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Unit Two: The 6+1 Traits

of Writing

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1. Ideas

The heart of the message, the content of the piece of writing, the main theme, together with the details that enrich and develop that theme

 

Pieces with good Ideas:• Are appropriate for the audience and purpose of the piece• Have been well thought out (brainstormed) to discover the best possible

information to use in the writing (This is where pre-writing comes in)• Have a narrow topic that stays focused and clear• Give interesting, relevant, accurate, original details that provide the reader

with valuable information, not “fluff”• Answer any questions the reader has (do not leave reader with questions

about your topic) 

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2. OrganizationThe internal structure of the piece ,the thread of central

meaning, the logical pattern of ideas in the piece Pieces with good Organization:• Have an excellent introduction that draws the reader in • Have a thesis statement that clearly and articulately tells the main idea of the whole piece• Have body sentences/paragraphs that support the main idea well• Have logical, clear sequencing – how you order/organize details in your essay.

Organizational options:

By time – order details chronologically (in the order that they happen); good for original stories (narratives) or explaining events (news stories)

By content – group details together into categories; good for explaining types of something (term paper on types of sharks)

By space – start with a big impression, then move gradually to smaller details; good for describing areas (descriptive paragraph on your room)

By perspective – organize according to one or both sides of an issue (good for persuasive essay about the harmful effects of smoking)

• Have controlled pacing – how fast/slow you move through parts of your essay; how much time you spend on important items/less important items (you should elaborate on important details and give brief explanations of those less significant)

• Have effective transitions that link one idea (or paragraph) to another• Have a satisfying conclusion that leaves the reader with a sense of resolution and closure

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3. Voice The heart and soul, the magic, the wit, along with the feelings and

conviction of the individual writer coming out through the words • Writing with good Voice should:

• Be aware of the audience and purpose• Be honest and sincere with the reader (the reader can tell if you are

being insincere)• Be natural and compelling• Have an appropriate tone• Show the writer’s enthusiasm • and individuality• Take risks and experiment with style• appropriate to audience and purpose

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4. Word Choice

The use of rich, colorful, precise language that moves and enlightens the reader

Pieces with good Word Choice:• Use words that are accurate (Say what you mean! Find the exact right

word!)• Use striking language that catches the reader’s eye (Dazzle the reader)• Have language that is natural, effective, and appropriate (Don’t use big

words just because they are big. Find the appropriate word, big or small, and use it.)

• Use lively verbs (not many linking verbs!) and specific nouns and modifiers• Do not use slang – no “cool,” “hott,” “a lot,” “have a blast,” etc. • Do not use clichés (commonly over-used phrases) – no “I ate like there was

no tomorrow,” “she was screaming her head off,” “last but not least,” etc.

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5. Sentence Fluency

The rhythm and flow of the language;

how the writing sounds

auditory trait: how sentences “play to the ear”

 

Pieces with good Sentence Fluency:• clearly convey meaning with good sentence structure• have an easy-to-read flow, rhythm, cadence• have varied sentence structure – use a variety of structures (simple, compound, and complex

sentences)• have varied sentence lengths - short and long sentences flow with one another throughout the

piece• have varied sentence beginnings – sentences that start the same way every time are boring.

Change it up!• sound nice, flows well when read aloud

 

The best way to check for good Sentence Fluency: READ YOUR WRITING ALOUD! 

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6. Conventions

The mechanical correctness of a piece of writing

 Pieces with good Conventions include:• Correct spelling• Correct grammar and usage• Correct capitalization• Correct punctuation• Correct paragraphing – how paragraphs are separated (where they

begin/end), how long/short they are

 • Important note: Make sure you do not rely solely on spell check!

Always read your final draft after you edit!!!  

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+1. Presentation

Focuses on the form and layout of your writing• This includes MLA format, neatness, and any graphics

 

Papers with good presentation:• Have good readability and are pleasing to the eye• Should have formatting appropriate for your audience and purpose (for our

purposes – MLA format at all times). This includes headings, font, page numbers, works cited, etc.

• Should present graphics and visuals clearly (tables, charts, graphic organizers). Visuals should support and clarify the important information or key points in your writing

• Should have no smudges, wrinkles, coffee stains, or any other marks that might occur on the way from your house to the classroom. Keep you paper safely tucked away until you turn it in.