English Language Arts

The 6+1 Trait Writing Model

The 6+1 Trait Writing Model Ideas Organization Voice Word Choice Sentence Fluency Conventions Presentation

from 6+1 Traits of Writing by Ruth Culham

Trait #1: Ideas Simply stated, ideas make up the content

of the writing piece. Strong ideas = Clear overall

message/content Students struggle with ideas because

writing is complex, they think faster than they can write, and they often don’t write for themselves.

Trait #1: IdeasAs teachers, we must help our students… Select an idea (the topic) Narrow the idea (focus) Elaborate on the idea

(development) Discover the best information to

convey the main idea (details)

Trait #1: IdeasSome ways to teach the Ideas trait: Free writing Flashbacks Favorite places “Picture This” “String Along”

Trait #2: Organization Organization is the internal structure of

the piece, the thread of central meaning, the pattern of logic.

Students struggle with organization because rigid organization is often overvalued, organization is a difficult thing to achieve, and there is no single program to solve all of our organizational woes.

Trait #2: OrganizationAs teachers, we must help our students with… Writing an introduction—a lead that

hooks the reader. Developing the middle of the paper

—a core that is logically organized and contains clearly linked details.

Writing the conclusion—an ending that leaves the reader satisfied.

Trait #2 OrganizationSome ways to teach the Organization trait: Share examples from literature Teach organizational options:

Organize by space

Organize by time

Organize by content

Organize by perspective

Trait #3: Voice Voice is the writer’s music coming out

through words, the sense that a real person is speaking to you and cares about the message.

Students struggle with voice because it’s not as concrete as other traits, because there is a perception that “boring” is good, because it’s a bit too personal, and because many teachers still say that some forms of writing don’t require voice.

Trait #3: VoiceAs teachers, we must remember that voice emerges when the writer…

Speaks directly to the reader on an emotional level.

Experiments with style to match the purpose and audience.

Takes risks by revealing the person behind the words.

Trait #3: VoiceSome ways to teach the Voice trait: Share different artists’ recordings of

the same song Illustrate the voice trait Compare and contrast (same story,

different authors) New Voices, New Choices (5 letters)

Trait #4: Word Choice Word choice isn’t just about the use—or

misuse—of words. It is about the use of rich, colorful, precise language that both communicates and inspires the reader.

Students struggle with word choice because too often, language is used to exclude, vocabulary is often taught in isolation, and students tend to get “word drunk.”

Trait #4: Word ChoiceAs teachers, we must teach our students how to use… Striking language: Sharpen students descriptive powers

Exact language: Using lively verbs, precise nouns, and accurate modifiers

Natural language: Making it sound authentic

Beautiful language: Choosing colorful words and phrases

Trait #4: Word ChoiceSome ways to teach the Choice trait: Painting a picture with words Top Ten List of words Finding key words and phrases

in captivating texts

Trait # 5: Sentence Fluency Strong sentence fluency is marked

by logic, creative phrasing, parallel construction, alliteration, and word order that makes reading feel natural.

Students struggle with sentence fluency because of the overemphasis on correctness, because writing classrooms are too quiet, and because writing good sentences is harder than it looks.

Trait #5: Sentence FluencyAs teachers, we must help our students with. . . Establishing flow, rhythm, and

cadence. Varying sentence length and

structure. Constructing sentences that

enhance meaning.

Trait #5: Sentence FluencySome ways to teach the Sentence Fluency trait: Reading aloud to yourself

Sentence stretching End with a noun

“A rolling stone gathers no moss.”

Picture your sentence “This sentence is short.”

Trait #6: Conventions

Conventions guide the reader through the text, making ideas readable and understandable.

Conventions = spelling, punctuation, grammar, capitalization, paragraphing, etc.

Students struggle with conventions because they don’t see the power of good writing mechanics, and because they aren’t encouraged to take enough risks with their writing.

Trait #6: ConventionsAs teachers we should… Be sure students understand that editing

and revising are different. Expect correctness, but only according

to appropriate developmental level and age.

Value experimentation right along with correctness. It’s a balancing act.

Be patient. Learning to use conventions well takes time.

Trait #6: ConventionsSome ways to teach the Conventions trait: Take it out Error Hunt Conventions Experts Reading Backwards Practice Makes Perfect

Presentation (+1) How the writing looks to the reader. Writing should have a finished look

that shows care.

Presentation (+1)As teachers, we need to encourage the following in our students’ writing: Uniform spacing Legible handwriting; appropriate

use of fonts and sizes Appealing use of white space