We will teach and assess student writing using the Six Traits of Writing which include the following:
1. Ideas and content – What it's all about?
A clear point, message, theme, or storyline, backed by important, carefully chosen details and supportive information.
2. Organization – What's the sequence?
How a piece of writing is structured and ordered.
3. Voice – Who's talking?
The fingerprints of the writer on the page – the writer's personal style coming through in the words, combined with concern for the informational needs and interests of the audience.
4. Word choice – Which words are used to express ideas?
Language, phrasing, and the knack for choosing “just the right” word to get the message across.
5. Sentence Fluency – How does the writing sound?
The rhythm and sound of the writing as it is read aloud.
6. Conventions – How correct is the writing?
Editorial correctness and attention to any details a copy editor would review, including spelling, grammar and usage, capitalization, paragraph indentation, and punctuation.
The writing process taught also includes prewriting (the gathering of ideas), writing a rough draft, revising, editing, and preparing a final copy. Along with this, we will review and utilize the various parts of speech.
Our writing assignments will focus mainly on four kinds of writing: descriptive, expository, narrative, and persuasive. When possible, we will relate writing assignments to other areas of our curriculum.