WHERE TO with 6+1 Traits Writing Stephanie True, Steve Brotherton Bayless School District

6+1 Traits in Writer’s Workshop The learning experiences and instruction will enable students to improve their writing in very specific ways…

WHERE TO… W = 6+1 Traits help student know what is expected in their writing. The day to day assessment will help the teachers know where the students are coming from and how to guide their instruction. H = Hook all students with engaging mini- lessons.

WHERE TO E = Equip students with the skills and strategies for writing, experiencing this process at all stages. R = Revise - Provide opportunities for teacher, peer and self-revision through the use of a common language. E = Allow students to evaluate their writing.

WHERE TO T = Tailored to the different needs, interests, and abilities of learners based on their application of the 6+1 Traits in their own writing. O = Organized workshop model to maximize initial and sustained engagement as well as effective learning.

Why 6+1 Traits…

6+1 Traits easy-to-understand practical vocabulary can be adapted to fit Kindergarten through 12 th grade and a variety of modes/genres of writing

Teachers have acknowledged improvement in:  Their own confidence in the accuracy of their grading.  Their tools for explaining grades to student writers.  Their ability to make revision suggestions.

So What Are the 6+1 Traits? Ideas (and Content) Organization Voice Word Choice Sentence Fluency Conventions Presentation

6+1 Traits Ideas – the heart of the message, the content of the piece, the main theme – together with the details – that enrich and develop the theme

Ideas  clear  controlling idea  focused/ narrowed  sufficient information  insightful  original  interesting details  complete

6+1 Traits Organization – the internal structure, the thread of central meaning, the logical and sometimes intriguing pattern of the ideas within a piece of writing

Organization  appealing opening  obvious direction/ logical progression  effective sequencing  connected-ness  smooth transitions  good pacing  builds to high point  strong sense of conclusion

6+1 Traits Voice – the heart and soul, the magic, the wit, along with the feeling and conviction of the individual writer coming out through the words

Voice  obvious person behind the words  writer is committed/involved with topic  reaches out/connects to audience  energetic, lively, consistent tone  definite point of view

6+1 Traits Word Choice – the use of rich, colorful, precise language that moves and enlightens the reader

Word Choice  natural  active, energetic verbs  precise, concrete nouns & modifiers  new twists on everyday words  minimal redundancy  accuracy of expression  paints pictures  creative, memorable word combinations

6+1 Traits Sentence Fluency – the rhythm and flow of the language, the sound of the word patterns, the way in which the writing plays to the ear – not just to the eye

Sentence Fluency  graceful, easy to read aloud  natural, pleasant rhythm  variety in length, type & structure  structure enhances meaning  effective, smooth phrasing  effective use of conjunctions & transitions

6+1 Traits Conventions – the mechanical correctness of the piece – spelling, paragraphing, grammar and usage, punctuation, and use of capitals

Conventions  correct spelling  correct/effective punctuation  appropriate grammar/ usage  correct capitalization  designed to make reading easy

6+1 Traits Presentation – focuses on the form and layout of the text and its readability; the piece should be pleasing to the eye

Presentation  text is easy to read (typed or written)  font, size and style are appropriate and support the message.  format suits the purpose  a clear purpose for combining text and graphics (to include charts, graphs, tables), alignment between text and visuals is clearly represented  creative and original in design

Writer’s Workshop 10 minute minilesson (6+1 Traits will help guide these) 30 minutes of writing (can vary based on grade level)  Apply what was taught in minilesson  Students on various stages of writing process 10 minutes of sharing  Share in-progress and completed work

6+1 Traits and the Writing Process Prewriting: The writer comes up with ideas for the work. Predominant trait: ideas Drafting: The writer gets the ideas down in rough form. Predominant traits: ideas, organization

Writing Process, continued Revising: The writer gets feedback on the draft from a reader or listener and makes reflective choices based on the first five traits. Predominant traits: ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency

Continued… Editing: The writer “cleans up” the piece, checking for the correct capitalization, punctuation, spelling, paragraphing, grammar, and usage. Predominant trait: conventions Publishing: The writer goes public. Predominant trait: presentation Source: Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide for the Primary Grades by Ruth Culham (Scholastic, Inc., 2005)

Missouri 11 th Grade Scoring Guide The paper: has an effective beginning, middle, and end. uses paragraphing effectively. contains a strong controlling idea. progresses in a logical order. uses effective cohesive devices (such as transitions, repetition, pronouns, parallel structure) between and within paragraphs.

Scoring Guide, cont. clearly addresses the topic and provides convincing elaboration through specific and relevant details, reasons, and examples. uses precise and vivid language. contains sentences that are clear and varied in structure. effectively uses writing techniques (such as imagery, humor, point of view, voice).

Scoring Guide, cont. shows complexity, freshness of thought, and individual perspective. clearly shows an awareness of audience and purpose. contains few errors in grammar/usage, punctuation, capitalization, and/or spelling.

Scoring Beginning Writer’s Continuum  Show example from elementary 6+1 Traits Scoring Guide   Writing Roadmap 2.0 – show samples from site Individual trait scoring guides

Second Grade,

Intermediate Pre- and Post Writing

Junior High Pre- and Post Writing

Thank you! Evaluation Contact us for any questions:   Resources  Jim Blasingame (Arizona State University)  Ruth Culham Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide