6+1 Traits of Good Writing

6th Grade Grammar- AZZARI

6+1 Traits

What are the Traits?

The 6 Traits are the qualities The 6 Traits are the qualities

that teachers, writers, and that teachers, writers, and

readers think are very readers think are very

important in good writing!important in good writing!

IDEAS

Ideas are the heart of the message, the Ideas are the heart of the message, the content of the piece, the main theme, content of the piece, the main theme, together with the details that enrich and together with the details that enrich and develop that theme. develop that theme.

To receive a score of 4= CLEARLY present To receive a score of 4= CLEARLY present your ideas in an organized fashion. Paint a your ideas in an organized fashion. Paint a picture in the readers brain. picture in the readers brain.

ORGANIZATION

Organization is the internal structure, the Organization is the internal structure, the thread of central meaning, the logical and thread of central meaning, the logical and sometimes intriguing pattern of ideas sometimes intriguing pattern of ideas within a piece of writing.within a piece of writing.

To receive a score of 4= Follow the essay To receive a score of 4= Follow the essay outline of each piece. Have a STRONG outline of each piece. Have a STRONG thesis statement that directs the rest of thesis statement that directs the rest of your essay. your essay.

VOICE

Voice is the magic and the wit, along with the Voice is the magic and the wit, along with the feeling and conviction of the individual writer feeling and conviction of the individual writer coming out through the words. coming out through the words.

To receive a score of 4= The essay is written To receive a score of 4= The essay is written with a huge sense of creativity and it holds with a huge sense of creativity and it holds the readers attention.the readers attention.

WORD CHOICE

Word choice is the use of rich, colorful, Word choice is the use of rich, colorful, precise language that moves and precise language that moves and enlightens the reader.enlightens the reader.

To receive a score of 4= Use To receive a score of 4= Use SPICY SPICY WORDS! WORDS! You do not use the basic You do not use the basic adjectives and nouns in your writing. adjectives and nouns in your writing. Use of extensive vocabulary. Use of extensive vocabulary.

SENTENCE FLUENCY

Sentence fluency is the rhythm and flow of Sentence fluency is the rhythm and flow of the language, the sound of word patterns, the language, the sound of word patterns, the way in which the writing plays to the the way in which the writing plays to the ear-not just the eye.ear-not just the eye.

To receive a score of 4= It sounds To receive a score of 4= It sounds FANTASTIC when read aloud. Fluent FANTASTIC when read aloud. Fluent structure from one paragraph to another, structure from one paragraph to another, and one idea to the next. and one idea to the next.

CONVENTIONS

Conventions refer to the mechanical Conventions refer to the mechanical correctness of the piece-spelling correctness of the piece-spelling paragraphing, grammar and usage, paragraphing, grammar and usage, punctuation, and use of capitals.punctuation, and use of capitals.

To receive a score of 4= Minimal to no To receive a score of 4= Minimal to no grammatical and spelling mistakes to your grammatical and spelling mistakes to your essay. Your revised it to be in the BEST essay. Your revised it to be in the BEST SHAPE!SHAPE!

PRESENTATION

Presentation zeros in on the Presentation zeros in on the form and layout of the text form and layout of the text and its readability’ the and its readability’ the piece should be pleasing to piece should be pleasing to the eye.the eye.

The Writing Process!1. Planning/Prewriting/Organizing/Outlining1. Planning/Prewriting/Organizing/Outlining

2. Drafting/Creating your first draft2. Drafting/Creating your first draft

3. Revising/Checking over with the rubric to make 3. Revising/Checking over with the rubric to make changeschanges

4.Editing/Fixing your mistakes and improving your 4.Editing/Fixing your mistakes and improving your writingwriting

Publishing/Final Copy/Final Draft/Completion for a Publishing/Final Copy/Final Draft/Completion for a gradegrade

Key Questions!

Here are some questions that Here are some questions that you should be asking yourself you should be asking yourself when checking over your own when checking over your own work, and the work of your work, and the work of your peers….peers….

IDEAS

DoeDoes the writing go s the writing go beyond the obvious?beyond the obvious?

ORGANIZATION

Does the writing Does the writing hook you and keep hook you and keep you reading?you reading?

VOICE

Does the writing make Does the writing make you want to keep you want to keep reading it and share it reading it and share it with others?with others?

WORD CHOICE

Does the writing make Does the writing make the words and images the words and images linger in your mind?linger in your mind?

SENTENCE FLUENCY

Is the writing fun to read Is the writing fun to read aloud?aloud?

Can you read it with Can you read it with expression?expression?

CONVENTIONS

Is there very little work Is there very little work left to be corrected by left to be corrected by the copy editor?the copy editor?