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6 Traits of Writing
Ideas
Organization
Word Choice
Voice
Sentence Fluency
Conventions
The keys to becoming a successful writer…
PowerEd Plans 2014
IDEASPowerful andSignificant
Ideas are the heart of the paper. Without good ideas, the paper will not
achieve the author’s purpose.
6 Traits of Writing
The keys to becoming a successful writer…
PowerEd Plans 2014
IDEASThe IDEAS should be:
Important to the writer and address the topic.
Limited enough to focus on in the paper.
Expressed clearly so the audience understands.
Providing the audience with interesting insights.
6 Traits of Writing
The keys to becoming a successful writer…
PowerEd Plans 2014
How can you know if your IDEAS arehelping you achieve your writing goal?
ASK YOURSELF:
Does it make sense?
Am I addressing the topic?
Will my audience want to keep reading?
Does my paper have a clearly defined purpose?
Have I included interesting details not everyone would think of?
6 Traits of Writing
The keys to becoming a successful writer…
PowerEd Plans 2014
IDEASThe glue that holds the paper
together and gives a focused and detailed exploration of the topic!
6 Traits of Writing
The keys to becoming a successful writer…
PowerEd Plans 2014
6 Traits of Writing
Logical andEffective
Organization is the map that directs the reader
through the paper.
ORGANIZATION
The keys to becoming a successful writer…
PowerEd Plans 2014
6 Traits of Writing
Begin with a strong lead or hook and catchthe reader’s interest right from thebeginning.
Have details that build toward theconclusion, pulling the reader along right tothe very end.
Use good transitions to move smoothly fromone idea to the next, helping things fittogether easily for the reader.
The Organization should:
The keys to becoming a successful writer…
PowerEd Plans 2014
Does everything tie together?
Can the audience follow it easily?
Does the paper flow from one idea to the next?
6 Traits of Writing
ASK YOURSELF:
Does it start out with a bang?
How can you know if your ORGANIZATIONis helping you achieve your writing goal?
The keys to becoming a successful writer…
PowerEd Plans 2014
ORGANIZATION
gives writing a sense ofpurpose and structure.
6 Traits of Writing
The keys to becoming a successful writer…
PowerEd Plans 2014
6 Traits of Writing
WORD CHOICE
Specific and Precise
Word Choice paints a picture in the reader’s mind.
The keys to becoming a successful writer…
PowerEd Plans 2014
Include active, powerful and energetic verbs.
Choose the right words to make the writing sound natural and precise.
Give specific details.
Showcase descriptive nouns and adjectives.
Incorporate all parts of speech for a well-rounded essay.
6 Traits of Writing
The WORD CHOICE should:
The keys to becoming a successful writer…
PowerEd Plans 2014
ASK YOURSELF:
Is this the best way to say this?
Do some of the words linger in my mind after I read them?
Are my nouns and adjectives specific and precise?
Are my verbs powerful?
Did I use new ways to say everyday things?
Do my words make pictures in the reader’s minds?
6 Traits of Writing
How can you know if your WORD CHOICEis helping you achieve your writing goal?
The keys to becoming a successful writer…
PowerEd Plans 2014
6 Traits of Writing
The keys to becoming a successful writer…
PowerEd Plans 2014
Individual andAppropriate
6 Traits of Writing
VOICE
Voice is the personality of the
writer coming through.
The keys to becoming a successful writer…
PowerEd Plans 2014
6 Traits of Writing
The VOICE should:
Give the writing a sense of uniqueness.
Give the reader the feeling that the writer is talking directly to him/her.
Make the characters/topic come alive for the reader.
The keys to becoming a successful writer…
PowerEd Plans 2014
ASK YOURSELF:
Is it obvious I care about the topic?
Is this going to make the reader feel something? (Hopefully, not utter confusion)
Is it apparent I am thinking about my audience?
Does it sound like a real person wrote this? (It should not sound like a robot found a pencil and paper).
6 Traits of Writing
How can you know if your VOICE ishelping you achieve your writing goal?
The keys to becoming a successful writer…
PowerEd Plans 2014
In a paper with a strong VOICE, the
reader will get a sense that someone real is there on the page.
6 Traits of Writing
The keys to becoming a successful writer…
PowerEd Plans 2014
6 Traits of Writing
SENTENCEFLUENCY
Smooth andExpressive
Sentence Fluencymakes the sentences fit smoothly together.
The keys to becoming a successful writer…
PowerEd Plans 2014
6 Traits of Writing
The SENTENCE FLUENCY should:
Not mean just creating longer sentences, butusing sentences where they will fit best.
Create a sense of rhythm with the sentences.
Develop a flow the reader finds enjoyable tofollow.
The keys to becoming a successful writer…
PowerEd Plans 2014
ASK YOURSELF:
Are the sentences varied in length?
Do my sentences begin in different ways? (Watch “I” and “The”)
Does the writing flow easily from sentence to sentence? (I don’t want the reader getting whiplash!)
Do my sentences have power and punch?
6 Traits of Writing
How can you know if your SENTENCE FLUENCYis helping you achieve your writing goal?
The keys to becoming a successful writer…
PowerEd Plans 2014
SENTENCEFLUENCYstands out whena paper is readaloud.
6 Traits of Writing
The keys to becoming a successful writer…
PowerEd Plans 2014
6 Traits of Writing
CONVENTIONSCorrect andCommunicative
Conventions are the rules of language. They are the patterns
of grammar, spelling, punctuation, paragraphing, and
capitalization that readers expect in good writing.
The keys to becoming a successful writer…
PowerEd Plans 2014
6 Traits of Writing
The Conventions should:
Make writing easy to read and understand.
Be checked to ensure correct writing mechanics are used.
Be something the reader doesn’t even noticebecause they are so well done.
The keys to becoming a successful writer…
PowerEd Plans 2014
ASK YOURSELF:
Have I used capitals correctly?
Are all punctuation marks in the correct places?
Are my paragraphs indented?
Did I spell all words correctly?
Does my spelling, grammar, and capitalization make my writing easy to read and understand?
6 Traits of Writing
How can you know if your CONVENTIONSare helping you achieve your writing goal?
The keys to becoming a successful writer…
PowerEd Plans 2014
6 Traits of Writing
The keys to becoming a successful writer…
PowerEd Plans 2014
