High School ELA Utah Standards

Writing Process. Students will use the iterative process of writing to produce various types of narratives, poetry, and prose.

Generate and/or capture multiple ideas for writing through observation, processing, discussion, and reading.

Focus ideas on addressing what is most significant and/or relevant for a specific genre, purpose, and audience.

Use various techniques for organizing ideas such as outlining, storyboarding, timelines, and plotting.

Compose multiple drafts with revisions as needed showing growth based on self-evaluation and/or feedback.

Edit following the conventions of English as appropriate for grade level, genre, and purpose.

Analysis of Genre. Students will develop an understanding of genre conventions and apply them in their writing.

Analyze mentor texts, peer work, and student-created content in a wide variety of genres and modes for craft, style, voice, theme, elements of language, and conventions in order to determine the effects of such writing techniques on a text.

Analyze craft, style, voice, theme, and conventions in their own and other student’s writing in a variety of genres and modes.

Understand the cliches and conventions of historical and contemporary genres (e.g., steampunk, stream-of-consciousness, flash fiction, novella, etc.).

Determine the audience and purpose of a wide variety of genres.

Craft and Creation. Students will produce vivid narratives, poetry, and prose by effectively using a variety of genre-appropriate writing strategies and language techniques.

Produce writing based on historical and contemporary structures and forms (e.g., sonnet, villanelle, short story, script writing, etc.) and on a variety of idea-generation techniques (e.g., found poetry, plot structure outline, freewrite, writing prompts, etc.).

Craft vivid writing with attention to sound elements (e.g., alliteration, assonance, consonance, rhyme), figurative language, sensory details, scenes, and purposeful word choice and syntax.

Develop a range of characters (e.g., main characters vs support/side, flat vs round, protagonist vs antagonist).

Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of “telling language” and “showing language.”

Effectively weave together narration, description, and dialogue using correct conventions.

Distinguish among and incorporate various points of view and narrative tense.

Construct a finished product that demonstrates mastery of targeted writing techniques specific to the genre.

Collaboration and Evaluation. Students will collaborate with peers in the production and evaluation of writing.

Generate ideas and research in collaboration with others to draft, plan, present, and publish original work.

Participate in consistent, collaborative discussions about writing produced by peers, self, and outside sources.

Articulate, discuss, and reflect upon specific strengths of a piece of writing and provide suggestions for improvement.

Consider differing perspectives and opinions when editing, critiquing, collaborating, and conferencing work.

Evaluate personal and peer writing through the use of rubrics, checklists, and/or portfolios.

Literary Magazine/Publication. Students will develop editorial and publishing skills to produce a literary magazine or publication (in schools where such a publication exists).

Apply elements of design and layout into an aesthetically pleasing magazine and/or publication.

Organize the literary magazine and/or relevant publications based on a production schedule.

Create products to solicit submissions as well as promote the publication such as posters, flyers, social media posts, videos and/or announcements.

Writing

Reading

Speaking and Listening

Grades 11-12

Mastered in preschool.

Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of structures across multiple texts about similar topics/themes, including whether the structures make points or events clear, effective, convincing, or engaging.

Analyze how an author's geographic location, identity or background, culture, and time period affect the perspective, point of view, purpose, and implicit/explicit messages of a collective body of work.

Analyze how a subject and/or content is presented in two or more mediums by determining which details are emphasized, altered, or absent in each account and how these details influence audiences' experiences and interpretations.

Delineate and evaluate arguments and specific claims across multiple texts on the same subject, assessing the validity or fallacy of key statements by examining whether the supporting evidence is relevant and sufficient. Recognize when irrelevant evidence is introduced.

Not applicable to RL.

Analyze and evaluate works of cultural significance for the way in which these works treat similar themes, conflicts, issues, or topics, and maintain relevance for current audiences.

Analyze two or more texts of literary significance across and within time periods with similar topics and themes, drawing on their purposes, stylistic choices, and rhetorical features.

Mastered in grade 3.

Mastered in grade 5.

Read grade-level text with accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.

Cite relevant textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including analyzing where the text implies ambiguity.

When reading texts, including those from diverse cultures, determine main ideas of two or more texts, analyze the main ideas, supporting details, and the relationship between/among the texts; provide an objective synthesis of the texts that includes textual evidence.

When reading texts, including those from diverse cultures, determine two or more themes and analyze their development, including how they interact and build on one another to produce a complex account, and provide an objective summary that includes textual evidence.

Analyze how the author develops a text through an analysis or argument, including the sequence, the introduction and development and connections of ideas.

Analyze how an author develops a text through complex and/or dynamic characters, interaction with other characters, and advancement of the plot or development of the theme.

Determine the meaning and impact of words and phrases on tone and mood, including words with multiple meanings. Analyze figurative language, connotative meanings, and figures of speech. Examine how the author uses and refines the meaning of domain-specific vocabulary and how language differs across historical time periods, cultures, regions, and genres.

Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

Analyze patterns of word changes that indicate different meanings or parts of speech.

Determine and consult appropriate reference materials, to find the pronunciation of a word, its precise meaning, its part of speech, its etymology including Greek or Latin affixes and roots, and its usage.

Participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations on topics, texts, and issues.

Respond thoughtfully to diverse perspectives in democratic discussions that involve decision-making and role-taking; resolve claims and evidence.

Participate in conversations by asking and responding to questions that examine reasoning and evidence, ensuring the opportunity to consider a range of perspectives, and clarify, verify, or challenge ideas and conclusions with evidence.

Resolve contradictions when applicable, and determine if additional information or research is required to deepen the investigation or conversation.

Interpret, evaluate, and integrate multiple sources of information presented in various formats and media to verify the credibility and accuracy of each source, and note any discrepancies among the data in order to make informed decisions.

Use appropriate language, grammar, organization, development, and delivery styles appropriate to purpose and audience for formal or informal contexts.

Strategically use visual displays of data and digital media, to convey information and enhance understanding of presentations.

Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of complex topics or texts, using logical reasoning and relevant, sufficient evidence, and provide a conclusion that follows from and supports the argument presented.

Introduce claims, establish the significance of the claims, distinguish the claims from alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that logically sequences claims, counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.

Develop claims and counterclaims by interpreting the most relevant evidence from accurate, credible sources for each; elaborate on the strengths and limitations that anticipate the audience.

Use words, phrases, and clauses as well as varied syntax to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships between claims and reasons, between reasons and evidence, and between claims and counterclaims.

Use appropriate conventions and style for the audience, purpose, and task.

Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content, and provide a conclusion that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented.

Introduce a topic; organize complex ideas and information so that each new element builds on that which precedes it to create a unified whole; utilize formatting, graphics, and multimedia to illustrate complexities.

Develop the topic thoroughly with relevant and sufficient facts, extended definitions, concrete details, quotations, examples, and figurative language.

Use appropriate and varied transitions and syntax to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships among complex ideas.

Use precise language and content-specific vocabulary to clarify the complexity of the ideas.

Use appropriate conventions and style for the audience, purpose, and task.

Write narrative texts to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-structured event sequences, well-chosen details, and provide a resolution with closure.

Engage and orient the reader by describing a complex problem, situation, or observation.

Establish one or multiple point(s) of view, and develop a setting, narrator and/or characters.

Apply narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, reflection, flashback, and multiple plot lines to develop characters and well-structured event sequences.

Utilize varied syntax techniques and descriptive language to create a mood and tone appropriate to purpose, task, and audience.

Use appropriate conventions and style for the audience, purpose, and task.

Conduct research projects to craft an argument, answer a question, or provide an analysis.

Gather, assess, and synthesize information from credible sources on the topic.

Evaluate the evidence and generate ideas to demonstrate understanding of the topic and purpose.

Avoid plagiarism by quoting, paraphrasing, and citing, using a standard format for citation of evidence.

Interact and collaborate with others throughout the writing process.

Mastered in grade 5.

Writing

Reading

Speaking and Listening

Grades 9-10

Mastered in preschool.

Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the structures an author uses in an exposition, argument, or narrative, including whether the structure makes points or events clear, effective, convincing, or engaging.

Analyze how an author's geographic location, identity or background, culture, and time period affect the perspective, point of view, purpose, and implicit/explicit messages of a text.

Compare a text to another text in a different medium analyzing the portrayal of the subject, evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using the different mediums, and explain how and why the content stays faithful to or departs from the text or script.

Not applicable to RL.

Delineate and evaluate an argument and specific claims in a text, assessing the validity or fallacy of key statements by examining whether the supporting evidence is relevant and sufficient. Recognize when irrelevant evidence is introduced.

Analyze how two or more texts about the same topic shape their presentations by emphasizing different evidence or advancing different interpretations of facts; identify where the texts disagree on matters of fact or interpretation.

Analyze two or more works of fiction with similar themes or topics, drawing on patterns of events, characters types, and stylistic choices.

Mastered in grade 3.

Mastered in grade 5.

Read grade-level text with accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.

Cite relevant textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as what inferences can be drawn from the text, including identifying where the text implies ambiguity.

When reading texts, including those from diverse cultures, determine two or more main ideas, analyze the main ideas' relationship to supporting ideas, and provide an objective summary that includes textual evidence.

When reading texts, including those from diverse cultures, determine a theme, analyze its development in detail, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary that includes textual evidence.

Analyze how a text makes connections among and distinctions between individuals, ideas, or events through comparisons, analogies, or categories.

Analyze how plot elements and dialogue interact, shape the characters, and propel the action.

Determine the meaning and impact of words and phrases on meaning, tone, and mood. Analyze figurative language and connotative meanings. Examine domain-specific vocabulary and how language differs across genres and text types.

Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

Identify and correctly use patterns of word parts that indicate different meanings or parts of speech.

Determine and consult appropriate reference materials to find the pronunciation of a word, its precise meaning, its part of speech, or its etymology including Greek or Latin affixes and roots.

Participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations on topics, texts, and issues.

Respond thoughtfully to diverse perspectives in democratic discussions that involve decision-making and role-taking; synthesize comments, claims, and evidence.

Participate in conversations by asking and responding to questions and provide the opportunity to consider a range of perspectives and clarify, verify, or challenge ideas and conclusions with evidence.

Identify contradictions when applicable, and determine if additional information or research is required to deepen the investigation or conversation.

Interpret and evaluate the credibility of multiple sources of information presented in various formats and media to solve problems and make informed decisions.

Use appropriate language, grammar, organization, development, and delivery styles appropriate to purpose and audience for formal or informal contexts.

Convey a clear perspective by concisely presenting and citing information, findings, and supporting evidence so that listeners can follow the line of reasoning.

Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of complex topics or texts using logical reasoning and relevant evidence, and provide a conclusion that follows from and supports the argument presented.

Introduce claims, distinguish the claims from alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that establishes clear relationships among claims, counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.

Develop claims and counterclaims by supplying evidence from accurate, credible sources for each; point out the strengths and limitations that consider the audience.

Use words, phrases, and clauses to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships between claims and reasons, between reasons and evidence, and between claims and counterclaims.

Use appropriate conventions and style for the audience, purpose, and task.

Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey related ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content, and provide a conclusion that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented.

Introduce a topic; organize related ideas and information to make important connections and distinctions; utilize formatting, graphics, and multimedia to show relationships.

Develop the topic with relevant facts, extended definitions, concrete details, quotations, and examples.

Use appropriate and varied transitions to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships among related ideas.

Use precise language and content-specific vocabulary to clarify the relationships of the ideas.

Use appropriate conventions and style for the audience, purpose, and task.

Write narrative texts to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-structured event sequences, well-chosen details, and provide a resolution that connects to what is experienced, observed, or resolved over the course of the narrative.

Engage and orient the reader by describing a problem, situation, or observation.

Establish one or multiple point(s) of view, and introduce a setting, narrator and/or characters.

Use narrative techniques such as dialogue, pacing, description, reflection, and multiple plot lines, to develop characters and well-structured event sequences.

Utilize varied syntax techniques and descriptive language to create a mood and tone appropriate to purpose, task, and audience.

Use appropriate conventions and style for the audience, purpose, and task.

Conduct more sustained research projects to craft an argument, answer a question, or provide an analysis.

Gather, assess, and synthesize information from credible sources on the topic.

Reflect on the evidence and generate ideas to demonstrate understanding of the topic and purpose.

Avoid plagiarism by quoting, paraphrasing, and citing, using a standard format for citation of evidence.

Interact and collaborate with others throughout the writing process.

Mastered in grade 5.

Human Nature: Students will explore what it means to be human throughout time by studying the physical, social, aesthetic, and spiritual aspects of human nature.

Analyze the interrelationships of religion, morals, ethics, and aesthetics present in the world’s societies.

Examine exemplary works and artifacts as a means of expressing information, thoughts, and ideals within various cultures, places, and time periods.

Evaluate exemplary works and artifacts’ use of elements of form including literary or artistic elements to express aspects of human nature.

Human Roles & Behavior: Students will examine how humans have elevated ideas, customs, and social behaviors in societies through the cultivation and refinement of literature, language, philosophy, fine arts, and performing arts throughout history.

Examine how the innate desire for purpose, meaning, and fulfillment have motivated individuals to create exemplary works that express information, thoughts, and ideals within various cultures, places, and time periods.

Examine exemplary works and artifacts as a means of expressing information, thoughts, and ideals within various cultures, places, and time periods.

Identify and evaluate potential aspects of motivation and inspiration in the production of exemplary works and artifacts.

Human Ideals: Students will examine the human need for discovering and expressing human ideals, for example, truth, love, joy, beauty, respect, or liberty, within various cultures, places, and time periods.

Compare human ideals as defined by different cultures, places, and time periods.

Analyze exemplary works and artifacts as a means of discovering and expressing human ideals within various cultures, places, and time periods.

Evaluate exemplary works’ and artifacts’ use of elements of form to express human ideals within various cultures, places, and time periods.

Law & Ethics. Students will apply knowledge of law and ethics related to the functioning of a free and independent press and various media platforms.

Analyze and understand student expression under the First Amendment including protections and limitations including school district publication policies.

Analyze laws, ethics, and landmark cases specific to journalism.

Apply the rulings to both practice and real-life situations specific to the school community and publication(s).

Research and evaluate the role of a free and independent media within a democratic society.

Seek perspectives and variety in the human experience.

Media Literacy. Students will critically evaluate various forms of media.

Critically analyze content found in print and digital media used to inform, persuade, entertain, and transmit social information.

Evaluate how visual techniques or design elements carry or influence messages in various media.

Analyze the impact of social media on trends and public opinion.

Identify emotional appeals and logic fallacies. Distinguish writing intended as objective from that intended at subjective.

Identify choices content producers make while constructing media. Evaluate how choices contribute to the impact on the audience.

Compare and contrast coverage of the same news stories in a variety of print and digital media.

Evaluate the credibility of sources in a variety of print and digital media stories.

Reporting & Writing Process. Students will effectively use the reporting and writing process to produce coherent media stories.

Compose and evaluate interview questions for written or broadcast journalism.

Gather information from multiple, reliable sources and evaluate this information for relevance, accuracy, and completeness.

Research using current reporting tools, from advanced Google searches to data journalism.

Write journalistically sound headlines and captions.

Use direct and indirect quotes in copy with appropriate attribution (e.g., punctuation, identification, verb choice).

Develop a variety of journalistically sound pieces (see appendix) using standard writing conventions ensuring the principles of fairness, balance and accuracy.

Revise original pieces for content and style appropriate to the medium and audience.

Peer- and self-edit using journalism style manuals as references.

Multimedia Tools. Students will develop an understanding of how multimedia journalism plays a pivotal role in storytelling while becoming familiar with the basics of photo, video and audio production.

Analyze & evaluate photography, videography, and audio in journalism (e.g., emotional connection, how multimedia elements enhance text, reader response, storytelling quality of the photo).

Apply principles of photography such as composition, lighting, and other important photojournalism concepts.

Apply principles of videography, such as wide, medium and close shots, length of shot, etc.

Apply principles of audio production, such as natural sound, stereo, nonlinear editing.

Use professional ethics in producing and selecting photos, videos, and audio for publication.

Collect accurate information to provide context to the photo, video, or audio and connect it logically to the story that it illustrates (e.g. captions, metadata).

Technology & Design. Students will apply appropriate principles of technology and design.

Apply available technologies used in publishing to create designs appropriate for media (e.g., desktop publishing, photo editing, Web-based media, word processing).

Analyze and apply principles of layout and design to create a visually appealing school publication that effectively communicates to the audience.

Management & Organization. Students will develop management and organizational leadership skills to produce media content.

Apply organizational, economic, and management skills necessary to meet student media production schedules.

Develop and execute a marketing plan to maximize the awareness and readership of student media.

Develop a business plan to learn principles of innovative funding models (e.g., advertising, sponsored content, nonprofit model).

Investigate educational opportunities and careers in journalism and mass media.

Digital Citizenship. Students will be able to recognize good digital citizenship and use best practices in social media.

Demonstrate professional social media ethics in use and production.

Develop meaningful, engaging content for multiple social media platforms adhering to each platform’s guidelines.

Develop strategies for finding reliable sources on social media and contacting them for interviews.

Analysis of Genre. Students will develop an understanding of the genre of classical, world, and indigenous myths, legends, and folklore

Analyze the characteristics and purposes of different types of myths, legends, and folklore from a variety of cultures.

Evaluate the significance of recurring themes, motifs, structures, and patterns in myths, legends, and folklore.

Analyze the relevance and influence of myths, legends, and folklore on literature, art, and societal values within their respective cultures.

Relationships and Hierarchies of Characters and Deities. Students will develop an understanding of the relationships and hierarchies of characters and deities within myths, legends, and folklore.

Identify archetypal characters and/or deities within myths and the roles they play across different cultures.

Describe the complexities of the relationships and interactions between the characters and/or deities across and within different mythological and cultural systems.

Derive meanings about the relationships of “the divine,” “the human,” and “the physical” in regard to “the cosmos” using storytelling as a vehicle to moralize themes such as force, violence, hubris, agency, fate, love, and knowledge.

Context, Influence, and Significance. Students will investigate the historicity, influence, and significance of classical, world, and indigenous myths, legends, and folklore on modern cultures and societies.

Describe how myths, legends, and folklore portray different versions of historical events, figures, and peoples.

Analyze how myths, legends, and folklore reflect, influence, and shape the values of cultures and societies.

Evaluate the influences and significance of classical and global myths, legends, and folklore on modern media and culture, including themes, motifs, and archetypes.

Reading and Analysis. Students will analyze a variety of digital and print texts to gather information and use as quality examples of professional and technical communication.

Distinguish key differences in audience and purpose for professional and technical communications.

Examine and evaluate the structure, format, and syntax of a variety of professional and technical communications.

Determine the meaning of professional and technical vocabulary to aid comprehension and conduct research.

Analyze and summarize information and data from multiple sources for reliability, relevance, accuracy, and rhetorical purpose.

Oral Communication. Students will engage in a variety of professional and technical oral communications.

Develop professional and technical oral communication techniques using language, syntax, and organization that are appropriate to the audience, purpose, and context.

Utilize appropriate delivery techniques (i.e., posture, gesture, eye contact, vocal expressiveness) to make presentations understandable.

Participate in clarifying discussions about the format and content of professional and technical communications produced by self, peers, teams, and outside sources.

Apply critical, empathetic, appreciative, and reflective listening skills in formal and informal situations.

Print and Digital Communication. Students will produce a variety of professional and technical written communications.

Develop professional and technical written print and digital communications using language, syntax, format, and delivery methods that are appropriate to the audience, purpose, and context.

Create charts, graphs, and other visuals using appropriate data to clarify professional and technical written digital and print communications.

Employ ethical and lawful practices when utilizing intellectual property.

Revise original pieces for content and style appropriate to the audience, purpose, and context.

Research and Development. Students will read and collect research from textual evidence to prepare for debates.

Prepare for and present in a variety of speech and debate formats (see appendix).

Analyze current events and political atmosphere (e.g., domestic policy, economic policy, foreign policy, social climate).

Collaborate to define issues and develop strategies.

Research arguments to support substantive claims using a variety of primary and/or secondary sources including but not limited to historical, scientific, and technical texts:

central idea

discrepancies in content

explanation for action or events

points of view

specialized vocabulary

textual evidence

Evaluate researched texts for validity, reliability, and credibility of source, content, and/or author.

Fundamentals. Students will analyze and evaluate various speech and debate formats to develop fundamental knowledge for application.

Compare and contrast classical and contemporary philosophers and their contributions to speech and debate.

Apply critical thinking skills when researching, preparing, and presenting arguments:

Causal arguments

Logical fallacies

Source validity

Topic and analysis support using strong evidence

Challenge the status quo and current policy proposals, using a variety of arguments and rhetorical devices

Explain the historical and contemporary role that speech and debate play in democratic society (e.g., diplomacy, government policy, justice system, politics).

Discuss ethical dilemmas and practices as found in various speaking topics, contentions, and presentations.

Demonstrate ethical practices in speech and debate (e.g., behavior, courtesy, verbal and nonverbal communication).

Demonstrate effective communication skills in speech and debate:

Speaking (e.g., framing questions, responding to questions, speaking extemporaneously, using appropriate language)

Listening (e.g., critical and attentive listening demonstrated by note taking, critiquing)

Nonverbal communication (e.g., attire, eye contact, facial expressions, gestures, proximity)

Analyze a variety of speech and debate structures for task, audience, and purpose.

Use speech and debate conventions appropriately (see appendix A).

Use speech and debate terminology effectively (see appendix A).

Identify, develop, and argue stock issues:

Harm

Inherency

Significance

Solvency

Topicality

Performance and Evaluation. Students will demonstrate fundamental speaking and debating skills and evaluate best practices.

Apply principles of ethical communication appropriate to context:

Academic honesty

Bias

Communication responsibility

Plagiarism

Respect for diversity

Identify and adjust behaviors and arguments based on evaluation paradigms (See appendix).

Present arguments using clear and concise language.

Demonstrate the process of refutation and cross examination in debate settings and provide effective rebuttals.

Demonstrate the ability to give and receive constructive criticism to self and peers.

Develop presentation skills to convey complex ideas:

Extemporaneous speech

Formal register

Persuasive techniques

Analyze the reduction of communication barriers (see appendix).

Demonstrate mutual respect in interpersonal communication.

Demonstrate appropriate critical, empathetic, appreciative, and reflective listening skills in formal and informal situations:

Active listening behaviors

False assumptions

Loaded terms

Note-taking

Sarcasm