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 piece…all the details that enrich and

develop the theme.”

--Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory

If you don’t 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/applicable, 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

ideas…moves and enlightens the reader.”

--Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory

“Don’t 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 clichés

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 it’s

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

“ What is written without effort is in general

read without pleasure.”- Samuel Johnson

“ We write to taste life twice.”~ Anais Nin

Quotations to Inspire

Your 1st Paper (yaaayyyy!)

• 2-3 pages long

• PLUS a works cited page ( at least 2 entries)

• NO 1st or 2nd person

• Parenthetical citations (see BHS writing guide) (at least 2)

• 1 inch margins, 12 point Arial or Times New Roman

• Title (Not just The Ancient Egyptians v. The Ancient Greeks)

• MLA heading (see BHS writing guide)

• First draft due Thursday Sept 8th

• Final draft due via EMAIL Friday Sept 16th MIDNIGHT

Comparing and Contrasting

Visions of the Afterlife• What are they about? Did they originate at some particular time? Who created them?

Who uses or defends them? What is the central focus, claim, or goal of each? What

conclusions do they offer? How are they applied to situations/people/things/etc.?

Which seems more plausible to you, and why? How broad is their scope? What kind

of evidence is usually offered for them?

More info…

• You only have 2-3 pages ---pick out the

most striking similarities and differences.

Try to find a common thread.

• Write a thesis statement and follow it. See

my website for more details.

Example Thesis

_______ and __________ have similar views on the afterlife

including ____________; however _________’s views

are ________________.

Doctors and herbalists have similar views on remedies including the

benefits of daily vitamins; however doctors are less likely to find

natural solutions to common ailments.

South Park and Family Guy are both animated, adult-oriented comedies

but South Park often serves a more of a social commentary than just a

random collage of comedic satire.

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.>