
The six traits of trait-based writing are:
- Ideas
- Organization
- Word choice
- Sentence fluency
- Voice
- Conventions
What is trait-based writing?
As students master skills within each trait, introduce new skills such as point of view, theme, imagery, simile, metaphor, personification, satire, hyperbole, etc. Even high school juniors and seniors can work toward mastery with new skills in each trait. “Trait-based writing provides a common vocabulary for talking about writing.”
What is the difference between pre-writing and writing traits?
The traits are not separate from the writing process. Rather, they provide focus for what skills to target at every stage. Pre-writing is thinking before you write. It’s taking a few minutes to logically organize your key points and specific details.
Which trait describes the unique style of each writer?
This trait describes the unique style of each writer. Through voice, a writer's personality permeates a piece but does not detract from the genre or message. Strong writers are not afraid to express their individuality and show readers their point of view.
What is the 6+1 trait writing model?
Teaching that craft to others can be that much more difficult. The 6+1 Trait Writing Model is an instruction and assessment tool designed by teachers to help teachers teach their students how to write. According to this model, there are six key traits that make up quality writing and an extra traits.

What are traits of writing?
The Six Traits of writing are Voice, Ideas, Presentation, Conventions, Organization, Word Choice, and Sentence Fluency. It creates a common vocabulary and guidelines for teachers to use with students so that they become familiar with the terms used in writing.
What are the 7 writing traits?
These standards focus on revising, editing, and publishing work using technology- all seven of the traits: ideas, organization, word choice, voice, sentence fluency, conventions, and presentation speak to these standards.
What are the 5 writing traits?
The following is a brief description of five qualities of good writing: focus, development, unity, coherence, and correctness. The qualities described here are especially important for academic and expository writing.
What are the 6 traits of writing rubric?
The Six Traits of Writing RubricIdeas: the message.Organization: the structure.Voice: the tone.Word Choice: engaging, clear vocabulary.Sentence Fluency: flow and readability.Conventions: free of errors.
Which of the six traits of writing refers to the key elements of a story?
Terms in this set (6)Ideas. Key elements of the story and the details that support them.Organization. Format, structure, and timeline of the story.Voice. The way words and phrases are used to tell the story.Word Choice. Descriptive words and phrases make the writing interesting.Sentence Fluency. ... Conventions.
What is trait in education?
An ambiguous term, trait theory has been used to refer to personality, temperaments, dispositions, and abilities, as well as to physical and demographic attributes. One of the first systematic attempts to review trait leadership research was conducted by Ralph Stogdill.
Is 6 1 Traits of writing evidence based?
Education Northwest developed the 6+1 Trait Writing Model of Instruction & Assessment to help educators provide clear, consistent, and evidence-based feedback on student writing.
What does organization involve According to the 6'1 Traits of writing?
What are the 6 traits of writing? explain organization: this is what directs the reader through the paper. It begins with a strong lead or hook and catches the reader's interest right from the beginning.
What are the six basic rules of writing practice?
The Six Basic Rules of Writing PracticeKeep Your Hand Moving. Don't take your fingers from your keyboard or put down your pen because you want to check email, attend to chore or get something. ... Don't Cross Out. ... Don't Worry about Spelling, Punctuation or Grammar. ... Lose Control. ... Don't Think. ... Go for the Jugular.
What is rubric writing?
A rubric defines in writing what is expected of the student to get a particular grade on an assignment. Heidi Goodrich Andrade, a rubrics expert, defines a rubric as "a scoring tool that lists the criteria for a piece of work or 'what counts.
What a rubric means?
A rubric is a scoring guide used to evaluate performance, a product, or a project. It has three parts: 1) performance criteria; 2) rating scale; and 3) indicators. For you and your students, the rubric defines what is expected and what will be assessed.
What is multi trait writing?
Multi-trait scales1 require raters to assign separate scores to particular dimensions of writing, such as organization, language use, and mechanics.
What are some examples of strengths in writing?
Here are some of those essential strengths:Focus. Focus is essential in almost everything you do. ... A Rich, Diverse Vocabulary. ... A Burning Passion for Reading. ... Organized Writing that Follows a Logical Flow. ... Creativity. ... Clarity. ... A Unique Writing Style. ... Understanding Your Audience.
What are the most important elements of effective business writing?
Clarity of thought, conciseness, correct grammar and sentence structure, and simple language characterize effective business writing.
What are the elements of business writing?
What Are the Seven Basic Elements of a Business Letter?Sender's address. Optimally, you'll want to have a printed company letterhead. ... Date. Whoever receives the letter needs to know when the letter was written. ... Recipient's address. ... Salutation. ... Body. ... Closing/signature. ... Enclosures.
What makes great writers great?
Clarity: A good writer communicates effectively with readers. Clarity allows you to reveal ideas without demanding extra effort from the reader. First, you have to know what to say, then work on how best to say it.
What are the six traits of writing?
Educational research states that all good writing includes six key ingredients: ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions —the Six Traits of Writing. But, as you’ve likely experienced, building stronger writers can seem overwhelming, regardless of the grade you teach.
How many traits should be taught in elementary?
While many elementary educators have been tempted to divide the traits by grade level and teach only one trait per grade (e.g., First Grade: Ideas, Second Grade: Voice, etc.), it’s important to bundle all six traits together so that each trait can be reinforced at every grade level.
What are the most important pieces of a writer conference?
The most vital pieces of a writer conference include offering a specific trait compliment (area of strength) and comment (area of weakness). The same “raindrop” writing skills taught within mini-lessons are referenced within these trait-based conferences.
What is the goal of a narrow topic?
For example, when teaching students to write about a narrow topic (or focused thesis statement), the goal is to show them how to go from a large, broad subject to something smaller, more finite. It’s all about shrinking the topic.
How many ingredients are in a good writing?
This research reveals that all “good” writing has six key ingredients—ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions. These key components provide teachers and students with a common understanding for how to compose, revise, and assess all types of writing.
Is it an either or decision to integrate the Six Traits?
Integrating the Six Traits into your writing instruction is not an either-or decision. It’s NOT that you either teach the standards or the Six-Traits model. Rather, the power is in marrying the state standards with the trait language.
Does presentation have the same impact as the Six Traits?
The Six Traits identify the ingredients that impact the quality of the message. However, presentation doesn’t have the same impact on the message.
What are the traits of a good writing?
The six traits are ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions. The seventh extra trait is presentation. The seven traits are discussed in detail below. There are also some tips on how to use this model in your ...
What is organized writing?
The events written will follow a logical sequence, and information is presented to the readers in a way that keeps their interest. Any connections that need to be created are done so in a way that bridges ideas together, and any loose ends are resolved. All important questions are answered, but the reader is still left with something to think about. Refresh yourself on the rules of spelling with this course.
What is the 6+1 writing model?
The 6+1 Trait Writing Model is an instruction and assessment tool designed by teachers to help teachers teach their students how to write. According to this model, there are six key traits that make up quality writing and an extra traits.
What is the importance of word choice in writing?
A writer’s choice of words can make a great difference in a work. Not only does word choice show functionality and an understanding of language, but it can move and inform the reader. There are word choices that should be used in all writing, but there are also word choices specific to different types of writing.
What is the second key quality of quality writing?
An idea is only strong when the message is clear and organized well. This leads to the second key quality of quality writing, and that is organization .
Is an organization strong?
Organization is only strong if it fits the ideas. The structure used can be comparison and contrast, deductive logic, analysis, central theme development, chronological history, or any other number of organizational patterns.
Can you have your handwriting rejected?
Someone whose handwriting is illegible can still likely have their writing rejected no matter how well constructed and vivid the writing is. There are specific guidelines that must be followed: balance of white space, neatness, handwriting or font selection, borders, graphics, and overall appearance.
How to Use Descriptive Words to Convey Voice or Tone (Grade 4)
For example, one lesson from Daily 6-Trait Writing grade 4, unit 5, weeks 1–5 teaches students how to use descriptive words to convey voice or tone in their writing. Each week focuses on a different aspect of the trait presented. Included in this mini bundle are five weeks of daily writing lessons that practice:
Practice Writing with Voice Within Different Writing Genres (Grade 5)
Daily 6-Trait Writing grade 5, unit 5, weeks 1–5 includes five weeks of mini writing lessons that help students practice writing with voice within different writing genres.
Why is it important to know the traits of words choice and voice?
The traits of words choice and voice become important as word connotations require careful consideration; the writer must select just the right words to achieve the desired tone. And reading aloud, students can revise for the trait of sentence fluency.
What is pre writing?
Pre-writing is thinking before you write. It’s taking a few minutes to logically organize your key points and specific details. This is why so many teachers use graphic organizers (e.g., brainstorming webs, outlines, grocery lists, etc.) to target the traits of ideas and organization.
What is the power of 6 traits?
The power of 6 Traits is that students can apply focused revision–looking at one trait at a time. Don’t ask students to revise for everything all at once. That can be overwhelming.
Do you teach the writing process?
Teach your students the traits, yes. And teach your students the writing process, yes. But, more importantly, show them how the traits support the writer in accomplishing the writing process. These aren’t separate concepts–but closely connected. Great Teacher Comment:
How does the 6+1 model affect writing?
An Investigation of the Impact of the 6+1 Trait Model on Grade 5 Student Writing Achievement#N#(link is external)#N#A scientific study conducted in 74 Oregon elementary schools showed that the 6+1 Trait Writing Model caused a statistically significant increase in student writing scores during the year in which it was studied (2010). The REL Northwest study examined first-year implementation of the model, in which teachers were provided with additional writing instruction and assessment strategies that were intended to complement whatever writing curricula and strategies were already in use at their schools. The two-year randomized controlled trial involved 102 teachers and 2,230 students in the treatment condition and 94 teachers and 1,931 students in the control condition (Coe, Hanita, Nishioka, & Smiley, 2011).
What is the National Commission on Writing?
In response to the perceived neglect of writing in United States education, the National Commission on Writing proposed a set of recommendations for making writing a central element in school reform efforts (National Commission on Writing, 2006).
What is the goal of writing?
The goal of writing is to communicate. However, the power of stories and storytelling predates writing.
How to write a descriptive essay?
Be very descriptive. Use senses. Use sequence and transition words to show the reader how the ideas progress, relate, diverge. Develop the body, fitting the details together logically, slowing down to highlight important parts, events, and speeding up to move the reader along .
Is writing formally for school?
However, writing formally for school is a bit different, and teachers must teach students to write for varied purposes. Reading and writing are connected and are mutually reinforcing. The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) places equal weight on reading and writing and advocates writing in reading assessments.

What Are The Six Traits of Writing?
Ideas
- This writing component captures the main idea of a piece through detail. Only details that are relevant and informative of the main topic should be included. Strong writers have an awareness of how to use just the right amount of detail, using ideas that make the overall message more clear and leaving anything out that takes away from it.
Organization
- This trait describes how all ideas in a piece of writing must fit together within a larger message. The organizational structure of a written work needs to follow a clear pattern such as chronological order for narratives or logical order for informational writing. The writer needs to make strong connections from one point to another so that a reader can easily follow along. A s…
Voice
- This trait describes the unique style of each writer. Through voice, a writer's personality permeates a piece but does not detract from the genre or message. Strong writers are not afraid to express their individuality and show readers their point of view. Good writing sounds like its writers.
Word Choice
- Word choice describes the effectiveness of each word in a piece of writing. Strong words enlighten readers and clarify ideas but too many large or misplaced words can muddle the message. Great writing is never verbose. Writers should be economical with their words and choose only the best ones because every word is important. Linguistic awareness and a robust …
Sentence Fluency
- This trait describes the smoothness that sentences contribute to a piece. Fluent writing is rhythmic and forward-moving because its sentences are easy to read. Even more important to sentence fluency that correctness and grammar are meaning and variety. The best writers make sure that each of their sentences says precisely what it is supposed to say and vary their senten…
Conventions
- This trait focuses on the correctness of a piece in terms of spelling, grammar, punctuation, and other rules. Writing can only be great if it is technically correct. Great writers are proficient punctuators, capable spellers, and grammar savants. Conventions require time and patience to master but are easy to practice.
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