The Traits of Writing

A Shared Vision for Teaching Writing

Why Traits of Writing?• Provides us with a shared vision and vocabulary

for describing the qualities of writing• Helps us to prioritize and focus and individualize

our writing instruction by making explicit not only the features of good writing, but also the techniques those writers use to craft the messages for particular audiences and purposes

• Enables us to identify and document individual students’ writing strengths and areas for growth

Process, Traits and Modes

The Writing Process: The FoundationPrewritingDrafting RevisingEditing

Publishing/Sharing

Traits: The Writer’s LanguageIdea

OrganizationVoice

Word ChoiceFluency

Conventions

Modes: Forms of WritingNarrative/Personal

InformationalPersuasive

Business/Professional

“The traits help us to identify what needs work letting us break down steps

in the process so we can teach students what makes writing effective. When students learn the tools that help them unlock the mysteries of revision

and editing, they take ownership of the writing process. The traits become the foundation for revision, which for many students is the weak link in the writing

process.”Ruth Culham

Ideas: A Quick Summary

• Clarity• Focus• Quality details• Strong support• Authenticity• No “filler”• Good balance: satisfying, not

overwhelming

Why Students Typically Struggle With Ideas

• Writing is complex• Students think faster than they can

write• Students don’t write for themselves

Four key concepts about working with ideas that every

student can learn

• Selecting an idea• Narrowing the idea• Elaborating on the idea• Discovering the best information to

convey the ideas

Tips for Success in Ideas for Students

• Be an observer• Write small• Pick your own topics• Get rid of deadwood• Don’t try to tell too much• Don’t generalize

Organization: A Quick Summary

• Guides the reader• Strong lead• Natural, effective transitions• Smooth flow point to point• Orderly arrangement of information• Good pacing• Satisfying conclusion

Why Students Typically Struggle With Organization

• Rigid organization is often overvalued

• Organization is really hard• We’re looking for one size fits all

programs

Three key concepts about organization that every

student can learn

• Writing the introduction – a lead that hooks the reader

• Developing the middle of the paper – a core that is logically organized and contains clearly linked details

• Writing a conclusion – an ending that leaves the reader satisfied

Tips for Success in Organization for Students

• Spend time on a good lead• Have a center• Gather information in chunks• Try to see a pattern• Link ideas together• End with flair

Voice: A Quick Summary

• Individuality• Liveliness• Enthusiasm for topic• Confidence that comes from

knowledge• Tone fits audience, purpose• Sensitivity to audience needs• Appeal to keep readers reading

Why Students Typically Struggle With Voice

• Voice isn’t as concrete as other traits• There is a longstanding perception that

boring is good• It’s a bit too personal• Some forms of writing don’t require voice

Three key concepts about voice that every student

can learn

• Voice emerges when the writer speaks to the reader on an emotional level

• Voice emerges when the writer experiments with style to match purpose and audience

• Voice emerges when the writer takes risks by revealing the person behind the words

Tips for Success in Voice for Students

• Be yourself• Match voice to purpose• Think of your audience• Care• Know your topic• Think of everything as a letter

Word Choice: A Quick Summary

• Accuracy• Precision• Everyday words used in fresh ways• Avoidance of jargon• No ponderous “let me impress you”

language• Language that fits audience/purpose• Lively verbs• Words that paint pictures

Why Students Typically Struggle with Word Choice

• Too often, language is used to exclude

• Vocabulary is usually taught in isolation

• Students get “word drunk”

Four key concepts about word choice that every

student can learn

• Striking language• Exact language• Natural language• Beautiful language

Tips for Success in Word Choice for Students

• Keep a journal• Collect quotations• Think of another good way to say it• Think verbs• Make pictures• Cut the fat

Sentence Fluency: A Quick Summary

• Easy rhythm and flow• One sentence glides into another• Variety in length• Variety in structure• Delightful to hear/read• Easy to read with expression• Easy to follow

Why Teaching Students Sentence Fluency is

Typically a Challenge

• Overemphasis on correctness• Writing classrooms are too quiet• It’s harder than it looks

Three key concepts about sentence fluency that every

student can learn

• Establishing rhythm and flow• Varying sentence length and

structure• Constructing sentences that enhance

meaning

Tips for Success in Sentence Fluency for Students

• Combine a series of little sentences into one smooth sentence• Use connecting words to show how ideas relate• Add details to complete the picture• Watch out for run-ons• Watch out for ramblers – run-ons with “ands” inserted• Make all pronoun references clear• Get rid of deadwood• Avoid jargon• Avoid shifts in number• Avoid shifts in voice• Keep sentence elements parallel – that is, matching in form• Avoid “there is” or “there are” sentence beginnings. Be direct.

Conventions: A Quick Summary

• Control over conventions• Evidence of proofreading/editing• Easy-to-process text• Conventions enhance meaning• Only light touch-ups needed

Why Teaching Students Conventions is Typically a

Challenge

• Students don’t see the power of conventions

• We’re always searching for the best way to teach conventions

• We don’t encourage risk-taking• We put too much stock into

programs

Four key concepts about conventions that students

can learn

• Editing and revising are different• Correctness according to appropriate

developmental level and age• Experimentation is okay. Balance is key.• Patience is necessary because learning to

use conventions takes time

Tips for Success in Conventions for Students

• Edit two ways• Read from the bottom up• Make all rough drafts double spaced• Learn copy editor’s symbols• Start in the middle• Be a sleuth

Presentation: A Quick Summary

• Uniform spacing• Legible and consistent handwriting• Appealing use of white space• Where necessary, bullets, numbers, side

headings, and other markers that help readers access content

• Effective integration of text and illustration, charts, graphs, maps, and tables