6 + 1 Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide (Grades 3 and Up)

This book has really taught me a lot about using the traits. Each chapter is very in depth and has good examples. There are sample lesson plans and suggestions on ways to emphasize each of the traits.

I like the traits because it's a great way to break writing into manageable parts. I'm not just telling my students they got a "C" on a paper. Instead, I'm telling them they wrote a paper that has some strengths and some weaknesses. Further, I can tell them where the weaknesses are and what I think they should do to improve it.

But, maybe the best thing is that I am teaching them to score each other's papers and it guides their thinking and scoring. There's a companion book of worksheets and other reproducibles that is almost a must have because it includes rubrics and scoring sheets for students to use.

My only wish is that there was a separate book for secondary students. The standards for writing are different. But, even still, this book does cover secondary teaching and I find it very useful.

I highly recommend this book if you want to teach your students to be better writers.


A fabulous, must-have book!   December 30, 2002
Jeff White (Prattville, AL USA)
56 out of 59 found this review helpful

Any teacher, school employee, or a mother would greatly benefit from having this book on their resource shelf. This book is a fantastic guide to improving your writing instruction across ALL content areas. The wisdom and experience that Ruth Culham distills in her new book is invaluable. I knew, when I was first introduced to the 6+1 Trait Model, the impact it would have on my student's ability to write with confidence and precision. For the past fours years my students were ranked at the top of Delaware State's Writing Assessment. I owe it all to Ruth Culham! This book can help your students understand the qualities of good writing: ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, and presentation. Once they understand this common language teachers are able to provide their students with precise, complete feedback on their writing performance. Writing is a lifelong skill we all need. This book will help you and your children master it!


A Must-Have for Educators Teaching the 6 Traits   October 24, 2003
Dan Ryno (Florissant, MO United States)
26 out of 26 found this review helpful

I am a Language Arts Specialist who teaches writing and language at the elementary level. When our district adopted the 6 Trait Writing/Scoring process this year, many teachers were skeptical and confused. This book clears it all up! Not only does it break down each trait (explaining what it is and why it is important), but it gives lots of examples of lessons that can be used to teach each trait. The book also includes sample student papers for you to score using a provided 6 Trait scoring guide. You can then flip the page to see what how the authors would score that paper and why. This is a wonderful book, and a must-have for any educator using the 6 Traits. After seeing my copy, I convinced my principal to buy 7 additional copies for the school (amazon.com must love me)!


A Resource to Treasure   January 21, 2003
Kimberly A. Kannal (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
24 out of 25 found this review helpful

A few years ago I took a workshop on the 6 + 1 Traits of Writing that changed my life as a language arts teacher forever. The traits are a simple yet effective way to improve your students' writing. I was thrilled when I heard Ruth Culham was writing a new guide to the traits. Her book is the perfect combination of background information about the traits and practical lessons for the classroom. The examples of student writing are invaluable. My students and I have already enjoyed many of the creative ideas.
As an added bonus, Ruth practices what she preaches. The book is beautifully written, strong in all the traits. I truly enjoyed reading it from cover to cover. Writing teachers of all levels will treasure this valuable resource!


A "Must Have" for beginning writing instructors   December 12, 2003
19 out of 19 found this review helpful

Save the $1,000+ you'd spend on a workshop! This paperback has it all. And you get to keep it with you for future reference! I bought this wonderful resource, 6 + 1 Traits of Writing: The Complete Guide, on a whim. I implemented it in my classroom, and I just can't say enough about how well it has been received. My middle school students really enjoy the activities I've used nearly straight from the book. Other teachers who come through my room comment on what they see hanging from the walls, things the students created using the structures set forth in 6+1 Traits. The grading rubrics used in the system work extremely well with the Florida standardized writing test scoring system, making this an ideal choice for any Florida teacher. Still, anyone anywhere who wants an easy to remember system with affordable supplemental products should look into the 6+1 Traits system offered by Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory. While NWREL offers training, I've found this book needs no additional support to be a strong, effective foundation for teaching both the art and the science of fine writing.