The Six Traits

1. Trait Introduction: Organization 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: Organization Focus on Organization Organization is the way that the writing is built. Good organization includes an effective lead, satisfying conclusion, and helpful transitions.

3. Trait Introduction: Organization There are many ways to effectively organize a piece of writing. Examples of Common Organizational Patterns • Opinion and Supporting Reasons • Compare and Contrast • Chronological Order • Steps in a Process • Narrative Story • Problem/Solution • Physical Description • Cause and Effect These organizational patterns can be used for many kinds of writing. Which of these patterns could you use to tell a story about a recent family vacation or holiday? Which of these patterns could you use to write about a personal accomplishment?

4. Trait Introduction: Organization Start with a good lead. Effective writers use a variety of engaging lead techniques. Begin with dialogue. “Are we there yet?” I asked impatiently from the back seat. Begin with figurative language. The drive to the amusement park seemed to take a million years. Ask an interesting question. What’s your favorite place in the world? Mine is Adventureland! Begin by clearly describing the scene. As we pulled into the Adventureland parking lot, the twisted metal tracks of the park’s scariest roller coasters rose up above the trees like giant snakes.

5. Trait Introduction: Organization Good writers use transitions to organize and connect ideas, sentences, and paragraphs. Some Common Transitions first then next last after during until soon later before among along against above around behind between below by inside into near outside over through under as also similarly although unlike on the other hand but however yet otherwise still for this reason especially again in fact in summary lastly in conclusion therefore as you can see for instance in other words

6. Trait Introduction: Organization Transitions Read the following portion of a rough draft. Note the absence of transitions. I helped my dad wash our car. We filled a bucket with water. We put in lots of soap. We sprayed the car, and we lathered it up with soapy washcloths. We rinsed the car with the hose. We dried it with towels. It rained the next day. We had to wash the car all over again.

7. Trait Introduction: Organization Transitions Now read the revised version of the same passage. Notice how good transitions connect the ideas of the story. Last Wednesday, I helped my dad wash our car. First, we filled a bucket with water. As the water rose, we put in lots of soap. Next, we sprayed the car with water. We lathered it up with soapy washcloths, and then we rinsed it with the hose. Finally, we dried the car with towels. Unfortunately, it rained the next day, so we had to wash the car all over again.

8. Trait Introduction: Organization End with a satisfying conclusion. Effective writers use a variety of satisfying conclusion techniques. Summarize (without being boring or redundant). For nine innings, we had worked as a team. Now we celebrated as a team. End with a relevant, well-known quote. It was a perfect, undefeated season. Who says you can’t win them all? End with figurative language. From the beginning of the season, we all played like superheroes. We were virtually invincible! End with appropriate action. Afterward, we hung out on the field. We talked about the game. We laughed. None of us really wanted to leave. Finally, one by one, we all headed home.

9. Trait Introduction: Organization Remember! • Good organization begins with an engaging lead and ends with a satisfying conclusion. • Effective transitions help organize writing by connecting ideas, sentences, and paragraphs. • There are many ways to organize writing. • The organization of your writing should support your thinking.