1. The Six Traits Trait Introduction: Conventions
The Six Traits of Writing represent the things that we can observe, assess, revise, and edit in any piece of writing.

2. Focus on Conventions Trait Introduction: Conventions
Spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar are correct, making the message easy to understand. The work is neat and legible.

3. Correct conventions make a big difference.
Trait Introduction: Conventions
Correct conventions make a big difference.
Read the following rough draft. There are problems with spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and grammar. Notice how difficult the paragraph is to read.
My brothers birthday party was fun it was on saturday. he had lots of freinds over their were presents an cake an games to. After we eat we whent swiming in are pool we played marco polo its a great day!

4. Correct conventions make a big difference.
Trait Introduction: Conventions
Correct conventions make a big difference.
Now read the final draft, which has been edited for conventions. Notice how good conventions make the paragraph easier to read.
My brother’s birthday party on Saturday was fun. He had lots of friends over. There were presents, cake, and games, too. After we ate, we went swimming in our pool. We played Marco Polo. It was a great day!

5. Editing for Conventions
Trait Introduction: Conventions
Editing for Conventions
When editing, here are some things to check in your writing:
Capitalization
Acronyms Proper nouns
Titles First word of a sentence
Punctuation
Apostrophes Ellipses Parentheses
Colons End punctuation Semicolons
Commas Hyphens Quotation marks
Person (correct and consistent)
Plurals
Pronouns and antecedents

6. Editing for Conventions
Trait Introduction: Conventions
Editing for Conventions
When editing, here are some things to check in your writing:
Pronouns (number and gender)
Pronoun usage (subject, object, possessive)
Sentence structure
(fragments, run-ons, and awkward sentences)
Spelling
Subject-verb agreement
Verb tense (correct and consistent)
Word usage
Hint: Use “targeted” editing. Edit your paper carefully for one kind of mistake at a time. After you have finished, edit your paper again for another kind of mistake. Repeat as necessary. This strategy will limit your focus and make editing more efficient.

7. Handwriting Trait Introduction: Conventions
A big part of conventions is making sure your work is written legibly, either in manuscript. . .

8. Trait Introduction: Conventions
Handwriting
. . . or in cursive.

9. Remember! Trait Introduction: Conventions
Conventions are all about spelling, capitalization, punctuation, grammar, neatness, and legibility.
Correct conventions make writing easy to read.
When editing for conventions, check for one type of error at a time.