1. 1.Read page 40 in Write Source.
The 6 Traits of Writing
1.Read page 40 in Write Source.
2.List the 6 Traits and a brief definition of each.
3. Which trait do you think is most important and why?

2. (Something you love or hate)
Trait #1: Ideas
Tip: Pick a topic that is not too broad and you have strong feelings about.
(Something you love or hate)

3. So what is the best topic for you???
Topic ideas:
A favorite musical artist
activity/hobby
T.V. show
movie
book
food
possession
brand name

4. Write your topic sentence.
In my opinion there is not a better TV comedy sitcom than the show The Office.

5. Different ways to prove your point/ support your topic:
Examples
Facts
Quotes
Reasons
Vivid Description
Strong Verbs.

6. What do you do when you have to write on a topic you don’t have strong feelings about???

7. Boring topics…… or not? Life as a cabbage Noses Lint under the bed
Sprinklers
Door handles
Cookie crumbs
Watching grass grow
Staples
The history of yarn
Baskets
Clocks
Homework is great
Watching paint dry
Watching golf
Hello Kitty

8. Trait #2—Organization *Step by Step Ways to organize your paragraphs:
(used for stories
&directions)
*The Hamburger
(for giving enough support to a topic)

9. The Hamburger (The Expository Paragraph)
Topic Sentence
Example
Argument/Reason
True Fact
Sensory Description
Clincher sentence

10. The Write Source-
List the 4 types/arrangements for paragraphs on p,
Explain what each one is and give and example of a topic that would work well for that type of paragraph.

11. Trait #3 DEVELOPING VOICE
Definition: the special quality that attracts the reader to your writing
Tips to remember:
1.Keep your purpose in mind 2.Show respect for your reader, 3.Engage their interest 4.Anticipate your readers questions.
Try 1 of these:
A letter of sincere apology, or sympathy. (4 sentences)
A written persuasive note convincing your parents to let you go to a concert.
A poem about an emotion.
A note to a teacher that explains why you should get a certain grade

12. Trait #4 –Word Choice *Describe Using your 5 senses.
Tips--* Use Vivid Verbs
And, finally after a week of night, a feeble light did curdle the sky… (p.72)
*Be specific rather than general
Ulysses saw lots of ghosts in the underworld.
Vs. …a huge ghost staring at Ulysses through empty eye sockets. He was giant skeleton. He wore a cloak of stiffened blood and a red plume upon his skull. (77)
*Describe Using your 5 senses.
Her eyes, like blue flame, burned these pictures out of his head. (66)

13. PRACTICE: Skim through Ulysses and find another example of :
1.Vivid Verbs
2.Specific detail
3. Sensory language
(Copy one of each on your paper)

14. PRACTICE CONTINUED: Brainstorm with the class other vivid verbs for --
walk make speak think sit
Saunter
skip
Brainstorm more specific words for these:
house room face fight tree

15. Now Write: Fill in the chart to plan for your Ode Poem
Sight Sound Touch Smell Taste
Reminds me of:

16. Trait #5 Sentence fluency
Good Writing=Sentences that vary in length +structure, but flows together as a whole.
Tip: Read Aloud what you’ve written!

17. Sentence Fluency continued….
PRACTICE: Free write for 3 minutes about a problem you see around you. It can be a personal problem or a problem that is effects many people. Describe all sides of it.
ANALYZE YOUR WRITING: Make 3 columns-
First Word # of Words/Sentence Verbs
Complete sentence fragment and run-on worksheets.

18. Writing Trait #6--Conventions
What to check for :
Punctuation—
End of sentences?
Commas?
Apostrophes?
Quotations
Capitalizaton—
Beginning of sentences?
All proper nouns (names of things)

19. Conventions continued
Spelling--
Used spell check?
Homonyms? (there, their, they’re)
Grammar—
Correct form of verb (ate, had eaten)
Subject verb agreement? (the dog barks, the dogs bark)