1. The 6 Traits of Writing *Ideas *Organization *Word Choice
*Sentence Fluency
*Voice
*Conventions
Created by: Jennifer Heidl-Knobloch & Jody Drake

2. Ideas & Content --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.”
--Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory

3. If you don’t care about what you write about, your reader will be bored!

4. Ideas & Content 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)

5. Organization
“Organization is the internal structure of a piece of writing, the thread of central meaning, the pattern.”
--Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory

6. Organization 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
~ place supporting details where they are most appropriate
~ use a conclusion that gives the reader a sense of resolution (clincher)

7. Word Choice
“Strong word choice clarifies and expands ideas…moves and enlightens the reader.”
--Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory
“Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.”
--Anton Chekhov

8. Word Choice A writer should:
~ Use words that create a mental picture for the reader
~ 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

9. Sentence Fluency
“Sentence fluency is the rhythm and flow of the language.”
--Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory
“To me the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it’s about, but the music the words make.”
--Truman Capote

10. Sentence Fluency A writer should:
~Vary sentence beginning, structure, and length
~ Use complete sentences
~ Use transitions (internal & external) to promote cadence

11. Voice
“It is the heart and soul of the writing, the magic, the wit, the feeling, the life and breath.”
--Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory

12. Voice A writer should: ~ Write honestly and from the heart
~ Interact with the reader
* without using YOU
~ Use language that brings the topic to life
~ Care about topic
~ Use expression to voice personality

13. And lastly…
CONVENTIONS

14. Conventions
Some of you may not enjoy the editing process, but without this step, the other 5 traits could be overshadowed by errors that distract the reader. This trait is essential to a polished composition.

15. Conventions A writer should:
~ Turn in a clean, edited, and polished final draft
~ Reinforce the organization with good paragraphing
~ Use correct punctuation, spelling, and grammar

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

17. 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
2005. <
Spandel, Vicki. Creating Writers Through 6-Trait Writing Assessment and Instruction. New York: Addison Wesley Longman, 2001.
Steele, Kimberly. “Ideas for Teaching Writing.” 23 June July <