6+1 Trait Writing Model (For 11/15/17)

Over the course of this class, more and more I feel like I've been sharpening my critical eye, particularly in the field of pedagogy. When it comes to spotting cookie cutter formulas, I'm much less likely to let them pass me by. However, this week's reading about the 6+1 Writing model from Education Northeast has me stumped. Regardless, here are my takes on my initial reading.

According to EN, these are the "key qualities that define quality writing": ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions, and presentation. Now, on the surface, all of this sounds hunky-dory, but my biggest issues with this measurement of writing include the lack of discussion regarding purpose, audience, and emotion.

Purpose - Whether it's to release any nerves about shitty writing for one's self,  or to with a new policy into government, writers always have a purpose with what they're putting on the page. From what I remember of the reading, there was no mention of the importance of a writer's purpose, and that actually scares me. With no true purpose, we are inviting the notion for students to write only for a grade. And to some degree, I guess one could argue that a grade is "a reason," but beyond school, there endless reasons to write. Now, I can't deny the fact that if a student can master the 6+1 traits, they can more than likely make it through the average grade school experience. But for youth to actually care about writing, and what they're writing, a purpose beyond a letter grade needs to be inspired.

Audience - I have Mrs. Hauser, my 6th grade ELA teacher, to thank for forming the writer's bump I still have on my middle finger. For lack of better words, she was a tough cookie to crack, and wouldn't hesitate to give anyone a detention for not doing their homework. Needless to say she never saw me after school. However, one of the most loaded questions she ever asked my class was, "why do people writer?"And after a minute of shrugged shoulders and crickets she said, "so other people can read it." This is exactly what I feel this 6+1 Writing Model is preaching, which again isn't bad, but it's not enough. As a writer, it's not enough to simply consider that someone is going to read something you write. No, it's about being deliberate and strategic, which leads smoothly into the last post I wanted to cover...

Emotion - I think that earlier in the semester, a conversation about emotions in writing came up, so I'm bringing it back! Now, maybe this is just me being an emotional person in general, but for me, if a piece of writing doesn't cause an emotional response from me (as a reader), then it flopped. It doesn't matter if the author and I share similar values, it doesn't matter if the writing is spotless in terms of editorial flaws, nothing. If it doesn't move me, then I won't make it move into the hands of another reader. And when this 6+1 method got talking about voice, I think they were approaching a more authentic kind of writing. But again, for me and my philosophy as a writer, having a voicey piece does not guarantee that the writing is going to impact the emotions of an audience.