The Six Traits of Writing

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The Six Traits of Writing

• Betsy C. Snow

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What is 6-Trait Writing?

• A trait can be defined as a quality or
  characteristic critical to successful
  performance.
• Just as there are traits for excellent dancing
  such as balance, grace, and technical skill,
  there are also traits for excellent writing!

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The Six Traits

• Traits for good writing include
• Ideas
• Organization
• Voice
• Word Choice
• Sentence Fluency
• Conventions

These give writers a clear picture of what is
needed in revising their writing to make it the
very best it can be.
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Purpose

• The purpose of using Six Traits Writing is to
  provide teachers and students with the same
  language and expectations of good writing.
• It does not replace teaching the stages of the
  writing process Prewriting, Writing, Revising,
  Editing, and Publishing.

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Trait 1 IDEAS

• Good writing starts with good ideas.
• The ideas are the heart of the message, the main
  theme.
• Details enrich and develop that theme.

• A good idea is clear, interesting and original.
• It holds the readers attention.
• Without good ideas, writing does not have much of
  a point!

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Parents Can Encourage Good Ideas

• Work with your child to help him/her answer the
  following
• Is my message clear?
• Do I know enough about my topic?
• Is it interesting?
• Is my topic focused throughout?
• Are my details all about the topic?

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Trait 2 ORGANIZATION

• Organization is the internal structure of the
  piece of writing. It contains logical and
  sometimes intriguing patterns of ideas.

• Good writing is organized in a way that helps the
  reader understand the information.
• Gives direction to the writing and puts ideas in
  an order that makes sense.

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Parents Can Encourage Organization

• Suggest that your child ask the following
• Does my writing have an attention-grabbing
  beginning?
• Are my ideas in order?
• Is it easy to follow?
• Does it have a middle and clear ending?

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Trait 3 VOICE

• The voice is the heart and soul, feeling, and
  conviction of the writer coming out through
  his/her words.
• Creates a mood.

• When students write, their personality or voice
  should shine through!
• A strong voice gives writing personality, flavor,
  and style!

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Parents Can Encourage Voice

• Help your child answer the following
• Does my writing sound like me?
• Did I say what I think and feel?
• Is is appropriate for my audience and purpose?
• Is is unique?

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Trait 4 WORD CHOICE

• Word choice is the use of rich, colorful, precise
  language that moves and enlightens the reader.
  It enriches our writing and makes it come alive!

• Uses strong verbs and adverbs, sensory words, and
  descriptive language
• Includes figurative language such as similes and
  metaphors.

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Parents Can Encourage Word Choice

• Help your child answer the following
• Will my reader understand my words?
• Are my words accurate, original, and just right?
• Did I use strong verbs, awesome adjectives, and
  figurative language?
• Does my story paint a picture in the readers
  mind?

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Trait 5 SENTENCE FLUENCY

• Sentence fluency is the rhythm and flow of the
  language, the sound of word patterns, and the way
  the writing sounds to the ear.

• When read aloud, writing flows easily.
• Sentences are varied in length and structure.
• Sentences are clear and powerful.

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Parents Can Encourage Sentence Fluency

• Help your child answer the following
• How does my writing sound when read aloud?
• Do my sentences begin in different ways or are
  they all the same?
• Are some sentences long and others short?

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Trait 6 CONVENTIONS

• Conventions are the mechanical correctness of the
  writing
• Spelling
• Grammar and usage
• Paragraphing
• Use of capitals and punctuation

• Once writing is revised, it is ready for editing
  and proofreading.
• Preparing the writing so others can read and
  enjoy it!
• Fixing the work

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Parents Can Encourage Use of Conventions

• Help your child answer the following
• Did I indent my paragraph(s)?
• Are all words spelled correctly?
• Did I correctly use periods, question marks,
  commas, quotation marks, and other punctuation
  marks?
• Did I use capital letters correctly?

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The Six Traits
Ideas Organization Voice
Sentence Fluency Word Choice Conventions
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A Powerful Tool

• Powerful way to learn and use common vocabulary
  to discuss writing
• Creates a common vision of what good writing
  looks like

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HAPPY WRITING!