6 + 1 Trait Writing Process

This process was created in the 1980s by creative teachers in school districts across the country who wanted an instrument that would provide accurate, reliable feedback to students and teachers that would guide instruction. Their goal was to create an analytic scoring system that would be valid, honest, and practical. The 6+1 Trait TM model components are ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, and presentation. Although designed for assessment the link to instruction was so powerful, that today many teachers use the process for their main writing strategies. The Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory provides a web site for lessons and assistance (www.nwrel.org/assessment/teaching.php?odelay=2&d=1).