What Are the 6+1 Traits of Writing?

What Are the 6+1 Traits of Writing?

The 6+1 Traits of Writing is a research-based framework that identifies the key qualities that make writing effective. Developed by Education Northwest (formerly the Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory), it gives teachers and students a common vocabulary for discussing, teaching, and assessing writing quality.

The seven traits apply to all types of writing - narrative, informational, opinion, poetry - and can be taught and practiced in any order.

The Seven Traits

1. Ideas The heart of the piece - the content, message, and main point. Strong ideas are:

• Clear and focused (not too broad)
• Developed with specific, relevant details
• Original and thoughtfully considered

Weak: "My dog is fun." Strong: "My dog Mango knows exactly when I'm sad - she presses her whole body against my legs and doesn't move until I smile."

2. Organization The structure that holds the piece together - the sequence, logic, and flow. Strong organization includes:

• An engaging opening that draws the reader in
• A logical sequence or structure
• Transitions that connect ideas
• A satisfying conclusion

3. Voice The personality, emotion, and style that makes the writing sound like a specific person - not like a form letter. Voice is:

• Appropriate to the audience and purpose
• Distinctive and engaging
• Honest and personal

Voice is perhaps the hardest trait to define and the easiest to recognize - you know it when you hear it.

4. Word Choice The precision and vividness of the language selected. Strong word choice means:

• Specific, accurate words (crumbling instead of falling down)
• Vivid, sensory language
• Avoiding overused, empty words (nice, good, said, got)
• The right word for the context

5. Sentence Fluency The rhythm, flow, and readability of the writing when read aloud. Strong sentence fluency includes:

• Variety in sentence length and structure
• Smooth transitions between sentences
• Sentences that feel natural to read aloud
• Deliberate use of fragments or short sentences for effect

6. Conventions The mechanical correctness of the writing - spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and paragraph indentation. Conventions:

• Should be correct in a final, polished piece
• Are the last thing to fix - content before conventions
• Include grade-appropriate expectations

(+1) Presentation The visual layout and appearance of the final, published piece - handwriting, typing, spacing, use of white space, any graphics or illustrations. Presentation matters when writing has a real audience.

Using Traits in the Classroom

Teaching: Focus mini-lessons on one trait at a time. "Today we're going to look at word choice - specifically, how to replace vague verbs with specific, precise verbs."

Feedback: Give trait-specific feedback: "Your ideas are strong - I especially loved the detail about the spider web. Now let's look at your organization - does your ending feel complete?"

Assessment: Use trait-based rubrics so students know exactly what quality looks like at different levels for each trait.

Self-assessment: Students use a simplified trait checklist to evaluate their own draft before revision.

Practice Activities

• Give students two versions of the same paragraph - one weak, one strong in a specific trait. Students identify which is stronger and articulate why.
• Voice swap: take a paragraph written in a bland, voiceless style and rewrite it with personality.
• Sentence fluency read-aloud: students read their own draft aloud and listen for places where it sounds choppy - those are the spots to revise.
• Word choice upgrade: students highlight 5 "empty" or overused words in their draft and replace each with a more specific, vivid alternative.