Six Traits of Writing

Ideas and ContentOrganizationVoiceWord ChoiceSentence FluencyConventions

Why teach the Six Traits of Writing?

Provides a common language for talking about writing

Provides consistency Makes revisions manageable and purposeful Offers support for the writing process Empowers students Increases motivation and thinking skills Links reading and writing Provides a foundation for lifelong writing

Ideas and Content

Ideas and Content is what you have to say-the reason for writing your paper.

A secret is to keep it small and manageable. A topic such as “Animals in Africa” is too broad. Narrow your topic down to “Why lions hunt in pairs”.

Surprise your reader with what you knowMake your ideas crystal clear and avoid

words such as like, so, and very.

Ideas and Content

Do you want to know how to earn a score of SIX in Ideas and Content?

The topic is narrowed to manageable size A clear central theme drives the writing Readers’ questions are anticipated-and

answered! Specific details create a vivid picture and hold

the reader’s interest The writing is clear, purposeful, and

substantive

Organization

An intriguing lead that grabs the reader’s attention

A design, pattern, or logical flow (clear beginning, middle, and end)

Strong transitions Clear connections to the main idea Easy to follow, but nor too predictable A graceful ending that wraps up the discussion

Organization

What is your morning routine?Tops and Bottoms

Voice

Sounds like you or a human being Individual-the writer's fingerprints are on the

page Has energy and brings the topic to life Is appropriate for the audience, topic, and

purpose Shows concern for the reader’s interests,

informational needs In informative writing, does not bore the

reader, but doesn’t overwhelm the reader, either

Voice

Whose Voice is it activity (groups of five) Read Eleven and write a journal entry as if you

are:1. Mrs. Price2. Rachel3. Sylvia or Phyllis4. The red sweater5. The principal, who just happened to be walking by

Word Choice

Memorable moments Strong verbs, precise nouns-no modifier

overload-very, so, like “Just right” language-suits the topic, the

audience, and the purpose Simple language used well-not written to

impress Do not repeat Technical terms defined as needed.

Word Choice

Feathers and Fools by Mem Fox

Sentence Fluency

RhythmicEasy to read aloud-invitingVaried sentence length-some long and

detailed, some short and to the pointPurposeful sentence beginnings: Now,

After a while, Nevertheless, As a result, Consequently, However, Therefore

Natural dialogue

Sentence Fluency

Sentence pyramids:

I saw a clown.I saw a funny clown.

I saw a funny clown juggling.

I saw a funny clown juggling bowling pins.

I saw a funny clown juggling bowling pins in a parade.

I saw a funny clown juggling bowling pins in a Christmas parade.

We went to the beach…..

Conventions

Looks clean, edited, and proofread No big, glaring errors that distract the reader Correct spelling Correct punctuation Paragraphs for new topics and new speakers Quotation marks used with dialogue Proper nouns Noun-verb agreement Verb tense flows and is the same

Conventions

Yo Yes!

Six Traits of Writing

Important BookIn groups of three, create your very

own Important Book on the Six Traits of Writing!! Groups must bind their books and illustrate each trait.