1. The Traits of Writing A Shared Vision for Teaching Writing

2. Why Traits of Writing? Provides us with a shared vision and vocabulary for describing the qualities of writing Helps us to prioritize and focus and individualize our writing instruction by making explicit not only the features of good writing, but also the techniques those writers use to craft the messages for particular audiences and purposes Enables us to identify and document individual students’ writing strengths and areas for growth

3. Process, Traits and Modes The Writing Process: The Foundation Prewriting Drafting Revising Editing Publishing/Sharing Traits: The Writer’s Language Idea Organization Voice Word Choice Fluency Conventions Modes: Forms of Writing Narrative/Personal Informational Persuasive Business/Professional

4. “The traits help us to identify what needs work letting us break down steps in the process so we can teach students what makes writing effective. When students learn the tools that help them unlock the mysteries of revision and editing, they take ownership of the writing process. The traits become the foundation for revision, which for many students is the weak link in the writing process.” Ruth Culham

5. Ideas: A Quick Summary Clarity Focus Quality details Strong support Authenticity No “filler” Good balance: satisfying, not overwhelming

6. Why Students Typically Struggle With Ideas Writing is complex Students think faster than they can write Students don’t write for themselves

7. Four key concepts about working with ideas that every student can learn Selecting an idea Narrowing the idea Elaborating on the idea Discovering the best information to convey the ideas

8. Tips for Success in Ideas for Students Be an observer Write small Pick your own topics Get rid of deadwood Don’t try to tell too much Don’t generalize

9. Organization: A Quick Summary Guides the reader Strong lead Natural, effective transitions Smooth flow point to point Orderly arrangement of information Good pacing Satisfying conclusion

10. Why Students Typically Struggle With Organization Rigid organization is often overvalued Organization is really hard We’re looking for one size fits all programs

11. Three key concepts about organization that every student can learn Writing the introduction – a lead that hooks the reader Developing the middle of the paper – a core that is logically organized and contains clearly linked details Writing a conclusion – an ending that leaves the reader satisfied

12. Tips for Success in Organization for Students Spend time on a good lead Have a center Gather information in chunks Try to see a pattern Link ideas together End with flair

13. Voice: A Quick Summary Individuality Liveliness Enthusiasm for topic Confidence that comes from knowledge Tone fits audience, purpose Sensitivity to audience needs Appeal to keep readers reading

14. Why Students Typically Struggle With Voice Voice isn’t as concrete as other traits There is a longstanding perception that boring is good It’s a bit too personal Some forms of writing don’t require voice

15. Three key concepts about voice that every student can learn Voice emerges when the writer speaks to the reader on an emotional level Voice emerges when the writer experiments with style to match purpose and audience Voice emerges when the writer takes risks by revealing the person behind the words

16. Tips for Success in Voice for Students Be yourself Match voice to purpose Think of your audience Care Know your topic Think of everything as a letter

17. Word Choice: A Quick Summary Accuracy Precision Everyday words used in fresh ways Avoidance of jargon No ponderous “let me impress you” language Language that fits audience/purpose Lively verbs Words that paint pictures

18. Why Students Typically Struggle with Word Choice Too often, language is used to exclude Vocabulary is usually taught in isolation Students get “word drunk”

19. Four key concepts about word choice that every student can learn Striking language Exact language Natural language Beautiful language

20. Tips for Success in Word Choice for Students Keep a journal Collect quotations Think of another good way to say it Think verbs Make pictures Cut the fat

21. Sentence Fluency: A Quick Summary Easy rhythm and flow One sentence glides into another Variety in length Variety in structure Delightful to hear/read Easy to read with expression Easy to follow

22. Why Teaching Students Sentence Fluency is Typically a Challenge Overemphasis on correctness Writing classrooms are too quiet It’s harder than it looks

23. Three key concepts about sentence fluency that every student can learn Establishing rhythm and flow Varying sentence length and structure Constructing sentences that enhance meaning

24. Tips for Success in Sentence Fluency for Students Combine a series of little sentences into one smooth sentence Use connecting words to show how ideas relate Add details to complete the picture Watch out for run-ons Watch out for ramblers – run-ons with “ands” inserted Make all pronoun references clear Get rid of deadwood Avoid jargon Avoid shifts in number Avoid shifts in voice Keep sentence elements parallel – that is, matching in form Avoid “there is” or “there are” sentence beginnings. Be direct.

25. Conventions: A Quick Summary Control over conventions Evidence of proofreading/editing Easy-to-process text Conventions enhance meaning Only light touch-ups needed

26. Why Teaching Students Conventions is Typically a Challenge Students don’t see the power of conventions We’re always searching for the best way to teach conventions We don’t encourage risk-taking We put too much stock into programs

27. Four key concepts about conventions that students can learn Editing and revising are different Correctness according to appropriate developmental level and age Experimentation is okay. Balance is key. Patience is necessary because learning to use conventions takes time

28. Tips for Success in Conventions for Students Edit two ways Read from the bottom up Make all rough drafts double spaced Learn copy editor’s symbols Start in the middle Be a sleuth

29. Presentation: A Quick Summary Uniform spacing Legible and consistent handwriting Appealing use of white space Where necessary, bullets, numbers, side headings, and other markers that help readers access content Effective integration of text and illustration, charts, graphs, maps, and tables