The 6 + 1 Writing Traits are criteria for evaluating writing compositions. They include 6 traits: Voice, Organization, Ideas, Conventions, Word Choice, and Sentence Fluency. An additional trait is Presentation. Each trait is described in the document with examples of strong characteristics. The traits provide a framework for teaching, revising, and assessing student writing.

1. 6 + 1 Writing Traits6 + 1 Writing Traits
Mrs. Detra FippsMrs. Detra Fipps
6th Grade Language Arts6th Grade Language Arts

2. What are the 6 + 1 Writing Traits?What are the 6 + 1 Writing Traits?
VOICESVOICES of Writingof Writing
 VV- Voice- Voice
 OO- Organization- Organization
 II- Ideas- Ideas
 CC- Conventions- Conventions
 EE- Excellent Word Choice- Excellent Word Choice
 SS- Sentence Fluency- Sentence Fluency
++
 PRESENTATIONPRESENTATION

3. VOICEVOICE
 Appropriate for the purpose and audienceAppropriate for the purpose and audience
 Seems to be a person behind the wordsSeems to be a person behind the words
 Writer takes a riskWriter takes a risk
 Strong commitment to the topic and shows whyStrong commitment to the topic and shows why
the reader needs to know thisthe reader needs to know this
 Honest, personal, and engaging writingHonest, personal, and engaging writing
 Makes the reader think about and react to theMakes the reader think about and react to the
wordswords

4. ORGANIZATIONORGANIZATION
 Inviting IntroductionInviting Introduction
 Thoughtful transitionsThoughtful transitions
 Sequencing is logical and effectiveSequencing is logical and effective
 Pacing is well controlledPacing is well controlled
 Title is original and fittingTitle is original and fitting
 Flows smoothlyFlows smoothly
 Matches the purpose and the audienceMatches the purpose and the audience

5. IDEASIDEAS
 Clear and focusedClear and focused
 Holds the reader’s attentionHolds the reader’s attention
 Relevant materialRelevant material
 Details enrich the central themeDetails enrich the central theme
 Narrow, but manageable topicNarrow, but manageable topic
 Lively verbsLively verbs
 Detailed settingDetailed setting

6. CONVENTIONSCONVENTIONS
 Spelling is generally correctSpelling is generally correct
 Punctuation is accuratePunctuation is accurate
 Capitalization generally correctCapitalization generally correct
 Grammar and usage are correctGrammar and usage are correct
 Paragraphing tends to be soundParagraphing tends to be sound
 Piece is very close to being ready to publishPiece is very close to being ready to publish

7. EXCELLENT WORD CHOICEEXCELLENT WORD CHOICE
 Specific and accurate wordsSpecific and accurate words
 Striking words and phrasesStriking words and phrases
 Natural, effective, and appropriate languageNatural, effective, and appropriate language
 Lively verbs, specific nouns, and descriptiveLively verbs, specific nouns, and descriptive
adjectivesadjectives
 Choice of words enhance the meaning andChoice of words enhance the meaning and
clarifies understandingclarifies understanding
 PrecisionPrecision

8. SENTENCE FLUENCYSENTENCE FLUENCY
 Vary in length and structureVary in length and structure
 Purposeful and varied sentence beginningsPurposeful and varied sentence beginnings
 Creative and purposeful connections betweenCreative and purposeful connections between
sentencessentences
 Cadence – (sound of the words in sentences)Cadence – (sound of the words in sentences)

9. PRESENTATIONPRESENTATION
 Slanting is consistent, Spacing is uniform, legibleSlanting is consistent, Spacing is uniform, legible
(handwritten)(handwritten)
 Appropriate use of fonts and font sizes (word-Appropriate use of fonts and font sizes (word-
processed)processed)
 Use of a title, page numbering, and bulletsUse of a title, page numbering, and bullets
 Effective integration of text and illustrations,Effective integration of text and illustrations,
charts, graphs, maps, and tablescharts, graphs, maps, and tables

10. PRESENTATIONPRESENTATION
 Slanting is consistent, Spacing is uniform, legibleSlanting is consistent, Spacing is uniform, legible
(handwritten)(handwritten)
 Appropriate use of fonts and font sizes (word-Appropriate use of fonts and font sizes (word-
processed)processed)
 Use of a title, page numbering, and bulletsUse of a title, page numbering, and bullets
 Effective integration of text and illustrations,Effective integration of text and illustrations,
charts, graphs, maps, and tablescharts, graphs, maps, and tables