Language Standards

Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking

Apply the understanding that usage is a matter of convention, can change over time, and is sometimes contested.

Resolve issues of complex or contested usage, consulting references (e.g., Merriam Webster's Dictionary of English Usage, Garner's Modern American Usage) as needed.

Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing

Observe hyphenation conventions

Spell correctly.

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

Vary syntax for effect, consulting references (e.g., Tufte's Artful Sentences) for guidance as needed; apply an understanding of syntax to the study of complex texts when reading.

Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grades 1112 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies

Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence, paragraph, or text; a words position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase

Identify and correctly use patterns of word changes that indicate different meanings or parts of speech (e.g., conceive, conception, conceivable)

Consult 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, its part of speech, its etymology, or its standard usage

Verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary).

Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings

Interpret figures of speech (e.g., hyperbole, paradox) in context and analyze their role in the text

Analyze nuances in the meaning of words with similar denotations.

Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.