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8th Grade Writing · Lessons

8th Grade Writing lessons

2 sections · 40 skills · work through the full outline skill by skill — read the long-form lesson or flip through the slide-style version.
Long-form lessonsSlide-style lessons

8th Grade Writing

Practice 40 skills across this outline.

Recommended next
Engage Reader and Establish Context
Writing · Write Well-Structured Narratives
Long-form lesson
Weighting distribution
13 categories
Language · Strategies to Determine Word Meaning
16%
Writing · Write Informative/Explanatory Texts
13%
Language · Punctuation, Capitalization, and Spelling
13%
Writing · Write Well-Structured Narratives
11%
Writing · Write Arguments With Evidence
10%
Language · Grammar and Usage
10%

Skills

The comprehensive taxonomy of 8th grade writing — drill into a card to work its skills.

Writing · Write Well-Structured Narratives

5 core skills11% total weight
0/5 completed
5 skills to mastery
1
Engage Reader and Establish ContextRecommended
Long-form
2
Provide Reflective ConclusionAvailable
Long-form
3
Use Narrative Techniques Including ReflectionAvailable
Long-form
4
Use Precise Language to Capture ActionAvailable
Long-form
5
Use Transitions to Convey SequenceAvailable
Long-form

Writing · Production and Distribution of Writing

3 core skills3% total weight
0/3 completed
3 skills to mastery
1
Produce Clear and Coherent WritingAvailable
Long-form
2
Develop Writing Through Planning and RevisingAvailable
Long-form
3
Use Technology to Publish WritingAvailable
Long-form

Writing · Draw Evidence From Texts

2 core skills2% total weight
0/2 completed
2 skills to mastery
1
Apply Reading Standards to Literary NonfictionAvailable
Long-form
2
Apply Reading Standards to LiteratureAvailable
Long-form

Writing · Research

2 core skills6% total weight
0/2 completed
2 skills to mastery
1
Conduct Research and Generate QuestionsAvailable
Long-form
2
Gather Information and Assess CredibilityAvailable
Long-form

Writing · Write Informative/Explanatory Texts

6 core skills13% total weight
0/6 completed
6 skills to mastery
1
Develop Topic With Well-Chosen InformationAvailable
Long-form
2
Introduce and Organize TopicAvailable
Long-form
3
Provide Concluding StatementAvailable
Long-form
4
Establish/Maintain a Formal Explanatory StyleAvailable
Long-form
5
Use Precise Language and VocabularyAvailable
Long-form
6
Use Varied Transitions for CohesionAvailable
Long-form

Writing · Write Arguments With Evidence

5 core skills10% total weight
0/5 completed
5 skills to mastery
1
Establish/Maintain a Formal Argument StyleAvailable
Long-form
2
Introduce and Distinguish ClaimsAvailable
Long-form
3
Provide Concluding Statement for ArgumentAvailable
Long-form
4
Support Claims With Logical ReasoningAvailable
Long-form
5
Create Cohesion Among Claims and CounterclaimsAvailable
Long-form

Writing · Range of Writing

1 core skills4% total weight
0/1 completed
1 skill to mastery
1
Write Routinely Over Extended Time FramesAvailable
Long-form

Language · Strategies to Determine Word Meaning

4 core skills16% total weight
0/4 completed
4 skills to mastery
1
Consult Reference Materials for Word MeaningsAvailable
Long-form
2
Use Context Clues for Word MeaningsAvailable
Long-form
3
Use Greek and Latin RootsAvailable
Long-form
4
Verify Word MeaningsAvailable
Long-form

Language · Grammar and Usage

4 core skills10% total weight
0/4 completed
4 skills to mastery
1
Correct Shifts in Verb Voice/MoodAvailable
Long-form
2
Explain Functions of VerbalsAvailable
Long-form
3
Form Active and Passive VoiceAvailable
Long-form
4
Form and Use Verb MoodsAvailable
Long-form

Language · Figurative Language and Word Nuances

3 core skills6% total weight
0/3 completed
3 skills to mastery
1
Distinguish Connotations of Similar WordsAvailable
Long-form
2
Interpret Verbal Irony and PunsAvailable
Long-form
3
Use Word Relationships to Understand MeaningAvailable
Long-form

Language · Punctuation, Capitalization, and Spelling

3 core skills13% total weight
0/3 completed
3 skills to mastery
1
Spell CorrectlyAvailable
Long-form
2
Use Ellipsis for OmissionsAvailable
Long-form
3
Use Punctuation for PausesAvailable
Long-form

Language · Vocabulary

1 core skills2% total weight
0/1 completed
1 skill to mastery
1
Use Grade-Appropriate Academic VocabularyAvailable
Long-form

Language · Apply Knowledge of Language

1 core skills1% total weight
0/1 completed
1 skill to mastery
1
Use Verb Forms for EffectAvailable
Long-form