1. An Introduction as compiled by BEMS 6th Grade
The Six Traits
An Introduction
as compiled by BEMS 6th Grade

2. What is a trait?
A trait is a quality or characteristic.

3. Traits of good ice skating
Grace
Balance
Rhythm
Technical skill
Athletic skill
Speed

4. Turn & Talk Questions
What are traits that would make a good football player?
What are traits that would make a good student?
What are traits that would make a good teacher?

5. What is a trait in writing?
A trait in writing is a quality or characteristic that all “good” writing shares

6. There are Six Traits in writing
They are:
Ideas and Content
Organization
Voice
Word Choice
Sentence Fluency
Conventions

7. IDEAS
Ideas – The main message. It represents the topic of the writing and the details that support that writing.

8. IDEAS
Ideas – The main message. It represents the topic of the writing and the details that support that writing Writing should have a narrow focus and a zoomed in topic.

9. IDEAS
Ideas – The main message. It represents the topic of the writing and the details that support that writing Writing should be strengthened with supporting details

10. ORGANIZATION
Organization – the internal structure of the piece, the thread of logic, the pattern of meaning

11. ORGANIZATION
Organization – the internal structure of the piece, the thread of logic, the pattern of meaning
Writing needs a beginning just as a train needs an engine
Writing needs a middle, the middle car (sentences)
Writing needs an ending, just as a train needs the caboose

12. ORGANIZATION
Organization – the internal structure of the piece, the thread of logic, the pattern of meaning
Writing needs to be in a logical order

13. VOICE
Voice – the personal tone and flavor of the author’s message which is achieved through a strong understanding of the purpose and audience

14. VOICE
Voice – the personal tone and flavor of the author’s message which is achieved through a strong understanding of the purpose and audience Writing should have a clear Point of View

15. VOICE Writing should engage emotion!
Voice – the personal tone and flavor of the author’s message which is achieved through a strong understanding of the purpose and audience
Writing should engage emotion!

16. WORD CHOICE
Word Choice – the vocabulary a writer chooses to convey meaning; PURPLE words; Specific word choice or WOW words; Exact language – right on TARGET

17. WORD CHOICE Bouncing, audacious, famished bulldog
Word Choice – the vocabulary a writer chooses to convey meaning; PURPLE words; Specific word choice or WOW words; Exact language – right on TARGET
Includes colorful adjectives
Bouncing, audacious, famished bulldog

18. Includes expressive verbs
WORD CHOICE
Word Choice – the vocabulary a writer chooses to convey meaning; PURPLE words; Specific word choice or WOW words; Exact language – right on TARGET
Includes expressive verbs
Sauntered, hobbled
Plummeted, nosedived

19. SENTENCE FLUENCY
Sentence Fluency – the way words and phrases flow through the piece. You hear the variety of sentences and the way they play off each other. You hear the music of figurative language. You hear the ease and readability of the piece.

20. SENTENCE FLUENCY
Sentence Fluency – the way words and phrases flow through the piece. You hear the variety of sentences and the way they play off each other. You hear the music of figurative language. You hear the ease and readability of the piece.
The writing has a variety of sentence lengths and beginnings

21. The writing SOUNDS good read aloud
SENTENCE FLUENCY
Sentence Fluency – the way words and phrases flow through the piece. You hear the variety of sentences and the way they play off each other. You hear the music of figurative language. You hear the ease and readability of the piece.
The writing SOUNDS good read aloud

22. CONVENTIONS
Conventions – the mechanics of the writing. Correct use of capitalization, punctuation, spelling, paragraphing, and grammar usage
C.U.P.S. (Capitalization, Usage, Punctuation, Spelling)

23. Use Correct Capitalization
CONVENTIONS
Conventions – the mechanics of the writing. Correct use of capitalization, punctuation, spelling, paragraphing, and grammar usage
Use Correct Capitalization
Following the leader, Mrs. Haag applauded loudly.

24. Uses Correct Verbs/Words
CONVENTIONS
Conventions – the mechanics of the writing. Correct use of capitalization, punctuation, spelling, paragraphing, and grammar usage
Uses Correct Verbs/Words
The boy walks through the door.
The students walk through the door.

25. Use Correct End Punctuation
CONVENTIONS
Conventions – the mechanics of the writing. Correct use of capitalization, punctuation, spelling, paragraphing, and grammar usage
Use Correct End Punctuation
. ? ! …

26. CONVENTIONS Uses Correct Spelling
Conventions – the mechanics of the writing. Correct use of capitalization, punctuation, spelling, paragraphing, and grammar usage
Uses Correct Spelling
The book has a key on its cover.
It’s going to rain today.

27. The Six Traits
The six traits is not a writing program, but a language for describing the quality of writing— a set of written criteria that attempt to define what makes good writing - Suzanne Williams
We will work hard this year to incorporate the Six Traits into our writing so that we might communicate effectively and well

28. Credits
Ruth Culham, Traits of Good Writing – The Complete Guide for Middle School
Kristina Smekens, Six Traits of Effective Writing