Special Ingredients to the 6 + 1 Traits of Writing

 


                                https://cdn.thinglink.me/api/image/434065594174668802/1240/10/

  


 

    In order to make this delicious chocolate cake I will need special ingredients; if I do not have these ingredients then there is no way I can make this cake. Likewise, in writing there are six plus one (6+1) wonderful ingredients that children can use to help them produce quality writing. These ingredients are ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions and presentation. Before learning the 6+1 traits of writing, I never paid great attention to it. I knew I had to generate ideas, organize the piece of writing from the beginning to the end, sentences needed to have rhythm and flow and the conventions of writing such as spelling, indentation, punctuation, grammar, capitalization and paragraphing had to be checked. But what stood out to me the most was that every writer has their own voice. In order for this voice to be heard, you need to use the right words to give clarity to evoke feelings, moods, likes and dislikes, and create a vivid picture in the readers mind.

    As a teacher, it is important for students to remain focused on the writing by selecting the idea or topic, elaborating on the idea, and using details and information to further develop the piece of writing. These ideas enable students to move from general to more specific writing. Organization is the structure of the writing piece and how it is presented. It holds the information together and can be easily comprehended by the reader. Voice within writing is created when a sense of the writers’ personality comes out in the writing piece. Word choice involves using the right words in writing that will give clarity. Students become aware that there are different ways to express their thoughts, use and power of language by adding new and varied words within their writing. Conventions in writing are the editing process. Presentation is the overall appearance of the author’s work. The traits will empower students with strategies that are specific to each genre and the purpose for writing. Once I teach my students how to use these special ingredients in their writing then it’s a guarantee I will have successful writers.


                        My students will be telling me this after learning about the 6+ 1 writing traits.


https://www.google.com/search?q=children+writing+clipart&tbm=isch&rlz=1C1JZAP

 

I CAME ACROSS THIS LOVELY CHART REPRESENTING THE SIX TRAITS OF WRITING. I THINK IT CAN BE VERY USEFUL TO US ALL.

 

    https://www.google.com/search?q=six+traits+of+writing&rlz=1C1JZAP_enGD830GD831&sxsrf

 

THIS CAN BE USED AS A CHECKLIST PATTERN FOR STUDENTS


     https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AaQNlLgNzB9GKTlPPcl1Ro_sPYsbphMUFQ11YaaepOdYaFrYNlidNog/

Comments

  1. SHAVEL S. SWAN15 November 2020 at 12:16

    Kimmasha, I too have never paid attention to the 6+1 traits of writing. The chart which you used to represent the six traits of writing is very attractive, students will certainly remember it. I have come across a rubric that we can use to grade the students as well test our own writings. Click this link- https://br.pinterest.com/pin/22518066862554494/ Be mindful that RIP words are the words that need to be buried, allowed to “rest in peace”. So, you should avoid using them when they are not necessary. In addition, Wow words are advanced adjectives, verbs and adverbs which are used to improve a piece of writing by making it vivid and interesting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Erica Lewis16 November 2020 at 21:16

      Shavel, that was quite resourceful of you to find that rubric, it's clear and seems easy to use. I will definitely, store it in my archives for future use.

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    2. Erica Lewis16 November 2020 at 21:21

      Kimmasha, wonderful use of that analogy with the cake to introduce your discussion. The point you mentioned about writers having their own voice is so true. As I reflect on particular authors whose books I have read, one of the things that separate them from each other is their unique voice. This is indeed an trait worth paying particular attention to, as it clearly distinguishes one writer from the other. Sharing these traits with our students will definitely infuse their writing with a greater quality.

      Delete
  2. Michelle John8 December 2020 at 12:11

    Hey Kimmasha I went through your blog and found the writing checklist you shared to be eye catching. It was also very helpful to me as I found myself using it to edit one of my wring pieces, thanks for sharing. I also want to add that we should encourage students to use their own attitude , tone and personal style in their writing, that's part of their voice. When they use their own voice their personality comes out in their writing and makes their writing unique.

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