Transcript The Six traits of writing - ISS Grade 6: Mr. Catanzaro LA/SS

“Writing is the litmus paper of
thought…..
The very center of schooling.”
Ted Sizer
The 6-trait writing model is a way to assess and teach writing.
This model focuses on 6 qualities seen in outstanding written
works.
The six traits include:
Ideas: The content, or main theme. Can be looked at as the
heart of the message.
Organization: The internal structure of the writing.
Voice:
The personal voice of author comes through.
This gives a sense of the real person speaking.
Word Choice: The use of precise, colorful and rich words to
communicate.
Sentence Fluency: The writing flows together often with a
rhythm or cadence.
Conventions: Mechanical correctness, including spelling and
grammar.
“Human Beings have a great need
to represent their experience
through writing. We need to
make our truths beautiful.”
Lucy Calkins
This is the main focus or purpose for the writing.
The reader's attentions should be clear with relevant anecdotes and
details.
The following is a simplified rubric for the trait of Ideas and Content:
“ I look back and forth and see
potential endings and titles and
leads. I’m looking for a trail through
the material I have… “
Donald Murray
Organization is the internal structure of the writing.
The following is a simplified rubric for the trait of
Organization:
“Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in
the reader…not the
fact that it’s raining,
but the feel of being rained upon.”
E. L. Doctorow
The personal voice of author comes through.
This gives a sense of a real person speaking.
The following is a simplified rubric for the trait of Voice:
“I do not choose the right word,
I get rid of the wrong one.”
A. E. Houseman
Word choice is the use of precise, colorful and rich words to
communicate.
The following is a simplified rubric for the trait of Word Choice:
“To write is to write
is to write is to write
is to write is to write
is to write is to write .”
Gertrude Stein
Sentence Fluency allows writing to flow together often with a rhythm or
cadence.
The following is a simplified rubric for the trait of Sentence Fluency:
“One of the hardest tasks of
the writer is to read
what is on the page,
not what the writer hoped
would be on the page.”
Donald Murray
Conventions involves mechanical correctness, including spelling and
grammar.
The following is a simplified rubric for the trait of Conventions:
Websites
http://www.ginnyhoover.com/
This website gives a listing of different 6 trait resources that can
be purchased and use in the classroom. There are also some links to an
explanation of the six traits.
http://www.cyberspaces.net/6traits/
This website provides a list of links concerning 6 trait assessment.
http://www.nwrel.org/assessment/
The official 6 trait website. Rubrics, definitions and a conference
schedule can be found here.
http://www.kent.k12.wa.us/staff/LindaJancola/6Trait/6-trait.html
Excellent website for 6 trait definitions as well as ideas of how to
implement and introduce the 6 traits into the classroom.
http://www.aps.edu/aps/Cochiti/6traits/
This website has the definition of the 6 traits, as well as ideas of
how to introduce the 6 traits into the classroom.
http://home.earthlink.net/~jhholly/pnarrative.html
This website gives various prompts that could be used to create
school-wide writing samples.
http://readinglady.com/Six_Trait_Writing/
This website provides access to 6 trait posters for the classroom.
http://www.madison.k12.wi.us/tnl/langarts/sixtrtcrsmtrl.htm#rubric
This website provides a definition for the 6 traits, as well as
rubrics for each of the traits. Each trait has a 20-30 page PDF that gives a
definition of the trait, a rubric for the trait and a variety of different activities
that can be used in the classroom. It is an excellent resource.