5th GRADE ELA
SIX PLUS TRAITS OF WRITING
What is 6 + Trait Writing?
Six Plus Trait Writing Assessment and Instruction is a criteria-based writing format that offers strategies for teaching students of all ability levels how to write effectively. It gives a common language which will help us (as a class) think about our performance, talk about our performance and distinguish qualities of strong, developing and beginning levels of writing. This will help focus the class on strengths and weaknesses.
Here is a quick mini-definition for each trait:
Ideas: A clear, focused content packed with details - -“Heart of the Message”
Organization: The order makes sense, including strong transitions words and a clear beginning, middle, and ending - -“Internal Structure”
Voice: Writing that is active and engaging for the reader (a specific audience)
Word Choice: Choosing the right word or words to convey a message, idea, or feeling
Sentence Fluency: Sentences are clear, concise, and various lengths
Conventions: Proper usage of grammar, punctuation, and spelling
+1 Presentation: The final product is pleasant to the reader’s eye
The official Website created by the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory located in Portland, Oregon. Click on “Topics”, scroll to “Teaching and Learning”, then click on “Writing” to get to the Six Traits portion of this massive site.
ANOTHER GREAT SITE: www.writingfix.com/Traits.htm