Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.

This standard is almost exactly the same as its Reading: Literature counterpart, so check out that description for more information. The only difference between the two versions is the inclusion of "technical meanings" in this one, and that's only there because students will be reading non-fiction here. Even though students might think they'll only come across analogies and allusions in novels and other literary works, they are everywhere. On that note, isn’t it interesting that the Europeans' Achilles heel always seemed to be the Russian winter in every war? (You could say that the winter was great at Stalin' out European armies.)