Six+Traits+of+Writing


 * [[image:http://www.dasd.k12.pa.us/57592103113149/lib/57592103113149/school_clipart_boy_writting.gif width="180" height="144" align="left" link="Table of Contents"]]Six Traits of Writing **

// The Six Writing Traits are six important strategies that teachers all over //// America //// use to promote outstanding writing in students. //

1. **Ideas** - the center of interest or attention (main idea) - You can write your ideas on a graphic organizer.

2. **Organization** - thoughts written in orderly fashion, using transitional words. Say goodbye to “first, next, last.” Use words such as: first, then, in addition, also, finally. Using these words appropriately will help the reader understand your writing.

3. **Voice** - fluency, rhythm and liveliness in writing that makes it unique to the writer. Most of the kids are very good at using their voice, particularly at the beginning and ending of their writing prompt…for they have become “scholars” at starting their writing with a quote, question or interjection … this is one way to show “voice” in a writing prompt response.

4. **Word Choice** - words selected for clear description ... exact, vivid, effective words. This is where the “show me instead of tell me” strategy comes into play. This means that children should use words that will help the reader “picture-see-visualize” what they are reading, due to vivid word usage.

5. **Sentences -** varied in length, smooth style, well crafted. Some sentences should be short, some middle length, and others of a longer length. When all of the sentences are long, it makes for a difficult read. When all of the sentences are short, it makes for a boring, non-visual read.

6. **Conventions** - mechanics, usage and sentence completeness. Every child MUST reread his/her response carefully, so he/she can make sure words are spelled correctly, particularly words that are written within the question. Each child must make sure proper punctuation is used (capitals and periods etc.).