6 TRAITS OF WRITING

WHAT IS 6 TRAIT WRITING?

It is a comprehensive approach to teaching and assessing writing while it also provides teachers and students with a common language to use when discussing writing.  The six traits identified for use in teaching and assessing student writing are ideas; organization; voice; word choice; sentence fluency; and conventions.

WHAT ARE THE 6 TRAITS OF WRITING?

Ideas - the meaning and development of the message

Checklist for Idea Development

*I used a balance of showing (giving examples) and telling.

*My details try to paint a picture in the reader's head.

*I took a unique approach when writing about this topic.

*I stayed on topic throughout the entire writing.

*My theme/message is clear to my reader.

Organization - the internal structure of the piece

Checklist for Organization

*My introduction grabs the reader's attention.

*A satisfying conclusion leaves the reader with a sense of closure and resolution.

*I used transition words to move from idea to idea.

*My writing flows smoothly.

*Sequencing is logical and effective.

*The title (if applicable) is original and captures the central theme of the piece.

Voice - the way the writer brings the topic to life

Checklist for Voice

*I really showed passion about my topic.

*I captured a tone or mood with my words.

*I took risks by revealing myself throughout the piece.

*I showed an awareness of the audience and purpose.

*I displayed my individual style throughout my writing.

*I used appropriate perspective.

Word Choice - the specific vocabulary the writer uses to convey meaning

Checklist for Word Choice

*My adjectives are excellent and vivid.

*Words are specific and accurate.

*Lively verbs add energy.

*Choices in language enhance meaning and clarify understanding.

*Words are not overused.

Sentence Fluency - the way the words and phrases flow throughout the text

Checklist for Sentence Fluency

*My sentences mostly begin with different words.

*My writing has a natural flow and rhythm.

*If read aloud you can hear a rhythm behind my sentences.

*Sentences vary in length as well as structure.

*Sentences are constructed in a way than enhances the piece.

Conventions - the mechanical correctness of the piece

Checklist for Conventions

*I checked my spelling.

*My end punctuation is appropriate.

*My capitalization was looked over.

*Grammar and usage are correct.

*Paragraphing is appropriate.

Presentation - the overall appearance of the work and the final piece of the writing trait puzzle

Checklist for Presentation

*the piece is pleasing to the eye.

*it is formatted for readability.

*it is appealing and inviting.

READING STRATEGIES

WHAT ARE READING STRATEGIES?

They are comprehension strategies that proficient readers apply to texts to gain a deeper understanding.

WHAT ARE THE READING STRATEGIES?

Previewing

*introducing the text

*includes activating background knowledge, predicting, and setting a purpose

*preview by looking at the covers, titles, pictures, and bold words

Predicting

*stating what you believe will happen next

*making an educated guess based on background knowledge as to what will happen next in the story

*times to predict include before, during, and after reading

Self-Questioning

*involves generating questions to guide thinking while reading

*involves generating answers to your questions

*using statements such as "I wonder..." when reading

Making Connections

*occurs when readers think about the text in relation to connections they can make to...text-to-self, text-to-text, and text-to-world connections

*connecting to background knowledge is important when making connections

*use the following connection stems to help make connections:

-This reminds me of...

-This makes me think of...

-I noticed...

-The question I have is...

-I had the experience of...

Visualizing

*involves picturing in your mind what is happening in the text

*ask yourself...I can see..., I can hear..., I can feel..., I can taste..., and I can smell...

*when one visualizes, he/she creates a movie in his/her mind

Knowing How Words Work

*understanding words through vocabulary development

*one needs to decode, define, use context clues, and connect with new words

Monitoring

*knowing if meaning is being constructed and what to do if it is not

*involves asking, "Does this make sense?"

*clarify what one is reading

Summarizing

*involves extracting essential information including main ideas and supporting details from the text

*restating the major events

Evaluating

*making judgments - "Do I believe this? Why?"

*give and make reflections when evaluating

Inferencing

*a reasonable guess based on information that is implied while using textual clues and the reader's own knowledge and experience

*using information to draw conclusion