1. Six Traits of Writing
Created by
Leslie Terry

2. Six Traits of Writing Ideas & Content Organization Voice Word Choice
Sentence Fluency
Conventions

3. Ideas and Content This trait is the HEART of the message;
the central idea and support.
CLARITY - makes sense.
FOCUS - narrow and manageable size
QUALITY DETAILS - noticing little things that others might not notice.
How does it look at intermediate grades?
Writing has a clear, direct message that is focused.

4. Ideas and Content Links to Instruction
Prewriting
Keeping Journals
Moving from broad topic to focused and narrow ideas
Learning to observe carefully
Borrowing ideas from other writers
Knowing the purpose for writing

5. Organization This trait is the internal structure
Inviting Opening
Sequencing - logical and effective
Linking words/phrases
Pacing
Effective Ending
How does it look at intermediate?
Create organizational structures that balance all aspects of the composition
Use effective transitions
Support all statements and claims with anecdotes, descriptions, facts, statistics, and specific examples.

6. Organization Links to instruction…
Strong leads that exhibit students’ awareness of the audience and purpose
Essays that are clear, coherent, and focused
Writing that contains formal introductions, supporting evidence, and conclusions.

7. Voice
This is the personal quality of the piece - the sense of the writer behind the words.
“Flavor” or tone appropriate to the purpose of the audience.
Commitment to topic.
Involvement, enthusiasm, integrity.
How does it look at intermediate?
• Individuality • Sparkle
• Exuberance • Humor
• Love of writing • Playfulness
• Appropriate for type of writing

8. Voice Links to instruction
Helps writers feel safe/accepted
Point out voice in books
Reward risk --even over success
Provide opportunities to hear voice of
others
Writing TO someone

9. Word Choice • Originality Correct, accurate use of language.
Vivid, precise, memorable, noteworthy
Effective - original use of everyday
words rate high scores.
How does it look at intermediate? • Correct word use without overuse of thesaurus
• Originality
• Experiment with use of idioms, analogies,
metaphors, and similes.
• Images, pictures, and ideas that evoke particular
words or phrases.
• Verbs, unusual or well-used adjectives and adverbs.
*Misuse of language or over-reliance on the Thesaurus tends to hurt scores!

10. Word Choice Links to instruction
Verbs, verbs, verbs!!
Building vocabulary through reading
Brainstorming - How else could you say it?
Put “tired” words to rest
Eliminate redundancy
List words you love

11. Sentence Fluency
This trait focuses on the rhythm and cadence of the piece. How does it sound to the ear?
Listen for smoothness & flow
Variety of sentence beginning
Differences in sentence lengths
Variations in general patterning
How does this look at intermediate?
Are they beginning to:
Use rhythmic language
Vary sentence beginnings, lengths, and structures
Begin sentences in ways that hook them to the
preceding sentences (transitions)

12. Sentence Fluency Links to instruction
Pointing out fluency when reading good literature
Writing and listening to poetry
Combining/detangling sentences
Wordiness and parallel construction
Sentence fragments & variety

13. Conventions This trait reflects the general
correctness of the piece. Has it been
edited/proofread?
Spelling
Punctuation
Grammar & Usage
Paragraphing
Capital Letters
How does this look like at intermediate?
Proper use of infinitives, participles, clear pronouns and antecedents
Correct use of hyphens, dashes, brackets, and semicolons
Applying the spelling of bases and affixes to derivatives

14. Conventions Links to instruction
Difference between editing and revising
Learning and using symbols
Model using clear examples in simplified contexts
Provide extensive opportunities to receive instruction and feedback.

15. The
End!