6 Traits of Writing

Introduction

What is “6 Traits of Writing”?

• Six traits of writing is….

…a map for writing!

…a guide to make you a stronger writer!

…a guide to help me be a better writing teacher!

…a language for writing!

The Language of 6 Traits

• Like with Jane Shaffer Writing, 6 Traits of Writing has its own language or special words that mean something specific

• When we all speak the same “writing language” we can become better writers, editors, and readers

The Language of 6 Traits

1) Ideas

2) Organization

3) Voice

4) Word Choice

5) Sentence Fluency

6) Conventions

Each of these traits has a specific meaning and job. Having a common language will help us

communicate better about how to write better!

So, what is the deal with the ice cream sundaes?

We will be using the metaphor of an ice cream sundae to show how all the traits work together to make one yummy

piece of writing!

something that represents something else

Ideas are the sundae bowl

To make a sundae, you start with a bowl.

The bowl holds the ice cream.

Ideas are the beginning for writing.

Ideas start with a topic for writing.

The key to the trait of ideas is to focus on the specific details in a piece of writing.

Ideas

Once you have an idea or topic and focused that topic, good writers select quality details that are clear, specific, and appropriate for the audience and purpose of writing.

***It is important to give the reader unusual or interesting pieces of information so they want to read your writing.

The Trait of Ideas

When you hear the Trait of Ideas, think:

Clear message

Focused topic

Specific details

Organization is the ice cream

A great sundae has a scoop of vanilla, then a scoop of chocolate, and another scoop of vanilla. This gives the sundae a pattern

Organization is the pattern of writing.

Organization is your plan for writing.

Organization

Your writing plan includes:-who the audience will be-the purpose of the writing-what form it will take

Each scoop or part of your writing has a specific job and name.

Organization

First scoop of vanilla= lead in writing-first part that invites the reader to want more

Chocolate scoop= middle part of your writing or body-needs to be easy to follow and understand-link ideas and paragraphs together with transitions

Final scoop of vanilla= conclusion-conclusions of your writing relate back to the lead in

some way-leave the reader with something to think about

The Trait of Organization

• When you hear Trait of Organization, think:

Lead: grab attention

Transitions: logical and linking

• Conclusion: tie it together

Voice is the mix-ins…like sprinkles, nuts, candy bits, cookies pieces

Mix-ins make your sundae truly you!

Voice in writing is “you” on the page: your personality, your enthusiasm, and your own individuality.

The Trait of Voice

When you hear Trait of Voice, think:

Enthusiasm

Involvement

• Feelings

Word Choice is the toppings

No sundae would be complete without just the right toppings!

Choosing the right words helps to convey your meaning.

Words choice helps create pictures in the reader’s mind.

The Traits of Word Choice

Good writers choose precise nouns and lively verbs without overdoing the use of adjectives and adverbs.

Using too many adjectives and adverbs can make your writing heavy.

The Trait of Word Choice

When you hear Trait of Word Choice, think:

Words as pictures

Precise nouns

Lively Verbs

Sentence Fluency is the syrup

Syrup flows down the ice cream and adds to the sundae.

Sentence fluency means the writing flows smoothly and easily.

The Trait of Sentence Fluency

In good writing, one sentence should glide into the next, lots of times with real rhythm.

The sound of the sentences should be pleasing to hear.

This trait is what can be heard.

Writing that is fluent: -Is easy to read aloud-Sentences are varied-There are different numbers of words in each sentence

The Trait of Sentence Fluency

When you hear Sentence Fluency, think:

Flow and rhythm

Different sentence beginnings

• Different sentence lengths

Conventions are the spoon

The last thing you do before you start to eat your sundae is pick up your spoon!

This is the last trait you pay attention to.

Conventions is one of the last things many good writers consider. They know that getting their ideas down is first. Then organizing, checking for fluency and good word choices, and have a unique voice are important.

The Trait of Conventions

Conventions= Spelling and punctuation do matter!

• The reader will focus on the grammar errors rather than your writing if you don’t fix your errors.

The Trait of Conventions

When you hear Conventions, remember:

Edit for C.A.P.S=capitalization, agreement and usage, punctuation, spelling

Check the presentation

Putting it all together!

We are going to practice each of the traits but we are going to focus on one yummy trait at a time!

Let’s dig in!