6+1 Writing Traits
Nancy Ennis
Christina Hataway
nancy_ennis@hcpss.org
christina_hataway @hcpss.org
Technology Resource Teacher
Office of Media and Educational Technologies
Howard County
Elementary Technology Teacher
Waverly Elementary School
Howard County
Outcomes
By the end of this session, participants will
have:
• An understanding of the 6 + 1 Writing Traits
• Explored a variety of technology activities
supporting the 6 + 1 Writing Traits
• Access to ready-to-use activities for teaching the
6+1 Writing Traits with technology.
6 & 1 Writing Trait/Technology
Activities and Examples
Websites
http://staff.howard.k12.md.us/~nancyen
http://home.comcast.net/~nennis
Agenda
• Introduction of 6 + 1 Writing Traits
• Examples of Writing Traits templates using
technology
• Questions?
What are the 6 + 1 traits?
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Ideas
Organization
Word Choice
Sentence
Fluency
• Voice
• Conventions
• Presentation
Trait 1: Idea Development
• Having quality details is more important than
having quantity details
• Unique idea or approach is being written about
• Bigger topics are supported by sub-topics
• Writing centers around a main idea
http://writingfix.com/Traits.htm
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What is my message?
Is my message clear?
Did I try hard to make it interesting?
Do I have enough information?
Trait 1: Idea Development
• Inspiration
• Rapid Fire brainstorming
• About Me, About Me, Fancy
• Digital Images: focusing
• Sea Lions
• Sea Lion
Trait 2: Organization
• Strong introduction to the piece of writing
• Writing comes to a satisfying conclusion
• Transitions are used to move the idea along
logically
• Paragraphs are written with purpose
• Introduction somehow links back to the
conclusion
• Title the piece effectively
http://writingfix.com/Traits.htm
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How does my paper begin?
Did I tell things in order?
Does everything link to my message?
How does my paper end?
Trait 2: Organization
• Word
– Storyboard (podcasts)
• Kidspiration:
– Ideas using images (images from Google Images)
• Frog
– Outlining feature
– Ideas using phrases
– Spider brainstorming
– Spiders
– Venn Diagram/ Graphic Organizers
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(KidPix, Inspiration, Word)
Trait 3: Word Choice
• Understands the importance of strong verbs
• Understands the importance of precise nouns
• Understands the importance of interesting
adjectives
• Takes risks with words
• Alliteration or other types of sound devices
http://writingfix.com/Traits.htm
Have I used words that I really love?
Have I used any new words?
Did I try not to repeat words too many times?
Can my reader tell what my words mean?
Trait 3: Word Choice
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Internet:
www.thesaurus.com (Website)
www.dictionary.com (Website)
Dictionary/thesaurus (Word)
SIRS Discoverer (Website)
http://www.visuwords.com/(Website)
• Editing activities (Word)
Trait 4: Sentence Fluency
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Variety of transitions are used
Variety of sentence beginnings are used
Variety of sentence lengths are used
When reading the writing aloud, the words
sound natural
• Complex and simple sentences are used to
promote rhythm in the language
http://writingfix.com/Traits.htm
Did I use sentences?
Do my sentences begin in different ways?
Does my paper sound smooth when I listen to it?
Did I use some short and some long sentences?
Trait 4: Sentence Fluency
• Audio Recorder
– My First Day
• Power Point
– Record narration for fluency
– Book Review (ppt)
• Audacity/Garageband
– Student Podcasts
– Clemens Crossing Elementary School
– Willowdale Elementary School
Trait 5: Voice
• Awareness of an audience
• Passion towards the topic
• Devices of style (such as figurative
language), when appropriate
• Capture a tone or mood (including humor)
with words, when appropriate
• Awareness of perspective and point-ofview
http://writingfix.com/Traits.htm
Do I really like this writing?
Does this writing sound like me?
How do I want my readers to feel?
My favorite part is ______.
Trait 5: Voice
• PowerPoint
– Dog Book
• dialog
– Secret Knowledge of Grownups
• Flipper Page
Trait 6: Conventions
• Correct spelling, capitalization, punctuation,
grammar, and usage
• Effective paragraphing that strengthens the
structure of the piece
• Use of conventions that adds style and supports
the reader’s understanding of the text
http://writingfix.com/Traits.htm
Did I leave spaces between words?
Did I use a title?
Did I use periods or question marks?
Is it easy to read my spelling?
Could another person read my paper
Trait 6: Conventions
• Wiki
– Eats, Shoots, and leaves
• Word
– Spelling
– Capitalization
• Excel
– If/then
+1: Presentation
• Audio Recording (Audio Recorder)
• Audio CD (iTunes)
– Mother’s Day Poems
• Podcast
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(Audacity)
http://www.podcastforteachers.org/Who'sUsingPodcastingInEducationAndHow.htm#examples
http://www.apple.com/education/profiles/wells/
http://learninginhand.com/podcasting/
Slide Show (PowerPoint)
Wiki or Blog
Webpage
Brochure, Book Jacket (Word)
Book Ideas for 6+1 Writing Traits
Conventions
– Punctuation Takes a Vacation by Robin Pulver
– Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss
Voice
– At The Dog Park with Sam and Lucy by Daisy Bix
Sentence Fluency
– Wolf by Sara Fenilli
Word Choice
– No Thumpin', No Bumpin', No Rumpus Tonight! by Nancy Patz
– Hooray for You! by Marrianne Richmond
Word Choice/ Sentence Fluency
– Pumpernickel Tickle and Mean Green Cheese by Nancy Patz
– Thesaurus Rex by Laya Steinberg
Sentence Fluency/ Conventions
– Toot and Puddle by Holly Hobbie
– Secret Knowledge of Grown-ups by David Wisniewski