1. What are The 6 + 1 Traits of Writing? A trait can be defined as a characteristic needed for a successful performance. Just as there are traits for good ice skating, like balance, grace, technical skill and so on, there are traits for good writing.

2. The 6+1 Traits of Writing Patuxent Valley Middle School Prepared for English Class

3. The 7 Traits of Good Writing The traits for good writing include ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, and presentation. Traits give the writer a clear picture of what to do to revise their writing - making it the best it can be.

4. IDEAS on page 2 The ideas are the heart of the message, the reason for writing. The writer chooses details that are interesting, important, and informative–often the kinds of details the reader would not normally expect or predict.

5. Organization on page 3-5 Organization is the internal structure of the piece of writing. It is how the ideas are grouped together in a way to make them easy to understand.

6. Word Choice on page 7-8 Word choice is the use of rich, colorful, precise language that moves and enlightens the reader. Use of similes, metaphors, and other figurative language.

7. Why Ideas? A paper with good ideas is clear, focused, and holds the reader’s attention. The writer chooses details that are interesting, important, and informative– often the kinds of details the reader would not normally expect or predict.

8. What can students do to encourage good ideas? Ask the following: Is my message clear? Do I know enough about my topic? Is it interesting? Is my topic “small” and focused? Did I SHOW what was happening?

9. Why Organization? Organization gives direction to all writing by drawing the reader in. Everything fits together like a puzzle, leaving the reader with something to think about.

10. What can students do to encourage organization? Ask the following: Does my paper have a good opening that captures the reader’s attention? Are my ideas in the best order? Does my paper have a strong ending?

11. Why Word Choice? Word Choice enriches our writing and makes it almost come alive. Specific and interesting words add energy to the writing. Words convey the intended message in a clear, interesting and natural way.

12. Suggestions for students about Word Choice: Ask the following: Will my reader understand my words? Were my words accurate, original, and just right? Did I use energetic verbs? Did I use language that painted a picture?

13. Voice Voice is the writer coming through the words, the sense that a real person is speaking to us and cares about his/her ideas.

14. Why Voice? Voice gives writing personality, flavor and style. In a paper with strong voice, the writer speaks directly to the reader and is sensitive to the reader’s needs.

15. How can students use help Voice? Ask the following: Does this writing sound like me? Did I say what I think and feel? Does my writing have energy and passion? Is it appropriate for my audience and purpose?

16. Sentence Fluency Sentence fluency is the rhythm and flow of the language, the sound of word patterns, the way in which writing plays to the ear—not just to the eye.

17. Why Sentence Fluency? Sentence Fluency gives our writing rhythm with an easy flow when read aloud. Sentences are well-built with strong and varied structures. Sentences are clear and powerful. As our writing skills grow, we learn new ways to “sculpt” our writing.

18. Student suggestions for Sentence Fluency: Ask yourself: How does my writing sound when read aloud? Do my sentences begin in different ways? Are some sentences long and some short?

19. Conventions Conventions are the mechanical correctness of the piece—spelling, grammar and usage, paragraphing, use of capitals and punctuation.

20. Why Conventions? It’s like wrapping a package - we want to prepare our writing so others can read and enjoy it. Conventions deal with fixing our work (e.g. grammar, capitalization, punctuation, usage, spelling, paragraphing) so that our work is as error-free as possible.

21. Suggestions for Conventions: Ask yourself: Did I paragraph correctly? Is my spelling correct? Did I correctly use periods, question marks, commas, quotation marks, and other punctuation marks? Did I use capital letters correctly?

22. Presentation Presentation zeros in on the form and layout of the text and its readability; the piece should be pleasing to the eye.

23. Student Suggestions for Presentation: Ask yourself: Does my paper look neat and is legible? Can someone easily read my paper?

24. The 6+1 Traits of Writing ideas Organization Voice Presentation word choice sentence fluency conventions

25. Thanks for taking notes today!