The SEVEN Traits of Writing

1. The SEVEN Traits of Writing

2. The SEVEN Traits of Writing • Ideas and Content • Organization • Word Choice • Sentence Fluency and Variety • Voice and Style • Conventions • Presentation

3. IDEAS and CONTENT • “The ideas are the heart of the message, the content of the piece…all the details that enrich and develop the theme.” –Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory (NREL) • If you don’t care about what you write about, your reader will be bored!

4. IDEAS and CONTENT • A writer should: • Narrow the topic to something specific • Use a fresh, original perspective • When possible, write from experience • Use important, interesting details (not just common knowledge)

5. ORGANIZATION • “Organization is the internal structure of a piece of writing, the thread of central meaning, the pattern.” -NREL

6. ORGANIZATION • A writer should: • Use an inviting attention getter that hooks the reader • Use logical and effective order, structure, and sequence • Always make clear connections to the thesis • Use smooth transitions • Place supporting details where they are most appropriate • Use a conclusion that gives the reader a sense of closure

7. WORD CHOICE • “Strong word choice clarifies and expands ideas…moves and enlightens the reader.” –NREL • “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.” –Anton Chekhov

8. WORD CHOICE • A writer should: • Use words that create a mental picture for the reader • Use powerful, vivid verbs • Use specific nouns and adjectives • Use words correctly • Avoid repetition and slang

9. SENTENCE FLUENCY and VARIETY • “Sentence fluency is the rhythm and flow of the language” -NRET • “To me the greatest pleasure of writing is not what it’s about, but the music the words make.” –Truman Capote • What you say is just as important as how you say it!

10. SENTENCE FLUENCY and VARIETY • A writer should: • Vary sentence beginning, structure, and length • Use complete sentences • Use transitions

11. VOICE and STYLE • “It is the heart and soul of the writing, the magic, the wit, the feeling, the life and breath.” -NREL

12. VOCIE and STYLE • A writer should: • Write honestly and from the heart • Use language that brings the topic to life • Use word choice and sentence structure to voice your personality

13. CONVENTIONS • You may not enjoy the editing process, but without this step, the other traits could be overshadowed by errors that distract the reader.

14. CONVENTIONS • A writer should: • Turn in a clean, edited, polished final copy • Reinforce organization with good paragraphing • Use correct punctuation, spelling, and grammar • Proofread, proofread, proofread

15. PRESENTATION • A writer should: • Use MLA format • Type, double space, 12 point font • Print before class begins