The 6 Traits of Writing *Ideas *Organization *Word Choice *Sentence Fluency *Voice *Conventions

Ideas & Content “The ideas are the heart of the message, the content of the piece…all the details that enrich and develop the theme.” --Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory

If you don’t care about what you write about, your reader will be bored!

Ideas & Content A writer should: ~ Narrow the topic to something specific ~ Use a fresh, original perspective ~ When possible, write from experience ~ Use important, interesting details (not just common knowledge)

Questions to ask yourself What is my message? Is my message clear? Do I have enough information? Did I include details? Are the ideas new and interesting? Do I have too much information? Are my ideas something others can relate to?

Organization “Organization is the internal structure of a piece of writing, the thread of central meaning, the pattern.” --Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory

Organization A writer should: ~ use an inviting lead that hooks the reader ~ use logical and effective order, structure, & sequence ~ use smooth transitions to emphasize main idea ~ place supporting details where they are most appropriate ~ use a conclusion that gives the reader a sense of resolution (clincher)

Questions to ask yourself How does my paper BEGIN? Did I tell things in ORDER? How does my paper END? Did I include smooth transition words? Do all sentences in a paragraph tell about the same thing?

Word Choice “Strong word choice clarifies and expands ideas…moves and enlightens the reader.” --Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.” --Anton Chekhov

Word Choice A writer should: ~ Use words that create a mental picture for the reader ~ Use powerful action verbs (vivid verbs) ~ Use specific nouns and adjectives ~ Use language that is natural and not overdone ~ Be concise (tighten sentences) ~ Use words correctly ~ Avoid repetition, slang, and clichés

Questions to ask yourself Did I use exciting words? Do my words tell a clear story? Did I try to use any new words? Did I use descriptive words that help paint a picture?

Sentence Fluency “Sentence fluency is the rhythm and flow of the language.” --Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory “To me the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it’s about, but the music the words make.” --Truman Capote

Sentence Fluency A writer should: ~Vary sentence beginning, structure, and length ~ Use complete sentences ~ Use transitions (internal & external) to promote cadence

Questions to ask yourself Did I use complete sentences? Did I use some LONG and STRETCHY sentences? Did I use some SHORT and SNAPPY sentences? Is my paper easy to read aloud?

Voice “It is the heart and soul of the writing, the magic, the wit, the feeling, the life and breath.” --Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory

Voice A writer should: ~ Write honestly and from the heart ~ Interact with the reader * without using YOU ~ Use language that brings the topic to life ~ Care about topic ~ Use expression to voice personality

Questions to ask yourself Does my writing sound like me? Does my reader understand how I feel? Does my writing sparkle? Does my tone match my audience?

And lastly… CONVENTIONS

Conventions Some of you may not enjoy the editing process, but without this step, the other 5 traits could be overshadowed by errors that distract the reader. This trait is essential to a polished composition.

Conventions A writer should: ~ Turn in a clean, edited, and polished final draft ~ Reinforce the organization with good paragraphing ~ Use correct punctuation, spelling, and grammar

Questions to ask yourself Did I use a title? Did I include my name, class, period, and date on my paper? Did I leave margins on the sides? Did I use proper punctuation, spelling, and grammar?

“ What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure.” - Samuel Johnson “ We write to taste life twice.” ~ Anais Nin Quotations to Inspire

Works Cited “Assessment.” Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory. 11 Jan July “Grammar Cartoons.” Google Images. 6 July Roberts, Bethany. "Writing for Children Workshop: Writing Quotes." 16 June Spandel, Vicki. Creating Writers Through 6-Trait Writing Assessment and Instruction. New York: Addison Wesley Longman, Steele, Kimberly. “Ideas for Teaching Writing.” 23 June July 2005.