6 Traits of Writing

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6 Traits of Writing

• With Mr. Kubacki

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Content / Ideas

• This is the heart of the paper--what the writer
  has to say.
• It should be a topic that is important to the
  writer and should be small enough to handle in
  the paper.
• It should express the ideas clearly so every
  reader can understand and it should provide the
  reader with interesting insights.
• A solid, well-defined theme holds the paper
  together, giving a meaningful, focused, and
  detailed exploration of the topic.

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Organization

• This is the road map which directs the reader
  through the paper.
• It begins with a strong lead or hook and catches
  the readers interest right from the beginning.
• The details along the way should add to that lead
  and should help build toward the conclusion,
  pulling the reader along right to the very end.
• It should use good transitions to move smoothly
  from one idea to the next, helping things fit
  together easily for the reader.
• Organization gives writing a sense of purpose and
  structure.

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Voice

• Voice is the personality of the writer coming
  through on the page.
• It is what gives the writing a sense of flavor, a
  uniqueness, and give the reader the feeling that
  the writer is talking directly to her.
• A strong sense of voice demands that the writer
  make a commitment to the writing and write
  honestly with conviction.
• In a paper with strong voice, the reader will get
  a sense that someone real is there on the page,
  whether the reader knows the writer or not.

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Sentence Fluency

• In any piece of writing, there are many possible
  ways to write any sentence correctly, but
  usually, of those correct versions, one or two
  will sound better than others.
• A writer who can pick out those versions and can
  use them frequently will have a strong sense of
  sentence fluency.
• This does not mean creating longer sentences, but
  means using long sentences when they would be
  best and short sentences when they would suit
  better. It means creating a sense of rhythm with
  the sentences and a flow that the reader finds
  enjoyable to follow along.
• Good sentence fluency stands out when a piece of
  writing is read aloud.

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Conventions

• Conventions are the rules of a language.
• They are the common patterns of grammar,
  spelling, punctuation, paragraphing and
  capitalization that readers come to expect in
  good writing.
• They make writing easy to read and understand. A
  reader may not even notice when conventions are
  well done, but might be distracted from the good
  ideas that were so carefully planned if the
  conventions are poorly handled.
• This is the most mechanical of the six traits and
  requires writers to learn editing and
  proofreading skills.

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Word Choice

• Good word choice involves being able to look
  critically at verbs and select ones that are
  active, powerful and energetic.
• It means being able to choose just the right
  words to make the writing sound natural and
  precise.
• Word choice is what gives an exactness to details
  and helps the writer paint memorable pictures in
  the reader¹s mind.

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Voice

• VoiceAdvanced/5 The writer speaks directly to
  the reader in a way that is individual,
  compelling and engaging. The writer is aware and
  respectful of the audience and the purpose for
  writing.A. The reader feels a strong interaction
  with the writer, sensing the person behind the
  words.B. The writer takes a risk by revealing
  who they are and what they think.C. The writing
  makes you think about and react to the author's
  point of view.Acceptable/3 The writer seems
  sincere, but not fully engaged or involved. The
  result is pleasant or even personable, but not
  compelling.A. The writing communicates in an
  earnest, pleasing manner.B. Only one or two
  moments here or there surprise, delight, or move
  the reader.C. The writer seems aware of an
  audience but weighs ideas carefully and discards
  personal insights in favor of safe
  generalities.Unacceptable/1 The writer seems
  indifferent, uninvolved, or distanced from the
  topic and/or audience. As a result, the paper
  reflects more than one of the following
  problemsA. The writer speaks in a kind of
  monotone that flattens all potential highs or
  lows of the message.B. The writing is humdrum
  and risk-free.C. The writer is not concerned
  with the audience, or the writer's style is a
  complete mismatch for the intended reader.

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Organization

• OrganizationAdvanced/5 Organization supports
  the centrail idea (thesis). The order and
  structure move the reader through the text
  easily.A. An interesting introduction draws the
  reader into the paper, and a satisfying
  conclusion leaves the reader with a sense of
  resolution.B. Smooth, effective transitions
  exist among all elements (sentences, paragraphs,
  and ideas).C. Organizational patterns are
  effective but unobtrusive. Paragraphing is
  natural and appropriate.Acceptable/3
  Organization supports the central idea (thesis).
  However, the order and structure do not readily
  move the reader through the text..A. The
  introduction and conclusion are present.B.
  Transitions are present but commonplace,
  inappropriate, or excessive.C. Organizational
  patterns are present but predictable.
  Paragraphing is not consistently natural and
  appropriate.Unacceptable/1 Organization
  neither supports nor develops the central idea
  (thesis). The lack of order and structure detract
  from the reader¹s understanding.A. The
  introduction and conclusion are not present.B.
  Transitions are nonexistent.C. Organizational
  patterns are haphazard and disjointed.
  Paragraphing is not utilized or is misapplied.

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Content RubricContent/IdeasAdvanced/5 The
writing is focused, well developed, and enhanced
by details.A. The thesis is clear and
concise.B. The thesis is strongly supported by
well-chosen and integrated details.C. Ideas are
engaging or sophisticated.Acceptable/3 The
writing may be focused, but it is only partially
developed and may lack necessary details.A. The
thesis is present however, it may be too broad
or predictable.B. The thesis is supported by
details, but the details may be general, obvious,
or insufficient in number.C. Ideas are
trite.Unacceptable/1 The writing lacks focus,
is incompletely developed, and has few
details.A. The thesis is without direction or
not evident.B. Support for the thesis is minimal
or non-evident details are limited or
unclear.C. Ideas are trite.
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Word Choice

• Word ChoiceAdvanced/5 The language is rich,
  natural, and yet succinct.A. Words are specific,
  precise, and appropriate.B. Powerful words
  provide energy for the paper.Acceptable/3 The
  language is functional, and the message is
  conveyed.A. Words are generally correct and
  appropriate but may be ordinary.B. Powerful
  words are occasionally present.C. Expression is
  clear but cliches and redundancy may
  exist.Unacceptable/1 The language is awkward
  and unclear.A. Words are limited, dull, and
  abstract.B. No powerful words are used.C. The
  writer uses a limited vocabulary and/or excessive
  jargon.

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Sentence Fluency

• Sentence FluencyAdvanced/5 The writing has a
  natural flow and rhythm.A. Varied sentence
  structure and length demonstrate conscious
  planning.B. The sentences are rhythmic and
  graceful.Acceptable/3 The writing moves
  mechanically.A. The writer shows control over
  simple sentence structure, but uses complex
  sentences infrequently.B. The sentence rhythm is
  attmpted but inconsistent.Unacceptable/1 The
  writing moves awkwardly.A. The sentences tend to
  be choppy, incomplete, or rambling.B. The
  sentence rhythm is clumsy and jarring.

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Conventions Rubric

• ConventionsAdvanced/5 The writer correctly
  utilizes a wide range of standard writing
  conventions. Some minor errors may exist, but
  they do not detract from the overall quality of
  the paper.Acceptable/3 The writer shows
  reasonable control over a limited range of
  standard writing conventions however, a variety
  of errors or frequent errors detract from the
  quality of the paper.Unacceptable/1 The writer
  demonstrates limited control of standard writing
  conventions. Errors are serious and escessive.