SE The Six Traits of Effective Writing Shelby Bocqgers - ENGL 3/0- Essay Evaluation Assiga ment - Dealer 2 — TDEA DEVELOPMENT: The heart, main Kea, or thesis of a text; refers to the details, examples, or image that develop and sappot the main ben. (2) ‘ORGANIZATION: The internal structure of Meas. Effective organization begins with « purposeful and moves toward a logical thoughtful ending. STOIC: Vor bor hr wre orton 30 ‘conviction and wit; the text has energy and connects ‘you to both the writing and the writer. @ spay) is ‘S- Teats clear and focused. captures reader’ attention. | 3 Onder compels, enhances, and moves ideas ‘S Writing is compelling. engaging: aware of audience. {@ Topic ismarow and manageable. [G_Introduction intrigues, invites; conclusion resolves. | G2 Tone interesting and appropriate for audience and © Details are relevant, interesting vivid, accurate. @ Thoughtful transitions show how ideas connect, the purpose. Point is clear; tells whole story; no trivia. 1. Sequencing is logical and effective. © Author's prescnce is evident, powerful Details support the paper's main idea. 1. Pacing is well controlled and purposeful a ky ‘writing s commited penunsive Ideas engage, inspire, or intrigue reader. Q. Organization lows smoothly: maiches purpose G Narrative writing i hones, engaging. personal 3. Texts ideas are focused but general, obvious. 4 Onder moves reader through with confusion. 3. Writing seems sincere but not engaged: t's plain. {© Topic is fity broad, bu understandable. {© Introduction and conclusion are etic, weak: {© Tone is nondescript; shows limited awareness of 2 Decils.are loosely related, obviows, or dull. Transitions often work well; connections are vague. aualicnee; not very appropriate for purpose Point vague: gives general idea incomplete Sequencing shows some logic but lacks control. 2 Author sounds earmestand pleasing, but sae Details provide weak support for main idea. Pacing is inconsistent but fuirly well controlled Q Expository writing shows minimal commitment (G_deas eave reader guessing: not specific. © Organization offers limited suppor; inappropriate. | @- Narrative writing i reasonably sincere but plain 1 Text lacks clear idea, purpose, and details 1. Onder is missing or random: no identflable structure. | 1 Writer is indifferent, distanced from topkc‘audienc. 2 Topic lacking; no evident focus oF purpose. Introduction and conclusion inffective/missing. Q Tone shows no awareness of auence, inappropriate ® Details are missing. incorrect, or unclear. {8 Transitions and connections absent or confusing. forthe audienes 0 purpose Makes no point: cannot identify main idea Sequencing is random: lacks any purpose. @ Author sounds monotone, flat, even bored. © Details repeat each ether, seem random, 8 Paces nova rating oF ising, © Expository writing lacks any commitment. © leas confuse and frustrate the reader. Q Organization makes it hard to ientif) main idea. Q Narrative writing shows no attempt at voice. WORD CHOICE: The right word, used in the right ‘ways at the right time. The writer chooses words that ‘create the intended effect, impression, or mood. o ‘SENTENCE FLUENCY: Language that flows with rhythm and grace, logic and music. Sentences are well: crafted and want to be read aloud. Word are precise, interesting, ening. Powerful. ‘Words are specific, accurate; meaning is clear. ‘Words and phrases are striking and memorable. ‘Language is natural, effective, and appropriate. Verbs are lively, nouns precise, modifiers efective. ‘Choices enhance meaning and clarify meaning. Words are common and obvious; they lack energy. ‘Words are adequate and correct in a gener sens. ‘Words and phrises convey but are T memorable Language reaches for color: esau overload. ‘Verbs ae passive: nouns common; modifies dul Choices ae random: fist word that came wo nnd Words are simple or vag; lmited in cope. ‘Words are nonspecific, distracting, and vague ‘Words and phrases are dull; detract fom meaning. Language is used incorrect, carelessly. @~ wocco* coccos ‘5 Writing flows with rivthn and cadence. @ Sentences are constructed to enhance meaning. @ Seniences vary in length and structure Q Semences use purposeful, varied beginnings. | Connecting words join and build on other words. Writing as cadence; it moves, has a musi to it Writing moves along bu fels more business lke Sentences are routine; they lack craft and music, Sentences are usually constructed corectly. Sentences are not ail alike; there fs some Variety Connecting words absent; reader hunts for clues Parts invite reading aloud: choppy, awkward, stiff 1. Writing lacks flow; itis dificult read. 1& Sentences ramble, ae incomplete oF awkward. ‘Sentences do not connect to each other at al Q Sentences begin the same way; monoionous, Q e Endless or no connectives (and, so then, because). The text does invite reading aloud: no music. ‘Spelling is mostly correct, even on difficuk words. Punctuation is accurate, even creative and effective. ‘Capitalization skills are evident and consisient ‘Grammar and usage are correct and enhance the text. Paragraphing is sound, reinforces organization, Writer may manipulate conventions for style Reasonable conirol of conventions; distracing errors nd punctuation mostly correct; imernal ems. co srammar and usage problems are not serious. Paragraphing lacks cohesion and organization. eee. Exvors distract the reader and make reading difficult ‘Selling errors are frequent and distracting Punctuation is often missing or incorrect. Capitalization is random: only easiest are correct. irammar and usage errors are obvious and serious. Paragraphing is missing. iregular, or frequent. Oscec~ scsce- cococe ‘Spelling mostly correct; erors on difficult words. gy Adapted by Jim Burke. See Creating Writers (Addison Wesley Longman) by Vicki Spandel for complete exploration of the Six Traits model