Writing Composition: Six Traits of Good Writing

Contributed by:
Ivan
As the name suggests, this is a lesson on the six characteristics that make a good writer. This research reveals that all “good” writing has six key ingredients—ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions.
1. Overview
Mrs. Seely’s Class
2.  stays on topic
 ideas make sense
 narrow and specific
 “8 Ways to Add More”
 knowledge of topic
 include details and descriptions
3.  pre-write ideas first
 beginning, middle, and end
 logical order
 transitions-For example, First,
Then, Next, Finally, After that,
Additionally
4.  writer’s attitude about topic
 point of view
 connection between the reader and writer
 Create a mood for your audience.
 Ask yourself: Can the reader tell how I feel
about the topic?
5.  “wow” words
 strong action verbs
 Try using new words. Challenge yourself!
 specific words
 synonyms
 vivid sensory descriptions/imagery
 Ask yourself: Did I use words that describe
the five senses?
6.  complete sentences
 varied sentences (lengths,
types, beginnings, etc.)
 figurative language (similes,
metaphors, etc.)
 easy to read aloud
7.  capitalization
 punctuation (!,.?)
 spelling
 indenting new paragraphs
 Use editing marks to correct for this
trait when proofreading during the
writing process.