce letters (e.g., business, letters to the editor, job applications) that follow the conventional style appropriate to the text and that include appropriate details and exclude extraneous details and inconsistencies.

D. Use documented textual evidence to justify interpretations of literature or to support a research topic.

E. Write a persuasive piece that states a clear position, includes relevant information and offers compelling evidence in the form of facts and details.

Writing Conventions

A. Use correct spelling conventions.

B. Use correct punctuation and capitalization.

C. Demonstrate understanding of the grammatical conventions of the English language.

Research

A. Formulate open-ended research questions suitable for investigation and adjust questions as necessary while research is conducted.

B. Evaluate the usefulness and credibility of data and sources.

C. Organize information from various resources and select appropriate sources to support central ideas, concepts and themes.

D. Use style guides to produce oral and written reports that give proper credit for sources (e.g., words, ideas, images and information) and include an acceptable format for source acknowledgement.

E. Communicate findings, reporting on the substance and processes orally, visually and in writing or through multimedia.

Communications: Oral and Visual

A. Use a variety of strategies to enhance listening comprehension.

B. Analyze the techniques used by speakers and media to influence an audience, and evaluate the effect this has on the credibility of a speaker or media message.

C. Evaluate the content and purpose of a presentation by analyzing the language and delivery choices made by a speaker.

D. Demonstrate an understanding of effective speaking strategies by selecting appropriate language and adjusting presentation techniques.

E. Give informational presentations that present ideas in a logical sequence, include relevant facts and details from multiple sources and use a consistent organizational structure.

F. Provide persuasive presentations that use varied speaking techniques and strategies and include a clear controlling idea or thesis.

G. Give presentations using a variety of delivery methods, visual displays and technology.

Other English Language Arts Grade Level Benchmarks

K-3 Reading Benchmarks

K-2 Writing Benchmarks

3-4 Writing Benchmarks

5-7 Writing Benchmarks

11-12 Reading & Writing Benchmarks

Other Academic Content Standards