6 Traits of Writing

IDEAS

• Knowledge of topic
• Narrowed topic
• Stays on topic, focused
• Ideas make sense
• Ideas are developed

VOICE

• Reader-Writer connections
• Sense of audience
• Writer's attitude about the topic
• Point of view

FLUENCY

• Complete sentences
• Easy to read aloud
• Varied sentences (beginnings, lengths, types)
• Figurative language helps the piece sound rhythmic and musical

ORGANIZATION

• Pre-writing
• Beginning, middle, end
• Logical order, sequence
• Transitions

WORD CHOICE

• Specific words rather than vague
• "Wow" words, "Purple" words
• Synonyms
• Vivid sensory, descriptions, imagery
• Strong action verbs

CONVENTIONS

• Spelling
• Capitalization
• Punctuation
• Grammar & Mechanics
• Paragraph indents