Writing

Text Types and Purposes

• • Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting an opinion with reasons.

    • • • Introduce the topic or text they are writing about, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure that lists reasons.

        • Provide reasons that support the opinion.

        • Use linking words and phrases (e.g., because, therefore, since, for example) to connect opinion and reasons.

        • Provide a concluding statement or section.

• • Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

    • • • Introduce a topic and group-related information together; include illustrations when useful to aiding comprehension.

        • Develop the topic with facts, definitions, and details.

        • Use linking words and phrases (e.g., also, another, and, more, but) to connect ideas within categories of information.

        • Provide a concluding statement or section.

• • Write narratives in prose or poem form to develop experiences or events using effective literary techniques, descriptive details, and clear sequences.

    • • • Establish a situation and introduce a speaker, narrator, and/or characters; organize an appropriate narrative sequence.

        • Use dialogue and descriptions of actions, thoughts, and feelings to develop experiences or events or show responses to situations.

        • Use figurative language to suggest images.

        • Use temporal words and phrases to signal order where appropriate.

        • Provide a sense of closure.

        • For poems, use words and phrases that form patterns of sound (e.g., rhyme, repetition of sounds within words or within lines) to create meaning or effect.

Production and Distribution of Writing

• • Produce writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

  • Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, and editing.

  • Demonstrate command of standard English conventions.

  • Demonstrate the ability to choose and use appropriate vocabulary.

  • Use technology to produce and publish writing (using keyboarding skills) as well as to interact and collaborate with others.

Research to Build and Present Knowledge

• • Conduct short research projects that build knowledge about a topic.

  • Recall information from experiences or gather information from print and digital sources; take brief notes on sources and sort evidence into provided categories.

Range of Writing

Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.