Writing workshop : integrating the 6+1 traits of writing : an honors thesis [(HONRS 499)]

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Authors
Rude, Lindsey M.
Advisor
Kragler, Sherry
Issue Date
2004
Keyword
Degree
Thesis (B.?.)
Department
Honors College
Other Identifiers
Abstract

This paper explores the interconnectedness of the writing workshop and the 6+1 Traits of Writing within the framework of the writing process. After explaining the three writing models, a series of lesson plans demonstrates how to improve the seven writing traits within the time frame of a minilesson. A variety of rubrics illustrate how trait writing can improve the students' works as part of the writing process and provide possibilities for teacher-student conferences.The paper explores how writing has shifted from an importance on the product to the process of writing. The writing process divides writing into smaller segments to make it more manageable for students. Students engage in prewriting, writing, revising, and editing before publishing their pieces, and this organizational structure takes a writer-centered approach as the students shift between the writer and reader of their pieces.The writing workshop uses the writing process as its foundation, creating a timeframe that includes a short minilesson, writing time in which teachers conference with students about their works, and sharing time. This paper demonstrates how the goal of this program is to allow students to engage in the writing process with topics they choose. This creates an authentic purpose for the chosen audience and encourages the students to expand their craft of writing.Because of the difficulty of evaluating writing due to its subjective nature, this paper demonstrates how the 6+1 Traits of Writing can be integrated into the writing workshop to assess students' abilities in seven areas of writing. The traits look at the ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, and presentation of a piece through a series of rubrics that offer specific requirements and vocabulary of quality writing.