6 + 1 Traits of Writing
The traits of good writing include:
Ideas
A clear point, message, theme or story line, backed by important, carefully chosen details and supportive information.
Organization
How a piece of writing is structured and ordered.
Voice
The fingerprints of the writer on the page-the writer's own special, personal style coming through in the words, combined with concern for the informational needs and interests of the audience.
Word Choice
Language, phrasing, and the knack for choosing the "just right" word to get the message across.
Sentence Fluency
The rhythm and sound of the writing as it is read aloud.
Conventions
Editorial correctness and attention to any detail a copy editor would review including:
spellinggrammar and usagecapitalizationparagraph indentationpunctuationPresentation
A look that is pleasing to the eye.
-Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory
