6 Traits of WritingIdeas and ContentOrganizationWord ChoiceVoiceSentence FluencyConventions

IDEAS and CONTENTan important main idea.interesting detailsyou show and do not tellclear and meaningful purposea unique spin Stick to main idea and leave out details that

do not matterWrite about something you KNOW!

ORGANIZATIONCatches the audience attention and makes

them want to read moreFeels finished at the endParts and paragraphs are arranged in the best

orderSpends the right amount of time on each partEasy to follow from part to part – order makes

senseFlows and is easy to readPaper ends in a good spot – it doesn’t stop

suddenly or drag on

WORD CHOICEStrong verbs that show actionAdjectives and adverbs that make things

more specificWords and phrases are unique and

rememberedWords and phrases are used accurately and

effectivelyLanguage that is appropriate to purpose and

audienceWords paint a picture in the reader’s mindMeaning is clear

VOICEAuthor cares about the topicStrong feelings and honest statementsIndividual, authentic, and originalDisplays a definite and well developed

personalityAppropriate tone for purpose and audienceAuthor likes what they have writtenWriting sounds like authorAudience has been recognized and writing

is clear to the audience

SENTENCE FLUENCYVariety of sentence beginningsVariety of sentence lengths and structureEasy to read expressively, sounds great

when read aloudUses rhythm, rhyme, alliteration, and other

“sound” effectsSentences are structured so they are easy

to read

CONVENTIONSUsed proper punctuationUsed proper capitalizationAppropriate paragraphs – start and finish at

the right spotCorrect spellingProper grammarPaper has been proof read and READ

ALOUD SEVERAL TIMES!

Strategies to being a better writerRead! – reading helps you understand text and text structuresPractice! It is just like anything else you do. Practice will help

you improve.Carry a small notebook with you at all times to jot down ideas

and details. Good writers notice details and unique characteristics.

Read your paper aloud!Show and don’t tell!Live in the revision stage! REVISE, REVISE, REVISE!Write about something you know and like Elaborate Show other people your writing – writing should not be done

in isolation!Use a thesaurus to find new wordsHave other people read your writingTake risks with your writing – try something new

TellingWeak writers tell readers things instead of

showing them what is happening.Below is a list of telling statements.

The library was familiar.The jelly fish swam.The shoes smelled bad.The boy hurt himself.The cemetery was scary.

ShowingShowing gives the reader a visual or a

picture in their mind. It makes them feel as if they are part of the book.

Library – Read Bud not Buddy.

WHY ELABORATE?The best writers elaborate! They add

details that interest the reader and make them feel as if they are part of the story.

Elaboration gives strength to your writing and makes is more enjoyable to read.

Elaboration TechniquesANECDOTES -- a short narrative inserted into an

essay that develops an idea or argument. Example: I remember when I was a little girl and

my mother made her secret recipe for chocolate chip cookies.

  EXAMPLES -- provide more specific information

about an idea.  Example: I love the school lunches! For example,

I always eat the salad bar and pizza on Fridays.

FACT: A detail that is true and can be proved.Example: There are 3 males and 25 females in

yearbook class.

DIALOGUE: A conversation between two characters.

Example: “Stop eating your snot, Charlie!” yelled Sam.“I’ll stop,” Charlie replied, as he licked his lips,

“when you stop nagging me.”

SIMILES AND METAPHORS: Comparing two things Example: Metaphor - The fog rolled into the bay and clawed it’s

way toward the town with feline grace.

Simile - Like a hog, my brother smashed his face into his plate and ate with wild abandon.

STATISTICS -- the numbers (data) and information that help support your idea or argument.

 Example: Four out of five dentists recommend Trident gum.  QUOTATIONS -- words someone says that can help

support your idea or argument. Example: “Integrity is not a 90% thing, not a 95% thing;

either you have it or you don’t”. Peter Scotese  DESCRIPTIONS -- a way to create vivid images for the

reader. Show, not tell, your reader what is happening. Be specific with your word choice. Try to create an image that appeals to your reader’s senses – taste, touch, smell, hear, and see.

 Example: HOMEWORK – FIND A GREAT DESCRIPTIVE

PASSAGE FROM A NOVEL.

SCENARIO – hypothetical situation or event

Example: What if we did live on Mars and we had to fight aliens….

DEFINITIONS -- restate an unfamiliar word or phrase to tell what it means

Example: The girl gawked at the rock star. She stared stupidly as he sauntered through the hotel lobby.