What is 6-Trait Writing?

The 6-trait writing model is a way to assess and teach writing. This model focuses on 6 qualities seen in outstanding written works. The six traits include:

• 
  Ideas: The content, or main theme. Can be looked at as the heart of the message.
• 
  Organization: The internal structure of the writing
• 
  Voice: The personal voice of author comes through. This gives a sense of a real person speaking.
• 
  Word Choice: The use of precise, colorful and rich words to communicate.
• 
  Sentence Fluency: The writing flows together often with a rhythm or cadence.
• 
  Conventions: Mechanical correctness, including spelling and grammar.

HISTORY OF 6- TRAIT WRITING

After evaluating thousands of papers at all grade levels, teachers studying writing identified common characteristics of good writing. These qualities became the framework for the six-trait analytical model. The model uses common language to identify the traits year to year as we refine our idea of what “good” writing looks like by using scoring guides.

Not everyone uses the 6+1 TraitTM model : ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, and presentation. Some use four; some use more. These same six or seven characteristics show up on everyone’s list in one form or another.

Each trait is assessed with a scoring Guide or Rubric ranging from one to five.
Below is a simplified, generic rubric:

For more information about the 6-Trait Model:

Go to Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory: at http://www.nwrel.org/assessment/