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New York Standards

New York 7th Grade ELA Standards

All 26 New York English language arts standards for 7th grade, each explained in plain English. The official wording is one click away under each one.

26 standards

Reading Standards (Literary and Informational Text)

9 standards
Key Ideas and Details
7R1
Support your interpretation of a text with quotes and details, covering both what it says outright and what you can logically infer, like a character's hidden motive.
Official wording
Cite textual evidence to support an analysis of what the text says explicitly/implicitly and make logical inferences. (RI&RL)
7R2
Identify a theme or central idea, analyze how it grows across the whole text, and write a short summary of the text.
Official wording
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; summarize a text. (RI&RL)
7R3
Analyze how plot elements like setting, conflict and events shape each other and the story's meaning, and how nonfiction introduces and connects people, events and ideas.
Official wording
In literary texts, analyze how elements of plot are related, affect one another, and contribute to meaning. (RL) In informational texts, analyze how individuals, events, and ideas are introduced, relate to each other, and are developed. (RI)
Craft and Structure
7R4
Work out what words mean in a text, including figurative, connotative and multiple meanings, and how a choice like eerie instead of old sets tone and mood.
Official wording
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings. Analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning, tone, and mood, including words with multiple meanings. (RI&RL)
7R5
Analyze how structure, like a poem's stanzas or a play's acts, builds theme, and how the sections of a nonfiction text organize it and develop its central ideas.
Official wording
In literary texts, analyze how structure, including genre-specific features, contributes to the development of themes or central ideas. (RL) In informational texts, analyze the structure an author uses to organize a text, including how the sections contribute to the whole and to the development of themes or central ideas. (RI)
7R6
Analyze how a writer builds and contrasts what different characters or narrators see and believe, and how a nonfiction author separates their position from opposing ones.
Official wording
In literary texts, analyze how an author develops and contrasts the point of view and the perspectives of different characters or narrators. (RL) In informational texts, analyze how the author distinguishes his or her position from that of others. (RI)
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
7R7
Compare a written text with its audio, film, stage or digital version, analyzing the techniques each medium uses and how each one portrays the subject.
Official wording
Compare and contrast a written text with audio, filmed, staged, or digital versions in order to analyze the effects of techniques unique to each media and each format’s portrayal of a subject. (RI&RL)
7R8
Trace and judge an argument's claims, checking whether the logic holds up and the evidence is relevant and enough, and spotting evidence that does not belong.
Official wording
Trace and evaluate the development of an argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is valid and the evidence is relevant and sufficient and recognizing when irrelevant evidence is introduced. (RI&RL)
7R9
Evaluate how good a text is against agreed criteria, and connect it to other works, ideas, cultures, eras and your own experience, like linking a novel to a family story.
Official wording
Use established criteria in order to evaluate the quality of texts. Make connections to other texts, ideas, cultural perspectives, eras, and personal experiences. (RI&RL)

Writing Standards

7 standards
Text Types and Purposes
7W1
Write an argument with a clear claim, reasons and evidence from credible sources, linking words, a formal style and a conclusion that follows from it.
Official wording
Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.aIntroduce a precise claim, acknowledge and distinguish the claim from a counterclaim, and organize the reasons and evidence logically.bSupport claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using credible sources while demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.cUse precise language and content-specific vocabulary to argue a claim.dUse appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.eProvide a concluding statement or section that explains the significance of the argument presented.fMaintain a style and tone appropriate to the writing task.
Common Core W.6.1
7W2
Write an informative piece that introduces a topic, organizes facts, definitions and examples under headings or charts where they help, and ends with a conclusion.
Official wording
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.aGRADE Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information, using strategies such as definition, classification, comparison/contrast and cause/effect.bDevelop a topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples; include formatting, graphics, and multimedia when useful to aid comprehension.cUse precise language and content-specific vocabulary to explain a topic.dUse appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.eProvide a concluding statement or section that explains the significance of the information presented.fEstablish and maintain a style appropriate to the writing task.
Common Core W.6.2
7W3
Write true or imagined narratives that set a point of view, use dialogue, description and transitions, capture action with sensory detail and end with reflection.
Official wording
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques, descriptive details and clear sequencing.aEngage the reader by establishing a point of view and introducing a narrator and/or characters.bUse narrative techniques, such as dialogue and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.cUse a variety of transitional 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 what is experienced, observed, or resolved over the course of the narrative.
7W4
Answer a text, author, theme or personal experience with your own creative piece, like a short story told by a minor character or a painting.
Official wording
Create a poem, story, play, artwork, or other response to a text, author, theme, or personal experience.
7W5
Pull evidence from fiction and nonfiction to back your analysis, reflection and research, using grade 7 reading skills with both types of text.
Official wording
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. Apply the grade 7 Reading Standards to both literary and informational text, where applicable.
Research to Build and Present Knowledge
7W6
Investigate questions, including ones you pose, using several sources, adjust the focus when needed, and come up with follow-up questions to research next.
Official wording
Conduct research to answer questions, including self-generated questions, drawing on multiple sources and refocusing the inquiry when appropriate. Generate additional related questions for further research and investigation.
7W7
Gather information from several sources, judge each one's credibility and accuracy, quote or paraphrase carefully to avoid plagiarism, and cite in a standard format.
Official wording
Gather relevant information from multiple sources; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others; avoid plagiarism and follow a standard format for citation.

Speaking and Listening Standards

6 standards
Comprehension and Collaboration
7SL1
Join discussions prepared with evidence, track group goals and roles, ask questions that draw out detail, keep talk on topic and rethink your views when warranted.
Official wording
Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners; express ideas clearly and persuasively, and build on those of others.aCome to discussions prepared, having read or researched material under study; draw on that preparation by referring to evidence on the topic, text, or issue to probe and reflect on ideas under discussion.bFollow norms 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 personal views.
7SL2
Analyze the main ideas and details in charts, data and spoken information, and explain how they clarify or add to the topic being studied.
Official wording
Analyze the central ideas and supporting details presented in diverse formats (e.g., including visual, quantitative, and oral) and explain how the ideas clarify and/or contribute to a topic, text, or issue under study
7SL3
Break down a speaker's argument and claims, judging whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence fits the point and is enough to prove it.
Official wording
Delineate a speaker’s argument and specific claims, evaluating for sound reasoning, and the relevance and sufficiency of the evidence.
Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas
7SL4
Present claims and findings with focus, highlighting key points with relevant facts, details and examples, while making eye contact and speaking loudly and clearly.
Official wording
Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with relevant descriptions, facts, details, and examples; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear enunciation.
7SL5
Use digital media or visual displays in presentations, like a chart or photo, to clarify claims and findings and draw attention to the most important points.
Official wording
Include digital media and/or visual displays in presentations to clarify claims and findings and emphasize salient points.
7SL6
Shift your speaking style for different situations and tasks, using formal English where appropriate, like when interviewing a guest speaker.
Official wording
Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.

Language Standards

4 standards
Knowledge of Language
7L3
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.aChoose language that expresses ideas precisely and concisely, recognizing and eliminating wordiness and redundancy.
Common Core L.2.3
Vocabulary Acquisition and Use
7L4
Work out unknown and multiple-meaning words using context, Greek or Latin roots like bell in belligerent, print and digital references, and a check of your guess.
Official wording
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases, 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).cConsult general and specialized 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.dVerify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary).
7L5
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 figurative language, including allusions, in context.bUse the relationship between particular words (e.g., synonym/antonym, analogy) to better understand each of the words.cDistinguish among the connotations of words with similar denotations (e.g., refined, respectful, polite, diplomatic, condescending).
Common Core L.3.5
7L6
Build and accurately use academic and subject words, like hypothesis or perspective, and draw on that vocabulary when a word matters to understanding or expressing ideas.
Official wording
Acquire and accurately use general academic and content-specific words and phrases; apply vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.

The official New York documents

New York State Next Generation English Language Arts Learning Standards, Copyright 2017, New York State Education Department, used with permission.

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.