3. On a brand new page of your language arts notebook, put the following heading: 6+1 Traits of Great Writing

4. IDEAS Your IDEAS score will be based on the following things: (write these in your notes) Your paper is: Completely focused on your main ideaCompletely focused on your main idea Has relevant detailsHas relevant details Has a clear purpose or messageHas a clear purpose or message Appropriate for intended audienceAppropriate for intended audience

5. ORGANIZATION Your ORGANIZATION score will be based on the following things: (write these in your notes) Your paper: Has an interesting lead/hookHas an interesting lead/hook Presents ideas in an order that makes sensePresents ideas in an order that makes sense Has details that connect to the main idea (and no details that don’t)Has details that connect to the main idea (and no details that don’t)

6. Is written in paragraph form with each paragraph having its own topic, but all paragraphs linking to the main topic of the paper.Is written in paragraph form with each paragraph having its own topic, but all paragraphs linking to the main topic of the paper. Has transitions that connect one paragraph to another.Has transitions that connect one paragraph to another. Has an introduction, body, and conclusionHas an introduction, body, and conclusion ORGANIZATION (continued)…

7. VOICE Your VOICE score will be based on the following things: (write these in your notes) Your paper: Sounds like you (not a robot)Sounds like you (not a robot) Has a sense of feelingHas a sense of feeling Will give the reader a sense of how you feel toward the topicWill give the reader a sense of how you feel toward the topic Has creative and original words and phrasesHas creative and original words and phrases

8. WORD CHOICE Your WORD CHOICE score will be based on the following things: (write these in your notes) Your paper has: SPECIFIC descriptive words (the best possible words to describe exactly what you mean to say)SPECIFIC descriptive words (the best possible words to describe exactly what you mean to say) Colorful words and phrasesColorful words and phrases ADJECTIVES AND VERBS that are specific!ADJECTIVES AND VERBS that are specific! Words are not repeated (repetition of the same word or phrase is avoided as much as possible)Words are not repeated (repetition of the same word or phrase is avoided as much as possible)

9. SENTENCE FLUENCY Your SENTENCE FLUENCY score will be based on the following things: (write these in your notes) Your paper has: Sentence variety (some long AND some short sentences. There should NEVER be all of one type of sentence)Sentence variety (some long AND some short sentences. There should NEVER be all of one type of sentence) Different sentence beginningsDifferent sentence beginnings The “right” sound or “flow” to it when read aloudThe “right” sound or “flow” to it when read aloud

10. CONVENTIONS Your CONVENTIONS score will be based on the following things: (write these in your notes) Your paper has: Correct grammarCorrect grammar Correct spellingCorrect spelling Correct punctuationCorrect punctuation Correct capitalizationCorrect capitalization NO TABOO!NO TABOO!

11. PRESENTATION Your PRESENTATION score will be based on the following things: (write these in your notes) *NOTE: presentation is not a WRITING skill, but it is included in the traits as +1 because it is important for the reader. Your paper: Follows formatting criteria (typed, neatly written with no cross-outs, etc.)Follows formatting criteria (typed, neatly written with no cross-outs, etc.) Rough drafts are included (when required)Rough drafts are included (when required) Graphic organizers are included (when required)Graphic organizers are included (when required)