1. Creating Writers Through 6-Trait Writing Assessment and Instruction Written By Vicki Spandel

2. Key Messages 1.Keep the focus on teaching students through the 6-trait writing process, not on teaching the six traits of writing 2.The writing process must exist as the foundation of any classroom writing program and is the requirement for teaching writing through the six traits. 3.The six traits give teachers and students a common language.

3. 4.The six traits are inherent in all writing. They make writing work! 5.Teachers must be good writers themselves so as to share the secrets of writing with students. 6.Quality assessment is the key to effective instruction Key Messages Continued

4. 7.Rubrics are a useful tool for all; students, teachers and parents/guardians. 8.Believe that all students can write. 9.Believe that all teachers can teach writing. Key Messages Continued

5. Spandel ends each chapter with a section entitled “Chapter… in a Nutshell” ~ This is a useful tool to assist you with tailoring the book to your own interests, needs and purposes. See handout for an overview of chapter summaries In a Nutshell

6. 12 Tips for Succeeding on Writing Tests Rubrics Troubleshooting Highlights

7. 6-Traits of Good Writing

8. Ideas  Clear Purpose  Clear Messages  Complete, interesting information  Details not everyone would think of  You can’t stop reading!

9. Organization  A great opening to hook a reader  Easy to Follow  Doesn’t wander off topic  Transitions link idea to idea  Builds to the critical points  A powerful ending

10. Voice  The writing sounds like me, the writer  Confident  Personal, individual  Puts you in the writer’s head  You feel what the writer feels

11. Word Choice  The best way to say it!  You can picture it  Powerful verbs!  You like how the words and phrases sound  No “wordiness” or dull language

12. Fluency  Easy to read aloud  Sounds smooth, not choppy  Different sentence beginnings  Different sentence lengths  Realistic dialogue

13. Conventions  As close to error-free as I could get it  Correct spelling  Correct punctuation  Capital letters in the right spots  Grammar is fine  You can tell where there’s a new paragraph  Easy to read

14. Assigning writing is easy, Teaching writing is hard, Assessing writing is even harder, But it can be done Final Thoughts From Spandel