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6+1 Trait® Writing Overview

The 6+1 Trait® Writing was developed by the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory. Through their research, they found that writing is made up of six characteristics that provide a language for teachers and students to discuss writing weaknesses and strengths.

1. Ideas and Content	concerns the focus on the main idea of the writing
2. Organization	emphasizes the logical development of topic from beginning to end
3. Voice	concentrates on a sense of a real person behind the words and a clear understanding of audience
4. Word Choice	encourages varied and rich, powerful and engaging words
5. Sentence Fluency	highlights the smooth flow of the text
6. Conventions	examines mechanical correctness, including spelling, grammar & paragraphing
7. Presentation (optional trait)	supports text and format that is legible and pleasing to the eye

All traits are assessed using the same scoring guide five-point rubric. Here is the simplified version of the five-point rubric used to assess the seven traits:

5 point trait rubric

For more information on 6+1 Trait® Writing, visit:

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