1. IdeasIdeasIdeasIdeas OrganizationOrganizationOrganizationOrganization VoiceVoiceVoiceVoice WorChoiceWorChoiceWorChoiceWorChoice Sentence FluencySentence FluencySentence FluencySentence Fluency ConventionsConventionsConventionsConventions Six Traits / Six Traits / Writing ProcessWriting ProcessSix Traits / Six Traits / Writing ProcessWriting Process Writing is like a guitar. Guitars have six different strings. Each string has a different note or tone to it. Some are high, and some are low. If you were to play a song with one string, the song would be rather dull, boring, and monotonous. However, if the six strings are played together, and they are given an interesting rhythm, the gorgeous melody floats across the room and stirs the soul. Writing is the same in many ways, There are many different elements, rules, and steps that need to be followed. Without all of the elements, the writing lacks something. With all of the elements, and a little interesting creativity, the writing can stir the soul. by – Mr. Bryan Hatch

2. THE SIX TRAITS THE SIX TRAITS OF WRITING

3. IDEAS & CONTENT Choose a topic Choose a topic Narrow or focus it Narrow or focus it Add interesting details. Add interesting details.

4. Ideas are central to any piece of writing. Good writing always has a main point or story to tell. It includes creative and interesting details that support and enhance the main idea. Ideas are central to any piece of writing. Good writing always has a main point or story to tell. It includes creative and interesting details that support and enhance the main idea. The focus here is on main ideas, theme and supporting details. The focus here is on main ideas, theme and supporting details.

5. ORGANIZATION Plan before you write. Plan before you write. Hook your reader’s attention. Hook your reader’s attention. Make your details flow smoothly. Make your details flow smoothly. Wrap the piece up neatly. Wrap the piece up neatly.

6. Organization is the logical and effective presentation of main ideas and details. It makes a piece of writing easy to follow. Organization is the logical and effective presentation of main ideas and details. It makes a piece of writing easy to follow. The focus here is on the beginning, the middle and the end. As well as pacing and transitions. The focus here is on the beginning, the middle and the end. As well as pacing and transitions.

7. VOICE Speak to your reader. Speak to your reader. Put feelings into your writing. Put feelings into your writing. Think about your purpose for writing. Think about your purpose for writing.

8. Voice is the personality of the writer coming through on the page. It’s a combination of feeling, style and connection to the audience. It makes a piece of writing distinctive and engaging. Voice is the personality of the writer coming through on the page. It’s a combination of feeling, style and connection to the audience. It makes a piece of writing distinctive and engaging. The focus here is on energy, personality and sense of audience. The focus here is on energy, personality and sense of audience.

9. WORD CHOICE Paint pictures in your reader’s mind. Paint pictures in your reader’s mind. Use vivid verbs and powerful nouns. Use vivid verbs and powerful nouns.

10. Effective words are descriptive, but precise. They are intended to convey messages clearly and create pictures in our minds. Effective words are descriptive, but precise. They are intended to convey messages clearly and create pictures in our minds. The focus here is on precision, clarity, effectiveness and imagery. The focus here is on precision, clarity, effectiveness and imagery.

11. SENTENCE FLUENCY Use some long and some short sentences. Use some long and some short sentences. Vary the kinds of sentences and the way they start. Vary the kinds of sentences and the way they start. Think about the sounds of words you use. Think about the sounds of words you use. Read your writing aloud to see if it sounds smooth and flowing. Read your writing aloud to see if it sounds smooth and flowing.

12. Sentence Fluency refers to the rhythm and flow of language. Fluent writing has an almost musical cadence to it. It’s a pleasure to read aloud. Sentence Fluency refers to the rhythm and flow of language. Fluent writing has an almost musical cadence to it. It’s a pleasure to read aloud. The focus here is on rhythm, sentence variety and sounds of words. The focus here is on rhythm, sentence variety and sounds of words.

13. CONVENTIONS Capital letters Capital letters Use of correct words Use of correct words Punctuation Punctuation Spelling Spelling

14. Conventions refer to the mechanical correctness of a piece of writing. They are like “the good table manners of written language.” You show respect for your reader by following the rules of writing so that he/she may read without distractions. Conventions refer to the mechanical correctness of a piece of writing. They are like “the good table manners of written language.” You show respect for your reader by following the rules of writing so that he/she may read without distractions. The focus here is on spelling, grammar, punctuation and capitalization. The focus here is on spelling, grammar, punctuation and capitalization.

15. Sources A HIP Seminar 2007: Using the Six Traits to Build Writing Skills (Presented by Paul Kropp and Lori Jamison) A HIP Seminar 2007: Using the Six Traits to Build Writing Skills (Presented by Paul Kropp and Lori Jamison) http://teacherweb.com/FL/SunsetLakesElementary/MrsS anchez/uhf1.stm http://teacherweb.com/FL/SunsetLakesElementary/MrsS anchez/uhf1.stm http://teacherweb.com/FL/SunsetLakesElementary/MrsS anchez/uhf1.stm http://teacherweb.com/FL/SunsetLakesElementary/MrsS anchez/uhf1.stm http://www.trhs.weber.k12.ut.us/hatch/my%20local%20 web%20files%203/six_traits_powerpoint.htm http://www.trhs.weber.k12.ut.us/hatch/my%20local%20 web%20files%203/six_traits_powerpoint.htm http://www.trhs.weber.k12.ut.us/hatch/my%20local%20 web%20files%203/six_traits_powerpoint.htm http://www.trhs.weber.k12.ut.us/hatch/my%20local%20 web%20files%203/six_traits_powerpoint.htm http://www.memfox.com/welcome.html http://www.memfox.com/welcome.html http://www.memfox.com/welcome.html http://www.gnb.ca/0000/publications/eval/Grade2Literac yAssessmentInformationBulletin2007.pdf http://www.gnb.ca/0000/publications/eval/Grade2Literac yAssessmentInformationBulletin2007.pdf http://www.gnb.ca/0000/publications/eval/Grade2Literac yAssessmentInformationBulletin2007.pdf http://www.gnb.ca/0000/publications/eval/Grade2Literac yAssessmentInformationBulletin2007.pdf