1. The 6+1 Traits of Writing

2. The first trait of writing
Ideas
The first trait of writing
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3. Ideas!
Writing with good ideas has a clear main idea supported with relevant, interesting details.
Topic should be focused on a narrow subject

4. Choosing a Topic Choose a subject that interests you
Choose a subject that will interest your readers
Choose a subject that you know something about or can research with reasonable effort

5. Too many ideas in one topic
Broad vs. Narrow Topics
Broad
Too many ideas in one topic
Narrow
1 Specific idea
Cars
Birds
Basketball
Teachers
History of Hot Rods
Migration Patterns of Hummingbirds
Top Forwards in the NBA
How Mrs. Ward became the Most Awesomest Teacher Ever

6. Quiz Time! Which of the following topics is the narrowest?
Confederate Nurses in the Civil War
The Civil War
The Confederates vs. the Union
Confederates in the Civil War

7. Quiz Time! Which of the following topics is the broadest?
William Shakespeare
The Life of William Shakespeare
The Early Years of William Shakespeare
The Works of William Shakespeare

8. Quiz Time! Which topic is the narrowest? The Effects of Global Warming
Preventing Global Warming
Regional Impacts of Global Warming
Explaining Global Warming

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Ideas
Is the message clear?
Is it supported with good, interesting details?
Scored on a scale of 1 to 5
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10. 1 = Little or no clear idea
I need more time to think.
The picture is not very clear.
I’m not sure what my topic is…or maybe it is too big!
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Score of 1
The mantis shrimp is an animal. It lives in the ocean. It sees colors. There are lots of kinds of shrimp. People don’t eat the mantis shrimp. People eat lobster instead.
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12. 3 = starting to get a clear idea
My reader will get the general idea.
I still need to add some details.
Not all of my details support the main idea.
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Score of 3
The mantis shrimp is a strange animal. It can see more colors than humans can. It kills its prey with supersonic blasts. It looks very weird and colorful.
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14. 5 = ideas are clear and interesting
It all makes sense.
My reader will learn a lot.
This is just what I wanted to say.
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Score of 5
The mantis shrimp may be the most bizarre creature on Earth. Not only does it look strange with its rainbow-colored shell and bugged-out, stalk-like eyes, but it also has what can only be described as superpowers. First, while humans can see only five primary colors, the mantis shrimp can see sixteen! More importantly, though, the mantis shrimp has pincers that move faster than a bullet and create sonic shockwaves that blow apart their prey. Though many people would love to see them in aquariums, no aquarium will keep mantis shrimp because they have been known to break the glass and escape.
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Score this!
I like to go to the mall. There is stuff there to do, and lots of places to go. There is also good food at the food court. My sister hates the mall because she says it is too noisy. Sometimes I don’t have money to spend at the mall. When I do have money, I buy clothes.
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Score this!
Dolphins are smart animals. They can work as a team by communicating with each other using clicks, whistles, and body language. At aquariums, they can learn more complicated tricks than any other animal. They are so smart that they even invent games to play with each other, so they don’t get bored! I would love to go swim with dolphins one day.
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