1. The Six Traits of Writing
How to write a quality essay

2. Trait #1: Ideas (8pts) How do you know if your audience will understand your message? Ask yourself:
Is my message clear?
Did I include concrete details relevant to my topic?
Did the reader learn something new?
Is my paper interesting and easy to understand?

3. Trait #2: Organization (8pts) Did you organize your ideas in a way that makes sense? Ask yourself:
Does my beginning hook my reader?
Does my essay have at least one intro paragraph, three body paragraphs, then a conclusion?
Do I have at least two CD and four CM per paragraph?
Do I have a strong conclusion that wraps up the essay?

4. Intro (at least one paragraph)
Hook
Transition
Thesis
Body (at least two or three paragraphs)
Topic Sentence
Concrete Detail
Commentary
Conclusion/Transition Paragraph
Conclusion (at least one paragraph
Commentary only
Refer back to hook

5. Trait #3: Voice (8pts) Does your writing sound like that of a unique individual that is interested in his/her topic? Ask yourself:
Can you tell I am enthusiastic about my topic?
Does this writing sound like ME?
How do I want my readers to feel, and how did I accomplish this goal?
Will my story hold reader’s attention?

6. Trait #4: Sentence Fluency (8pts) Do your sentences make sense and does your essay flow? Ask yourself:
Is my story easy to read?
Do my sentences begin in different ways?
Did I use some long and some short sentences?
Does my paper sound smooth as I read it aloud?

7. Trait #5: Word Choice (8pts) Do you always use just the right word for what you’re trying to say? Ask yourself:
Have I used some strong verbs or colorful phrases that grab my reader?
Have I chosen the most precise word?
Have I sued any unique words?
Did I repeat common words too many times?

8. In this essay, I will tell you
Good
Cool
Superior
Stupid
Excellent
Things
Bad
Despicable
Any slang
Deplorable
Contractions
Stuff
Material
In my opinion…
Substance
I think that…
A lot/Lots
In this essay, I will tell you
Many
Plenty

9. Trait #6: Conventions (10pts) Are there many distracting errors in your essay? Ask yourself:
Have I indented any new paragraphs?
Do I have a header, heading, and title?
Did I use correct punctuation?
Did I use capital letters in the right places?
Have I proofread for correct spelling and grammar?

10. Find the error
I enjoyed this movie it taught me many lessons. (One error) There a very talented debate team.

11. Find the error
Because they tried they’re best. (Two errors) Even if the team had lost to Harvard they still would have been winners. (One error)

12. Find the error
Racism is a vicious form of prejudice that has no place in modern sosiety. (One error) Without, the help of Mr. Tolsen their teacher the team would never have made it to harvard. (Four errors)