Core Content Connectors by Common Core State Standards: English Language Arts-Language Standards Grades 9-12

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College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for Language

Conventions of Standard English

1. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
2. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
3. Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening.

Language Standards

Grade 9-10 students:	Grade 11-12 students:
1. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. 1a. Use parallel structure. 1b. Use various types of phrases (noun, verb, adjectival, adverbial, participial, prepositional, absolute) and clauses (independent, dependent; noun, relative, adverbial) to convey specific meanings and add variety and interest to writing or presentations.	1. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. 1a. Apply the understanding that usage is a matter of convention, can change over time, and is sometimes contested. 1b. Resolve issues of complex or contested usage, consulting references (e.g., Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of English Usage, Garner's Modern American English) as needed.
CCCs
910.WA.4 Use parallel structure (e.g., when using gerunds [-ing], infinitives, or voice [active or passive]) within writing.	No CCCs written for grade level
910.WA.5 Use various types of phrases (noun, verb, adjectival, adverbial, participial, prepositional, absolute) and clauses (independent, dependent; noun, relative, adverbial) to convey meaning and add interest to writing.

Grade 9-10 students:	Grade 11-12 students:
2. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. 2a. Use a semicolon (and perhaps a conjunctive adverb) to link two or more closely related independent clauses. 2b. Use a colon to introduce a list or quotation. 2c. Spell correctly.	2. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. 2a. Observe hyphenation conventions. 2b. Spell correctly.
CCCs
910.WA.6 Use a semicolon (i.e., link two or more related independent clauses) and/or colon (i.e., to introduce a list or quotation) appropriately in writing.	1112.WA.4 Use hyphenation conventions.
910.WA.7 Spell correctly in writing.	1112.WA.5 Spell correctly in writing.

Grade 9-10 students:	Grade 11-12 students:
3. Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening. 3a. Write and edit work so that it conforms to the guidelines in a style manual (e.g., MLA Handbook, Turabian's Manual for Writers) appropriate for the discipline and writing type.	3. Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening. 3a. Vary syntax for effect, consulting references (e.g., Tufte's Artful Sentences) for guidance as needed; apply an understanding of syntax to the study of complex texts when reading.
CCCs
910.WA.8 Write and edit work to conform to guidelines in a style manual.	1112.WA.7 Write and edit work to conform to guidelines in a style manual.
	1112.WA.6 Vary syntax within writing for effect.

Vocabulary Acquisition and Use

4. Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
5. Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
6. Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when encountering an unknown term important to comprehension or expression.

Language Standards

Grade 9-10 students:	Grade 11-12 students:
4. Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grades 9–10 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies. 4a. Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence, paragraph, or text; a word's position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase. 4b. Identify and correctly use patterns of word changes that indicate different meanings or parts of speech (e.g., analyze, analysis, analytical; advocate, advocacy). 4c. Consult general and specialized reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify its precise meaning, its part of speech, or its etymology. 4d. Verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary).	4. Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grades 11–12 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies. 4a. Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence, paragraph, or text; a word's position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase. 4b. Identify and correctly use patterns of word changes that indicate different meanings or parts of speech (e.g., conceive, conception, conceivable). 4c. Consult general and specialized reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify its precise meaning, its part of speech, its etymology, or its standard usage. 4d. Verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary).
CCCs
910.RWL.b1 Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence, paragraph, or text; a word's position in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.	1112.RWL.b1 Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence, paragraph, or text; a word's position in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
910.RWL.a2 Consult reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses) to find the synonym for a word.	1112.RWL.a2 Consult reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses) to find the synonym for a word.
910.RWL.a3 Consult reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses) to find the precise meaning of a word.	1112.RWL.a3 Consult reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses) to find the precise meaning of a word.
910.RWL.a4 Consult reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses) to find the part of speech for a word.	1112.RWL.a4 Consult reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses) to find the part of speech for a word.
910.RWL.a1 Verify the prediction of the meaning of a new word or phrase (e.g., by checking a dictionary).	1112.RWL.a1 Verify the prediction of the meaning of a new word or phrase (e.g., by checking a dictionary).

Grade 9-10 students:	Grade 11-12 students:
5. Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. 5a. Interpret figures of speech (e.g., satire, sarcasm) in context and analyze their role in the text. 5b. Analyze nuances in the meaning of words with similar denotations.	5. Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. 5a. Interpret figures of speech (e.g., hyperbole, paradox) in context and analyze their role in the text. 5b. Analyze nuances in the meaning of words with similar denotations.
CCCs
910.RWL.d1 Identify an oxymoron in a text.	1112.RWL.d1 Identify hyperbole in a text.
910.RWL.c1 Identify the denotation for a known word.	1112.RWL.c1 Identify the denotation for a known word.
910.RL.d2 Interpret how literary devices advance the plot, affect the tone or pacing of a work.	1112.RL.d4 Interpret how literary devices advance the plot, affect the tone or pacing of a work.
910.RWL.d2 Interpret figures of speech in context.	1112.RWL.d2 Interpret figures of speech in context.
910.RWL.c2 Explain differences or changes in the meaning of words with similar denotations.	1112.RWL.c2 Explain differences or changes in the meaning of words with similar denotations.

Grade 9-10 students:	Grade 11-12 students:
6. Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.	6. Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.
CCCs
910.WA.10 Use grade appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases accurately within writing.	1112.WA.8 Use grade appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases accurately within writing.
910.RWL.b2 Use newly acquired domain-specific words and phrases accurately.	1112.RWL.b2 Use newly acquired domain-specific words and phrases accurately.