1. Six Traits of Writing Ideas and Content Organization Voice Word Choice Sentence Fluency Conventions

2. Why teach the Six Traits of Writing? Provides a common language for talking about writing Provides consistency Makes revisions manageable and purposeful Offers support for the writing process Empowers students Increases motivation and thinking skills Links reading and writing Provides a foundation for lifelong writing

3. Ideas and Content Ideas and Content is what you have to say-the reason for writing your paper. A secret is to keep it small and manageable. A topic such as “Animals in Africa” is too broad. Narrow your topic down to “Why lions hunt in pairs”. Surprise your reader with what you know Make your ideas crystal clear and avoid words such as like, so, and very.

4. Ideas and Content Do you want to know how to earn a score of SIX in Ideas and Content? The topic is narrowed to manageable size A clear central theme drives the writing Readers’ questions are anticipated-and answered! Specific details create a vivid picture and hold the reader’s interest The writing is clear, purposeful, and substantive

5. Organization An intriguing lead that grabs the reader’s attention A design, pattern, or logical flow (clear beginning, middle, and end) Strong transitions Clear connections to the main idea Easy to follow, but nor too predictable A graceful ending that wraps up the discussion

6. Organization What is your morning routine? Tops and Bottoms

7. Voice Sounds like you or a human being Individual-the writer's fingerprints are on the page Has energy and brings the topic to life Is appropriate for the audience, topic, and purpose Shows concern for the reader’s interests, informational needs In informative writing, does not bore the reader, but doesn’t overwhelm the reader, either

8. Voice Whose Voice is it activity (groups of five) Read Eleven and write a journal entry as if you are: 1. Mrs. Price 2. Rachel 3. Sylvia or Phyllis 4. The red sweater 5. The principal, who just happened to be walking by

9. Word Choice Memorable moments Strong verbs, precise nouns-no modifier overload-very, so, like “Just right” language-suits the topic, the audience, and the purpose Simple language used well-not written to impress Do not repeat Technical terms defined as needed.

10. Word Choice Feathers and Fools by Mem Fox

11. Sentence Fluency Rhythmic Easy to read aloud-inviting Varied sentence length-some long and detailed, some short and to the point Purposeful sentence beginnings: Now, After a while, Nevertheless, As a result, Consequently, However, Therefore Natural dialogue

12. Sentence Fluency Sentence pyramids: I saw a clown. I saw a funny clown. I saw a funny clown juggling. I saw a funny clown juggling bowling pins. I saw a funny clown juggling bowling pins in a parade. I saw a funny clown juggling bowling pins in a Christmas parade. We went to the beach…..

13. Conventions Looks clean, edited, and proofread No big, glaring errors that distract the reader Correct spelling Correct punctuation Paragraphs for new topics and new speakers Quotation marks used with dialogue Proper nouns Noun-verb agreement Verb tense flows and is the same

14. Conventions Yo Yes!

15. Six Traits of Writing Important Book In groups of three, create your very own Important Book on the Six Traits of Writing!! Groups must bind their books and illustrate each trait.