NECAP Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) for Writing Grade 8
Writing is assessed at the statewide level in the fall of grades 5 and 8. Therefore, support materials are provided for end of grade 4 and end of grade 7 GLEs. Writing is an integral part of local assessment at all grade levels, and the NECAP GLEs provide grade-level guidelines for teachers.
GLE Clusters (click on number to view): Structures of Language (8.1) | Writing in Response to Literary or Informational Text (8.2, 8.3) | Narrative Writing (8.4, 8.5) | Informational Writing (8.6, 8.7, 8.8) | Writing Conventions (8.9)
Web-based Writing GLEsReading/Writing Support Materials Introduction Background Information for Writing Support Materials Grade 8 Clusters: |
GLE |
Support Materials |
Student Work |
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Students demonstrate command of the structures of sentences, paragraphs, and text by… |
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Using varied sentence length and structure to enhance meaning (e.g., including phrases and clauses) |
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Using the paragraph form: indenting, main idea, supporting details |
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Recognizing organizational structures within paragraphs or within
texts EXAMPLES (of text structures): description, sequential chronology,
proposition/support, compare/contrast, problem/solution, cause/effect,
investigation |
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Applying a format and text structure appropriate to the purpose of the writing |
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Web-based Writing GLEsReading/Writing Support Materials Introduction Background Information for Writing Support Materials Grade 8 Clusters: |
GLEs |
Support
Materials |
Student Work |
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In response to literary or informational text, students show understanding
of plot /ideas/concepts by… |
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Selecting and summarizing key ideas to set context |
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Connecting what has been read (plot/ideas/concepts) to prior knowledge, other texts, or the broader world of ideas, by referring to and explaining relevant ideas |
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Web-based Writing GLEsReading/Writing Support Materials Introduction Background Information for Writing Support Materials Grade 8 Clusters: |
GLE |
Support
Materials |
Student Work |
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In response to literary or informational text, students make and support analytical judgments about text by… |
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Stating and maintaining a focus (purpose), a firm judgment, or point of view when responding to a given question |
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Making inferences about the relationship(s) among content, events,
characters, setting, theme, or author's craft EXAMPLES: Making links to author's choice of words, style, bias, literary techniques, or point of view; making links to characteristics of literary forms or genres |
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Using specific details and references to text or relevant citations to support focus or judgment |
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Organizing ideas, using transition words/phrases and drawing a conclusion by synthesizing information (e.g., demonstrate a connection to the broader world of ideas) |
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Web-based Writing GLEsReading/Writing Support Materials Introduction Background Information for Writing Support Materials Grade 8 Clusters: |
GLE |
Support
Material |
Student Work |
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In written narratives, students organize and relate a story line/plot/series of events by… |
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Creating a clear and coherent (logically consistent) story line |
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Establishing context, character motivation, problem/conflict/challenge, and resolution, and maintaining point of view |
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Using a variety of effective transitional devices (e.g., ellipses, time transitions, white space, words/phrases) to enhance meaning |
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Web-based Writing GLEsReading/Writing Support Materials Introduction Background Information for Writing Support Materials Grade 8 Clusters: |
GLE |
Support
Materials |
Student Work |
| W-8-5 Students demonstrate use of narrative strategies by… |
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Creating images, using details and sensory language to advance the plot/story line |
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Using dialogue to advance plot/story line |
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Developing characters through description, dialogue, actions, and relationships with other characters, when appropriate |
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Using voice appropriate to purpose |
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Maintaining focus |
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Controlling the pace of the story EXAMPLE: Developing the narrative with greatest emphasis on
the most important parts |
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Web-based Writing GLEsReading/Writing Support Materials Introduction Background Information for Writing Support Materials Grade 8 Clusters: |
GLE |
Support
Materials |
Student Work |
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In informational writing, students organize ideas/concepts by … |
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Using an organizational text structure appropriate to focus/controlling
idea EXAMPLES (of text structures): chronology, proposition/support,
compare/contrast, problem/solution, cause/effect, investigation |
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Selecting appropriate information to set context, which may include a lead/hook |
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Using transition words or phrases appropriate to organizational text structure |
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Drawing a conclusion by synthesizing information EXAMPLES: in reports and persuasive - something discovered/new insights (aha!) or stating the significance (so what?); in procedures - conclusion advances readers' knowledge |
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Web-based Writing GLEsReading/Writing Support Materials Introduction Background Information for Writing Support Materials Grade 8 Clusters: |
GLE |
Support
Materials |
Student Work |
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In informational writing,, students effectively convey purpose by… |
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Stating and maintaining a focus/controlling idea/thesis |
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Writing with a sense of audience, when appropriate |
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Establishing an authoritative voice |
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Web-based Writing GLEsReading/Writing Support Materials Introduction Background Information for Writing Support Materials Grade 8 Clusters: |
GLE |
Support
Materials |
Student Work |
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In informational writing, students demonstrate use of a range of elaboration strategies by … |
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Including facts and details relevant to focus/controlling idea, and excluding extraneous information |
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Including sufficient details or facts for appropriate depth of information: naming, describing, explaining, comparing, use of visual images |
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Addressing readers' concerns (including counterarguments - in persuasive writing; addressing potential problems -in procedures; providing context -in reports) |
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Commenting on the significance of the information, when appropriate |
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Web-based Writing GLEsReading/Writing Support Materials Introduction Background Information for Writing Support Materials Grade 8 Clusters: |
GLE |
Support
Materials |
Student Work |
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In independent writing, students demonstrate command of appropriate English conventions by… |
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Applying rules of standard English usage to correct grammatical errors
EXAMPLES: subject-verb agreement, pronoun-antecedent, consistency of verb tense, case of pronouns |
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Applying capitalization rules |
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Applying appropriate punctuation to various sentence patterns to
enhance meaning EXAMPLES: hyphens, dashes, parentheses |
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Applying conventional and word-derivative spelling patterns/rules
EXAMPLES: identifying relationships among roots and common pre/suffixes, including foreign derivation |
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