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The 6 Traits of Writing
*Ideas
*Organization
*Word Choice
*Sentence Fluency
*Voice
*Conventions
Created by: Jennifer Heidl-Knobloch & Jody Drake
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Ideas & Content
“The ideas are the heart of the message, the
content of the piece…all the details that enrich and
develop the theme.”
--Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory
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If you don’t care about what
you write about, your reader will
be bored!
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Ideas & Content
A writer should:
~ Narrow the topic to something specific
~ Use a fresh, original perspective
~ When possible/applicable, write from experience
~ Use important, interesting details
(not just common knowledge)
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Organization
“Organization is the internal structure of a piece of writing, the thread of central meaning, the pattern.”
--Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory
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Organization
A writer should:
~ use an inviting lead that hooks the reader
~ use logical and effective order, structure, & sequence
~ use smooth transitions to emphasize main idea
~ place supporting details where they are most
appropriate
~ use a conclusion that gives the reader a sense of
resolution (clincher)
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Word Choice
“Strong word choice clarifies and expands
ideas…moves and enlightens the reader.”
--Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory
“Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the
glint of light on broken glass.”--Anton Chekhov
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Word Choice
A writer should:~ Use words that create a mental picture for the reader
~ Use powerful action verbs (vivid verbs)
~ Use specific nouns and adjectives
~ Use language that is natural and not overdone
~ Be concise (tighten sentences)
~ Use words correctly
~ Avoid repetition, slang, and clichés
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Sentence Fluency
“Sentence fluency is the rhythm and flow of the
language.”
--Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory
“To me the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it’s
about, but the music the words make.”
--Truman Capote
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Sentence Fluency
A writer should:
~Vary sentence beginning, structure, and length
~ Use complete sentences
~ Use transitions (internal & external) to promote cadence
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Voice
“It is the heart and soul of the writing, the magic,
the wit, the feeling, the life and breath.”
--Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory
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Voice
A writer should:
~ Write honestly and from the heart
~ Interact with the reader
* without using YOU
~ Use language that brings the topic to life
~ Care about topic
~ Use expression to voice personality
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And lastly…
CONVENTIONS
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Conventions
Some of you may not enjoy the editing
process, but without this step, the other 5
traits could be overshadowed by errors that
distract the reader. This trait is essential to a
polished composition.
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Conventions
A writer should:
~ Turn in a clean, edited, and polished final draft
~ Reinforce the organization with good paragraphing
~ Use correct punctuation, spelling, and grammar
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“ What is written without effort is in general
read without pleasure.”- Samuel Johnson
“ We write to taste life twice.”~ Anais Nin
Quotations to Inspire
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Your 1st Paper (yaaayyyy!)
• 2-3 pages long
• PLUS a works cited page ( at least 2 entries)
• NO 1st or 2nd person
• Parenthetical citations (see BHS writing guide) (at least 2)
• 1 inch margins, 12 point Arial or Times New Roman
• Title (Not just The Ancient Egyptians v. The Ancient Greeks)
• MLA heading (see BHS writing guide)
• First draft due Thursday Sept 8th
• Final draft due via EMAIL Friday Sept 16th MIDNIGHT
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Comparing and Contrasting
Visions of the Afterlife• What are they about? Did they originate at some particular time? Who created them?
Who uses or defends them? What is the central focus, claim, or goal of each? What
conclusions do they offer? How are they applied to situations/people/things/etc.?
Which seems more plausible to you, and why? How broad is their scope? What kind
of evidence is usually offered for them?
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More info…
• You only have 2-3 pages ---pick out the
most striking similarities and differences.
Try to find a common thread.
• Write a thesis statement and follow it. See
my website for more details.
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Example Thesis
_______ and __________ have similar views on the afterlife
including ____________; however _________’s views
are ________________.
Doctors and herbalists have similar views on remedies including the
benefits of daily vitamins; however doctors are less likely to find
natural solutions to common ailments.
South Park and Family Guy are both animated, adult-oriented comedies
but South Park often serves a more of a social commentary than just a
random collage of comedic satire.
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Works Cited
“Assessment.” Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory. 11 Jan. 2005. 6 July
2005. <www.nwrel.org/assessment/scoring.php?odelay=3&d=1>.
“Grammar Cartoons.” Google Images. 6 July 2005.
<www.images.google.com/images?synum=10&hl=en&lr=&q=grammar+car
toons>.
Roberts, Bethany. "Writing for Children Workshop: Writing Quotes." 16 June
2005. < http://www.bethanyroberts.com/writing_quotes.htm>.
Spandel, Vicki. Creating Writers Through 6-Trait Writing Assessment and
Instruction. New York: Addison Wesley Longman, 2001.
Steele, Kimberly. “Ideas for Teaching Writing.” 23 June 2004. 6 July 2005.
<www.kimskorner4teachertalk.com/writing/menu.html.>