e
©THE 3AM TEACHER/ MICHELLE TSIVGADELLIS
Thank you very much for your continued
support & feedback! If you found this product
helpful, please take a little time to rate my
product and leave a happy thought.
Make sure to follow me for news, updates &
occasional freebies!! Click the images AND
follow the link to my other online accounts…
The 3AM Teacher’s “Code-It”
An Interactive student Guide to build self-efficacy in 6-Trait Text Coding &
Revising
Guided Notes align with the Common Core Standards in the area of Writing
Elements (i.e., ideas & content, organization, voice, word choice, sentence
fluency, conventions)
Revising/Editing: FIND & EDIT:
Teachers should model by saying, showing & doing each step throughout the 6-trait process
until students are familiar with the procedure. Students will need colored pencils or highlighters
during this process. I would recommend focusing on one area of the six traits in a lesson and
allow students to work through each of the five steps in one trait using their own writing piece.
Journals are a great place for practice. If used, students will need to be given explicit directions
when writing a draft on paper. They will need to leave plenty of space to make editing marks
with the color-coded revising and editing. Students will use the color code and steps to work
through the process of each of the 6-Traits. The first version can be used opposed to using the
two-sided (Find/Edit) 6-Trait guiding notes. Colors for each area have been inserted; however,
color choices can be modified for teacher preference or availability.
Graphics © The 3AM Teacher
This product is NOT for commercial use and may not be
distributed or claimed as your own. Please link or refer back to
my store if you would like to share about this on your blog or
with your colleagues.
6-Trait “Code-It”: Incorporating Text Coding
Ideas/ Content
(ORANGE)
Sentence Fluency
(RED)
Word Choice
(GREEN)
Organization
(PINK)
Voice
(YELLOW)
1. Read the piece
(one paragraph at a
time) and ask
yourself,
“Are the details
well-suited for
the audience?”
1. Draw a blank piece
of old fashioned
ribbon candy next to
each paragraph.
(No need for professionals
here, just draw a square
or rectangle).
1. Read the piece
(one paragraph at a
time) Highlight words
that are used more
than twice in a
paragraph (except
conjunctions and
articles)
1. Make sure that the
piece fits the
intended writing
genre or prompt.
Ask yourself,
“Did I begin
with a strong
lead?”
1. Ask yourself, “Does
this piece show that I am
thinking of my audience?”
(i.e., style, word
choice &
connections).
1. Apply
proofreading marks
for all the basic
grammatical and
conventional errors
(capitals, missing words,
repeats, punctuation)
2. Insert a
“carrot” (˄) where
your ideas should
grow.
2. Read though each
paragraph (one at a
time) and UNDERLINE
compound &
complex sentences.
2. Off to the side of
each paragraph write
the word, EXILE. Write
the highlighted words
under it for later
revisions.
2. Check for a clear
beginning, middle, & end.
Are there 5-8
sentences per
paragraph?
2. Did the piece show
a sense of identity?
Check for:
Originality
Sincerity
Humor
Liveliness
Appropriateness
2. Underline the
first word of every
sentence, and circle
the end punctuation.
3. Make sure that
each paragraph is
focused and the
details support the
main idea.
Highlight the
thesis and main
idea in each
paragraph.
3. Now, draw a
stripe on the candy
to represent each
underlined sentence.
A good paragraph
should have at least
3.
3. If figurative
language is used
effectively, box the
words in GREEN. Draw
a pair of eyes
wherever imagery is
present.
3. Highlight the thesis
in an essay, research,
or expository piece.
Highlight transition
words/phrases. There
should be transitions
in every paragraph.
3. Next to each part
of the piece that
showcases emotion
and personality,
draw a face to
represent that
feeling. A good piece
of writing should
have many.
3. Bracket
paragraphs to check
for indentation and
appropriate
paragraph breaks.
4. Post-It Make
notes to yourself
where the writing is
boring,
confusing, or needs
some help.
4. Go back and check
the first word of
each sentence (one
paragraph at a time).
No more than two
sentences per
paragraph should
begin the same way.
4. Ask yourself, “Is the
vocabulary original?
Did I use specific
and powerful words
to convey the
message?”
4. Were the
paragraphs put in an
order that
enhances the
meaning and
develops the
topic?
4. Is the voice
appropriate for the
topic?
(Formal, informal,
academic)
4. Double check for
spelling errors by
circling any words
you KNOW or THNK are
misspelled and place
a SP above the word.
5. Read the piece
aloud and make sure
it has flow. If
dialogue is used, it
should be natural
5. Double check that
all exiled words are
listed and you have
completed all of the
steps above.
5. Be sure to have a
closing paragraph
that restates the
main idea in a new
way to draw the
audience to the end.
5. If you believe that
the reader can
connect with the
writing, draw a
bridge with a star
underneath it at the
end of your piece.
5. Double check the
piece once again for
errors in grammar,
capitals, and
punctuation.
(Clarification and/or
questions)
Conventions
(BLUE)
BOX VIOLATORS
5. Finally, ask
yourself if your work
is original. If not,
make a note to
include ideas and
content that is
original to YOU.
and effective.
6-Trait “Code-It”: Incorporating Text Coding
Ideas/ Content
(ORANGE)
Sentence Fluency
(RED)
Word Choice
(GREEN)
Organization
(PINK)
Voice
(YELLOW)
1. Read the piece
(one paragraph at a
time) and ask
yourself,
“Are the details
well-suited for
the audience?”
1. Draw a blank piece
of old fashioned
ribbon candy next to
each paragraph.
(No need for professionals
here, just draw a square
or rectangle).
1. Read the piece
(one paragraph at a
time) Highlight words
that are used more
than twice in a
paragraph (except
conjunctions and
articles)
1. Make sure that the
piece fits the
intended writing
genre or prompt.
Ask yourself,
“Did I begin
with a strong
lead?”
1. Ask yourself, “Does
this piece show that I am
thinking of my audience?”
(i.e., style, word
choice &
connections).
1. Apply
proofreading marks
for all the basic
grammatical and
conventional errors
(capitals, missing words,
repeats, punctuation)
2. Insert a
“carrot” (˄) where
your ideas should
grow.
2. Read though each
paragraph (one at a
time) and UNDERLINE
compound &
complex sentences.
2. Off to the side of
each paragraph write
the word, EXILE. Write
the highlighted words
under it for later
revisions.
2. Check for a clear
beginning, middle, & end.
Are there 5-8
sentences per
paragraph?
2. Did the piece show
a sense of identity?
Check for:
Originality
Sincerity
Humor
Liveliness
Appropriateness
2. Underline the
first word of every
sentence, and circle
the end punctuation.
3. Make sure that
each paragraph is
focused and the
details support the
main idea.
Highlight the
thesis and main
idea in each
paragraph.
3. Now, draw a
stripe on the candy
to represent each
underlined sentence.
A good paragraph
should have at least
3.
3. If figurative
language is used
effectively, box the
words in GREEN. Draw
a pair of eyes
wherever imagery is
present.
3. Highlight the thesis
in an essay, research,
or expository piece.
Highlight transition
words/phrases. There
should be transitions
in every paragraph.
3. Next to each part
of the piece that
showcases emotion
and personality,
draw a face to
represent that
feeling. A good piece
of writing should
have many.
3. Bracket
paragraphs to check
for indentation and
appropriate
paragraph breaks.
4. Post-It Make
notes to yourself
where the writing is
boring,
confusing, or needs
some help.
4. Go back and check
the first word of
each sentence (one
paragraph at a time).
No more than two
sentences per
paragraph should
begin the same way.
4. Ask yourself, “Is the
vocabulary original?
Did I use specific
and powerful words
to convey the
message?”
4. Were the
paragraphs put in an
order that
enhances the
meaning and
develops the
topic?
4. Is the voice
appropriate for the
topic?
(Formal, informal,
academic)
4. Double check for
spelling errors by
circling any words
you KNOW or THNK are
misspelled and place
a SP above the word.
5. Read the piece
aloud and make sure
it has flow. If
dialogue is used, it
should be natural
5. Double check that
all exiled words are
listed and you have
completed all of the
steps above.
5. Be sure to have a
closing paragraph
that restates the
main idea in a new
way to draw the
audience to the end.
5. If you believe that
the reader can
connect with the
writing, draw a
bridge with a star
underneath it at the
end of your piece.
5. Double check the
piece once again for
errors in grammar,
capitals, and
punctuation.
(Clarification and/or
questions)
Conventions
(BLUE)
BOX VIOLATORS
5. Finally, ask
yourself if your work
is original. If not,
make a note to
include ideas and
content that is
original to YOU.
and effective.
“Code-It” 6-Trait Revising/Editing… FIND
Ideas/ Content
(ORANGE)
Sentence Fluency
(RED)
Word Choice
(GREEN)
Organization
(PINK)
Voice
(YELLOW)
1. Highlight the thesis
statement and the
main idea in each
paragraph. Check that
each sentence in each
paragraph is FOCUSED
on the main idea. If
not, draw a line
through it or draw an
arrow to move it.
1. Read the piece &
make sure that you
have used PRECISE
words. If the word
seems too general or
if it is jargon, circle it.
If you use slang
(yeah, OMG, etc.) in
anything other than a
personal narrative,
cross it out.
1. Draw a blank piece
of old fashioned
ribbon candy (square)
to the side of each
paragraph. Put a
stripe on the candy
for each
compound or
complex sentence
in each paragraph.
1. Check that all the
PARTS of your piece
are present (i.e., in a
narrative, you need
exposition, rising,
action, climax &
resolution; in an
essay, you need an
introduction, 3 body
paragraphs, and a
conclusion) Label
each part. If you are
missing a part, make
yourself a note on
your paper.
2. Underline your
HOOK and check that
it is a strong HOOK at
the beginning of your
writing piece. If it is
weak, then take
steps to make it
more powerful.
1. Check that the
voice is APPROPRIATE.
A research paper
should have a formal
tone (no personal
pronouns, etc.),
whereas a personal
narrative can be
more casual
(dialogue, emotions,
etc.) If you see
anything out of place,
cross it out.
2. Read the piece and
insert a carrot where
your ideas should
grow (i.e., more
DETAILS are needed).
You should have at
least three carrots per
paragraph.
2. Check for
IMAGERY. Draw eyes
next to anything you
can vividly see. If
your images seem
unclear, circle them
and make a note on
your paper or sticky
note.
2. If there are any
pieces of candy with
less than three
stripes, make a note
to combine sentences
to make a COMPOUND or
COMPLEX sentence.
3. Check to make sure
that your piece is
ORIGINAL. Ask
yourself, “Have I
heard this before?” if
the answer is yes,
circle the sentence.
3. Check for
VARIATION. Write the
word, exile to the
side of your paper
and record words
that appear more
than twice in each
paragraph.
3. Check for
VARIATION in the
start and length of
your sentences. You
may only start a
sentence the same
way twice. Box
offenders.
4. Check for
FIGURATIVE
LANGUAGE. Put an
FL at the top of your
paper and tally any
similes, metaphors, or
personification you
have in each
paragraph. A good
piece of writing
should have at least
3.
4. Check for
VARIATION in the
length of sentences.
If you have two long
or short sentences in
a row, underline them
and make a note to
vary them.
3. Check that your
piece is in a logical
ORDER. If it is a
narrative, it should be
in chronological order.
If it’s an essay or a
letter, your weakest
point should be in the
middle. If something
is out of place, draw
an arrow to where it
should go.
4. Check that you
have used a
TRANSITION at the
beginning of each
paragraph. Underline
the transitions. If
you’re missing
transitions, make a
note on your paper to
refer when revising.
2. If you’re writing
something serious,
check for
SINCERITY.
Underline sections
where you sound
passionate about the
topic. If you can’t
find any, make a
note to add that.
3. If you’re writing
something
lighthearted, check
for HUMOR. If you
can’t find anything
funny, make a note
to add humor.
4. Check for
EMOTION. Underline
any parts that give
your emotion or
personality. If you
can’t find any, make
a note to add it.
Conventions
(BLUE)
1. Check for
SPELLING errors.
Circle any words you
know or think might
be misspelled.
2. Circle the end
PUNCTUATION in
each sentence and
make sure that it is
correct.
3. Draw brackets
around each
paragraph to ensure
that you have
INDENTED
appropriately.
4. Check for
GRAMMAR
errors, such as
misplaced commas
and apostrophes, as
well as run-on
sentences and
fragments. Circle
errors.
“Code-It” 6-Trait Revising/Editing… FIND
Ideas/ Content
(ORANGE)
Sentence Fluency
(RED)
Word Choice
(GREEN)
Organization
(PINK)
Voice
(YELLOW)
1. Highlight the thesis
statement and the
main idea in each
paragraph. Check that
each sentence in each
paragraph is FOCUSED
on the main idea. If
not, draw a line
through it or draw an
arrow to move it.
1. Read the piece &
make sure that you
have used PRECISE
words. If the word
seems too general or
if it is jargon, circle it.
If you use slang
(yeah, OMG, etc.) in
anything other than a
personal narrative,
cross it out.
1. Draw a blank piece
of old fashioned
ribbon candy (square)
to the side of each
paragraph. Put a
stripe on the candy
for each
compound or
complex sentence
in each paragraph.
1. Check that all the
PARTS of your piece
are present (i.e., in a
narrative, you need
exposition, rising,
action, climax &
resolution; in an
essay, you need an
introduction, 3 body
paragraphs, and a
conclusion) Label
each part. If you are
missing a part, make
yourself a note on
your paper.
2. Underline your
HOOK and check that
it is a strong HOOK at
the beginning of your
writing piece. If it is
weak, then take
steps to make it
more powerful.
1. Check that the
voice is APPROPRIATE.
A research paper
should have a formal
tone (no personal
pronouns, etc.),
whereas a personal
narrative can be
more casual
(dialogue, emotions,
etc.) If you see
anything out of place,
cross it out.
2. Read the piece and
insert a carrot where
your ideas should
grow (i.e., more
DETAILS are needed).
You should have at
least three carrots per
paragraph.
2. Check for
IMAGERY. Draw eyes
next to anything you
can vividly see. If
your images seem
unclear, circle them
and make a note on
your paper or sticky
note.
2. If there are any
pieces of candy with
less than three
stripes, make a note
to combine sentences
to make a COMPOUND or
COMPLEX sentence.
3. Check to make sure
that your piece is
ORIGINAL. Ask
yourself, “Have I
heard this before?” if
the answer is yes,
circle the sentence.
3. Check for
VARIATION. Write the
word, exile to the
side of your paper
and record words
that appear more
than twice in each
paragraph.
3. Check for
VARIATION in the
start and length of
your sentences. You
may only start a
sentence the same
way twice. Box
offenders.
4. Check for
FIGURATIVE
LANGUAGE. Put an
FL at the top of your
paper and tally any
similes, metaphors, or
personification you
have in each
paragraph. A good
piece of writing
should have at least
3.
4. Check for
VARIATION in the
length of sentences.
If you have two long
or short sentences in
a row, underline them
and make a note to
vary them.
3. Check that your
piece is in a logical
ORDER. If it is a
narrative, it should be
in chronological order.
If it’s an essay or a
letter, your weakest
point should be in the
middle. If something
is out of place, draw
an arrow to where it
should go.
4. Check that you
have used a
TRANSITION at the
beginning of each
paragraph. Underline
the transitions. If
you’re missing
transitions, make a
note on your paper to
refer when revising.
2. If you’re writing
something serious,
check for
SINCERITY.
Underline sections
where you sound
passionate about the
topic. If you can’t
find any, make a
note to add that.
3. If you’re writing
something
lighthearted, check
for HUMOR. If you
can’t find anything
funny, make a note
to add humor.
4. Check for
EMOTION. Underline
any parts that give
your emotion or
personality. If you
can’t find any, make
a note to add it.
Conventions
(BLUE)
1. Check for
SPELLING errors.
Circle any words you
know or think might
be misspelled.
2. Circle the end
PUNCTUATION in
each sentence and
make sure that it is
correct.
3. Draw brackets
around each
paragraph to ensure
that you have
INDENTED
appropriately.
4. Check for
GRAMMAR
errors, such as
misplaced commas
and apostrophes, as
well as run-on
sentences and
fragments. Circle
errors.
“Code-It”
6-Trait Revision/Editing – fix
Ideas/ Content
(ORANGE)
Sentence Fluency
(RED)
Word Choice
(GREEN)
Organization
(PINK)
1. Copy any
sentences that you
moved with an
arrow into their
FOCUSED new homes
and delete them
from their old
homes.
1. Delete or explain
any circled jargon.
Use a thesaurus to
replace any general
words (stuff, thing,
awesome, went)
1. Find and piece of
candy with fewer
than 3 stripes, and
combine/create
1. If you are missing
a PART of your
2. Find your carrots
grow by adding
interesting details
(especially sensory
details) anywhere
you planted them.
At least 3 per
paragraph.
3. Anywhere you
circled an unoriginal
sentence, insert your
opinion or rewrite
the section to make
it more
ORIGINAL. Don’t
with more PRECISE
words. Double check
that you have
crossed out any
slang words.
2. Go back to any
unclear IMAGERY
and use sensory
details (sight, taste,
sound, feel/touch)
to make them
clearer.
3. Use a thesaurus
to replace any
words that were
listed under your
exile list to increase
VARIATION.
be afraid to take
risks!
until your candy has
three stripes.
piece…ADD IT.
You may need to
use a separate
piece of paper to
add pieces or
details.
2. Go to any boxed
beginnings of
sentences and use
transitions or wordorder-change to
2. If your HOOK
is not strong,
replace it with a
stronger, more
captivating
compound and
complex sentences
VARY them.
HOOK for your
reader.
3. Go to any
underlined sentences
and break long
sentences into
shorter, more
precise sentences;
or combine two
sentences to make
a longer sentence
for VARIATION
3. Insert
TRANSITIONS
anywhere you made
a note to add them.
Voice
(YELLOW)
1. Double check
that you have
crossed out any
inappropriate VOICE
(personal, pronouns
in a research paper,
etc.) where
necessary
Conventions
(BLUE)
1. Use a dictionary
to correct
SPELLING errors
that are circled.
2 If you made notes
to add SINCERITY,
add a detail that will
show your passion
for your topic or
help your reader
connect with you.
2. Correct ending
3. If you made a
note to add
3. Write an
indention symbol
next to each
paragraph so that
you remember to
HUMOR,
add
details that will
make the reader
laugh. Remember,
exaggeration, selfdepreciation, irony,
sarcasm, etc.)
PUNCTUATION.
INDENT
in your
final copy.
and LENGTH
4. Check your FL
tally. Add FIGURATIVE
LANGUAGE if your
piece has fewer
than 3 examples of
it.
4. Read through your
piece out loud to
make sure it
FLOWS. If it
doesn’t, then re-do
step 3 to VARY your
sentence lengths.
4. Add personal
4. Correct any
EMOTIONS or
OPINIONS
GRAMMAR errors
anywhere you made
a note to do so.
Remember to do this
ONLY if it is
appropriate to the
genre of text.
that you noted.
“Code-It” 6-Trait Revision/Editing – fix
Ideas/ Content
(ORANGE)
Sentence Fluency
(RED)
Word Choice
(GREEN)
Organization
(PINK)
1. Copy any
sentences that you
moved with an
arrow into their
FOCUSED new homes
and delete them
from their old
homes.
1. Delete or explain
any circled jargon.
Use a thesaurus to
replace any general
words (stuff, thing,
awesome, went)
1. Find and piece of
candy with fewer
than 3 stripes, and
combine/create
1. If you are missing
a PART of your
2. Find your carrots
grow by adding
interesting details
(especially sensory
details) anywhere
you planted them.
At least 3 per
paragraph.
3. Anywhere you
circled an unoriginal
sentence, insert your
opinion or rewrite
the section to make
it more
ORIGINAL. Don’t
with more PRECISE
words. Double check
that you have
crossed out any
slang words.
2. Go back to any
unclear IMAGERY
and use sensory
details (sight, taste,
sound, feel/touch)
to make them
clearer.
3. Use a thesaurus
to replace any
words that were
listed under your
exile list to increase
VARIATION.
be afraid to take
risks!
until your candy has
three stripes.
piece…ADD IT.
You may need to
use a separate
piece of paper to
add pieces or
details.
2. Go to any boxed
beginnings of
sentences and use
transitions or wordorder-change to
2. If your HOOK
is not strong,
replace it with a
stronger, more
captivating
compound and
complex sentences
VARY them.
HOOK for your
reader.
3. Go to any
underlined sentences
and break long
sentences into
shorter, more
precise sentences;
or combine two
sentences to make
a longer sentence
for VARIATION
3. Insert
TRANSITIONS
anywhere you made
a note to add them.
Voice
(YELLOW)
1. Double check
that you have
crossed out any
inappropriate VOICE
(personal, pronouns
in a research paper,
etc.) where
necessary
Conventions
(BLUE)
1. Use a dictionary
to correct
SPELLING errors
that are circled.
2 If you made notes
to add SINCERITY,
add a detail that will
show your passion
for your topic or
help your reader
connect with you.
2. Correct ending
3. If you made a
note to add
3. Write an
indention symbol
next to each
paragraph so that
you remember to
HUMOR,
add
details that will
make the reader
laugh. Remember,
exaggeration, selfdepreciation, irony,
sarcasm, etc.)
PUNCTUATION.
INDENT
in your
final copy.
and LENGTH
4. Check your FL
tally. Add FIGURATIVE
LANGUAGE if your
piece has fewer
than 3 examples of
it.
4. Read through your
piece out loud to
make sure it
FLOWS. If it
doesn’t, then re-do
step 3 to VARY your
sentence lengths.
4. Add personal
4. Correct any
EMOTIONS or
OPINIONS
GRAMMAR errors
anywhere you made
a note to do so.
Remember to do this
ONLY if it is
appropriate to the
genre of text.
that you noted.