7-12 Writing

Traits of Good Writing

In the Mount Baker School District students are taught about qualities of good writing in order to become better writers themselves. Students learn about traits of good writing and are assessed on their ideas, organization, voice, word choice, and sentence fluency, as well as their use of the conventions of spelling, capitalization, punctuation, usage, and neatness/legibility. Each trait is important to writers as they work to express their ideas in print. Most writers have particular traits that are strong and others that are areas of need. By identifying areas of strengths and needs students are able to focus on where improvements are needed and recognize and celebrate what they do well.

HOW FAMILIES CAN HELP AT HOME

	Talk to your child about the six traits of quality writing and discuss which traits are areas of strength for your child as a writer.
	Recognize the traits of quality writing in your child’s writing. Praise your child for their good ideas or organization. Also recognize traits that may need additional focus and help your child to concentrate on improvements. In doing both—recognizing the strengths as well as the weaknesses—you will be able to give praise and encouragement while also providing guidance for growth.
	Encourage your child to write and pay attention to their writing.
	Watch for writing assignments to come home; take time to read them and discuss them with your child

RESOURCES

	Curriculum Night
	Parent Conferences

Internet:

	http://www.classzone.com/wricraft/index.html
	http://www.aps.edu/aps/Cochiti/6traits/