The 6 Traits of Writing

The 6 Traits of Writing *Ideas *Organization *Word Choice *Sentence Fluency *Voice *Conventions Created by: Jennifer Heidl-Knobloch & Jody Drake

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)

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)

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

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

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

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

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

Transition Words • Beginning • First • Once • One Time • To begin • To start • Initially • Beginning • In the beginning • It started when • First of all • Once upon a time • One morning • One day • One night

Transition Words • Middle • Then • Next • Later • Second • Also • Soon • As soon as • Middle • After that • Suddenly • Before long • Later that day/night • In the meantime • Meanwhile • Unfortunately

Transition Words • Ending • Finally • Last • At last • In the end • At the end of the • Ending • Eventually • In conclusion • To sum it up • Last, but not least • As a result

Start a new paragraph when… • A new character comes along • A new event happens • A new idea is introduced • The setting change • A new person is speaking • Time moves a lot (for/backward) • The “camera” moves

Works Cited “Assessment.” Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory. 11 Jan. 2005. 6 July 2005. <www.nwrel.org/assessment/scoring.php?odelay=3&d=1>. “Grammar Cartoons.” Google Images. 6 July 2005. <www.images.google.com/images?synum=10&hl=en&lr=&q=grammar+cartoons>. Roberts, Bethany. "Writing for Children Workshop: Writing Quotes."16 June 2005. < http://www.bethanyroberts.com/writing_quotes.htm>. Spandel, Vicki. Creating Writers Through 6-Trait Writing Assessment and Instruction. New York: Addison Wesley Longman, 2001. Steele, Kimberly. “Ideas for Teaching Writing.” 23 June 2004. 6 July 2005. <www.kimskorner4teachertalk.com/writing/menu.html.>

The 6 Traits of Writing