Creating Writers: Through 6-Trait Writing Assessment and Instruction

by Vicki Spandel

Written by the pioneer of 6-trait writing, this Fourth Edition brings everything up to date, offering a comprehensive overview of the best education strategies and philosophies from the worlds of writing assessment and instruction. It provides clear guidelines on helping students draft, assess, and revise their writing, as well as explicit criteria to show students precisely what they must do to succeed as writers in virtually any situation. Widely used at the state level, school districts are incorporating the 6 traits into their state standards or assessments. This is the only book on the market that effectively helps teachers of writing prepare their students for success on state tests.

Genres: Education, Writing, Teaching, Nonfiction

388 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Lance Greenlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone in an Amazon.com review claimed that if he or she could only recommend one professional book, that it would be Spandel’s Creating Writers. I agree. If your professors were more interested in the politics of education than creating writers, then expose yourself to the multiple trait techniques. This book was a treat.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's okay, but like Atwell, I feel like this is dumbing down the concept of writing so much that it becomes one step away from a standardized test. I'll probably end up using 6 Trait assessment someday, so I'll hold onto this, but it certainly isn't motivating or thrilling.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on the 6-Trait Writing. She gives good explanations of each trait and has examples of student writing. I found it very useful and would reference it throughout the year.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good ideas for making "traits" of good writing comprehensible and accessible to students.