Meet the 6 Traits of Quality Writing

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Meet the 6 Traits of Quality Writing
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GOALS

• Understand the different types of writing genres
  (category composition) and their elements
• Understand the six traits of quality writing
• Understand the rubric used for scoring student
  writing
• Practice scoring student work
• Write your own essay incorporating six traits of
  writing

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What does the writing process look like?

• Reading examples of good writing
• Practicing the different traits
• Applying practice to your own essays
• Students evaluating their own writing

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The Writing Process

• Prewriting (Planning)
• Writing (First Draft)
• Revising (Improving your writing)
• Editing (Correcting for style and accuracy)
• Publishing (Sharing)

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What are the different types of writing genres
(category compositions)?
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What are the different types of writing genres
(category compositions)?

• Persuasive
• Expository/Informative
• Narrative/Descriptive
• Professional/Business

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What is Descriptive Writing
Examples
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Descriptive Writing

• portrays a character, object, or scene through
  sensory details/imagery (precise nouns, verbs,
  adverbs, and adjectives that relate how things
  look, sound, feel, taste, smell).

Examples travel brochures, short stories,
novels, and poems
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Key Elements of Descriptive Writing
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Key Elements of Descriptive Writing

• Creates a picture for the reader.
• Sensory details ( look, smell, taste, sound and
  feel)
• Vivid language

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What is Personal/Narrative Writing
Examples
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Personal/Narrative Writing

• relates a story or a personal essay. It sets up
  a story, builds to a high point, and winds down
  during the resolution. Narrative writing usually
  involves some problem to be solved or a challenge
  to overcome. Narrative writing is usually very
  personal and contains some type of reflection on
  life.

Examples novels, short stories, plays,
diaries, and biographies
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Key Elements of Narrative Writing
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Key Elements of Narrative Writing

• Hook
• Strong beginning, middle end
• Showing, not telling (description)
• Sensory details (smell, taste, look, feel
  sound)
• Lots of voice (humor figurative language)
• Dialogue (maybe)
• Plot
• Characterization
• Setting

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Read The Choice

• Using a colored pencil underline the descriptive
  elements found in The Choice.
• Using a different colored pencil underline and
  label the narrative elements found in the The
  Choice.

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What are the 6 traits?

• Ideas
• Organization
• Voice
• Word Choice
• Sentence Fluency
• Conventions

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Ideas
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Ideas
Ideas are the heart of any piece of writing

• A solid, main idea thats clear and
  identifiable (In formal pieces of writing this
  would be your thesis.)
• Interesting, relevant, accurate details and
  support that expand or clarify a main idea and
  bring it to life.
• Clarify so that the message makes sense and can
  be readily understand.
• Concise presentation that shows respect for a
  readers busy schedule.

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Focus on IDEAS The Choice

• In blue/green highlight the idea and the
  specific/concrete details that support the idea.
• Does the essay show complexity and freshness of
  thought?

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Organization
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Organization
Organization is the internal structure

• Its not just paragraphs, but whats in them!
• Is there a beginning, middle, and end?
• Does it make sense?
• Is there a good sense of sequence?
• Is the writing easy to follow? A well-laid-out
  road map?
• Does the lead hook the reader?
• Are transitions smooth and appropriate?
• Is the conclusion satisfying?

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Focus on ORGANIZATION The Choice

• In orange highlight the introduction. Is it
  engaging? Why or Why not?
• Does the essay progress in logical order? What
  logical order is used?
• In orange highlight the transitions. Are they
  effective?
• Label the paragraphs to show the beginning,
  middle and end.
• Is there a strong closure? What is it?

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Voice
isualize wn the topic ndividuality are xtension
of you
VOICE
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Voice
Voice is personality and confidence

• Individuality and perspective
• Enthusiasm and expressiveness
• Is the author knowledgeable about the topic?
• Does the piece hold the readers attention?
• Is there real passion? Does the writing evoke
  an emotional response?
• Does the text just repeat common knowledge?
• Is the voice appropriate for the audience and
  purpose?

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Focus on VOICE The Choice

• In yellow highlight sentences that shows the
  writers enthusiasm for the topic.
• In yellow highlight sentences that shows the
  writers humor.
• In yellow highlight sentences that shows the
  writers personality (individual perspective).

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Word Choice
Word Choice
How exquisite!
Sounds scrumptious!
Listen to the serene stillness...
A breath of fresh air
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Word Choice
Word choice is clear, precise and colorful

• Find the word that is just right
• Stretch to use new, interesting words
• Think verbs, verbs, verbs (use high energy
  words)
• Avoid Creeping Thesaurus-itis
• Eliminate tired, trite words good, very,
  things, etc.
• Cut the fat only use words that carry their
  own weight

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Focus on WORD CHOICE The Choice

• In pink highlight action/strong verbs (example
  buzzed, bounced and splashed.
• In pink highlight imagery (smell, feel, sound,
  taste and look).
• In pink highlight figurative language (simile,
  metaphor, allusion, onomatopoeia and
  alliteration)

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Sentence Fluency
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Sentence Fluency
The rhythm and flow of the sentences

• Sounds soothing to the ear
• A variety of sentence length and structure
• Sentences make sense
• Smooth transitions support fluency
• Punctuate. Periods are a good thing!

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Focus on SENTENCE FLUENCY The Choice

• Count how many words are in the first five
  sentences in each paragraph. Place the number of
  words above the sentence.
• Circle the first word of the five sentences.

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Conventions
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Conventions

• Editing revising for conventions
• Use of proper format MLA (indentation,
  margins, spacing, etc.)
• Correct use of capitalization, punctuation and
  spelling
• Maintain verb tense and subject verb agreement
  throughout composition
• Use adverbs, appositives, clauses and phrases
  correctly
• Use vocabulary correctly

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Focus on CONVENTIONS The Choice

• Read the paper backwards, and circle in red pen
  any grammar, spelling or punctuation errors.

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Read Pushing Yourself and Score