The Six Traits

1. Trait Introduction: Conventions The Six Traits The Six Traits of Writing represent the things that we can observe, assess, revise, and edit in any piece of writing.

2. Trait Introduction: Conventions Focus on Conventions Spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar are correct, making the message easy to understand. The work is neat and legible.

3. Trait Introduction: Conventions Correct conventionsmake a big difference. Read the following rough draft. There are problems with spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar. Notice how difficult the paragraph is to read. My brothers birthday party was fun it was on saturday. he had lots of freinds over their were presents an cake an games to. After we eat we whent swiming in are pool we played marco polo its a great day!

4. Trait Introduction: Conventions Correct conventionsmake a big difference. Now read the final draft, which has been edited for conventions. Notice how good conventions make the paragraph easier to read. My brother’s birthday party on Saturday was fun. He had lots of friends over. There were presents, cake, and games, too. After we ate, we went swimming in our pool. We played Marco Polo. It was a great day!

5. Trait Introduction: Conventions Editing for Conventions When editing, here are some things to check in your writing: • Capitalization Acronyms Proper nouns Titles First word of a sentence • Punctuation Apostrophes Ellipses Parentheses Colons End punctuation Semicolons Commas Hyphens Quotation marks • Person (correct and consistent) • Plurals • Pronouns and antecedents

6. Trait Introduction: Conventions Editing for Conventions When editing, here are some things to check in your writing: • Pronouns (number and gender) • Pronoun usage (subject, object, possessive) • Sentence structure (fragments, run-ons, and awkward sentences) • Spelling • Subject-verb agreement • Verb tense (correct and consistent) • Word usage Hint:Use “targeted” editing. Edit your paper carefully for one kind of mistake at a time. After you have finished, edit your paper again for another kind of mistake. Repeat as necessary. This strategy will limit your focus and make editing more efficient.

7. Trait Introduction: Conventions Handwriting A big part of conventions is making sure your work is written legibly, either in manuscript. . .

8. Trait Introduction: Conventions Handwriting . . . or in cursive.

9. Trait Introduction: Conventions Remember! • Conventions are all about spelling, capitalization, punctuation, grammar, neatness, and legibility. • Correct conventions make writing easy to read. • When editing for conventions, check for one type of error at a time.