+ The SEVEN Traits of Writing
+ Ideas and Content Organization Word Choice Sentence Fluency and Variety Voice and Style Conventions Presentation
+ IDEAS and 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 (NREL) If you don’t care about what you write about, your reader will be bored!
+ IDEAS and 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)
+ ORGANIZATION “Organization is the internal structure of a piece of writing, the thread of central meaning, the pattern.” -NREL
+ ORGANIZATION A writer should: Use an inviting attention getter that hooks the reader Use logical and effective order, structure, and sequence Always make clear connections to the thesis Use smooth transitions Place supporting details where they are most appropriate Use a conclusion that gives the reader a sense of closure
+ WORD CHOICE “Strong word choice clarifies and expands ideas…moves and enlightens the reader.” –NREL “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, vivid verbs Use specific nouns and adjectives Use words correctly Avoid repetition and slang
+ SENTENCE FLUENCY and VARIETY “Sentence fluency is the rhythm and flow of the language” -NRET “To me the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it’s about, but the music the words make.” –Truman Capote What you say is just as important as how you say it!
+ SENTENCE FLUENCY and VARIETY A writer should: Vary sentence beginning, structure, and length Use complete sentences Use transitions
+ VOICE and STYLE “It is the heart and soul of the writing, the magic, the wit, the feeling, the life and breath.” -NREL
+ VOICE and STYLE A writer should: Write honestly and from the heart Use language that brings the topic to life Use word choice and sentence structure to voice your personality
+ CONVENTIONS You may not enjoy the editing process, but without this step, the other traits could be overshadowed by errors that distract the reader.
+ CONVENTIONS A writer should: Turn in a clean, edited, polished final copy Reinforce organization with good paragraphing Use correct punctuation, spelling, and grammar Proofread, proofread, proofread
+ PRESENTATION A writer should: Use MLA format Type, double space, 12 point font Print before class begins