6+1 Traits of WritingIdeasOrganisationSentence FluencyWord ChoiceVoiceConventionsPresentation

Organisation trait

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

Events proceed logically, connections between ideas are strong and the writing concludes with a sense of resolution.

Organisation TraitWhat are we looking for?

What constitutes a good example of a well organised text?

What are the characteristics of the organisation trait?

What would you expect to see in a good piece of writing?

• An inviting introduction get the reader started and gives the clues about what is to come.

• Thoughtful transitions link key ideas and points.

• Sequencing should be logical, purposeful and effective.

• Pacing-speeding up for wide angle and slowing down for close ups-should be under control.

• A satisfying conclusion wraps it all up, yet leaves the. reader with something to wonder about.

Scoring Guide: Organisation•5 The organisation enhances and showcases the central idea or theme. The order, structure, or presentation of the information is compelling and moves the reader through the text.

•3 the organisational structure of the text is strong enough to move the reader through the text without too much confusion.

•1 The writing lacks a clear sense of direction. Ideas, details, or events seem strung together in a loose or random fashion; there is no identifiable internal structure.

Introductions

• What do you want a good introduction to do? • Set the scene• Hook you in• Arouse your curiosity• Be succinct• Makes the reader want to keep reading

Techniques to Begin a Piece of Writing

• A thought provoking question to make a reader wonder

• A little “sip” of the conclusion to get the reader’s attention

• A funny story or personal anecdote to set a humorous or individual tone

• A list of main points to introduce the topic in a serious, logical and straightforward manner

• A dramatic, sweeping, or eye-opening statement

• An expert quotation to establish credibility from the start

• The student’s own angle-one that readers have never seen before

Using other traits to get started• Construct sentences in ways the reader doesn’t expect (sentence fluency)• Make a personal connection (voice)• Use literary techniques such as alliteration, internal rhyme, or simile (word choice)• Lay out many ideas and zoom in on the most important (ideas)• Play with punctuation and capitalisation by breaking a few rules to

create and unusual look or feel to the text (conventions)

Teaching Introductions

• Show them!• Read introductions from literature-discuss the

techniques the writer has used.• Practise writing introductions-share student work

and discuss the elements used.• Build a class book/list of techniques that writers

use as a reference• Have the students become familiar with the

language to talk about a good introduction

5 Elements of Organisation

• Introductions• Sequence• Transitions• Pacing• Conclusions

Developing the Middle

• More than beginning, middle and end• Complication /resolution• Need to show children different ways to

organise their writing• Sequence• Pace• Transitions

Organisatioal Scaffolds

Simple repeated phrases imagine a day ... .....when everything you build touches the sky. From Imagine a Day by Rob Gonsalves

imagine a night ... .....when candlelight riseson butterfly wingsto greet the lonely stars From Imagine a Night by Rob Gonsalves

Organisatioal Scaffolds

Use only one internal structure such as a question

Did you see Sun’s face in the Buttercup?And did you see Sky’s blue in the wildwood violets? Did You Hear Wind Sing Your Name? By Sandra De Coteau Orie

Brown Bear Brown Bear What do you see?I see a yellow duck looking at me. Brown Bear Brown Bear by Bill Martin

Organisatioal Scaffolds

Seesaw Scaffold-switching between contrasting details

That’s Good! That’s Bad!He was tough.All pirates are tough.He was massive.All pirates are massive. Tough Boris By Mem Fox

The girls puffed up.Widget puffed up.The girls hissed and spit. Widget hissed and spit. Widget By Lyn Rossiter

Organisatioal Scaffolds

A circular structure-where the author returns to where they started Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are

Cumulative structures such as the House that Jack Built that build on the first sentence and extend it

Transitions

To show location: above, beneath, amid, in back of, beyond, in front of, beside

To compare or contrast: similarly, but, however, conversely, even so, otherwise, even though, on the other hand, in the same way

To show time: first, second, third, next, later, then, afterward, soon, after a while, in the meantime

To conclude or summarise: finally, to sum up, to clarify, as a result, in short, in summary, in conclusion

To add information: besides, in addition, for example, furthermore, equally important

Sequencing

• Sequencing must be logical but not necessarily chronological, except for a procedural text.

• The use of flashbacks and starting at the beginning can be one way to capture the reader’s attention.

Pacing