Teaching Writing: Writing Process
By Terressa Colbrook

6+1 Writing Traits

Ideas
Organization
Voice
Conventions

Above tested on 5th grade Writing Proficiency
Word Choice
Sentence Fluency
Presentation

Ideas

Heart of the message
Small topic; big writing
Juicy, original details
Original viewpoint on the subject
Everything ties together

Organization

Internal structure of writing
Opening grabs readers’ attention
Logical sequence of events
Satisfying ending
Transitions
Stays focused on main idea
Builds sense of anticipation in reader

Voice

Personality
Fingerprints on the page
Writer is obviously personally engaged with the topic.
Brings writing to life

Conventions

Textual traditions
Mechanics
Dealt with during editing!

Word Choice

Rich, colorful, precise language
Strong verbs
Usage of everyday vocabulary in a fresh unexpected way

Sentence Fluency

Rhythm and flow of writing
Sentences vary in length and type
Beginnings of sentences vary
No awkward word patterns
Makes writing fun to read aloud

Presentation

+1
Recently added
Look of the published piece
How the message is “exhibited” on paper
Invites readers to begin reading
Attracts readers’ attention

Resources

Ralph Fletcher & JoAnn Portalupi
Lucy Calkins
Donald Graves
nwrel.org
Heinemann Publishing (Portsmouth, NH)