The 6 Traits of Writing

*Ideas *Organization *Word Choice *Sentence Fluency *Voice *Conventions

Created by: Jennifer Heidl-Knobloch & Jody Drake

Ideas & Content

The ideas are the heart of the message, the content of the pieceall the details that enrich and develop the theme.

--Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory

If you dont care about what you write about, your reader will be bored!

Ideas & Content

A writer should:
~ Narrow the topic to something specific
~ Use a fresh, original perspective ~ When possible, write from experience ~ Use important, interesting details (not just common knowledge)

Organization
Organization is the internal structure of a piece of writing, the thread of central meaning, the pattern.

--Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory

Organization
A writer should:
~ use an inviting lead that hooks the reader ~ use logical and effective order, structure, & sequence ~ use smooth transitions to emphasize main idea ~ place supporting details where they are most appropriate ~ use a conclusion that gives the reader a sense of resolution (clincher)

Word Choice
Strong word choice clarifies and expands ideasmoves and enlightens the reader.
--Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory

Dont tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.
--Anton Chekhov

Word Choice
A writer should:
~ Use words that create a mental picture for the reader ~ Use powerful action verbs (vivid verbs) ~ Use specific nouns and adjectives ~ Use language that is natural and not overdone ~ Be concise (tighten sentences) ~ Use words correctly ~ Avoid repetition, slang, and clichs

Sentence Fluency
Sentence fluency is the rhythm and flow of the language.
--Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory

To me the greatest pleasure of writing is not what its about, but the music the words make.
--Truman Capote

Sentence Fluency
A writer should:
~Vary sentence beginning, structure, and length ~ Use complete sentences ~ Use transitions (internal & external) to promote cadence

Voice
It is the heart and soul of the writing, the magic, the wit, the feeling, the life and breath.
--Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory

Voice
A writer should:
~ Write honestly and from the heart ~ Interact with the reader * without using YOU ~ Use language that brings the topic to life ~ Care about topic ~ Use expression to voice personality

And lastly
CONVENTIONS

Conventions
Some of you may not enjoy the editing process, but without this step, the other 5 traits could be overshadowed by errors that distract the reader. This trait is essential to a polished composition.

Conventions
A writer should:
~ Turn in a clean, edited, and polished final draft ~ Reinforce the organization with good paragraphing ~ Use correct punctuation, spelling, and grammar

Quotations to Inspire
What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure.
- Samuel Johnson

We write to taste life twice.

~ Anais Nin

Works Cited
Assessment. Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory. 11 Jan. 2005. 6 July 2005. <www.nwrel.org/assessment/scoring.php?odelay=3&d=1>. Grammar Cartoons. Google Images. 6 July 2005. <www.images.google.com/images?synum=10&hl=en&lr=&q=grammar+car toons>. Roberts, Bethany. "Writing for Children Workshop: Writing Quotes." 16 June 2005. < http://www.bethanyroberts.com/writing_quotes.htm>.

Spandel, Vicki. Creating Writers Through 6-Trait Writing Assessment and Instruction. New York: Addison Wesley Longman, 2001.
Steele, Kimberly. Ideas for Teaching Writing. 23 June 2004. 6 July 2005. <www.kimskorner4teachertalk.com/writing/menu.html.>