How to be a good writer!

Using the Six Traits of

Writing

First - we need to review the Six Traits of Writing First - we need to review the Six Traits of Writing

Ideas VoiceOrganizationSentence FluencyWord ChoiceConventions

Ideas VoiceOrganizationSentence FluencyWord ChoiceConventions

IDEAS

• What is my message?• Is my message clear?• Do I have enough information?• Did I include details?• Are the ideas new and interesting?• Do I have too much information?• Are my ideas something others can

relate to?

OrganizationOrganization

How does my paper BEGIN?

Did I tell things in ORDER? How does my paper END? Did I include smooth

transition words? Do all sentences in a

paragraph tell about the same thing?

How does my paper BEGIN?

Did I tell things in ORDER? How does my paper END? Did I include smooth

transition words? Do all sentences in a

paragraph tell about the same thing?

Word ChoiceWord Choice

Did I use exciting words?Do my words tell a clear story?Did I try to use any new words?Did I use descriptive words that

help paint a picture?

Did I use exciting words?Do my words tell a clear story?Did I try to use any new words?Did I use descriptive words that

help paint a picture?

Voice

• Does my writing sound like me?

• Does my reader understand how I feel?

• Does my writing sparkle?

Sentence FluencySentence Fluency

Did I use complete sentences?Did I use some LONG and

STRETCHY sentences?Did I use some SHORT and SNAPPY

sentences?Is my paper easy to read aloud?

Did I use complete sentences?Did I use some LONG and

STRETCHY sentences?Did I use some SHORT and SNAPPY

sentences?Is my paper easy to read aloud?

ConventionsConventions

Did I leave finger space between words?

Did I use a title?Did I leave margins on the

sides?Did I use proper

punctuation, spelling, and grammar?

Did I leave finger space between words?

Did I use a title?Did I leave margins on the

sides?Did I use proper

punctuation, spelling, and grammar?

How do we correct our work?How do we correct our work?

take out add in capitalize lowercase

take out add in capitalize lowercase

Using correction symbols!

Give boring words the boot!Give boring words the boot!

Use exciting adjectives: Good wonderful fantastic Bad awful horrible terrible

Use exciting adjectives: Good wonderful fantastic Bad awful horrible terrible

Think about what you have written.

Think about what you have written.

Is it a story that you would like to read?

Is it something that you know enough about to write an interesting story?

Will your reader understand why you wrote this story?

Is it a story that you would like to read?

Is it something that you know enough about to write an interesting story?

Will your reader understand why you wrote this story?

How to do your best work!

Use an idea you really likeHave a friend proofread

your paperBe excited about your

writing

Have fun