Want to write better? Rate yourself on these 15 factors

Though my son may not share my enthusiasm for writing, the curriculum his school is using is full of great writing advice. The following is from a checklist called “Traits of Good Writing” in which the kids are asked to rate their writing based on the following factors.

Organization

• My introduction grabs the reader’s attention.
• I used transition words to move from idea to idea.
• My paragraphs show where my subtopics begin and end.

Voice

• I really tried to show passion about my topic.
• If read aloud, it sounds like something I might really say.
• I did things in my writing to help my audience understand.
• I captured a tone or mood with my words.

Sentence fluency