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6 + 1 Traits of Writing. Mrs. Spinelli Arlington Middle School. What are the 6 + 1 Traits of Writing?. The 6 + 1 Traits of Writing are different components of the writing process that, when put together well, add up to one excellent piece of work. Those traits are: Ideas Word Choice
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6 + 1 Traits of Writing Mrs. Spinelli Arlington Middle School
What are the 6 + 1 Traits of Writing? The 6 + 1 Traits of Writing are different components of the writing process that, when put together well, add up to one excellent piece of work. Those traits are: Ideas Word Choice Organization Sentence Fluency Voice Conventions The “+1” trait is Presentation
“Key Quality” A Key Quality (KQ) is a specific task within each trait that helps you work through that trait. It’s a way to check your writing (and others’ writing) to see if they have done well at expressing themselves. * Each Trait has 4 Key Qualities *
IDEAS:The piece’s content – its central message and details that support the message • Finding a Topic – Present one clear, central theme • Focusing the Topic – Narrowing that theme or story to create a piece that is clear, tight, and manageable. • Developing the Topic – Provide evidence to support the theme and show insight. • Using details – Giving credible, accurate details in order to create pictures in the reader’s mind.
ORGANIZATION:The internal structure of the piece – the thread of logic, the pattern of meaning • Creating the Lead – Grab the reader’s attention and provide a glimpse of what is to come. • Using Sequence Words and Transition Words – Help the flow of writing withsequence words such as later, then, or meanwhile. Using transition words such ashowever, also, and clearlywilltell a reader they are about to encounter a new thought • Structuring the Body – Fitting the details together well • Ending with a Sense of Resolution – Wrap it up nicely by anticipating and answering any lingering questions your reader may have about your topic
VOICE:The “personal stamp” of the writer • Establishing a Tone – Writing that is expressive and compelling. • Conveying the Purpose – Making your reason clear for writing the piece. Offering a point of view appropriate for the mode – narrative, expository, or persuasive • Creating a Connection to the Audience – When the writer speaks in a way that makes the reader want to listen. The writer shares his/her fascination, feelings, and opinions about the topic • Taking Risks to Create Voice – Expressing ideas in new ways to make piece interesting and original. Writing “sounds” like the author
WORD CHOICE:Specific vocabulary the writer uses to convey meaning and enlighten the reader • Applying Strong Verbs –Using many action words; stretching to find lively verbs that add energy to the piece. • Selecting Striking Words and Phrases – Using many fined honed words and phrases. Using alliteration, similes, and metaphors make the piece a pleasure to read. • Using Specific and Accurate Words – Writing with precision, using words that add clarity and bring the topic to life. • Choosing Words that Deepen Meaning – The deliberate attempt to choose the BEST word over the FIRST word.
SENTENCE FLUENCY:The way words and phrases flow through the piece.Called the “auditory trait” because we “read with the ears” as much as the eyes • Crafting Well-Built Sentences – Creatively and carefully constructing sentences for maximum impact. • Varying Sentence Types – Using various types of sentences (simple, compound and/or complex) to make the piece more interesting. • Capturing Smooth and Rhythmic Flow – Stringing together sentences that, if read aloud, would sound easy on the ear, almost musical. • Breaking the “Rules” to Create Fluency – Using words such as “Bam!,” using dialect to make dialogue sound more authentic.
CONVENTIONS:The “mechanics” of the writing – spelling, punctuation, paragraphing, and grammar • Spelling - Know the difference between TO, TOO, and TWO! • Punctuating Effectively and Paragraphing Accurately – Use periods, commas, question marks, quotes, colon/semi-colons, and exclamation marks correctly. Indent every new paragraph the same way. • Capitalization – You MUST know how to use capitals within dialogue and when using abbreviations, proper nouns, and titles. • Grammar and Usage – Apply the rules of Standard English.
PRESENTATION:The physical appearance of the piece. “Lay out the welcome mat” and invite your readers in! • Handwriting Skills – Make your printing or cursive clear and legible. • Use Word Processing Effectively – Use the standard report style (12-point Times Roman). Make sure that non-standard fonts and/or colors enhance the piece’s readability. • Make Good Use of White Space – Make sure your paper has the required margins. • Refining Text Features – Make sure all your headings are uniform; page numbers are in the right place; bullets are the same style, etc.