The Six Traits

1. Writing Trait Introduction: Organization The Six Traits The Six Traits of Writing help us describe and improve our writing.

2. Writing Trait Introduction: Organization Focus on Organization Organization means putting things in order so that they make sense. Organization also means using a good introduction and a satisfying conclusion.

3. Writing Trait Introduction: Organization There are many ways to organize writing. You could • tell a story with a beginning, middle, and ending. • describe how your topic looks, sounds, smells, feels, and tastes. • express your opinion about the topic and support it with facts. • compare or contrast your topic with something else. Which of these could you use to tell about a family vacation? Which of these could you use to tell about your pet?

4. Writing Trait Introduction: Organization Good organization starts with a good introduction. Here are some good ways to start your writing: Begin with characters talking. This is called dialogue. “I think your hamster got out of his cage,” said Mom with a frown. Begin with an interesting question. Have you ever had to catch an escaped hamster? I have! Begin with your feelings about the topic. My hamster is a cute, furry little friend. When he escaped from his cage, I was afraid that he would get hurt.

5. Writing Trait Introduction: Organization Good writers use transition wordsto help the writing flow. Common transition words • first • then • next • last • after • during • until • soon • later • before • along • above • around • behind • between • below • by • into • near • outside • over • through • as • also • unlike • on the • other hand • but • however • yet • still • although • for this reason • especially • again • in fact • in conclusion • as you can see • for instance • in other words

6. Writing Trait Introduction: Organization Good writers use transition wordsto help the writing flow. Read the following story. It doesn’t have any transition words. How does it sound? I helped my mom clean house. We cleaned the bathrooms. We dusted all of the furniture with furniture polish. We vacuumed the carpet. My little sister dropped cookie crumbs all over the living room floor. We had to vacuum that room again.

7. Writing Trait Introduction: Organization Good writers use transition wordsto help the writing flow. Now read the same story with transitions. Does it sound better? Last Wednesday, I helped my mom clean house. First, we cleaned the bathrooms. Next, we dusted all of the furniture with furniture polish. Finally, we vacuumed the carpet. Unfortunately, my little sister dropped cookie crumbs all over the living room floor, so we had to vacuum that room again.

8. Writing Trait Introduction: Organization Good organization ends with a satisfying conclusion. Here are some ways you can end your writing: End by wrapping things up. That is the story of my very first rafting trip. End by telling something you learned. The most important thing I learned is to always wear a life preserver. End by sharing your thoughts or opinion on the topic. Rafting is the most fun I’ve ever had! If you haven’t tried it, you should.

9. Writing Trait Introduction: Organization Remember! • Good organization begins with a good introduction and ends with a satisfying conclusion. • There are different ways to organize writing. • Transition words help the writing flow.