Tennessee Academic Standards: Grade 8
Skills available for Tennessee eighth-grade language arts standards
Category
Print skill plan
8.L
Language
8.L.CSE Conventions of Standard English
8.L.CSE.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage.
8.L.CSE.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage.
8.L.CSE.1.a: When reading or listening, analyze the use of phrases and clauses within a larger text.
Phrases
Clauses
Phrases and clauses
8.L.CSE.1.a: When reading or listening, analyze the use of phrases and clauses within a larger text.
Phrases
Clauses
Phrases and clauses
8.L.CSE.1.b: When reading or listening, explain the function of verbs.
8.L.CSE.1.b: When reading or listening, explain the function of verbs.
8.L.CSE.1.c: When writing or speaking, produce simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences with effectively-placed modifiers.
Sentence variety
Misplaced modifiers
8.L.CSE.1.c: When writing or speaking, produce simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences with effectively-placed modifiers.
Sentence variety
Misplaced modifiers
8.L.CSE.1.d: When reading or listening, explain the function of the voice (active and passive) and the mood of a verb and its application in text.
Verb mood
Verb voice
8.L.CSE.1.d: When reading or listening, explain the function of the voice (active and passive) and the mood of a verb and its application in text.
Verb mood
Verb voice
8.L.CSE.1.e: When writing or speaking, produce and use varied voice and mood of verbs.
8.L.CSE.1.e: When writing or speaking, produce and use varied voice and mood of verbs.
8.L.CSE.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling. When reading and writing, explain the functions of punctuation in creating sentence variety and style.
Capitalization
Formatting
Semicolons, colons, and commas
Dashes, hyphens, and ellipses
Frequently confused words
Homophones
Regular plurals
Possessive nouns
Irregular past tense
Comparatives and superlatives
Commas
8.L.CSE.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling. When reading and writing, explain the functions of punctuation in creating sentence variety and style.
Capitalization
Formatting
Semicolons, colons, and commas
Dashes, hyphens, and ellipses
Frequently confused words
Homophones
Regular plurals
Possessive nouns
Irregular past tense
Comparatives and superlatives
Commas
8.L.KL Knowledge of Language
8.L.KL.3 When writing and speaking, adjust style and tone to a variety of contexts; when reading or listening, analyze stylistic choices to determine context.
Author's purpose and tone
Figurative language
Persuasive strategies
Word choice and usage
8.L.KL.3 When writing and speaking, adjust style and tone to a variety of contexts; when reading or listening, analyze stylistic choices to determine context.
Author's purpose and tone
Figurative language
Persuasive strategies
Word choice and usage
8.L.VAU Vocabulary Acquisition and Use
8.L.VAU.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on 8th grade-level text by choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
8.L.VAU.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on 8th grade-level text by choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
8.L.VAU.4.a: Use context as a clue to the meaning of a word or a phrase.
Synonyms and antonyms
Multiple-meaning words
Vocabulary in context
Domain-specific vocabulary
Figurative language
8.L.VAU.4.a: Use context as a clue to the meaning of a word or a phrase.
Synonyms and antonyms
Multiple-meaning words
Vocabulary in context
Domain-specific vocabulary
Figurative language
8.L.VAU.4.b: Use common grade-appropriate morphological elements as clues to the meaning of a word or a phrase.
Greek and Latin roots
Prefixes
Suffixes
Spelling
8.L.VAU.4.b: Use common grade-appropriate morphological elements as clues to the meaning of a word or a phrase.
Greek and Latin roots
Prefixes
Suffixes
Spelling
8.L.VAU.4.c: Consult reference materials, both print and digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or phrase.
8.L.VAU.4.c: Consult reference materials, both print and digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or phrase.
8.L.VAU.4.d: Use etymological patterns in spelling as clues to the meaning of a word or phrase.
8.L.VAU.4.d: Use etymological patterns in spelling as clues to the meaning of a word or phrase.
8.L.VAU.5 When reading, listening, writing, and speaking, explain the function of figurative language, word relationships, and connotation/denotation and use them correctly and effectively.
Figurative language
Synonyms
Antonyms
Shades of meaning
Analogies
Related words
8.L.VAU.5 When reading, listening, writing, and speaking, explain the function of figurative language, word relationships, and connotation/denotation and use them correctly and effectively.
Figurative language
Synonyms
Antonyms
Shades of meaning
Analogies
Related words
8.L.VAU.6 Acquire and accurately use grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; develop vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.
Prefixes
Suffixes
Greek and Latin roots
Vocabulary in context
Domain-specific vocabulary
Word choice and usage
8.L.VAU.6 Acquire and accurately use grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; develop vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.
Prefixes
Suffixes
Greek and Latin roots
Vocabulary in context
Domain-specific vocabulary
Word choice and usage
8.RL
Reading Literature
8.RL.KID Key Ideas and Details
8.RL.KID.1 Analyze what a text says explicitly and draw logical inferences; support an interpretation of a text by citing relevant textual evidence.
Theme
Short stories
Text evidence in literary passages
8.RL.KID.1 Analyze what a text says explicitly and draw logical inferences; support an interpretation of a text by citing relevant textual evidence.
Theme
Short stories
Text evidence in literary passages
8.RL.KID.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary.
8.RL.KID.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary.
8.RL.KID.3 Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.
8.RL.KID.3 Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.
8.RL.CS Craft and Structure
8.RL.CS.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including allusions to other texts, repetition of words and phrases, and analogies.
Vocabulary in context
Multiple-meaning words
Word choice and usage
Figurative language
8.RL.CS.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including allusions to other texts, repetition of words and phrases, and analogies.
Vocabulary in context
Multiple-meaning words
Word choice and usage
Figurative language
8.RL.CS.5 Compare and contrast the structure of two or more texts and analyze how the differing structure of each text contributes to its meaning and style.
8.RL.CS.5 Compare and contrast the structure of two or more texts and analyze how the differing structure of each text contributes to its meaning and style.
8.RL.CS.6 Analyze how similarities and differences in the points of view of the audience and the characters create effects such as suspense, humor, or dramatic irony.
8.RL.CS.6 Analyze how similarities and differences in the points of view of the audience and the characters create effects such as suspense, humor, or dramatic irony.
8.RL.IKI Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
8.RL.IKI.7 Analyze the extent to which a filmed or live production of a story or drama stays faithful to or departs from a text or script, evaluating the choices made by the director or actors.
8.RL.IKI.7 Analyze the extent to which a filmed or live production of a story or drama stays faithful to or departs from a text or script, evaluating the choices made by the director or actors.
8.RL.IKI.9 Analyze how contemporary texts are shaped by foundational texts or literary archetypes and how authors allude to traditional works, myths, or religious texts; describe how traditional elements are rendered anew.
8.RL.IKI.9 Analyze how contemporary texts are shaped by foundational texts or literary archetypes and how authors allude to traditional works, myths, or religious texts; describe how traditional elements are rendered anew.
8.RL.RRTC Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity
8.RL.RRTC.10 Read and comprehend a variety of literature at the high end of the grades 6-8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
Short stories
Literary passages
8.RL.RRTC.10 Read and comprehend a variety of literature at the high end of the grades 6-8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
Short stories
Literary passages
8.RI
Reading Informational Text
8.RI.KID Informational Text
8.RI.KID.1 Analyze what a text says explicitly and draw logical inferences; support an interpretation of a text by citing relevant textual evidence.
Text evidence
Text evidence in nonfiction passages
8.RI.KID.1 Analyze what a text says explicitly and draw logical inferences; support an interpretation of a text by citing relevant textual evidence.
Text evidence
Text evidence in nonfiction passages
8.RI.KID.2 Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to supporting ideas; provide an objective summary.
Central idea
Supporting details
Facts and opinions
Central ideas in informational passages
Central ideas in nonfiction passages
8.RI.KID.2 Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to supporting ideas; provide an objective summary.
Central idea
Supporting details
Facts and opinions
Central ideas in informational passages
Central ideas in nonfiction passages
8.RI.KID.3 Analyze the techniques used to distinguish between and to make connections among individuals, events, or ideas in a text.
Text relationships
Arguments
Supporting details
Text analysis in nonfiction passages
8.RI.KID.3 Analyze the techniques used to distinguish between and to make connections among individuals, events, or ideas in a text.
Text relationships
Arguments
Supporting details
Text analysis in nonfiction passages
8.RI.CS Craft and Structure
8.RI.CS.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone, including analogies and allusions to other texts.
Vocabulary in context
Domain-specific vocabulary
Multiple-meaning words
Word choice and usage
Figurative language
8.RI.CS.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone, including analogies and allusions to other texts.
Vocabulary in context
Domain-specific vocabulary
Multiple-meaning words
Word choice and usage
Figurative language
8.RI.CS.5 Analyze in detail the structure of a specific paragraph or section in a text, including the role of particular sentences in developing and refining a key concept.
Text structure
Development of ideas
Development of ideas in nonfiction passages
8.RI.CS.5 Analyze in detail the structure of a specific paragraph or section in a text, including the role of particular sentences in developing and refining a key concept.
Text structure
Development of ideas
Development of ideas in nonfiction passages
8.RI.CS.6 Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how the author acknowledges and responds to conflicting evidence or viewpoints.
8.RI.CS.6 Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how the author acknowledges and responds to conflicting evidence or viewpoints.
8.RI.IKI Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
8.RI.IKI.7 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums to present a particular topic or idea.
8.RI.IKI.7 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums to present a particular topic or idea.
8.RI.IKI.8 Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether evidence is relevant and sufficient to support the claims and the reasoning is sound.
8.RI.IKI.8 Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether evidence is relevant and sufficient to support the claims and the reasoning is sound.
8.RI.IKI.9 Analyze a case in which two or more texts provide conflicting information on the same topic and identify where the texts disagree on matters of fact or interpretation.
8.RI.IKI.9 Analyze a case in which two or more texts provide conflicting information on the same topic and identify where the texts disagree on matters of fact or interpretation.
8.RI.RRTC Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity
8.RI.RRTC.10 Read and comprehend a variety of literary nonfiction at the high end of the grades 6-8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
Central idea
Nonfiction passages
8.RI.RRTC.10 Read and comprehend a variety of literary nonfiction at the high end of the grades 6-8 text complexity band independently and proficiently.
Central idea
Nonfiction passages
8.W
Writing
8.W.TTP Text Types and Protocol
8.W.TTP.1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
8.W.TTP.1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
8.W.TTP.1.a: Introduce claim(s).
8.W.TTP.1.a: Introduce claim(s).
8.W.TTP.1.b: Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant, sufficient evidence; acknowledge and refute alternate or opposing claim(s).
Supporting evidence
Logical fallacies
Counterclaims
8.W.TTP.1.b: Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant, sufficient evidence; acknowledge and refute alternate or opposing claim(s).
Supporting evidence
Logical fallacies
Counterclaims
8.W.TTP.1.c: Organize the reasons and evidence clearly and clarify the relationships among claim(s) and reasons.
Organization
Transitions
8.W.TTP.1.c: Organize the reasons and evidence clearly and clarify the relationships among claim(s) and reasons.
Organization
Transitions
8.W.TTP.1.d: Use credible sources and demonstrate an understanding of the topic or source material.
8.W.TTP.1.d: Use credible sources and demonstrate an understanding of the topic or source material.
8.W.TTP.1.e: Craft an effective and relevant conclusion that supports the argument presented.
8.W.TTP.1.e: Craft an effective and relevant conclusion that supports the argument presented.
8.W.TTP.1.f: Use precise language and content-specific vocabulary.
Word choice and usage
Academic vocabulary
8.W.TTP.1.f: Use precise language and content-specific vocabulary.
Word choice and usage
Academic vocabulary
8.W.TTP.1.g: Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.
8.W.TTP.1.g: Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.
8.W.TTP.1.h: Use varied sentence structure to enhance meaning and reader interest.
Sentence variety
Transitions
8.W.TTP.1.h: Use varied sentence structure to enhance meaning and reader interest.
Sentence variety
Transitions
8.W.TTP.1.i: Establish and maintain a formal style.
8.W.TTP.1.i: Establish and maintain a formal style.
8.W.TTP.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
8.W.TTP.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
8.W.TTP.2.a: Introduce a topic clearly, using the introduction to prepare the reader for what is to follow.
8.W.TTP.2.a: Introduce a topic clearly, using the introduction to prepare the reader for what is to follow.
8.W.TTP.2.b: Synthesize and organize ideas, concepts, and information into broader categories using effective strategies to create cohesion and aid in comprehension.
Organization
Transitions
8.W.TTP.2.b: Synthesize and organize ideas, concepts, and information into broader categories using effective strategies to create cohesion and aid in comprehension.
Organization
Transitions
8.W.TTP.2.c: Develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.
Development and support
Plagiarism
Formatting
8.W.TTP.2.c: Develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.
Development and support
Plagiarism
Formatting
8.W.TTP.2.d: Thoroughly and accurately explain and elaborate on the evidence provided, demonstrating a clear understanding of the topic and the source material.
8.W.TTP.2.d: Thoroughly and accurately explain and elaborate on the evidence provided, demonstrating a clear understanding of the topic and the source material.
8.W.TTP.2.e: Craft an effective and relevant conclusion.
8.W.TTP.2.e: Craft an effective and relevant conclusion.
8.W.TTP.2.f: Include formatting, graphics, and multimedia when appropriate.
8.W.TTP.2.f: Include formatting, graphics, and multimedia when appropriate.
8.W.TTP.2.g: Use appropriate and varied transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.
8.W.TTP.2.g: Use appropriate and varied transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.
8.W.TTP.2.h: Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary.
Word choice and usage
Domain-specific vocabulary
8.W.TTP.2.h: Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary.
Word choice and usage
Domain-specific vocabulary
8.W.TTP.2.i: Use varied sentence structure to enhance meaning and reader interest.
Sentence variety
Transitions
8.W.TTP.2.i: Use varied sentence structure to enhance meaning and reader interest.
Sentence variety
Transitions
8.W.TTP.2.j: Establish and maintain a formal style.
8.W.TTP.2.j: Establish and maintain a formal style.
8.W.TTP.3 Write narratives (fiction and nonfiction) to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
8.W.TTP.3 Write narratives (fiction and nonfiction) to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
8.W.TTP.3.a: Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a narrator and/or participants/characters.
8.W.TTP.3.a: Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a narrator and/or participants/characters.
8.W.TTP.3.b: Organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically.
8.W.TTP.3.b: Organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically.
8.W.TTP.3.c: Create a smooth progression of experiences or events.
8.W.TTP.3.c: Create a smooth progression of experiences or events.
8.W.TTP.3.d: Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, and reflection when appropriate, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.
8.W.TTP.3.d: Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, and reflection when appropriate, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.
8.W.TTP.3.e: Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence, signal shifts, and show the relationships among experiences and events.
8.W.TTP.3.e: Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence, signal shifts, and show the relationships among experiences and events.
8.W.TTP.3.f: Craft an effective and relevant conclusion that reflects on the narrated experiences or events.
8.W.TTP.3.f: Craft an effective and relevant conclusion that reflects on the narrated experiences or events.
8.W.TTP.3.g: Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to convey experiences and events.
Descriptive details
Word choice and usage
8.W.TTP.3.g: Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to convey experiences and events.
Descriptive details
Word choice and usage
8.W.PDW Production and Distribution of Writing
8.W.PDW.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1-3 above.)
Author's purpose
Text structure
Organization
Development and support
8.W.PDW.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1-3 above.)
Author's purpose
Text structure
Organization
Development and support
8.W.PDW.5 With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1–3 up to and including grade 8.)
Organization
Revision
Editing
Complete sentences
Sentence variety
Parallel structure
Pronouns
Nouns
Subject-verb agreement
Verb tense
Adjectives and adverbs
Comparatives and superlatives
Misplaced modifiers
Commas
Semicolons, colons, and commas
Dashes, hyphens, and ellipses
Capitalization
Formatting
Plagiarism
8.W.PDW.5 With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1–3 up to and including grade 8.)
Organization
Revision
Editing
Complete sentences
Sentence variety
Parallel structure
Pronouns
Nouns
Subject-verb agreement
Verb tense
Adjectives and adverbs
Comparatives and superlatives
Misplaced modifiers
Commas
Semicolons, colons, and commas
Dashes, hyphens, and ellipses
Capitalization
Formatting
Plagiarism
8.W.PDW.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to collaborate with others; present the relationships between information and ideas efficiently; type a complete product in a single sitting as defined in W.1-3.
8.W.PDW.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to collaborate with others; present the relationships between information and ideas efficiently; type a complete product in a single sitting as defined in W.1-3.
8.W.RBPK Research to Build and Present Knowledge
8.W.RBPK.7 Conduct research to answer a question (including a self-generated question), drawing on multiple sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration.
8.W.RBPK.7 Conduct research to answer a question (including a self-generated question), drawing on multiple sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration.
8.W.RBPK.8 Use search terms effectively; integrate relevant and credible information from print and digital sources; quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.
Analyze sources
Text evidence
Plagiarism
Citations
8.W.RBPK.8 Use search terms effectively; integrate relevant and credible information from print and digital sources; quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.
Analyze sources
Text evidence
Plagiarism
Citations
8.W.RBPK.9 Support interpretations, analyses, reflections, or research with evidence found in literature or informational texts, applying grade 8 standards for reading; assess whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient to support the claims and recognize when irrelevant evidence is introduced.
Literary texts
Informational texts
8.W.RBPK.9 Support interpretations, analyses, reflections, or research with evidence found in literature or informational texts, applying grade 8 standards for reading; assess whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient to support the claims and recognize when irrelevant evidence is introduced.
Literary texts
Informational texts
8.W.RW Range of Writing
8.W.RW.10 Write routinely over extended time frames and shorter time frames for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
8.W.RW.10 Write routinely over extended time frames and shorter time frames for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.