FASTEN YOUR SEATBELT, TOTO, WE’RE TRAVELING THE SIX TRAITS ROAD!

What are the SIX TRAITS? ESSENTIAL QUESTION

Don’t be afraid, My Pretties and Handsomes, it’s really nothing new!

Good writers and good writing address all SIX TRAITS: Ideas and Development Organization Voice Word Choice Sentence Fluency Conventions Sounds like a lot of work Toto…

Let’s look at the SIX TRAITS!

As you begin your paper you generate ideas. Your ideas and content are the reasons for writing a paper. Every paper should convey a message and be easy to follow. Some thoughts to get you going: What is my message and is it focused and clear? Did I include important details relevant to my topic? Did the reader learn something new? Does the content and purpose suit the audience? Is my paper interesting and easy to understand?

Organizing your ideas helps a reader move through your paper in a meaningful way. Here are some things to keep in mind as you write your paper: Does my beginning hook my reader? Is my paper easy to follow? Did I choose the best way to organize my story? Do my ideas link to a main message? Do I have a strong conclusion that wraps up the story?

Attention Grabbers (Good Beginning) Questions Riddle Announcement Statement Definition Opinion Quotation

Questions Open with an interesting question that relates to the main idea. Why is the sun so hot? How are bouncy balls made? When is Veteran's Day each year? What is a calorie? Where is Egypt?

Riddle Open with a riddle that the reader can solve by reading further. You may want to give the answer right away or save it for the conclusion. Example: What textbook has no pages, is miles wide, and smells like a creek? It's been around for millions of years.

Announcement Open with an announcement about what is to come. However, do not insult the reader by saying something like, "I am going to tell you about..." The reader should be able to figure out what you are writing about. If not, there is something wrong with what you have written, not with the reader. Example: The trait of voice is very important in writing. However, it is difficult to teach and even more difficult to learn. It is similar to athletic ability because it is more like a talent than a skill.

Definition Open with a definition of the term you are discussing. It can be your own or come from a dictionary or textbook. If you take it from a dictionary or textbook, be sure to use quotation marks and give credit to the source. Example: According to Webster's Dictionary, a government, “is the authority that serves the people and acts on their behalf”. How can the government know what the people want if the people do not vote? If we do not vote, the government may act on its own behalf instead of on the behalf of the people.

Opinion Open with your opinion about the topic. This is similar to a bold and challenging statement, but you let the reader know that it is your opinion right away. Example: In my opinion, the driving age should be lowered to fourteen. Most teenagers are more responsible than adults give us credit for being. Just because we are teenagers does not mean we are irresponsible and dangerous.

Quotation Open with a quotation that is well known or from a famous person. Be sure to put quotation marks around the quotation and give credit to the person who said it. Of course, the quotation must be directly related to your topic. A good source is a book of quotations. Look in the library or ask your teacher. Example: President John F. Kennedy once said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." I think today's Americans have forgotten Kennedy's message. We expect our country to take care of us, but we are not taking care of our country.

Introductory Paragraph Start with an attention grabber. – Facts, anecdote, question, riddle, definition, quotation, or opinion. – Do not say “I am going to tell you about the Dewey Decimal system.” The first paragraph should start non-specific and then narrow in on the topic. The last sentence in the introduction is your thesis written in three prong format.

Example Thesis Statements Thesis Statement: My favorite types of candy are Sour Patch Kids, Jolly Ranchers, and Sweet Tarts. Thesis Statement: This year, courses that I excel in are Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies.

Three Prong

Subtopics The second, third, and fourth paragraphs add detail about your subtopics. One paragraph is for each of your prongs in your thesis statement. Make sure that the details you are adding are relevant to the topic. Use transitions to get from sentence to sentence and paragraph to paragraph.

Conclusion The first sentence in the conclusion restates your thesis statement. Wrap up what you have told us and make sure that you have answered any questions you posed throughout your essay. Last sentence of your paper should leave us with a pondering thought. This can be a question, strong statement, summary, personal comment, quotation, or open conclusion. (good ending)

Restated Thesis Restated Thesis: Sour Patch Kids, Jolly Ranchers, and Sweet Tarts are candies that I enjoy. Thesis Statement: My favorite types of candy are Sour Patch Kids, Jolly Ranchers, and Sweet Tarts. Restated Thesis: My favorite courses are Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies, because I excel in them. Thesis Statement: This year, courses that I excel in are Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies.

Voice Can you tell I am enthusiastic about my topic? Does this writing sound like me? How do I want my readers to feel? Will my story hold readers' attention? Will they want to hear more?

Definition of Voice VOICE shows the writer's personality. The writing has a sound different from everyone else's. It contains feelings and emotions so that it does not sound like an encyclopedia article. The writer should be writing from the heart.

How do I add voice? Voice isn't as hard as it seems. Just be yourself. Otherwise the voice won't be your own. Think of your audience. Think of your topic. What is your opinion? Humor, seriousness, sarcasm, and mysteriousness are just a few of the angles you can use.

Example I went canoeing with friends. They brought their dog. It was hot outside. The water felt good. The dog liked to play in the water with us. We all got wet. It was fun!

Example One sizzling August afternoon my friends and I cruised down the Wisconsin River on a bright red canoe. Their energetic golden retriever, Paddington, rode along with us. Whenever one of us would shout, "Switch sides," Paddington would jump up and dance around. One time he leaped so high, he tipped the bouncing boat. We all flopped into the water splashing and laughing like baby seals. What fun!

Word Choice Have I used some strong verbs or colorful phrases that grab my reader? Have I chosen the most precise word? Have I used any unique words? Did I repeat common words too many times?

Word Choice Said Good Big Small Went Look Laugh Slow

Word Choice Example The big bear stood by the water. He looked at hisbiglooked shadow in the big lake. He thought that he looked nice. Hebignice went to take a drink of water. A fish went by. The bearwent wanted to eat the big fish. He ate up the fish and went away.eatbigatewent

Example Example: Jack was sick. Correction: Jack, a young child of two, suffered terribly with his first sinus infection. He looked more like Rudolph than a little tot with his swollen, red nose, and his cough made him sound more like an old woman on the verge of her death.

Sentences 1.It was raining. 2.John was tired. 3.It was cold. 4.It was hot.

Sentences 5.The movie began. 6.She looked beautiful.

Homework Write each sentence on a separate sheet of paper. Then, rewrite each sentence to make it more descriptive.

Sentence Fluency Sentence Fluency is the readability of the paper. The sentences should flow smoothly from one to the next. The writing should sound natural and have rhythm.

Sentence Fluency The sentences should have different beginnings, lengths, and structures. The paper should be written in complete sentences, not fragments.

Questions To Ask Yourself Is my story easy to read? Do my sentences begin in different ways? Did I use some long and some short sentences? Does my paper sound smooth as I read it aloud? Does every sentence have a subject and a predicate?

Example My horse is white. He has one blue eye and one brown eye. He is friendly. He likes when we brush him. He snuggles his nose into us when we brush him. He is fun to ride. He is my horse and I am glad.

Joining Sentences Ex. The sun beat down on Puerta Vallarta. It was drying the streets.

Joining Sentences 1. The scientist arrived at the crime scene. It was late at night. 2. Johnny dived to the side. He caught the ball. 3. I studied all night before the test. I did not do well.