The 6 Traits of Writing What makes writing good?

Ideas & Content “Ideas are the cheapest part of writing. They are free. The hard part is what you do with ideas you’ve gathered.” –Jane Yolen

Ideas & Content The heart of the message (central idea) Clarity – message must be easily understood

Ideas & Content Find a topic –normal, everyday events –newspapers, magazines

Ideas & Content Focus the topic –narrow writing to one specific aspect of topic

Ideas & Content Develop the topic –helps understanding –moves plot forward

Ideas & Content Use details –fine points related to topic –understand and appreciate writing –vivid, credible, accurate

Organization “…without a sense of direction, you can get lost in the middle.” –Joan Lowery Nixon

Organization Internal structure –skeleton Pattern or framework holding thread of central meaning

Organization Create the lead –meaningful, purposeful introduction –“Work extra hard on the beginning … so it snares readers instantly.” Joan Lowery Nixon

Organization Use sequence words & transitions –bridges to connect ideas –sentence to sentence –paragraph to paragraph

Organization Structure the body –logical –purposeful –effective

Organization End with sense of resolution –tie up loose ends –“There must be something to think about at the end.” Chris Van Allsburg

Voice “…you’re obligated to draw readers into your world, and if your writing isn’t interesting to them, you won’t succeed.” –Donald Perry

Voice Heart and soul – life Personal stamp of writer Strong understanding of purpose and audience Transforms ordinary to extraordinary

Voice Establish a tone –can change Convey the purpose –narrative – emotional –expository – expert –persuasive – confident, convincing

Voice Connect with audience Take risks to create voice –experiment with style –interesting, fresh, original

Word Choice “To me the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it’s about, but the music the words make.” –Truman Capote

Word Choice Workhorse trait –sparks imagination –creates images –connects with readers –brings clarity to ideas

Word Choice moves, enlightens, and inspires “show,” don’t tell

Word Choice Apply strong verbs –active voice –vivid verbs –avoid forms of be

Word Choice Select striking words & phrases –figurative language alliteration similes metaphors

Word Choice “…figurative language adds pizzazz. It raises work above the plain, the dull, the ordinary.” –Ellen Hunnicutt

Word Choice Use specific & accurate words –precise nouns, adjectives, & adverbs –colorful words & phrases –everyday words, not technical words or jargon –RIP!

Word Choice Choose words that deepen meaning –“best” word –not longest word or first word

Sentence Fluency “…what’s really hard is making sense and making what you write clear and smooth-flowing.” –Roy Blount, Jr.

Sentence Fluency Rhythm and flow of the language Sound of word patterns

Sentence Fluency Craft well-built sentences –vary beginnings & length Vary sentence type –simple, compound, complex, & compound-complex

Sentence Fluency Capture smooth & rhythmic flow –sentences flow smoothly one to another –sounds “right”

Sentence Fluency Break the “rules” to create fluency –make dialogue authentic –create interest & impact

Conventions “Revision plays a very large role in writing…the longer I write, the more I revise—and it’s never completely right.” –Ellen Hunnicutt

Conventions Editing Mechanical correctness

Conventions Check spelling Punctuate effectively & paragraph accurately Capitalize correctly Apply grammar & usage –standard English rules

Presentation “What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure.” - Samuel Johnson

Presentation Physical appearance –visual appeal –handwriting –margins –white space

Presentation Apply handwriting skills Use word processing effectively Make good use of white space Refine text features –header, footer, bullets, illustrations, charts

Works Cited Roberts, Bethany. “Writing for Children Workshop: Writing Quotes.” 28 August otes.htm otes.htm Steele, Kimberly. “Quotations from Writers.” 27 October 2004.