The 6 + 1 traits and how you can include them in your classroom. 

By Shanice Phipps 

The 6 + plus 1 trait of writing is a way of teaching , modelling and assessing the instruction of writing . The 6 trait of writing include Voice, Ideas, Convention, Organization and Wordchoice and Sentence  Fluency. When using the 6 plus 1 traits of writing it is important to bare in mind that ...

1. Students learn by reading aloud and discussing sample .

2. Writing , sharing and writing is important .

3. Frequent writing is important 

4. Revising our own and the work of others has great instructional benefits .

Voice  - The tone the writer brings to the writing brings emotions and meaning to the piece being written. Voice is not only determined by what you say but how you say it and one can ask these questions while reading .

1.Did my tone match my audience ?

2.Does my reader understands how I feel?

3.Does my writing sound like me ?

Ideas - This includes content of the piece and the main theme, together with the details that enrich and develop them. Questions below can be ask ...

1.Are the ideas new and interesting ?

2.Do I have too much information?

3.Did i include details ?

4.Are my ideas something others can relate to ?

Organization- The internal structure of a piece . These include the length of the paragraph and break that hit the writing . It has to make sure the pieces are clear from start , middle and end , so it can flow. It is also important to remember you can use headings , subheadings and paragraphs to lay out how you would write . It is one of the most important part .One should ask....

Did I tell things in order?

Did I include smooth transition words ?

Wordchoice - The vocabulary the writer uses to convey meaning . make sure to use the correct words so it can be clear and not confusing . The words have to be rich , colorful and precise that enlightens the reader. it should Include questions ...

1.Did I use descriptive words that help paint a picture ?

2.Did i use exciting words?

3.Do my words tell a clear picture ?

Sentence Fluency - The way the words and phrases flow throughout the text , the sound of the word patterns and the way in which the writing plays to the ear.

1.Did I use complete sentences ?

2.Did I use some long and stretchy sentences ?

3.Is my paper easy to read ?

Conventions -  The mechanical corrections of the piece - Spelling , paragraphing , grammar , usage , punctuation and the use of capital letter .Question like these can be asked .

1.Did i include my name ?

2.Did I use a title?

3.Did I leave the margins on the side ?

 These are some ways as teachers one can include the 6 plus one traits of writing in your classroom that can help under the .

Ideas

Students will do an exercise where a story will be given using no detail while they could picture it,ask them how to improve the story and introduce the concept that ideas need to be supported to show the true meaning 

• Ask students to describe what is happening in a photograph. Have them do this in partnerships where only one partner can see the picture at a time and the other must convey the message of the photo in front of them.
• Have students compose a paragraph packed with as much supporting detail as possible. Tell them to choose a specific (true) event that happened to them and use their senses to describe it.
• Organization

• Take a piece of writing and cut it into chunks, having students piece the writing back together as best as they can.
• Give a list of directions and have students arrange the steps in order.
• Read two short informational books that has organization structures and  ask  students what is different about the organization of the books.
• Voice
• Discuss the personality traits of a few children's book authors, then read a variety of literature and have students try to identify the author by voice.
• Compare and contrast the voice in select fiction and nonfiction books.
• Have students write a letter to a grandparent about their favorite school subject. When they are finished, discuss how they cultivated their voice in the letter and whether they feel that their thoughts and emotions came through.
• Wordchoice

• Keep a word wall, adding to and discussing it frequently.
• Show students a paragraph with words missing. Offer options for words to put in the blanks and explain why some of them are better than others.
• Introduce students to thesauruses. Teach that a well-rounded vocabulary is useful but caution against overdoing it by having them first replace as many words as they can in a paragraph and then only words that make sense to replace.
• Sentence Fluency
• Write a story where every single sentence begins and ends in the exact same way. Talk with the class about why this is problematic and have them help add variety to the sentence structures.
• Rearrange the sentences in a popular piece of writing. Have the students fix it and talk about why it matters that sentences flow easily into each other.
• Have students take a sentence in a piece of informational writing and flip the words around. Does it make more or less sense? Is their way better or worse?
• Conventions
• Give your students a word to correctly work into a sentence. Begin with simple sentence parts such as subjects and verbs and progressively get more difficult with adverbs, adjectives, and more.
• Teach students to peer review each other's work for correctness. They do not need to correct every tiny detail. Rather, focus on one skill at a time (punctuation, capitalization, etc.). also use materials such as handouts and mini- lessons to teach conventions . Once you follow these tips you will help students to reach their full potential.
• 
  
• 
  

The 6+1 Traits of Writing

 From Ideas to Brilliance: Unveiling the 6+1 Traits of Writing!

Welcome back to my writing blog readers! I'm thrilled to have you here again. 

Today, we'll dive into a reflection of the Six Traits Model, a powerful instructional and assessment approach that aims to support and improve students' writing abilities. 

 During this week’s lecture about the "6+1 Traits of Writing", I learned that these traits serve as critical components for developing and evaluating good writing. 

The VIP COWS acronym really helped me to remember them: Voice, Ideas, Presentation, Conventions, Organization, Word Choice, and Sentence Fluency. Each trait is essential in its own right, contributing to a well-rounded piece of writing.

I also learnt that voice is the personal tone and flavor of the author's message and ideas are the heart of the content, the main message, and the details that enrich and develop that message. Conventions are the mechanical correctness, including grammar, spelling, and punctuation while organization is the internal structure of the piece, the thread that ties it all together. Word Choice is about picking precise and engaging words to convey the message effectively and Sentence Fluency is the rhythm and flow of the language.

While doing this reflection I noticed that the importance of these traits cannot be overstated as they are the bedrock of effective communication. They ensure clarity, engagement, and a strong connection with the reader. Without mastery of these traits, writing can become muddled and ineffective.

The plus one trait, the 'Presentation,' is often considered separately from the others, but to me, it's equally important. It refers to the physical layout of the text, which can influence how a reader perceives and interacts with the content. It encompasses the use of white space, fonts, and graphics, which are all critical for drawing readers in and ensuring that they stay engaged.

In summary, the "6+1 Traits of Writing" are a powerful toolkit for any writer. The lecture reshaped the way I approach writing, giving me a clearer structure and a deeper understanding of what it takes to craft clear, and effective pieces.

Please see the video below to assist with any further explanations:

by

• TEKOYAH MASON •

 

All about the Writing Process .

As a teacher I have learned that the writing process is a cycle of activities that you complete as you generate ideas , compose those ideas into a document or presentation and refine those ideas . It is a repetitious process . The 5 steps are stated below.

Stage 1: Prewriting- This is the brainstorming stage where the topic is chosen and you gather your ideas and record them using a graphic organizer. During this stage, decision-making is done to plan and organize your writing piece, allowing the writer to narrow all the ideas to help to create a smooth flow for drafting. 

Stage 2: Drafting- The drafting stage focuses on recording the ideas from the pre-writing stage and putting them into complete sentences and paragraphs necessarily. The writer records a rough draft; hence, it will not be 'perfect' as this is the first attempt. 

Stage 3: Revising- This stage of the writing process focuses on the organization of the first draft and ensuring that your ideas are well-constructed. More than likely, one may have to add, remove, substitute or move words and sentences around for a better layout of the script/writing piece.

Stage 4: Editing- Proofreading compositions to highlight errors, correct spelling, capitalization, punctuation and grammatical errors to perfect the writing piece. 

Stage 5 : Publishing- Creating the final draft and presentation, sharing the writing with the intended audience and making the writing public.

The Importance of the Writing Process 

The writing process is important as it allows writers, both beginner and advanced to create a plethora of ideas and turn them into a finished product. The writing process also promotes creativity among writers and is suitable for the different genres of writing. Both students and teachers can benefit from this as it acts as a step-by-step guide to create a 'perfect' piece. One should consider each step of the writing process as they are all important and overtime, would improve one's confidence when writing. Writing would eventually become less overwhelming as it is done in stages. 

The 6 Plus 1 Traits

The 6 +1 trait of writing creates a common vocabulary and guidelines for teachers to use with students so that they become familiar with the terms of writing. It allows teachers and students to focus on one or two elements of writing at a time, creating more manageable and effective ways for students to learn how to write. It helps in providing feedback to students through assessment of their writing. The 6 traits of writing are focused on voice, ideas, conventions, organizations, word choice and sentence fluency. I also learned that the 6 plus 1 traits help both the student and teacher to identify the areas of writing that the student needs to work on in improving. I will explain each :

Ideas :This is the where you gather your thoughts for writing on a specific topic .Adding quality details to what you are writing about .

Organization : Making your words and sentence easy to flow. This step involves hooking the reader with bold beginning .

Voice -Matching your voice to the audience, sounding as if you really interested in the topic bringing life to it .

Wordchoice : Choosing the best words/ interesting words  to use for the topic at hand . 

Sentence fluency- Using sentences that are fun to read, read writing aloud to practice fluency in becoming better readers and writers .

Convention : Following the rules for writing , editing work , grammar , punctuation and capitalisation. Placing capital letters at the beginning of sentences and beginning of proper nouns .

How is the 6 + 1 trait and the Writing process connected ? 

During the voice stage of the 6 plus 1 process it includes the prewriting, revising and publishing stage . The organisation stage includes the prewriting stage of the writing process that deals with choosing a topic and organising your thoughts . During the idea stage of the 6 + 1 stage it includes the prewriting stage  and revising stage while the convention stage speaks about the editing stage , grammar and punctuation . Additionally the wordchoice includes the revising stage because of the choice of words  and last the sentence fluency is the editing stage but can be done in the revising stage depending on the topic because its about the structure and flow of sentences. So, by examining the links that was explained, you would realize that 6+1 traits and the writing processes go hand in hand to assists students into becoming fluent writers.

Mastering the Art of Writing: Exploring the Writing Process and the 6 + 1 Traits and their Relationship!

Welcome to my blog, where I embark on a journey to understand the intricacies of the writing process and the powerful 6 + 1 traits that shape impactful writing. Join us as we delve into the creative realm, uncovering the delicate relationship between these traits and the steps in the writing process!!

The Writing Process

Step 1: Prewriting

Prewriting is the phase where ideas begin to emerge. In my classroom, I equate prewriting with exploration; there’s no incorrect path. It's all about research, brainstorming, and outlining. Take the subject of pollution, for example. In the prewriting stage, it involves gathering facts, forming questions, and mapping out important points. A student might start with a simple mind map that branches into causes, effects, and solutions related to environmental concerns. Observing my students in this phase is like seeing countless universes come to life, each with its own distinct environment and inhabitants.

Step 2: Drafting

Drafting is where the seeds sown during prewriting begin to sprout. I often advise my students, "Let your thoughts pour out and let your pens dance." This stage is not for perfection; it's for progression. In drafting, I motivate them to write freely, allowing their ideas to flow onto the page without concern for grammar or structure. For instance, a student may start with a passionate, disorganized, paragraph on the significance of renewable energy. The language might be unrefined, and the structure rough, but the vigor and potential are evident. The draft is essentially the framework of a message, awaiting further development.

Step 3: Revising

Revising is, for me, the core of the writing process. This is where the writer becomes both a surgeon and a sculptor, trimming the unnecessary and shaping the remaining content into something stronger. I encourage my students to be critical yet thoughtful, searching for ways to make their points clearer and their stories more engaging. It's a process of scrutinizing each sentence for its purpose, evolving a flat description into an engaging story of human progress.

Step 4: Editing

Editing is concerned with precision. If revising gives shape, then editing smooths the rough edges, ensuring everything feels polished. This is where we dive into the intricacies of grammar, punctuation, and style. It's a detailed process that demands an attentive eye and a good deal of patience. In a practical setting, we might refine a draft filled with great concepts but marred by poor punctuation, enhancing the piece by rectifying comma splices or sentence fragments. To my students, editing can sometimes seem tiresome, but it's crucial for ensuring clarity and flow.

Step 5: Publishing

At last, publishing is when writing transitions from a private endeavor to a public spectacle. Whether it’s through a blog post, a school newspaper article, or a submission to a literary magazine, publishing is an act of bravery and generosity. It's the writer declaring, “This is my work, my thought, my voice.” In the confines of my classroom, publishing could be as simple as displaying a piece on the class website or as formal as participating in a youth writing competition. The essential lesson I instill is that publishing is not the conclusion, but a segment of a larger conversation. Each published piece starts a new dialogue, inviting readers to ponder, react, and perhaps, to pen their own responses.

Each of these stages is essential to the writing process, a journey that is both deeply personal and universally shared. As a teacher, guiding my students through each step is not merely about imparting a skill but nurturing a practice that empowers them to articulate, persuade, and express their unique perspectives in the world. The writing process isn't just about creating text; it's about cultivating thinkers and active members of society.🚀✍️

The 6 + 1 Traits

Now, you may be wondering, "What are these 6 + 1 traits?" They are the guidelines or characteristics that will help you become a master of the written word. Think of them as your secret weapons for crafting incredible pieces of writing! For those unfamiliar, this can be neatly abbreviated as VIP COWS, which stands for Voice, Ideas, Presentation, Conventions, Organization, Word Choice, and Sentence Fluency. 

Trait 1: Ideas

Ideas are the core of the message, the “what” that you're communicating. Ideas should be clear, engaging, and full of rich detail. For example, if a student is writing about the importance of recycling, I would push them to dig deep, to provide not just an explanation of recycling processes, but also to weave in personal reflections that give weight to their argument.

Trait 2: Organization

Organization is the internal structure of the piece, the logical arrangement of ideas. It's the architecture that holds the writing up. I often use the analogy of a house - without a well-thought-out plan, the house will not stand. A persuasive piece that begins with a striking anecdote, followed by points in order of increasing importance, and culminates in a compelling call to action, shows clear, effective organization.

Trait 3: Voice

The trait of Voice is about the writer's personal tone and style. It's the heartbeat of the text, the individual fingerprint of the author. In my classroom, I strive to empower students to find their own voices by encouraging them to write about what matters to them. When a student writes a piece about their love for the ocean, their voice might flow through the text with a rhythm that mirrors the waves, their passion for marine life coloring every word.

Trait 4: Word choice

Word Choice is about selecting the right words to convey the intended meaning and nuance. I encourage my students to savor words, to taste them before serving them to the reader. We often dissect powerful pieces of writing to observe how the choice of a word can change the tone or imagery. A narrative might describe the sun not just as 'bright', but as 'blazing', instantly evoking a stronger image.

Trait 5: Sentence fluency

Sentence Fluency is the musicality of the text - it's the rhythm and flow of language that makes the writing sing. I like to get my students to read their work aloud; they quickly hear where the prose stutters or sings. In a student’s narrative, a sentence might begin awkwardly, "The cat sat, it was black, on the mat," but with attention to fluency, it evolves into "The sleek black cat curled gracefully upon the sunlit mat."

Trait 6: Convention

Conventions cover the nuts and bolts of writing: grammar, spelling, punctuation, and the correctness of language. It’s crucial for clarity and credibility. I find it is like teaching the rules of the road in driving: knowing how to signal, when to stop, and how to navigate ensures not only the driver's safety but also that of everyone else on the road. A student might have a groundbreaking idea, but if it's riddled with errors, the message may be lost or dismissed.

And now, the +1 trait: Presentation

And finally, the plus one: the elusive, somewhat intangible quality known as ‘presentation’ or sometimes ‘publishing’. It's about taking the writing beyond the notebook or screen and considering how it's shared with the world. In the digital age, this might mean understanding the implications of different platforms, from a blog to an e-book, or the traditional route of paper publishing.

Armed with these 6 + 1 traits, you are equipped to conquer the realm of writing. Embrace the power of ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, and presentation, and let your writing soar to new heights!

The Relationship between The Writing Process and The 6 + 1 Traits

      

     The writing process and the 6 + 1 traits are interdependent. As writers move through the writing process, they address different aspects of the traits. During the prewriting stage, for example, they develop and organize their ideas (ideas and organization traits). In the drafting stage, they experiment with their writing voice (voice trait) and choose appropriate words (word choice trait). During revision and editing, they refine their sentence structure (sentence fluency trait) and ensure proper grammar and punctuation (conventions trait). Finally, in the publishing stage, they pay attention to presentation, making their work visually appealing (presentation trait). Ultimately, the writing process and the 6 + 1 traits work harmoniously to guide writers in producing well-crafted and impactful writing. By understanding this relationship, writers can improve their writing proficiency and develop their own unique voice, making their words resonate with readers.

by

• TEKOYAH MASON •

WELCOME!

 Welcome to our Blog!

We are thrilled to have you here and would like to extend a warm welcome to all our readers. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a regular reader, we hope that you find our blog informative, engaging, and thought-provoking.