Six Trait Writing

The six traits of writing provide common language for teaching students about what good writing looks and sounds like.  Used in the context of a writing workshop, the traits-based mini lessons provide writers with the necessary tools to improve the craft and conventions in their writing.   Click below for a variety of trait-based mini lessons, FREE downloadable reproducibles, and children’s literature suggestions.

Would you like more information about how to put the six traits into action in your classroom?  Invite Annemarie to lead a seminar at your school:

What are the Traits?

Characteristics of the Traits of Good Writing

Ideas

• Helping Students Choose Topics
• Focus Lessons
• Elaborating with Details
• Using Literature to Spark Ideas

Organization

• Wordless Picture Books
• Oral Language
• Narrative vs. Expository
• Attention-Grabbing Leads
• Asking Questions
• Planning Sheets
• Satisfying Endings
• Glue Words (Transitions)
• Seesaw Pattern
• Organizing Paragraphs
• Organizing Information
• Children’s Literature and the Organization Trait

Word Choice

• Effective Vocabulary Instruction
• Word Awareness Activities
• Word Choice Activities and Mini-Lessons
• Fancy Words
• Show Don’t Tell
• Paint a Picture
• Alliteration
• Metaphor
• Simile
• Imagery
• Children’s Literature and the Word Choice Trait

Voice

• Identifying Voice
• Writing with Voice
• Personification
• Children’s Literature and the Voice Trait

Sentence Fluency

• Improving Sentence Structure
• Sentence Fluency Activities and Mini-Lessons
• Paint a Picture
• Glue Words (Transitions)
• Walk Around in the Author’s Syntax
• Children’s Literature and the Sentence Fluency Trait

Conventions

• Teaching Conventions
• Beginning Editing
• Word Wall “Bobs”
• Spelling Strategies
• Walk Around in the Author’s Syntax
• Apostrophe Detectives
• Children’s Literature and the Conventions Trait