The 6 Traits of Writing

*Ideas
*Organization
*Word Choice
*Sentence Fluency
*Voice
*Conventions
Created by: Jennifer Heidl-Knobloch & Jody Drake

Ideas & Content

The ideas are the heart of the message, the
content of the pieceall the details that enrich and
develop the theme.

--Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory

If you dont care about what

you write about, your reader will
be bored!

Ideas & Content

A writer should:
~ Narrow the topic to something specific
~ Use a fresh, original perspective
~ When possible, write from experience
~ Use important, interesting details
(not just common knowledge)

Organization
Organization is the internal structure of a piece of writing, the thread of central meaning, the pattern.

--Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory

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)

Word Choice
Strong word choice clarifies and expands
ideasmoves and enlightens the reader.
--Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory

Dont tell me the moon is shining; show me the

glint of light on broken glass.
--Anton Chekhov

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 clichs

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 its

about, but the music the words make.
--Truman Capote

Sentence Fluency
A writer should:
~Vary sentence beginning, structure, and length
~ Use complete sentences
~ Use transitions (internal & external) to promote cadence

Voice
It is the heart and soul of the writing, the magic,
the wit, the feeling, the life and breath.
--Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory

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

And lastly
CONVENTIONS

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.

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

Quotations to Inspire
What is written without effort is in general
read without pleasure.
- Samuel Johnson

We write to taste life twice.

~ Anais Nin

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+cartoons>.
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.>