8th Grade Writing Standards
Common Core Standards
I Can… Statements
Writing Standards 6-12 (GRADE 8)
(TextTypes & Purposes:
Persuasive Writing)
W.8.1- Write arguments to support claims with clear ...write arguments using clear reasons
reasons and relevant evidence.
and evidence.
W.8.1a – Introduce claim(s), acknowledge and
distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing
claims, and organize the reasons and evidence
logically.
W.8.1b – Support claim(s) with logical reasoning
and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources
and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.
W.8.1c – Use words, phrases, and clauses to create
cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s),
counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.
W.8.1d – Establish and maintain a formal style.
…introduce my argument
…distinguish between opposing
arguments.
….logically organize my reasons and
evidence.
…use supporting, credible evidence and
logical reasoning to demonstrate that I
understand the topic.
…use specific words and phrases to
create a clear argument.
…establish and maintain a formal style
of writing.
W.8.1.e – Provide a concluding statement or section …provide an effective concluding
that follows from and supports the argument presented. statement for my argument.
8th Grade Writing Standards
(Text Types & Purposes:
Informative/Explanatory Writing)
W.8.2 – Write informative/explanatory texts to
examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and
information through the selection, organization, and
analysis of relevant content.
…write to inform/explain a topic using
relevant ideas and organization.
W.8.2a – Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what …clearly state my topic.
is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information
…categorize ideas and information.
into broader categories; include formatting (e.g.
…use formatting, graphics, and/or
heading) graphics (e.g. charts, tables), and multimedia
multimedia to help with understanding.
when useful to aiding comprehension.
W.8.2b – Develop the topic with relevant, wellchosen facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations,
or other information and examples.
W.8.2c – Use appropriate and varied transitions to
create cohesion and clarify the relationships among
ideas and concepts.
…carefully choose relevant facts to
develop my topic.
…use concrete details, quotes,
examples, and/or other information to
support my topic.
…carefully use transitions to help
others understand my writing.
W.8.2d – Use precise language and domain-specific …carefully use language relevant to my
vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
topic.
W.8.2e – Establish and maintain a formal style.
…establish and maintain a formal style
of writing.
W.8.2f – Provide a concluding statement or section
…provide an effective concluding
statement for my information.
that follows form and supports the information or
explanation presented.
8th Grade Writing Standards
(Text Types & Purposes:
Narrative Writing)
W.8.3 – Write narratives to develop real or imagined …effectively write a well-developed
experiences or events using effective technique,
narrative.
relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event
sequences.
W.8.3a – Engage and orient the reader by
establishing a context and point of view and
introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an
event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically.
W.8.3b – Use narrative techniques, such as
dialogue, pacing, description, and reflection, to develop
experiences, events, and/or characters.
…get the reader’s attention in the
introduction of my narrative.
…establish the point of view and
introduce the narrator and/or
character(s) for my narrative.
…organize the events in the proper
order when writing my narrative.
…use narrative techniques to develop
the plot of my narrative.
W.8.3c – Use a variety of transition words, phrases, …use different transitions to connect
and clauses to convey sequence, signal shifts from one ideas and show relationships among
time frame or setting to another, and show the
events in my narrative.
relationships among experiences and events.
W.8.3d – Use precise words and phrases, relevant
descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the
action and convey experiences and events.
W.8.3e – Provide a conclusion that follows from
and reflects on the narrated experiences or events.
…carefully use language and
descriptive details in my narrative.
…write an effective conclusion that
reflects on the narrated experiences and
events.
8th Grade Writing Standards
(Production & Distribution of Writing)
W.8.4 –Produce clear and coherent writing in which
the development, organization, and style are
appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.(Grade-specific
…produce clearly-written pieces of
writing.
expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1-3).
W.8.5 – With some guidance and support from peers …revise and edit my writings after
and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by
peer-conferencing and/or teacherplanning, revising, editing, rewriting or trying a new
conferencing.
approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience
have been addressed. (Editing for conventions should
demonstrate a command of Language standards 1-3 up to and
including grade 8)
W.8.6 – Use technology, including the Internet, to
produce and publish writing and present the
relationship between information and ideas efficiently
as well as to interact and collaborate with others.
…use technology to produce and
publish my writing.
(Research to Build & Present Knowledge)
W.8.7 – Conduct short research projects to answer a …research several sources to answer a
question (including a self-generated question), drawing question and generate further related
on several sources and generating additional related,
questions to explore.
focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of
exploration.
W.8.8 – Gather relevant information from multiple
print and digital sources, using search terms effectively;
assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and
quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others
while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard
format for citation.
W.8.9 – Draw evidence from literary or
informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and
research. (W.8.9a – Apply grade 8 Reading standards to
literature (e.g. “Analyze how…”. W.8.9b – Apply grade 8 Reading
standards to literary nonfiction (e.g. “Delineate and evaluate the
argument and specific claims…”)
(Range of Writing)
W.8.10 – Writing 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.
…gather relevant, accurate information
from a variety of credible sources.
…put researched information into my
own words to avoid plagiarism.
…correctly cite resources I used for my
research.
…use evidence from literature and
nonfiction texts to support my research
and ideas.
…write daily and/or over an extended
time for a variety of purposes, tasks,
and audiences.
8th Grade Writing Standards