Common Core ELA - Writing Grades 11-12: Standards

About the Course

This collection of videos covers the concepts laid out in the Common Core Standards for writing in grades 11 and 12. Use this collection when developing your lesson plans so your students can learn and retain the essential elements of effective, focused writing, including research, writing and revision skills.

High school teachers use these lessons as study aids, homework, introductions to lesson topics and extra help. Videos can also be used to reinforce problem areas students may have with writing.

Collection Details

Write Arguments: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.1

Standard: Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.

Videos in this chapter teach the basics of writing essays with specific instruction on how to properly organize essays and write thesis statements. Students also learn how to identify their audience, form compelling arguments and evaluate reasoning.

Write Informative Texts: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.2

Standard: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization and analysis of content.

This chapter covers the concepts and skills needed to write informative and descriptive essays, with focus on brainstorming, word choice, developing good diction and using reference material.

Write Narratives: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.3

Standard: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.

Check out these videos for instruction on how to write narrative essays. Students learn about different aspects of narrative writing, specifically different types of fiction, plot devices, characterization and other elements of style.

Write Clear Essays: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.4

Standard: 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.)

In this chapter, students learn how to focus their ideas and arguments, pick appeals for their readers and tailor their writing based on audience.

Planning & Revising Writing: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.5

Standard: Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1-3 up to and including grades 11-12 here.)

Videos in this chapter focus on cultivating solid revision skills, including proofreading and editing for content.

Use Technology for Writing: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.6

Standard: Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish and update individual or shared writing products in response to ongoing feedback, including new arguments or information.

This chapter educates students on the various methods technology is used in writing. This includes word processing and desktop publishing.

Conduct Research Projects: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.7

Standard: Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.

This chapter walks students through methods of researching for a project based on multiple sources and gaining thorough understanding of a subject.

Gather Relevant Information: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.8

Standard: Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the strengths and limitations of each source in terms of the task, purpose and audience; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and over reliance on any one source and following a standard format for citation.

Videos in this chapter cover everything related to information gathering. Students learn how to cite sources in text, create works cited and bibliography pages and how to format MLA, APA and Chicago styles.

Use Informational Texts: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.9

Standard: Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection and research.

In this chapter, students are taught how to support arguments and enhance research through evidence found in informational texts.

Write Routinely: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.11-12.10

Standard: 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 tasks, purposes and audiences.

Videos in this course focus on how to use time effectively when writing in short and long time frames.