Ohio's Academic Content Standards in English Language Arts

Writing Applications Standard
Students need to understand that various types of writing require different language, formatting and special vocabulary. Writing serves many purposes across the curriculum and takes various forms. Beginning writers learn about the various purposes of writing; they attempt and use a small range of familiar forms (e.g., letters). Developing writers are able to select text forms to suit purpose and audience. They can explain why some text forms are more suited to a purpose than others and begin to use content-specific vocabulary to achieve their communication goals. Proficient writers control effectively the language and structural features of a large repertoire of text forms. They deliberately choose vocabulary to enhance text and structure their writing according to audience and purpose.

By the end of the K - 2 program:

A.  Compose writings that convey a clear message and include well-chosen details. (ORC Resources) B.  Write responses to literature that demonstrate an understanding of a literary work. (ORC Resources) C.  Write friendly letters and invitations complete with date, salutation, body, closing and signature. (ORC Resources)

By the end of the 3 - 4 program:

A.  Write narrative accounts that develop character, setting and plot. (ORC Resources) B.  Write responses to literature that summarize main ideas and significant details and support interpretations with references to the text. (ORC Resources) C.  Write formal and informal letters that include important details and follow correct letter format. (ORC Resources) D.  Write informational reports that include facts, details and examples that illustrate an important idea. (ORC Resources)

By the end of the 5 - 7 program:

A.  Use narrative strategies (e.g., dialogue and action) to develop characters, plot and setting and to maintain a consistent point of view. (ORC Resources) B.  Write responses to literature that extend beyond the summary and support judgments through references to the text. (ORC Resources) C.  Produce letters (e.g., business, letters to the editor, job applications) that address audience needs, stated purpose and context in a clear and efficient manner. (ORC Resources) D.  Produce informational essays or reports that convey a clear and accurate perspective and support the main ideas with facts, details, examples and explanations. (ORC Resources) E.  Use persuasive strategies, including establishing a clear position in support of a proposition or a proposal with organized and relevant evidence. (ORC Resources)

By the end of the 8 - 10 program:

A.  Compose narratives that establish a specific setting, plot and a consistent point of view, and develop characters by using sensory details and concrete language. (ORC Resources) B.  Write responses to literature that extend beyond the summary and support references to the text, other works, other authors or to personal knowledge. (ORC Resources) C.  Produce letters (e.g., business, letters to the editor, job applications) that follow the conventional style appropriate to the text, include appropriate details and exclude extraneous details and inconsistencies. (ORC Resources) D.  Use documented textual evidence to justify interpretations of literature or to support a research topic. (ORC Resources) E.  Write a persuasive piece that states a clear position, includes relevant information and offers compelling evidence in the form of facts and details. (ORC Resources)

By the end of the 11 - 12 program:

A.  Compose reflective writings that balance reflections by using specific personal experiences to draw conclusions about life. (ORC Resources) B.  Write responses to literature that provide an interpretation, recognize ambiguities, nuances and complexities and that understand the author's use of stylistic devices and effects created. (ORC Resources) C.  Produce functional documents that report, organize and convey information and ideas accurately foresee readers' problems or misunderstandings and that include formatting techniques that are user friendly. (ORC Resources) D.  Produce informational essays or reports that establish a clear and distinctive perspective on the subject, include relevant perspectives, take into account the validity and reliability of sources and provide a clear sense of closure. (ORC Resources) E.  Use a range of strategies to elaborate and persuade when appropriate, including appeal to logic, use of personal anecdotes, examples, beliefs, expert opinions or cause-effect reasoning. (ORC Resources)