The 6 Traits of Writing *Ideas *Organization *Word Choice *Sentence Fluency *Voice *Conventions Created by: --Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory

“The ideas are the heart of the message, the content of the piece…all the details that enrich and develop the theme.” If you don’t care about what you write about, your reader will be bored! 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) Ideas/ Content

Like the foundation of a house, IDEA DEVELOPMENT serves as the solid base on which a good piece of writing rests. If you start with a solid idea, your writing can grow as big as you want. comes from personal experience understandable ideas connect risks taken personal insight shown writes uniquely interesting and important quality beats quantity memorable narrow and straight clear Ideas/ Content

“Organization is the internal structure of a piece of writing, the thread of central meaning, the pattern.” Just as a house has an entrance, an exit, hallways that connect, and a sensible layout, so does a piece of good writing. Blueprints are drawn before a house is built; writing should be “blue-printed” too. 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 (organic transitions) –place supporting details where they are most appropriate –use a conclusion that gives the reader a sense of resolution (clincher) An effective strategy is connecting the hook to the clincher. Organization

“It is the heart and soul of the writing, the magic, the wit, the feeling, the life and breath.” A writer should: –Write honestly and from the heart –Interact with the reader * without using YOU –Care about topic –Use expression to voice personality Your Personality –sounds honest –sounds sincere –shows passion –shows confidence –sounds believable Voice

Emotions –energetic –heart-felt –author shows feelings toward topic (tone) –author invites feelings from reader (mood) Style –be either a storyteller or reporter –showcase your techniques –sound like you –show personal risk Your Point of View –shows an opinion –considers perspectives –audience awareness –audience sensitivity Voice

“Strong word choice clarifies and expands ideas, it moves and enlightens the reader.” “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.” Like the sun in the sky can accomplish many things: comfort or sunburn, thirst or relaxation. The words you choose to include in your writing have profound impact on your reader. Word Choice

A writer should: –Use words that create a mental picture for the reader (imagery) –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 –Use figurative language: alliteration, personification, hyperboles, onomatopoeia, and effective similes and metaphors. Word Choice

“Sentence fluency is the rhythm and flow of the language.” “To me the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it’s about, but the music the words make.” Just as white clouds float peacefully in the sky, or thunder clouds arrive with alarm, sentences and phrases float through a piece of writing. Do you want your SENTENCE FLUENCY to be subtle or alarming? Sentence Fluency

A writer should: ~Vary sentence beginning, structure, and length ~ Use complete sentences ~ Use transitions (internal & external) to promote cadence ~Use a variety of sentences complex and simple declarative and interrogative exclamatory and imperative short and long Sentence Fluency

And lastly… CONVENTIONS

Without this step, the other 5 traits could be overshadowed by errors that distract the reader. The roof of a house—though planned from the beginning—is not built first. Think about CONVENTIONS near the end of your process. A writer should: ~ Turn in a clean, edited, and polished final draft ~ Reinforce the organization with good paragraphing ~ Use correct punctuation, spelling, and grammar Conventions

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

Works Cited “Assessment.” Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory. 11 Jan July “Grammar Cartoons.” Google Images. 6 July Roberts, Bethany. "Writing for Children Workshop: Writing Quotes." 16 June Spandel, Vicki. Creating Writers Through 6-Trait Writing Assessment and Instruction. New York: Addison Wesley Longman, Steele, Kimberly. “Ideas for Teaching Writing.” 23 June July 2005.