New Jersey Standards
New Jersey 7th Grade ELA Standards
All 32 New Jersey English language arts standards for 7th grade, each explained in plain English. The official wording is one click away under each one.
32 standards
Language Domain
4 standardsL.SS.7.1
Use correct English, like explaining what phrases and clauses do, varying sentence types, fixing dangling modifiers, and putting commas between paired adjectives.
Official wording
Demonstrate command of the system and structure of the English language when writing or speaking.AExplain the function of phrases and clauses in general and their function in specific sentences.BChoose among simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences to signal differing relationships among ideas.CPlace phrases and clauses within a sentence, recognizing and correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers.DUse a comma to separate coordinate adjectives (e.g., It was a fascinating, enjoyable movie but not He wore an old green shirt).ERecognize spelling conventions.
L.KL.7.2
Notice the difference between formal and casual English, like Good morning, Mrs. Lee versus Hey, and choose which fits the moment.
Official wording
Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.AAcquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases.BGather vocabulary knowledge when selecting a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.CChoose language that expresses ideas precisely and concisely, recognizing and eliminating wordiness and redundancy.
L.VL.7.3
Work out unknown and multiple-meaning words with context, roots like chron in chronology, and dictionaries, check the guess, and weigh how a word choice affects tone.
Official wording
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 7 reading and content, including technical meanings, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.AUse context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence or paragraph; a word’s position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.BUse common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., belligerent, bellicose, rebel).CAnalyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.DConsult reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify its precise meaning or its part of speech.EVerify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary).
L.VI.7.4
Explain a nonliteral phrase like take steps, name someone who is friendly to link a word to real life, and rank knew, believed and suspected by how sure they are.
Official wording
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.AInterpret figures of speech (e.g., literary, biblical, and mythological allusions) in context.BUse the relationship between particular words (e.g., synonym/antonym, analogy) to better understand each of the words.CAnalyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sound (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza or a poem or section of a story or drama.DDistinguish among the connotations (associations) of words with similar denotations (definitions) (e.g., refined, respectful, polite, diplomatic, condescending).
Reading Domain
15 standardsRL.CR.7.1
Quote several pieces of evidence from a novel or play to support an analysis of what it states plainly and what it suggests between the lines.
Official wording
Cite several pieces of textual evidence and make relevant connections to support analysis of what a literary text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
RI.CR.7.1
Use several quotes and details from an article or essay to support an analysis of both its stated facts and the conclusions that can be drawn from it.
Official wording
Cite several pieces of textual evidence and make relevant connections to support analysis of what an informational text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
RL.CI.7.2
Identify a theme in a story, play or poem, trace the specific details that carry it, and write an objective summary free of personal judgment.
Official wording
Determine a theme in a literary text (e.g., stories, plays or poetry) and explain how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
RI.CI.7.2
Identify a central idea in a nonfiction text, show which details carry it across, and summarize the text objectively, without personal views.
Official wording
Determine a central idea in an informational text and explain how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
RL.IT.7.3
Analyze how story elements work together, like how a line of dialogue or an incident pushes the plot forward, reveals a character, or sparks a decision.
Official wording
Analyze how particular elements of a text interact including how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.
RI.IT.7.3
Analyze how a nonfiction text links and separates people, events and ideas, such as through comparisons, analogies or categories.
Official wording
Analyze how particular elements of a text interact including how a text makes connections and distinctions among individuals, events, and ideas (e.g., through comparisons, analogies, or categories).
RL.TS.7.4
Analyze how an author organizes a text and how that shapes the whole, including how a form like a sonnet or soliloquy adds to a poem or play's meaning.
Official wording
Analyze the structure an author uses to organize a text and how it contributes to the text as a whole, including how a drama’s or poem’s form or structure (e.g., soliloquy, sonnet) contributes to its meaning.
RI.TS.7.4
Analyze how a nonfiction text is organized, using structures like cause and effect or claim and support and features like graphics to sort out key information.
Official wording
Analyze the structure an author uses to organize a text and how it contributes to the text as a whole, including using knowledge of text structures (e.g., cause-effect, proposition-support) and genre features (e.g., graphics, captions, indexes) to organize and analyze important information.
RL.PP.7.5
Explain how an author builds a perspective or purpose by setting different characters' or narrators' points of view against each other.
Official wording
Determine how an author conveys or develops perspective or purpose in a text through contrasting the points of view of different characters or narrators in a text.
RI.PP.7.5
Explain how an author shows a perspective or purpose by using evidence to set their own position apart from what others think.
Official wording
Determine how an author conveys or develops perspective or purpose in a text through distinguishing their position from that of others using evidence.
RL.MF.7.6
Compare a written story, play or poem with its audio, film or stage version, and analyze what each medium adds, like lighting, sound or camera angles.
Official wording
Compare and contrast texts (e.g., a written story, drama, or poem) to its audio, filmed, staged, or multimedia version and analyze the unique qualities of different mediums, including the effects of techniques unique to each medium (e.g., lighting, sound, color, or camera focus and angles in a film).
RI.MF.7.6
Compare how different media present a topic, combining facts from several formats and sources to understand it more deeply and sort out conflicting details.
Official wording
Compare and contrast texts to analyze the unique qualities of different mediums, including the integration of information from multiple formats and sources to develop deeper understanding of the concept, topic or subject and resolve conflicting information.
RI.AA.7.7
Follow an author's argument claim by claim and judge whether the reasoning makes sense and whether the evidence is on point and enough to support each claim.
Official wording
Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient to support the claims.
RL.CT.7.8
Compare a fictional take on an event, place or person with a factual account of the same time to see how novelists use or change history.
Official wording
Compare and contrast a fictional portrayal of an event, time, place, or character and a historical or scientific account of the same period or event as a means of understanding how authors of fiction use or alter history and/or events.
RI.CT.7.8
Use background knowledge to analyze how two or more writers on one subject frame key facts differently, by stressing other evidence or reading the facts their own way.
Official wording
Analyze and reflect on (e.g., practical knowledge, historical/cultural context, and background knowledge) how two or more authors writing informational texts about the same topic shape their presentations of key information by emphasizing different evidence or advancing different interpretations of facts.
Writing Domain
7 standardsW.AW.7.1
Write arguments in any subject that state a claim, address opposing views, back it with logical reasons and credible evidence, keep a formal tone, and end with a conclusion.
Official wording
Write arguments on discipline-specific content (e.g., social studies, science, technical subjects, English/Language Arts) to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.AIntroduce claim(s) about a topic or issue, acknowledge alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically.BSupport claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant, accurate data and evidence that demonstrate an understanding of the topic or text, using credible sources.CUse words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), reasons, and evidence.DEstablish and maintain a formal style/academic style, approach, and form.EProvide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.
W.IW.7.2
Write explanations that preview the topic, organize ideas with structures and headings, use facts, quotes and precise terms, link ideas smoothly, and end by reflecting on it.
Official wording
Write informative/explanatory texts (including the narration of historical events, scientific procedures/ experiments, or technical processes) to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.AIntroduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information, using text structures (e.g., definition, classification, comparison/contrast, cause/effect, etc.) and text features (e.g., headings, graphics, and multimedia) when useful to aid in comprehension.BDevelop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.CUse appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.DUse precise language and domain/ grade-level- specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.EEstablish and maintain a formal style academic style, approach, and form.FProvide a concluding statement or section (e.g., sentence, part of a paragraph, paragraph, or multiple paragraphs) that follows the flow of ideas, reflects back on the topic, and supports the information or explanation presented.
W.NW.7.3
Write a true or made-up story that sets the scene, uses dialogue, pacing and sensory detail, moves clearly through time and ends with a fitting conclusion.
Official wording
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.AEngage 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.BUse narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.CUse a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another.DUse precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events.EProvide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on the narrated experiences or events.
W.WP.7.4
With help from classmates and adults, plan, revise and edit writing, stick with harder pieces until done, and check how well it serves its purpose and readers.
Official wording
With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning; flexibly making editing and revision choices and sustaining effort to complete complex writing tasks; and focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.
W.WR.7.5
Research a question across several sources in a short project, and let what you find spark new related questions worth looking into next.
Official wording
Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions for further research and investigation.
W.SE.7.6
Pick good search terms to find print and online sources, check each for accuracy and reliability, and quote or paraphrase it with a citation in a format like MLA.
Official wording
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.RW.7.7
Write regularly, from long projects with time to research, reflect and revise to quick one-day pieces, for many subjects, purposes and audiences.
Official wording
Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, metacognition/self- correction, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
Speaking and Listening Domain
6 standardsSL.PE.7.1
Discuss 7th-grade texts having done the reading, cite evidence, keep the group on its goals and deadlines, draw others out, and change your mind when warranted.
Official wording
Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 7 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.ACome to discussions prepared, having read or researched material under study; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence on the topic, text, or issue to probe and reflect on ideas under discussion.BFollow rules for collegial discussions, track progress toward specific goals and deadlines, and define individual roles as needed.CPose questions that elicit elaboration and respond to others’ questions and comments with relevant observations and ideas that bring the discussion back on topic as needed.DAcknowledge new information expressed by others and, when warranted, modify their own views.
SL.II.7.2
Pick out the main ideas and supporting details in a chart, podcast, video or speech, and explain how they shed light on the topic or text the class is studying.
Official wording
Analyze the main ideas and supporting details presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how the ideas clarify a topic, text, or issue under study.
SL.ES.7.3
Outline a speaker's argument and each claim in it, then judge whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is both on point and enough to prove the claim.
Official wording
Delineate a speaker’s argument and specific claims, evaluating the soundness of the reasoning and the relevance and sufficiency of the evidence.
SL.PI.7.4
Present your claims and findings in a focused way, spotlighting the key points with fitting facts and examples, with eye contact, enough volume and clear speech.
Official wording
Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with pertinent descriptions, facts, details, and examples; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.
SL.UM.7.5
Use slides, charts, images or short clips in a presentation to make your claims and findings clearer and to drive home the most important points.
Official wording
Include multimedia components and visual displays in presentations to clarify claims and findings and emphasize salient points.
SL.AS.7.6
Shift speaking style for different situations and tasks, like a group project or a formal presentation, switching to formal English when it fits.
Official wording
Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.
The official New Jersey documents
- New Jersey Student Learning Standards for English Language Arts, 2023 · adopted October 2023 · since 2024-25
New Jersey Student Learning Standards for English Language Arts, New Jersey Department of Education.
Common Core State Standards © Copyright 2010. National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers. All rights reserved.
The plain-English lines are EMStudio's own explanations, shown beside the official wording. They are not part of the standards.