recognizing
the six traits
Grades k-2
Describe “good” writing
Name the six traits of writing
Immerse in a trait-by-trait study
Read authentic writing samples
Presented by Kristina Smekens
[email protected]
Video code: #WPD105
www.SmekenswebPD.com • (888) 376-0448
©2014 Smekens Education Solutions, Inc.
Describe “good” writing
©2014 Smekens Education Solutions, Inc., www.SmekenswebPD.com
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The Trait of Ideas
Definition: Ideas are the heart of the message.
Evidence in Pictorial Writing
• Writer selects topic he knows about
• A main idea, action, or event expressed
• Characters depicted
• A setting drawn
• Little, close-up details (e.g., eyelashes, fingernails)
• Multiple pictures that tell a more developed story
• Pictures match words spoken
Evidence in Early Writing
• Writer selects topic he knows about
• Multiple details labeled
• Pictures match letters/labels
• Listen for the expression of ideas and details
Evidence in Sentence Writing
• Writer selects topic he knows about
• Ideas are developed with interesting details
• All sentences stay on topic (focused)
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The Trait of Organization
Definition: Organization presents all the ideas in a logical order and flow.
Evidence in Pictorial Writing
• Balance on the page— good use of white space
• Balance within pictures: proportion, sizing
• More than one event, drawn to show order (may include numbers)
• Listen to the sequence of their oral storytelling/explanations
Evidence in Early Writing
• Use of topic label (an early version of beginning)
• Pictures and text enhance one another
• Progression of ideas drawn: comparing two things, from large to small, from first to last, problem to solution
• Words that suggest beginning: one day, once upon a time, etc.
• Words that connect ideas: and, and then, next
• Words that suggest conclusion: the end, goodbye, thank you
Evidence in Sentence Writing
• Title grabs the reader’s attention (v. label)
• Strong first line or hook (beginning)
• Details revealed in a purposeful/logical order (evidence of pre-writing)
• Strong last line or ending
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The Trait of Voice
Definition: Voice is the writer’s attitude about what he is writing.
Evidence in Pictorial Writing
• Feelings conveyed through choice of color and close-up details
• Characters’ faces show feeling/voice
• Listen for emotion within their oral storytelling/explanation
• Readers want to share the writing with others
Evidence in Early Writing
• Words that convey feelings (fun, cool, happy, sad, mad, etc.)
• Attempts to increase feeling/attitude with really and very
• Voice-filled conventions (e.g., exclamation points, all capital letters, underlined words, bold words, etc.)
• Readers want to share the writing with others
Evidence in Sentence Writing
• Writer is interested in the topic; he cares about the topic
• Reader can interpret the writer’s “attitude” (playful, angry, frustrated, joyful, etc.)
• Details/Words that indicate to the reader the writer’s age or gender
• In expository writing, the writer sounds like an expert
• Writing that communicates directly with the audience (e.g., questions, parentheses, etc.)
• Readers want to share the writing with others
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The Trait of Word Choice
Definition: Word choice is the use of specific, precise, bull’s-eye vocabulary.
Evidence in Pictorial Writing
• Pretend writing (the squiggle line)
• Listen for specific word choice within their oral storytelling/explanations
Evidence in Early Writing
• Language woven into picture (on signs, on shirts, on vehicles, etc.)
• Language written into speech/dialogue bubbles
• Words written of any kind (e.g., single letters, letter strings, letter combinations, etc.)
• Words you can read & make sense of
Evidence in Sentence Writing
• Precise nouns
• Specific action verbs
• Descriptive adjectives
• Big words using s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d o-u-t spelling strategies
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The Trait of Sentence Fluency
Definition: Sentence fluency is how smooth the writing sounds.
Evidence in Pictorial Writing
• Listen for a natural fluency within their oral storytelling/explanation
Evidence in Early Writing
• Appearance of sentence (word groupings or conventional sentence)
• Multiple sentences, patterned or not
Evidence in Sentence Writing
• Writer can read back what the writer wrote
• Reader can read the writing without the writer’s help
• Varied sentence beginnings
• Varied sentence types (statements, questions, exclamations)
• Varied sentence lengths (short, medium, and long sentences)
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The Trait of Conventions
Definition: Conventions are the tools and rules writers use to help the reader understand the message.
Evidence in Early Writing
• Letters that appear upright (not sideways or slanted) and closed
• Letters that face the right direction
• Left-to-right orientation
• Top-to-bottom orientation
• Distinction between upper & lower case (whether correct or not)
• Association of letters with sounds (phonics)
Evidence in Sentence Writing
• Readable spelling
• Utilizes environmental print for spelling support
• Writing on a line
• Spaces between words or lines
• Use of the capitalized “I”
• Beginning sentence capitals
• Use of end punctuation
• Grade-appropriate use of grammar and mechanics
• Self-edits to correct errors
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Discussion: Turn & Talk
What did you learn about the Six Traits
that you didn’t know before?
“Classroom Connections” are a suite of webPD videos that
include entire mini-lessons recorded in actual classrooms.
Find the following titles on www.SmekenswebPD.com—
• Introducing the 6 Traits in 6 days with 6 texts
• Introducing the 6 Traits in 6 days with 1 text
• Introducing characters that correspond with the 6 Traits
What is the power of having your entire staff
use consistent language to describe “good” writing?
How might the Smekens icons help you remember
the definition for each writing trait?
Visit the Idea Library at www.SmekensEducation.com—where
you’ll discover hundreds of articles and free downloadable
resources for teaching reading and writing.
Search at www.SmekensEducation.com
How helpful was it to see the traits pointed out
within authentic student writing samples?
Which trait(s) do you feel most/least confident
teaching and assessing? Why?
GO
Search for articles tied to this training using these key words:
• 6 Traits
• K-1 strategies
• anchor papers
The Literacy Store
To purchase resources shared in this video, visit our online
bookstore, www.TheLiteracyStore.com.
How might the trait language impact your classroom?
#WPD105: Recognizing the Six Traits (Grades K-2)
Bright Ideas
light bulb
Traits of Writing
Poster
Voice Poster
www.SmekenswebPD.com • (888) 376-0448
©2014 Smekens Education Solutions, Inc.