Reading Comprehension
Reading Fundamentals
- RF.
Provide an objective summary of a text.8.RC.1.RF
- RF.
Determine how a central idea and/or theme is developed over the course of a text, including its relationship to supporting details.8.RC.2.RF
- RF.
Cite text evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what a text states, using background knowledge to justify inferences drawn from the text.8.RC.3.RF
- RF.
Demonstrate reading comprehension of age and grade-appropriate texts by speaking or writing.8.RC.4.RF
- RF.
Reading Literature
- RL.
Examine how specific lines of dialogue propel the plot, reveal aspects of a character, or inform a character's decision.8.RC.5.RL
- RL.
Distinguish how the structure of a text contributes to its overall meaning and style.8.RC.6.RL
- RL.
Describe how differing points of view (POV) and/or perspectives of the characters in a text affect the audience and/or readers, creating suspense, mystery, and/or humor.8.RC.7.RL
- RL.
Determine the extent to which a filmed or live production of a story or drama adheres to or departs from the text or script.8.RC.8.RL
- RL.
Describe how an author of a contemporary work of fiction adapts the themes, events, and/or character types from myths, traditional stories, and/or religious works.8.RC.9.RL
- RL.
Identify the theme in an original, adapted, and/or modernized drama, poem, folktale, or story from American literature (1850-1930), explaining its historical and/or contemporary significance.8.RC.10.RL
- RL.
Reading Information
- RI.
Explain how an author connects and/or distinguishes individuals, ideas, or events through comparisons, analogies, and categories.8.RC.11.RI
- RI.
Examine the structure of a specific paragraph in a text, including how the sentences clarify the central idea.8.RC.12.RI
- RI.
Describe how the author acknowledges and responds to conflicting evidence or viewpoints.8.RC.13.RI
- RI.
Describe the efficacy of various multimedia used to present information.8.RC.14.RI
- RI.
Evaluate the argument and supporting claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is logical, if the evidence is relevant and sufficient to support the claims, and when irrelevant evidence is introduced.8.RC.15.RI
- RI.
Analyze two or more texts that present conflicting information on the same topic, identifying where the texts diverge on matters of fact or interpretation.8.RC.16.RI
- RI.
Identify the central idea in a non-fiction work from or about American literature (1850-1930), explaining its historical and/or contemporary significance.8.RC.17.RI
- RI.
Writing
Style
- S.
Compose an argument, using clear reasons and supporting evidence.<ul><li>Introduce claims supported by credible sources.</li><li>Distinguish alternate or opposing claims.</li><li>Maintain a cohesive structure.</li></ul>8.W.1.S
- S.
Write to inform about a topic.<ul><li>Introduce a topic with a clear preview of what is to follow.</li><li>Organize ideas, concepts, and information, using broad categories.</li><li>Select well-chosen facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, and examples.</li><li>Maintain a cohesive structure, clarifying the relationships among the ideas, concepts, and information.</li></ul>8.W.2.S
- S.
Write to express real or imagined experiences and/or events.<ul><li>Develop a topic, context, narrative elements, and point of view and/or perspective.</li><li>Select well-chosen, descriptive details and use sensory language and precise language.</li><li>Develop well-structured event sequences to show the relationships among ideas and experiences.</li><li>Use narrative techniques effectively, utilizing dialogue, pacing, sensory language, and description.</li></ul>8.W.3.S
- S.
Production
- P.
Construct clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to the task, purpose, and audience.8.W.4.P
- P.
Organize writing logically, composing an introduction, body, conclusion, and/or reflection when appropriate.8.W.5.P
- P.
Use a variety of sentence types effectively.8.W.6.P
- P.
Choose precise words, phrases, and clauses to clarify relationships among ideas, claims, counterclaims, reasons, and/or evidence.8.W.7.P
- P.
Choose a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses effectively to connect ideas.8.W.8.P
- P.
Develop writing stamina during single sessions and over extended periods of time.8.W.9.P
- P.
Increase independent writing with support and collaboration from peers and adults, employing the stages of the writing process (e.g., draft, revise, edit) with a focus on purpose and audience.8.W.10.P
- P.
Include headings, graphics, and various multimedia to support ideas and information.8.W.11.P
- P.
Maintain formal style when appropriate, editing writing to include grade-appropriate conventions for publishing.8.W.12.P
- P.
Research
- R.
Conduct research to explore a topic, describe an idea, and/or answer a question, refocusing the inquiry to generate further questions or to allow for multiple avenues of exploration.8.W.13.R
- R.
Assess the credibility and accuracy of sources.8.W.14.R
- R.
Avoid plagiarism when quoting or paraphrasing data and conclusions, crediting sources and/or authors.8.W.15.R
- R.
Follow a standard format for citation, including a works cited/references.8.W.16.R
- R.
Vocabulary
- 1.
Use general academic and content-specific words and phrases accurately.8.V.1
- 2.
Decode and encode words, using knowledge of Greek combining forms and Latin prefixes, bases, and suffixes and connectives as needed.8.V.2
- 3.
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases, choosing from a range of effective techniques:<ul><li>Use common Greek or Latin affixes and roots (i.e., morphology),</li><li>Trace the origins of words (i.e., etymology),</li><li>Use context,</li><li>Consult reference materials to clarify pronunciation and/or parts of speech, and/or</li><li>Use word relationships such as cause and effect, part to whole, and item into category to clarify the meaning of each word.</li></ul>8.V.3
- 4.
Examine words with similar denotations, considering how their connotations and nuances impact the words' meanings.8.V.4
- 5.
Determine how word and phrase choice, including analogies or allusions to other texts, contributes to the meaning, style, and/or tone of a text.8.V.5
- 6.
Demonstrate an understanding of figurative language in context, including verbal irony and puns.8.V.6
- 1.
Collaborative Communication
Speaking and Listening Comprehension
- SLC.
Express ideas in a collaborative setting, using effective discussion strategies.8.CC.1.SLC
- SLC.
Come to discussions prepared, citing researched evidence on the topic, text, or issue, and reflecting upon the discussion.8.CC.2.SLC
- SLC.
Follow rules for collegial discussions and decision-making, tracking progress towards specific goals and deadlines, and defining individual roles as needed.8.CC.3.SLC
- SLC.
Acknowledge new information expressed by others, qualifying or justifying one's own views after new evidence is presented.8.CC.4.SLC
- SLC.
Examine the reasons for using multimedia to present a topic, text, and/or issue.8.CC.5.SLC
- SLC.
Articulate a speaker's argument and specific claims, evaluating the accuracy and adequacy of the evidence.8.CC.6.SLC
- SLC.
Presentation
- P.
Present claims and evidence, emphasizing important points in a focused, coherent manner.8.CC.7.P
- P.
Support claims, central ideas, and/or themes with valid reasoning, relevant evidence, and well-chosen details.8.CC.8.P
- P.
Include relevant multimedia to clarify claims and findings.8.CC.9.P
- P.
Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, using appropriate eye contact, tone, and pacing.8.CC.10.P
- P.
Demonstrate command of standard English when indicated or appropriate.8.CC.11.P
- P.
Recite a passage from a well-known poem, play, or speech.8.CC.12.P
- P.
Language
Structure
- S.
Use nouns effectively:<ul><li>Direct and indirect objects</li><li>Predicate nouns</li></ul>8.L.1.S
- S.
Ensure pronouns have a clear antecedent and are appropriate in number and person.8.L.2.S
- S.
Use verbs effectively:<ul><li>Shifts in mood and voice</li><li>Active and passive voice</li><li>Subject/verb agreement</li><li>Linking verbs</li></ul>8.L.3.S
- S.
Use verbals (gerunds, participles, infinitives) correctly.8.L.4.S
- S.
Use modifiers effectively:<ul><li>Proper adjectives</li><li>Predicate adjectives</li></ul>8.L.5.S
- S.
Correct misplaced and dangling modifiers.8.L.6.S
- S.
Produce compound-complex sentences, using dependent clauses, subordinating conjunctions, conjunctive adverbs, correlative conjunctions, and coordinating conjunctions.8.L.7.S
- S.
Use prepositional phrases effectively:<ul><li>Adjectival</li><li>Adverbial</li></ul>8.L.8.S
- S.
Choose language that precisely expresses ideas, eliminating redundancy.8.L.9.S
- S.
Conventions
- C.
Use commas to separate coordinate adjectives, set off series, phrases and clauses, and direct address.8.L.10.C
- C.
Introduce a list, quotation, or clarification, using a colon.8.L.11.C
- C.
Join elements of a series when individual items of the series already include commas, using a semicolon.8.L.12.C
- C.
Indicate an omission, using an ellipsis.8.L.13.C
- C.
Indicate a pause or break, using commas, ellipses, and dashes.8.L.14.C
- C.
Use knowledge of reading foundational skills, spelling patterns, and generalizations such as syllable patterns, ending rules, and meaningful word parts (i.e., morphology) to spell correctly.8.L.15.C
- C.
Frequently asked questions
- What grade levels do these standards cover?
- Grade 8
- When were these standards adopted?
- 2023
- Where can I read the official document?
- Arkansas English Language Arts Standards
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Keep exploring English Language Arts standards
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