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Virginia Standards

8th Grade English SOL

All 18 Virginia English standards for 8th grade, each explained in plain English. The official wording is in Virginia Department of Education's document, linked at the end of this page.

18 standards

Developing Skilled Readers and Building Reading Stamina

1 standard
8.DSR
Read texts at the hard end of the grades 6 to 8 range fluently, cite and track down evidence, read linked texts in each unit, and summarize or question when confused.

Reading and Vocabulary

1 standard
8.RV.1
Work out words through context, roots and analogies, analyze symbols, idioms and metaphors, tell a word's feelings from its definition, and trace word histories.

Reading Literary Text

3 standards
8.RL.1
Analyze how theme develops through character, setting and plot, explain how subplots and forms like tragedy shape meaning, and justify characters' choices with evidence.
8.RL.2
Analyze how sound devices, dialogue and contrasting narrators shape tone and voice, and how foreshadowing, flashback, symbolism and irony build suspense or surprise.
8.RL.3
Compare how structure shapes meaning in stories, poems and plays, check historical fiction against history to see what authors change, and compare genres on one theme.

Reading Informational Text

3 standards
8.RI.1
Summarize how a text's key details connect, analyze how a history or science author orders and links ideas, and judge whether evidence is relevant and sufficient.
8.RI.2
Evaluate how well sidebars and footnotes help readers, analyze how an author's wording and expertise affect credibility, and how the author answers opposing evidence.
8.RI.3
Analyze how sentences, sections and text features refine ideas, and compare two authors who disagree on a topic, pinpointing where their reasoning and evidence split.

Writing

3 standards
8.W.1
Write well-paced narratives, focused explanations quoting credible sources, arguments whose evidence logically advances a claim, and reflections grounded in a reading.
8.W.2
Draft essays with a thesis, formal style and steady point of view, evidence fully explained, counterclaims answered when needed, varied transitions and a strong close.
8.W.3
Strengthen essays by clarifying content, sharpening words, varying sentences and smoothing transitions, then edit solo and with classmates for mechanics and usage.

Language Usage

2 standards
8.LU.1
Mix simple through compound-complex sentences, keep pronouns like whom and whoever in agreement, pick precise modifiers, place clauses for effect, and keep tense steady.
8.LU.2
Write complete sentences free of run-ons, format dialogue and quotations properly, spell frequent words accurately, and confirm spellings with a reference.

Communication and Multimodal Literacies

4 standards
8.C.1
Lead and join discussions by setting ground rules, backing ideas with support, asking clarifying questions, changing views when persuaded and compromising for the group.
8.C.2
Give solo and group presentations, formal and informal, that are organized and fact-backed, spoken at a clear pace and volume, with sources cited and questions answered.
8.C.3
Plan a multimodal talk that orders ideas logically, mixes modes like video and speech, and shows several viewpoints, then publish targeted messages backed by reasoning.
8.C.4
Examine how media sway beliefs with techniques like testimonials and glittering generalities, compare one story across print and online outlets, and weigh source motives.

Research

1 standard
8.R.1
Refine a research question, weigh sources for credibility and bias, synthesize notes in one's own words, cite in MLA or APA style, and use the internet and AI ethically.

The official Virginia documents

The plain-English lines on this page are EMStudio's own explanations of Virginia's standards, not the official wording, which Virginia Department of Education publishes in the documents above. Codes and strand names identify each standard.