6+1 Trait Writing Workshop

6 TRAIT WRITING WORKSHOP

You will spend the next few days working on a creative writing piece using the foundation of the 6+1 Writing Traits. During this time you will follow the traditional writing process: brainstorming (your way, of course!), rough draft writing, conferencing, editing, revising, and typing. Following the workshop, you will have 3 days to type up your work.

Writing prompts

NON-FICTION

 MEMORIES/Moments (Choose one). Describe. o Scariest o Saddest o Embarassing o Happiest o Proudest

 FIRSTS o First day of school o First job o First best friend o First day of junior/senior high school o First track meet, game, concert, etc.

 PLACE: Think of a place that's special to you. It might be as big as a city, or as small as one corner of a room. Describe this place so clearly that your reader will know just what it's like to be there. Why is this place important to you?

 PERSON: Think of a person you have known who has been important to you. Describe why he or she made such an impression on you or made a difference in your life. (Best friend, relative, teacher, coach, etc)

 MEMOIR: Write about a significant/important moment in your life that caused you to change who you were or what you did.  Write about something you love to do. Why is this important to you? Describe.

 TRADITIONS: Choose a family tradition or a tradition with friends. Describe and explain why it is important in your life.

 HERITAGE: What is your heritage and how has it been important in shaping who you are now?

 JOURNEY/TRIP: Describe a journey or trip you have been on . . . OR write about one you wish to go on.

 YOUR FUTURE: How do you envision yourself in your post-high school life?

 A DAY IN THE LIFE of a teenager or freshman.

 OBSTACLES/CHALLENGES: Obstacles constantly present themselves. Write about an obstacle you’ve faced in your life. How did this obstacle change you?

 What is your favorite holiday/season? Why? Describe. Share some memories connected with it.

 What are you a die hard fan of? DESCRIBE!

 Complete the following: “If I had the power to change something, I would change...”

 Respond to a quote of your choice.  PHOTO ALBUM: Look at a picture from an old photo album. Try and capture as much detail about the event being photographed as possible.

 If I could change one thing about my life, it would be....

FICTION

 An original short story (see attached)  Write a scary story/mystery  Write a children’s story

If you feel stuck, try another idea!

Remember the 6Traits:

Mechanics, Voice, Word Choice,

Organization, Sentence Fluency, and Ideas