The Seven Traits of Writing

 

    We assessed a piece of writing utilizing the 6+1 characteristics of writing in this week's session. The best part of the activity was the opportunity to directly apply the characteristics. Nevertheless, allow me to present an overview of the six-plus one traits of writing.

The seven traits of writing include voice, ideas, presentation, conventions, organization, word choice and sentence fluency.

Trait	Definition
Ideas	the meaning and development of the message
Presentation	the overall appearance of the work
Voice	the tone of the piece- the personal stamp that the writer brings to it
Word Choice	the specific vocabulary the writer uses to convey meaning
Sentence Fluency	the way the words and phrases flow throughout the text
Conventions	the mechanical correctness of the piece
Organization	the internal structure of the piece

·        The traits offer a structured way to assess students' writing and provide constructive feedback.

·        Teachers can help students understand which traits need improvement, guiding them in the revision process.

·        Teachers can set specific objectives for their students in each trait, guiding their development as writers.

·        For students, the traits provide a clear and structured framework for writing. This helps them set goals and work towards improvement.

·        With the traits as a guide, students can more effectively revise and edit their work. They know what to look for in their writing, making the revision process more purposeful.

·        Encouraging students to develop their ideas and use creative word choices helps them become more imaginative and innovative thinkers.

Listed below are strategies that can be used to improve writing in each trait

Trait	Strategy
Idea	Brainstorming, Story mapping
Convention	Peer editing, use of rubrics
Organization	Graphic organizers
Voice	Dialogue, Model texts
Presentation	Use of pictures,
Word Choice	Commonly used words, Word wall
Sentence Fluency	Poetry, sentence combining

Justification for 6 + 1 Traits as Characteristics of Good Writers:

1. By using their own voice and well-organized content, good writers communicate their ideas effectively.

2. The writers pay meticulous attention to conventions in order to avoid grammatical and spelling errors.

3. A good writer generates unique ideas and expresses them using different word choices and sentence structures.

4. The presentation is adapted according to their target audience.

5. A good writer maintains consistency throughout their work, whether in tone, style, or message, ensuring coherence.

    Understanding the 6+1 Traits of Writing is a valuable asset for writers and educators alike. Proficiency in these traits empowers writers to create more compelling, organized, and polished pieces of work. It enables them to communicate ideas effectively, pay attention to grammatical and stylistic details, and present their content in a way that resonates with their audience. Knowledge of these traits also provides a structured and goal-oriented approach to self-improvement in writing, fostering creativity and innovation. For educators, these traits serve as a powerful tool for providing constructive feedback, setting clear objectives, and guiding students through the revision process. In essence, a strong grasp of the 6+1 Traits of Writing can elevate students' writing abilities.