Common Core Standards Progression
Writing
Informative/Explanatory Text
CA Common Core Standards
W.K.2
Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to
compose informative/explanatory texts in which they name
what they are writing about and supply some information about
the topic.
W.1.2
Write informative/explanatory texts in which they name a topic,
supply some facts about the topic, and provide some sense of
closure.
W.2.2
Write informative/explanatory texts in which they introduce a
topic, use facts and definitions to develop points, and provide a
concluding statement or section.
W.3.2
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and
convey ideas and information clearly.
a. Introduce a topic and group related information together;
include illustrations when useful to aiding comprehension.
b. Develop the topic with facts, definitions, and details.
c. Use linking words and phrases (e.g., also, another, and,
more, but) to connect ideas within categories of
information.
d. Provide a concluding statement or section.
W.4.2
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and
convey ideas and information clearly.
a. Introduce a topic clearly and group related information in
paragraphs and sections; include formatting (e.g.,
Old Standards
Notes
(Reading/Language Arts
Framework for California Public
Schools, 2007)
(Information taken for grades K-6 from A Look at
Kindergarten through Grade Six in California Public
Schools, a compilation of subject matter curriculum,
including information about the Common Core State
Standards, 2011)
New
Previously, students were expected to write narratives
only. New to kindergarten is the expectation to compose
informative/ explanatory texts that supply information
about a topic.
New
Previously, students were expected to write narratives and
descriptions. Students are now expected to write facts
about a topic and provide closure.
New
In their informative/explanatory texts, students learn to use
facts and definitions to develop their points. The friendly
letter is no longer a standard, however, this still can be
taught in the context of an explanatory text.
New
Previously the focus was on writing short narratives and
personal and formal letters and invitations. Now when
students are writing informational/explanatory texts that
examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
2.3 Write information reports:
a. Frame a central question about
an issue or situation.
b. Include facts and details for
Students learn to write informational/explanatory texts in
which they group related information into paragraphs and
use formatting (e.g., headings), illustrations, and
multimedia to aid comprehension.
Common Core Standards Progression
Writing
Informative/Explanatory Text
headings), illustrations, and multimedia when useful to
aiding comprehension.
b. Develop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details,
quotations, or other information and examples related to the
topic.
c. Link ideas within categories of information using words
and phrases (e.g., another, for example, also, because).
d. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to
inform about or explain the topic.
e. Provide a concluding statement or section related to the
information or explanation presented.
W.5.2
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and
convey ideas and information clearly.
a. Introduce a topic clearly, provide a general observation and
focus, and group related information logically; include
formatting (e.g., headings), illustrations, and multimedia
when useful to aiding comprehension.
b. Develop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details,
quotations, or other information and examples related to the
topic.
c. Link ideas within and across categories of information
using words, phrases, and clauses (e.g., in contrast,
especially).
d. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to
inform about or explain the topic.
e. Provide a concluding statement or section related to the
information or explanation presented.
W.6.2
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and
convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection,
organization, and analysis of relevant content.
a. Introduce a topic; organize ideas, concepts, and
information, using strategies such as definition,
classification, comparison/contrast, and cause/effect;
include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts,
tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding
focus.
c. Draw from more than one
source of information (e.g.,
speakers, books, newspapers, other
media sources).
They learn how to link ideas within categories of
information using words or phrases such as another,
because, and for example. They use domain-specific
vocabulary to explain or provide information about a
topic, as well as how to use precise language in their
informational/explanatory writing.
2.3 Write research reports about
important ideas, issues, or events
by using the following guidelines:
a. Frame questions that direct the
investigation.
b. Establish a controlling idea or
topic.
c. Develop the topic with simple
facts, details, examples, and
explanations.
The CCSS call for students to include formatting (e.g.,
headings), illustrations, and multimedia in their
informative/explanatory texts to aid comprehension and to
use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to
inform the reader about the topic.
2.3 Write research reports:
a. Pose relevant questions with a
scope narrow enough to be
thoroughly covered.
b. Support the main idea or ideas
with facts, details, examples, and
explanations from multiple
authoritative sources (e.g.,
speakers, periodicals, online
For informative or explanatory texts, the new standard
expects student to use an extended array of organizational
strategies to aid comprehension: definition, classification,
compare/ contrast, cause/effect, graphics, and multimedia
resources.
Common Core Standards Progression
Writing
Informative/Explanatory Text
comprehension.
b. Develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete
details, quotations, or other information and examples.
c. Use appropriate transitions to clarify the relationships
among ideas and concepts.
d. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to
inform about or explain the topic.
e. Establish and maintain a formal style.
f. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from
the information or explanation presented.
W.7.2
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and
convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection,
organization, and analysis of relevant content.
a. Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow;
organize ideas, concepts, and information, using strategies
such as definition, classification, comparison/contrast, and
cause/effect; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics
(e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding
comprehension.
b. Develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete
details, quotations, or other information and examples.
c. Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify
the relationships among ideas and concepts.
d. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to
inform about or explain the topic.
e. Establish and maintain a formal style.
f. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from
and supports the information or explanation presented.
W.8.2
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and
convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection,
organization, and analysis of relevant content.
a. Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow;
organize ideas, concepts, and information into broader
categories; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics
(e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding
information searches).
c. Include a bibliography.
2.3 Write research reports:
a. Pose relevant and tightly drawn
questions about the topic.
b. Convey clear and accurate
perspectives on the subject.
c. Include evidence compiled
through the formal research
process (e.g., use of a card catalog,
Reader’s Guide to Periodical
Literature, a computer catalog,
magazines, newspapers,
dictionaries).
d. Document reference sources by
means of footnotes and a
bibliography.
2.3 Write research reports:
a. Define a thesis.
b. Record important ideas,
concepts, and direct quotations
from significant information
sources and paraphrase and
summarize all perspectives on the
Common Core Standards Progression
Writing
Informative/Explanatory Text
comprehension.
b. Develop the topic with relevant, well-chosen facts,
definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other
information and examples.
c. Use appropriate and varied transitions to create cohesion
and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.
d. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to
inform about or explain the topic.
e. Establish and maintain a formal style.
f. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from
and supports the information or explanation presented.
topic, as appropriate.
c. Use a variety of primary and
secondary sources and distinguish
the nature and value of each.
d. Organize and display
information on charts, maps, and
graphs.