Traits of Writing

 

I was extremely excited to write about the 6+1 traits of writing. This topic was quite intriguing and informative for me as it provides me with techniques that can assist me in helping my students improve with their writing. From my understanding, the 6+1 Traits are a technique for teaching, modeling, and assessing writing instruction. There are 7 traits of writing, however, I've discovered the acronym "VIP COWS" that helped me remember these traits.

V-Voice

I-Ideas

P-Presentation

C-Conventions

O-Organization

W-Word Choice

S-Sentence Fluency

6+1 writing traits

These traits provides an appropriate vocabulary and rules for teachers to utilize with students to familiarize them with writing ideas. Also, it fosters consistency across grade levels. Moreover, as teachers I believe that we should build a foundation for writing for our students. However, in order to do this we should properly teach and guide students through each traits.

The first trait is idea. The writing piece's content is comprised of ideas. They constitute the "heart and soul" of effective writing. During this trait students are required to think big, think different, think out of the box and be creative because as teachers we would like our students to come up with interesting ideas when brainstorming.

The second trait is organization. Organization and ideas go hand in hand. This trait is putting ideas together in a way that would make sense to the reader.

The third trait is voice. This trait brings the writing to life by speaking to the reader through writing. It also displays the writer’s personality.

The fourth trait is word choice. This trait is selecting the best words that is suits the writing. These are not mainly complex but should be able to wow the reader.

The fifth trait is sentence fluency. This trait is the structure of the sentence and the way the writing flows smoothly and has a rhythm.

The sixth trait is convention. This trait guides the editor through the writing ensuring the ideas are readable and understandable without punctuational errors and misspelt words.

Last but not least is presentation. This is something everyone is waiting for “the presentation of the writing piece”. This is how the writing looks.

 

Students struggle with writing on a daily basis, and as teachers, we should incorporate the 6+1 writing traits into our writing instruction in order to help students improve as writers. Here are some tips that we as teachers should do to help our students with their writing.

1.  Teach and assess all the traits of writing. If we don’t teach or assess, how will students understand or know they are on the right track with the writing traits? Which is why it is critical that this should be done. Here are some tips that we as teachers should do to help our students with their writing.

2.     Focus on individual needs of students. It is important to find out students’ strengths and weaknesses with the traits of writing so that the teacher can guide students accordingly.

3. Blend the writing process with the 6+1 traits of writing.

 HAPPY TRAITING!!!! 

BY ZOE CLARKE