Effective Writing Traits Kids Know that We Don’t
I’m writing a writing program again. Writing programs are like other products. They have their individual nuances. They offer particular features and benefits, but all solid writing programs offer certain things in common. The engine of any well-built writing program is the 6+1 Traits of Writing.
If you’re reading this post, it’s unlikely that you encountered the 6+1 Traits as a student. You could find plenty about them on the Web now. Unfortunately, what you found would take the form of lessons and research for teaching school children. Why should school kids and their teachers be the only ones with direct access to the information and the rest of us have to adjust our thinking?
I’ve decided a simple action is in order.
6+1 Traits of Effective Blog Writing
As you might guess the 6+1 Traits were 6 Traits to start with. Then someone saw the need for just one more. I’m going to define all 7.
- Ideas — Ideas are the stuff of which messages are made. We look for them . . . wish for them. They are not good or bad. They are memorable, strong, and effective, or they are not.
- Organization — Ordering ideas logically is how get them to make sense to others. (I know, I know. We know this. — It’s ground work.)
- Voice –Voice is tone and style that is consciously chosen to suit the intended audience.
- Word Choice — Word choice is finding the perfect word to convey a message in an authentic, rich, and precise fashion.
- Sentence Fluency — Sentence fluency is understanding how to make the reading move with pacing, flow, and rhythm.
- Writing Conventions— Writing conventions are the rules agreed upon as signs of good writing.
- Presentation— Presentation is the preparation of the written message in a way that draws readers to connect with the message on a personal level even before they begin to read.
Not one of the seven can be found in a text on rocket science, but all seven are critical to quality writing. Every school kid is learning about them. I think it’s only fair that we should have access.
I’ll be back with a discussion on each one. Nothing too deep and no homework — just some ideas on how you might find ways to get more quality writing into each of your blog posts.
What questions do you have so far?
Be irresistible.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
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I like presentation. Sometimes starting new paragraphs help break up your articles to be managed easier.
When I go to a blog and I see one or two long paragraphs that extend to the bottom of the page I don’t even give it the time or day. I am a busy dude but aren’t we all?
But if it were the exact same content but broken up you can say well I might have time to read the first 2 or 3 paragraphs. Then you can determine after the first few paragraphs if it is even worth moving on.
But presentation at least gives you a chance. Also little pictures may help. Good titles is part of presentation.
Steve
Hi Steve,
Have you read my post about relustant readers? We’re all reluctant readers. I feel the same way you do. Short blocks of text give me room to breath, a chance to buy out, to stop and think, to regroup and gain my bearings. all of that stuff.
Presentation is the in and out.
BTW– It was the 7th trait–the plus one that got added.
I don’t believe I have read the article. If I find I think I might write a post on it and link over to you. I got some things I want to get off my chest Lol
Sounds about right though. I scan when I should be reading. But if I can manage articles well I just move on.
Lazy I presume…
Steve
In publishing, we decided a synonym for lazy is busy. 🙂
Have any of you found some picture books to be helpful in writing DBQ’s and correlating the traits?
Hi J.E.
That’s a great question. I haven’t looked for any, but I’ll keep my eye out. I’m working on a kids program now for K-2 so it’s not out of the question that I’ll find one.
Meanwhile, try looking here:
International Children’s Digital Library
I work for a Public Television Show and we’re doing a story on the 6+1 traits. I’m used to education double-speak and meaningless pedagogical phrases, but this one just bugs me. There are SEVEN traits! If it used to be 6 and now it’s 7, why not change the name to the Seven Traits?
In addition to teaching kids how to write, shouldn’t we also encourage them to be honest and call things what they are? This is like the 50 year old who refuses to come to terms with her age and tells everyone she’s 49+1, then makes a beeline to the plastic surgeon’s office.
I think a name change is in order.
Hi David,
I think that the reason that they don’t change the name has to do with what the seventh trait is — presentation. There is probably some argument whether presentation is truly a trait of writing or format.
Originally there were 6 traits, all of which are truly writing based. Presentation, whether you make your writing look like a book, a brochure, or a podcast, is technically not a trait of “good” (i hate using that subjective term) writing. So It doesn’t bother me to have it as something kids should keep in mind, as an addon to remember.
It’s like saying get dressed for the rain and remember to carry an umbrella.