Education Northwest - Trait Definitions
The six traits of writing listed by Education Northwest are incredibly valuable attributes of writing. I believe that using these six traits to grade writing is reasonable seeing as they align with what is "suppose to be" taught in schools or the standards. Knowing these traits will enhance a student's writing and support them when it comes time to write on standardized tests. However, I also believe that if students only focus on these six traits of writing, the material they produce might fall a little flat.
The six traits of writing are seemingly straight forward, and present a fair grading system, but students should be supported in exploring ideas in writing that exist outside these six traits. These six traits don't highlight deeper meaning or personal connection, they fit a formulated structure, which can be helpful as a guide, but at some point needs to be broken and explored. Personally, if I was presented these six traits and told I was being graded on them, without the teacher pushing me to go further, I would write to fit the way I was being guided. Teachers have these six traits as tools for correcting and assessing writing, not for teaching it. It is the instructors job to influence students, asking them for more.
One idea that came to me when looking over the definitions was, teachers have the choice to select which trait matters most. I used to hear it all the time in high school: a student who received A's on writing assignments in one class did nothing different, and received B's the next year when their teacher switched. One of the difficult parts of grading writing it that it is so subjective. One teacher might like pieces with more voice, others want more structure. Students learn to write for their professor to get the grade, versus writing for the audience or meaning, which can be very dangerous.
Writing is tricky, teaching it and completing it. It is important to have strategies, like the six traits, to simplify the situation, but we cannot gets stuck in a mold. Elaborating on the basics is key.
I liked what you said about writing being subjective. It is tough to grade writing because everyone has their own style. And a mold is good, but only to a certain extent. I think that the 6+1 writing style is good to get ideas on the page but if you want to push students you will have to forget the grading for a moment.
ReplyDeleteI think you bring up a good point, that this is another model for students to fit the requirements and often times students just focus on meeting what is needed.
ReplyDeleteI do think this is a little more open for students to make their work their own, however I do understand that that it can also limit some students.
I also agree that all teachers have different requirements and learning to write for the grade rather than the audience or meaning can take away from the writer themselves and prevent further interest in writing.