Definition of Traits
Ideas - A clear point, message, theme or
story line, backed by important, carefully chosen
details and supportive information.
Organization - How a piece of writing is
structured and ordered.
Voice - The fingerprints of the writer on the
page - the writer's own special, personal style
coming through in the words, combined with concern
for the informational needs and interests of the
audience.
Word Choice - Language, phrasing, and the
knack for choosing the "just right" word to get the
message across.
Sentence Fluency - The rhythm and sound of
the writing as it is read aloud.
Conventions - Editorial correctness and
attention to any detail a copy editor would review,
including:
- Spelling
- Grammar and usage
- Capitalization
- Paragraph indentation
- Punctuation
*Reproduced with permission from Northwest Regional
Education Laboratory
