Reading Standards for Informational Text (RI):

    RI.7.1: Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
    RI.7.2: Determine two or more central ideas in a text and analyze their development over the course of the text.
    RI.7.3: Analyze the interactions between individuals, events, and ideas in a text.
    RI.7.6: Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how the author distinguishes their position from that of others.
    RI.7.8: Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient.
    RI.8.1: Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
    RI.8.6: Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how the author acknowledges and responds to conflicting evidence or viewpoints.
    RI.8.8: Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient.

Writing Standards (W):

    W.7.1: Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
    W.7.7: Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.
    W.8.1: Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
    W.8.7: Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions for further research.
    W.8.8: Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, assess the credibility and accuracy of each source, and integrate the information while avoiding plagiarism.
    W.8.9: Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

Speaking and Listening Standards (SL):

    SL.7.4: Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with pertinent descriptions, facts, details, and examples.
    SL.8.4: Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with relevant evidence, sound valid reasoning, and well-chosen details.

Language Standards (L):

    L.7.3: Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
    L.8.3: Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.