California State Standards for Language Arts: Grade 8

CA.1.0. Reading: Word Analysis, Fluency, and Systematic Vocabulary Development: Students use their knowledge of word origins and word relationships, as well as historical and literary context clues, to determine the meaning of specialized vocabulary and to understand the precise meaning of grade-level-appropriate words.

1.1. Vocabulary and Concept Development: Analyze idioms, analogies, metaphors, and similes to infer the literal and figurative meanings of phrases. 13
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 1.1.

1.2. Vocabulary and Concept Development: Understand the most important points in the history of English language and use common word origins to determine the historical influences on English word meanings. 27
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 1.2.

1.3. Vocabulary and Concept Development: Use word meanings within the appropriate context and show ability to verify those meanings by definition, restatement, example, comparison, or contrast. 9
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 1.3.

CA.2.0. Reading: Reading Comprehension (Focus on Informational Materials): Students read and understand grade-level-appropriate material. They describe and connect the essential ideas, arguments, and perspectives of the text by using their knowledge of text structure, organization, and purpose.

2.2. Structural Features of Informational Materials: Analyze text that uses proposition and support patterns. 6
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 2.2.

2.3. Comprehension and Analysis of Grade-Level-Appropriate Text: Find similarities and differences between texts in the treatment, scope, or organization of ideas. 6
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 2.3.

2.4. Comprehension and Analysis of Grade-Level-Appropriate Text: Compare the original text to a summary to determine whether the summary accurately captures the main ideas, includes critical details, and conveys the underlying meaning. 6
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 2.4.

2.5. Comprehension and Analysis of Grade-Level-Appropriate Text: Understand and explain the use of a complex mechanical device by following technical directions. 1
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 2.5.

2.7. Expository Critique: Evaluate the unity, coherence, logic, internal consistency, and structural patterns of text. 257
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 2.7.

CA.3.0. Reading: Literary Response and Analysis: Students read and respond to historically or culturally significant works of literature that reflect and enhance their studies of history and social science. They clarify the ideas and connect them to other literary works.

3.1. Structural Features of Literature: Determine and articulate the relationship between the purposes and characteristics of different forms of poetry (e.g., ballad, lyric, couplet, epic, elegy, ode, sonnet). 28
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 3.1.

3.2. Narrative Analysis of Grade-Level-Appropriate Text: Evaluate the structural elements of the plot (e.g., subplots, parallel episodes, climax), the plot's development, and the way in which conflicts are (or are not) addressed and resolved. 13
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 3.2.

3.3. Narrative Analysis of Grade-Level-Appropriate Text: Compare and contrast motivations and reactions of literary characters from different historical eras confronting similar situations or conflicts. 34
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 3.3.

3.4. Narrative Analysis of Grade-Level-Appropriate Text: Analyze the relevance of the setting (e.g., place, time, customs) to the mood, tone, and meaning of the text. 7
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 3.4.

3.5. Narrative Analysis of Grade-Level-Appropriate Text: Identify and analyze recurring themes (e.g., good versus evil) across traditional and contemporary works. 7
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 3.5.

3.6. Narrative Analysis of Grade-Level-Appropriate Text: Identify significant literary devices (e.g., metaphor, symbolism, dialect, irony) that define a writer's style and use those elements to interpret the work. 274
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 3.6.

3.7. Literary Criticism: Analyze a work of literature, showing how it reflects the heritage, traditions, attitudes, and beliefs of its author. (Biographical approach) (CAHSEE 2005) 267
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 3.7.

1.4. Research and Technology: Plan and conduct multiple-step information searches by using computer networks and modems. 18
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 1.4.

1.5. Research and Technology: Achieve an effective balance between researched information and original ideas. 24
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 1.5.

1.6. Evaluation and Revision: Revise writing for word choice; appropriate organization; consistent point of view; and transitions between paragraphs, passages, and ideas. 18
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 1.6.

2.1.a. Relate a clear, coherent incident, event, or situation by using well-chosen details. 6
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 2.1.a.

2.1.b. Reveal the significance of, or the writer's attitude about, the subject. 6
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 2.1.b.

2.1.c. Employ narrative and descriptive strategies (e.g., relevant dialogue, specific action, physical description, background description, comparison or contrast of characters). 6
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 2.1.c.

2.2.a. Exhibit careful reading and insight in their interpretations. 267
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 2.2.a.

2.2.b. Connect the student's own responses to the writer's techniques and to specific textual references. 267
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 2.2.b.

2.2.c. Draw supported inferences about the effects of a literary work on its audience. 267
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 2.2.c.

2.2.d. Support judgments through references to the text, other works, other authors, or to personal knowledge. 267
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 2.2.d.

2.3.a. Define a thesis. 17
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 2.3.a.

2.3.b. Record important ideas, concepts, and direct quotations from significant information sources and paraphrase and summarize all perspectives on the topic, as appropriate. 18
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 2.3.b.

2.3.c. Use a variety of primary and secondary sources and distinguish the nature and value of each. 19
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 2.3.c.

2.3.d. Organize and display information on charts, maps, and graphs. 2
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 2.3.d.

2.4.a. Include a well-defined thesis (i.e., one that makes a clear and knowledgeable judgment). 3
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 2.4.a.

2.4.b. Present detailed evidence, examples, and reasoning to support arguments, differentiating between facts and opinion. 3
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 2.4.b.

2.4.c. Provide details, reasons, and examples, arranging them effectively by anticipating and answering reader concerns and counterarguments. 3
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 2.4.c.

2.5.a. Present information purposefully and succinctly and meet the needs of the intended audience. 7
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 2.5.a.

2.5.b. Follow the conventional format for the type of document (e.g., letter of inquiry, memorandum). 7
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 2.5.b.

2.6.a. Identify the sequence of activities needed to design a system, operate a tool, or explain the bylaws of an organization. 16
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 2.6.a.

2.6.b. Include all the factors and variables that need to be considered. 4
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 2.6.b.

2.6.c. Use formatting techniques (e.g., headings, differing fonts) to aid comprehension. 17
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 2.6.c.

1.7. Organization and Delivery of Oral Communication: Use audience feedback (e.g., verbal and nonverbal cues). 6
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 1.7.

1.7.a. Reconsider and modify the organizational structure or plan. 6
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 1.7.a.

1.7.b. Rearrange words and sentences to clarify the meaning. 6
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 1.7.b.

1.8. Analysis and Evaluation of Oral and Media Communications: Evaluate the credibility of a speaker (e.g., hidden agendas, slanted or biased material). 8
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 1.8.

1.9. Analysis and Evaluation of Oral and Media Communications: Interpret and evaluate the various ways in which visual image makers (e.g., graphic artists, illustrators, news photographers) communicate information and affect impressions and opinions. 11
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 1.9.

2.4.d. Maintain a reasonable tone. 3
Suggested Titles for California Language Arts State Standard 2.4.d.