Three-Trait Model of Writing Assessment
The three writing traits
assessed in the Federal Way School District are:
(Click a tab to view a
topic.)
Key:
The pupil includes either (a) the
three parts of a paragraph (introduction, supporting sentences, and closing),
or (b) the three parts of a story (beginning, middle, and ending).
The pupil uses powerful language,
voice, and sentence variety to "spice up" the writing.
The pupil repairs any mechanical
problems, for error-free writing.
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Topic Sentence
Supporting Sentence
Closing Sentence
Transitions
Organization
Topic Sentence
- Grab attention of reader.
- Tell reader what the
writing is about.
The reader
senses the writer as a person and knows the writing is about a snowy
day.
Supporting Sentence
- Support the topic with
details, examples, and facts.
The writer tells the
reader what he sees, feels, hears, smells, and tastes on a snowy day.
Closing Sentence
- Restate the topic in
a creative way, leaving the reader satisfied.
The writer reminds the
reader of his love for snowy days.
Transitions
- Connect ideas and paragraphs
effectively.
The writer
uses the word "then" to move the reader from outside to
inside.
Organization
- Organize logically.
- Give sense of completeness.
The writer
begins outside and then moves inside.
Word Choice
Sentence Fluency
Voice
Word Choice
- Use powerful language appropriate
for the audience and purpose.
Descriptive
words create a picture in the reader's mind.
Sentence
Fluency
- Use a variety of sentence lengths
and beginnings.
The writer begins to
move away from starting all sentences with "I".
Voice
- Show the person behind the words.
Words and phrases
show us something about the writer as a person.
- Use complete sentences.
- Use correct capitalization
and punctuation.
- Use correct grammar.
- Use correct spelling.
- Indicate paragraphs correctly.
After correcting
mechanical errors, the writer produced a neat and error-free final copy.
