Traits of Writing Workshop

The traits of writing are steeped in over 30 years of research and continue to gain popularity worldwide. Research reveals that ‘quality’ writing all share six essential components: ideas, organisation, sentence fluency, word choice, voice, conventions, plus presentation. The strength of the traits lies in the shared language and understanding When integrated into current writing frameworks, the traits support a shared language and understanding of what good writing needs.

Using student examples, strategies and teacher activities, literacy leaders will have a clear understanding of how the traits of writing support independence and produce greater learning outcomes for students.

• Develop a clear and practical understanding of the traits of writing

• Integrate the traits into current lesson planning

• Identify the traits in students’ writing to provide feedback and inform teaching

• Set individual and achievable writing goals that supports independence and self-reflection

• Use a trait based rubric for summative assessment aligned to the VIC Curriculum

• An overview of the 6+1 traits of writing and the skills that support them

• A student video lesson and teacher paper-based lesson

• A sample of a trait rubric that is aligned to the Victorian Curriculum