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New York Standards

New York Grades 9–10 ELA Standards

All 26 New York English language arts standards for grades 9–10, 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
9-10R1
Back an analysis with strong, thorough evidence for what a text states and implies, draw logical inferences, and ask questions that lead to deeper understanding.
Official wording
Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly/implicitly and make logical inferences; develop questions for deeper understanding and for further exploration. (RI&RL)
9-10R2
Identify one or more themes or central ideas, analyze how specific details give rise to them and refine them, and write an objective, accurate summary.
Official wording
Determine one or more themes or central ideas in a text and analyze its development, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; objectively and accurately summarize a text. (RI&RL)
9-10R3
Analyze how complex characters develop, interact and drive plot or theme, and how a nonfiction author unfolds an argument through the order of and links between ideas.
Official wording
Analyze how and why individuals, events, and ideas develop and interact over the course of a text. In literary texts, analyze how complex and/or dynamic characters develop, interact with other characters, advance the plot, or develop a theme. (RL) In informational texts, analyze how the author unfolds an analysis or argument, including the sequence, the introduction and development of ideas, and the connections that exist. (RI)
Craft and Structure
9-10R4
Determine figurative and connotative meanings in context, analyze how word choice shapes tone and mood, and examine key terms and how language varies by genre.
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. Examine technical or key terms and how language differs across genres. (RI&RL)
9-10R5
Consider how a literary text's structure, like flashbacks or a frame story, creates meaning for readers, and how an author's purpose shapes specific parts of nonfiction.
Official wording
In literary texts, consider how varied aspects of structure create meaning and affect the reader. (RL) In informational texts, consider how author’s intent influences particular sentences, paragraphs, or sections. (RI)
9-10R6
Analyze how a writer's viewpoint, angle and goals drive both the obvious and hidden messages of a text, through rhetorical strategies and literary devices.
Official wording
Analyze how authors employ point of view, perspective, and purpose to shape explicit and implicit messages (e.g., examine rhetorical strategies, literary elements and devices). (RI&RL)
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
9-10R7
Analyze how a subject or key scene is presented in two formats, like a memoir and its film, noting which details each one stresses, changes or leaves out.
Official wording
Analyze how a subject / content is presented in two or more formats by determining which details are emphasized, altered, or absent in each account. (e.g., analyze the representation of a subject / content or key scene in two different formats, examine the differences between a historical novel and a documentary). (RI&RL)
9-10R8
Outline and evaluate an argument, deciding which key statements are valid and which are fallacies by testing whether the evidence is relevant and enough.
Official wording
Delineate and evaluate an argument and specific claims in a text, assessing the validity or fallacy of key statements by examining whether the supporting evidence is relevant and sufficient. (RI&RL)
9-10R9
Build your own standards for judging a text's quality, and link texts to other works, ideas, cultures, eras and your life, like a Greek tragedy and a modern protest.
Official wording
Choose and develop 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
9-10W1
Write arguments on substantial topics or texts with a precise claim, fairly weighed counterclaims, solid evidence, clear transitions and a conclusion on why it matters.
Official wording
Write arguments to support claims that analyze substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.aIntroduce precise claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from counterclaims, establish and organize clear relationships among claim(s), counterclaim(s), reasons, and evidence.bDevelop claim(s) and counterclaims in a balanced manner, supplying evidence for each while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both, anticipating the audience’s knowledge level and concerns.cUse precise language and content-specific vocabulary to express the appropriate complexity of the topic.dUse appropriate and varied transitions to make critical connections and distinctions, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships among complex 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.
9-10W2
Explain a complex topic in writing, sorting ideas to show connections, adding headings or figures where they help, using precise terms, and closing on why it matters.
Official wording
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.aIntroduce and organize complex ideas, concepts, and information to make important connections and distinctions.bDevelop a topic with well-chosen relevant and sufficient facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations and paraphrased information or other examples appropriate to the audience’s knowledge of the topic. Include formatting, graphics, and multimedia when useful to aid comprehension.cUse precise language and content-specific vocabulary to express the appropriate complexity of a topic.dUse appropriate and varied transitions to make critical connections and distinctions, create cohesion, and clarify relationships among complex 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.9-10.2
9-10W3
Write a story that opens on a problem, sets up a narrator and point of view, weaves dialogue, pacing and more than one plot line, and closes with a reflection.
Official wording
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.aEngage the reader by presenting a problem, conflict, situation, or observation, establishing one or multiple point(s) of view, and introducing a narrator and/or characters.bUse narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, reflection, and plot line(s) to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.cUse a variety of techniques to sequence events to create cohesion and a smooth progression of experiences or events.dUse precise words and phrases, explicit details, and sensory language to convey a vivid picture of the experiences, events, setting, and/or characters.eProvide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on what is experienced, observed, or resolved over the course of the narrative.
Common Core W.9-10.3
9-10W4
Respond creatively, like with a poem, play or artwork, to a text, theme or experience, showing a range of genres and techniques and explaining changes from the original.
Official wording
Create a poem, story, play, artwork, or other response to a text, author, theme or personal experience; demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a variety of techniques and genres. Explain divergences from the original when appropriate.
9-10W5
Support your analysis, reflection and research with evidence from literature and nonfiction, applying grade 9 and 10 reading skills to both.
Official wording
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. Apply the grade 9/10 Reading Standards to both literary and informational text, where applicable.
Research to Build and Present Knowledge
9-10W6
Research to answer a question or solve a problem, widening or narrowing the focus as needed, and combine several sources to show you understand the subject.
Official wording
Conduct research to answer questions, including self-generated questions, or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate. Synthesize multiple sources, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
9-10W7
Use advanced searches to find information, judge how well each source answers your question, weave it in smoothly and cite it properly without plagiarizing.
Official wording
Gather relevant information from multiple sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the usefulness of each source in answering the research question; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas; avoid plagiarism and follow a standard format for citation.

Speaking and Listening Standards

6 standards
Comprehension and Collaboration
9-10SL1
Start and join discussions on complex topics, coming prepared, setting norms and goals, linking talk to bigger ideas, drawing others in and refining views with evidence.
Official wording
Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on complex topics, texts, and issues; express ideas clearly and persuasively, and build on those of others.aCome to discussions prepared, having read and researched material under study; draw on that preparation by referring to evidence to stimulate a thoughtful, well-reasoned exchange of ideas.bWork with peers to set norms for collegial discussions and decision-making, establish clear goals, deadlines, and individual roles as needed.cPose and respond to questions that relate the discussion to broader themes or ideas; actively incorporate others into the discussion; and clarify, verify, or challenge ideas and conclusions.dRespond thoughtfully to diverse perspectives, summarize points of agreement and disagreement, and, when warranted, qualify or justify personal views and understanding and make new connections in light of the evidence and reasoning presented.
9-10SL2
Combine information from charts, data and spoken sources, judging how credible, accurate and relevant each one is.
Official wording
Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats (e.g., including visual, quantitative, and oral), evaluating the credibility, accuracy, and relevance of each source.
9-10SL3
Judge how a speaker uses viewpoint, reasoning, evidence and rhetoric, and flag any fallacies or evidence that is stretched or twisted.
Official wording
Evaluate a speaker’s point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric; identify any fallacious reasoning or exaggerated or distorted evidence.
Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas
9-10SL4
Give a clear, tight, logical presentation of your claims and evidence, shaping its structure, depth and style to fit the task, purpose and listeners.
Official wording
Present claims, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically; organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
9-10SL5
Use digital media or visuals strategically, like data graphics or short clips, to deepen understanding of your findings and evidence and keep listeners engaged.
Official wording
Make strategic use of digital media and/or visual displays in presentations to enhance understanding of findings, reasoning, and evidence, and to add elements of interest to engage the audience.
9-10SL6
Change how you speak to suit the setting and task, switching to polished formal English when it is called for, like in a mock trial.
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
9-10L3
Notice how language works differently in a lab report, a poem and a speech, and write and edit to a style manual such as the MLA Handbook when the task calls for one.
Official wording
Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening.aWrite and edit work so that it conforms to the guidelines in a professionally recognized style manual appropriate for the discipline and writing type.
Common Core L.9-10.3
Vocabulary Acquisition and Use
9-10L4
Clarify unknown words using context, word families like analyze and analysis, references for meaning, part of speech or origin, 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, paragraph, or text; a word’s position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.bIdentify and correctly use patterns of word changes that indicate different meanings or parts of speech (e.g., analyze, analysis, analytical; advocate, advocacy).cConsult general and specialized reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses) to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify its precise meaning, its part of speech, or its etymology.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).
9-10L5
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, including euphemism and oxymoron, in context and analyze their role in the text.bAnalyze nuances in the meaning of words with similar denotations.
Common Core L.3.5
9-10L6
Learn and accurately use academic and subject-specific words across reading, writing, speaking and listening, applying them on your own when a term is key to meaning.
Official wording
Acquire and accurately use general academic and content-specific words and phrases, sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening; demonstrate independence in applying 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.