1. The Six Traits of Writing 1. Ideas 2. Organization 3. Word Choice 4. Voice 5. Sentence Fluency 6. Conventions

2. Ideas l Needs a clear central theme or message l Narrow, focused topic l Details you care about l Experience & Knowledge used to advantage l Insight

3. Idea l The heart of the message l Key Question: Does it have those “you had to be there” details that make it the writer’s own?

4. Organization l Inviting introduction or attention- getters l Logical, effective sequencing--uses transitions l Good pacing--slows down here, speeds up there l Strong transitions link ideas l Conclusion leaves you thinking

5. Organization l The internal structure l Key Question: Do the beginning and ending work in harmony- -like book ends?

6. Word Choice: l Reader can see the picture l Author shows, not tells l Words are fresh, not over used

7. Word Choice l The language and phrasing l Key Question: Does the language give the piece life?

8. Voice l You connect with this writer l There’s a person “at home here” l It speaks to you--makes you want to read more l Writer is writing TO someone Audience is easy to identify l Narrative: honest and from the heart l Expository: Lively, engaging, full of conviction

9. Voice l The personal tone and flavor of the author’s message l Key Question: Would you take it home and read it to someone?

10. Sentence Fluency l Writing moves with an easy rhythm and flow l Sentences vary in length and structure l Sentences begin in Purposeful way l Writer shows “sentence sense”

11. Sentence Fluency l The flow of the piece l Key Question: Does this piece invite expressive oral reading?

12. Conventions l Looks clean and polished l Most things done correctly l No glaring errors l Consistent spacing l Capitals, punctuation, and spelling are correct

13. Conventions l Key Question: Is this easy to read aloud, or does the reader struggle because of grammatical problems