Six Traits Writing System

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses the six traits writing system which identifies six common traits of good writing in order to provide an assessment of elementary writing. The paper looks at some commonly agreed upon definitions of the six traits. The paper points out that not all six traits are used by all teachers or across all grade levels, as some traits develop later than others. The paper relates that this system has improved the teaching of writing, because it identifies and defines a more objective manner of assessment.

From the Paper:

"The Six Traits Writing System was developed during the 1980s to cope with a situation where assessment of elementary writing was neither standardized nor reliable. The teachers across the country cooperated and devised a system which identified six common traits of good writing. These include: ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, and presentation (in the 6+1 model). (NW Regional Education Laboratory 2006) The model uses these traits to assess the different characteristics of good writing. The definitions of these traits of good writing are shared and modified as needed, but by using a shared definition of each trait, an easily understandable method of assessment can convey exactly what the assessment means for each child, and enable better teaching of writing skills. The number of traits assessed may vary from four to seven, depending upon the type of writing, the context and the children being assessed."

Sample of Sources Used:

• NW Regional Education Laboratory 2006 . http://www.nwrel.org/assessment/about.php?odelay=1&d=1
• Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL) for Elementary Students 2006 . http://www.edina.k12.mn.us/concord/teacherlinks/sixtraits/sixtraits.html
• Six Traits Homepage 2005 . http://www.cyberspaces.net/6traits/
• InterActive Six Trait Writing Process 2006 . http://senior.billings.k12.mt.us/6traits/
• Six Trait Writing for Teachers, Parents, and Students 2006 . http://www.aps.edu/aps/Cochiti/6traits/

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