Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings.

This standard is very similar to its corresponding standard in the Reading: Literature section, so check out that description for more information. Just remember that we're applying this standard to non-story stuff (which is why technical meanings are included in the Reading: Informational Text version of this standard), though word choice is just as important in non-story stuff. With non-fiction, students don't have to "analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone" just yet; that's for the seventh graders.