What is the Six Traits Writing Model?
The Six Traits Writing Model (developed by the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory) provides an analytical framework to help students internalize the elements of good writing and, as a result, hone their own writing skills. It is a systematic approach for looking at writing one part at a time. Since writing is such a complicated activity, this approach helps many people break down the task and understand it better.
By focusing and scoring only one trait at a time, a writer/reader can break down a complex activity like writing and make it more manageable. With practice, writers can then learn to be more critical of their own work and can make improvements in the quality of their writing.
Perhaps, more than anything else, the six traits give teachers and students a common vocabulary for talking and thinking about writing.
| THE SIX TRAITS | |
| IDEAS | "What is the message you have to tell us?" (Clear purpose / sufficient details / viewpoint of the writer) |
| ORGANIZATION | "Can we follow your message, and does it make sense?" (Introduction / Development of points / Transitions / Conclusion) |
| VOICE | "Do you show us your personality in your writing?" (Personal touches / Identified audience / Individuality) |
| WORD CHOICE | "Do you select words or phrases that sound just right?" (Precise vocabulary / Natural language / No overworked words) |
| SENTENCE FLUENCY | "How would this sound if it was read out loud?" (Sentence flow / Variation in sentence lengths and structure) |
| CONVENTIONS | "Does this need editing so that we can read without distraction?" (Spelling / Punctuation / Grammar / Paragraphs) |
