1. The 6 Traits of Writing What makes writing good?

2. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

12. Organization Structure the body –logical –purposeful –effective

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

14. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

31. 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

32. Conventions Editing Mechanical correctness

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

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

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

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

37. Works Cited Roberts, Bethany. “Writing for Children Workshop: Writing Quotes.” 28 August 2007. http://www.bethanyroberts.com/writing_qu otes.htm http://www.bethanyroberts.com/writing_qu otes.htm Steele, Kimberly. “Quotations from Writers.” 27 October 2004.