The six traits are used at Cherry Chase to give students a language for talking about writing. Below are descriptions of the six traits plus one in "kid" language. Use these descriptions to help your child with his/her writing at home.

IDEAS

My paper has a purpose.

It is focused.

It all makes sense.

I know this topic well.

I have included the most interesting details.

Once you start reading, you will not want to stop.

ORGANIZATION

My beginning will interest the reader!

Everything ties together.

My writing builds to the good parts.

You can follow it easily.

At the end, it feels finished and makes you think.

WORD CHOICE

This is the best way to say this.

My words create mind pictures!

I've tried new ways to say everyday things.

Listen to the power in my verbs.

Some of the words and phrases linger in my mind.

VOICE

This really sounds like me!

I've been honest and written what I think and feel.

Can you feel my commitment to this topic?

I want you to experience my writing with me.

I know why I'm writing and who my audience is.

I bet you'll want to read this to someone.

SENTENCE FLUENCY

My sentences begin in different ways.

Some sentences are short and some are long.

It just sounds good as I read it aloud - it flows.

My sentences have power and punch.

I have "sentence sense".

CONVENTIONS

I don't have many mistakes in my paper.

I have used capitals correctly.

Periods, commas, exclamation marks, and quotation marks

are in the right places.

Almost every word is spelled correctly.

I remembered to indent each paragraph.

PLUS ONE PRESENTATION

People will want to look at my piece.

I have used my neatest handwriting.

There is a balance of text and white space.

My margins are clear of any writing or illustrations.

My illustrations, charts, graphs, maps, etc. are easy to read and have color to make things stand out.