1. The Six Traits of Writing help us describe and improve our writing.
Writing Trait Introduction: Organization
The Six Traits
The Six Traits of Writing help us describe and improve our writing.

2. Writing Trait Introduction: Organization
Focus on Organization
Organization means putting things in order so that they make sense. Organization also means using a good introduction and a satisfying conclusion.

3. There are many ways to organize writing.
Writing Trait Introduction: Organization
There are many ways to organize writing.
You could
tell a story with a beginning, middle, and ending.
describe how your topic looks, sounds, smells, feels, and tastes.
express your opinion about the topic and support it with facts.
compare or contrast your topic with something else.
Which of these could you use to tell about a family vacation?
Which of these could you use to tell about your pet?

4. Good organization starts with a good introduction.
Writing Trait Introduction: Organization
Good organization starts with a good introduction.
Here are some good ways to start your writing:
Begin with characters talking. This is called dialogue.
“I think your hamster got out of his cage,” said Mom with
a frown.
Begin with an interesting question.
Have you ever had to catch an escaped hamster? I have!
Begin with your feelings about the topic.
My hamster is a cute, furry little friend. When he escaped from his cage, I was afraid that he would get hurt.

5. Good writers use transition words to help the writing flow.
Writing Trait Introduction: Organization
Good writers use transition words to help the writing flow.
Common transition words
first
then
next
last
after
during
until
soon
later
before
along
above
around
behind
between
below by
into
near
outside
over
through as
also
unlike
on the
other hand
but
however
yet
still
although
for this reason
especially
again
in fact
in conclusion
as you can see
for instance
in other words

6. Good writers use transition words to help the writing flow.
Writing Trait Introduction: Organization
Good writers use transition words to help the writing flow.
Read the following story. It doesn’t have any transition words. How does it sound? I helped my mom clean house. We cleaned the bathrooms. We dusted all of the furniture with furniture polish. We vacuumed the carpet. My little sister dropped cookie crumbs all over the living room floor. We had to vacuum that room again.

7. Good writers use transition words to help the writing flow.
Writing Trait Introduction: Organization
Good writers use transition words to help the writing flow.
Now read the same story with transitions. Does it sound better? Last Wednesday, I helped my mom clean house. First, we cleaned the bathrooms. Next, we dusted all of the furniture with furniture polish. Finally, we vacuumed the carpet. Unfortunately, my little sister dropped cookie crumbs all over the living room floor, so we had to vacuum that room again.

8. Good organization ends with a satisfying conclusion.
Writing Trait Introduction: Organization
Good organization ends with a
satisfying conclusion.
Here are some ways you can end your writing: End by wrapping things up. That is the story of my very first rafting trip. End by telling something you learned. The most important thing I learned is to always wear a life preserver. End by sharing your thoughts or opinion on the topic. Rafting is the most fun I’ve ever had! If you haven’t tried it, you should.

9. Writing Trait Introduction: Organization
Remember!
Good organization begins with a good introduction and ends with a satisfying conclusion.
There are different ways to organize writing.
Transition words help the writing flow.