November 5th
Writing Traits
The six plus one (6+1) writing traits are rooted in the art of writing.
All writing has key ingredients, voice, ideas, presentation, conventions,
organization, word choice, and sentence fluency that bear the acronym V.I.P C.O.W.S.
Most of the writing traits are not new to me but the combination of the traits are
new to me.
The lecturer allowed us to facilitate our own learning by getting into
groups to research and present on various aspects of writing traits. At the end
of all the presentations, our lecturer summarized the writing traits.
These key components provide writers with a common understanding to compose,
assess, and revise their writing. The writing trait that stood out to me is convention
because it is possible to have excellent ideas and thoughts about a specific topic
but if the writing is ‘choppy’ meaning the punctuation, spelling, sentence
structure, and grammar are not properly used then the intended meaning of the
writing can be misinterpreted.
I believe that writing traits should be taught throughout the grades
because the youngest writers can develop their voices through pictures. If the
six traits are taught and utilized continuously and properly it will reinforce good
writing. On this note, I will expose the
children entrusted to my care to the writing traits and encourage them to use them.
A visual image
of the six ingredients of the writing traits.
Firstly, I really liked your illustration used to depict the concept ( The Writing Traits). To me the umbrella depicts that each trait represents an umbrella idea of a stage in writing the students needs to master that contributes to the overall end product.
ReplyDeleteI was anxiously reading your blog to uncover which of the traits stood out most to you. I do agree with your stance, that "the intended meaning of the writing can be misinterpreted". Because, Improper use of appropriate conventions can easily derail the ideas the writer is trying to share with the reader. However, I still believe that word choice could be even more important to accurately painting the vivid picture for readers to envision in the writing. Because, although words may be similar in meaning, very rear in English language two words would mean exactly the same thing. For example; the word talk, what if instead of saying, "discuss" which sound formal the writer uses, "babble or chat" wouldn't you say these word sound less formal? The word is still similar to talk, but gives a different meaning to the situation, it conveys a different understanding to how the conversation took place.
That's why I think that word choice/specific vocabulary is crucial to conveying the right idea in a piece.
V.I.P.C.O.W.S, this acronym is quite hillarious
I will take a tap on the back. You are always in defence mode about your points, lol, but I am agreeing to disagree with you, It is true word choice does make an impact, however, if you have all the right words but the spelling and punctuation, etc are BAD then it takes away from the enjoyment and meaning of what is been read.
ReplyDeleteStrong defence Lisia, being able to enjoy the piece of literature is only possible with accurate conventions. However, that theory is critical closer to the end, look at it this way, early in the writing process after generating the ideas, and creating the sentences, very little effort in put into accurate conventions. Because the teacher wants the students to be able to squeeze out all of their creative ideas/content into the piece. Pressuring students to early to focus on conventions, will essentially stunt their content, wouldn't you agree? This is the reason why I held word choice so highly, because it has to be used at the very beginning, middle and even at the end, while conventions on the other hand are most prevalent later in the writing process. :)
DeleteHowever, that theory is critical closer to the end, no, no, no boss. Sir, the position of the conventions has nothing to do with it. You can have a set of ideas, and creating sentences and sentences that are not ''flowing'' your message will be yours only. Let us take for example, when we had to analyse the child's writing you particularly chose the one with less writing convention.
ReplyDeleteNote, the issue at hand here is not using the conventions while you are writing but ''cleaning up'' your writing to share your message.