Writing Traits Matrix
Source: Pearson Allyn Bacon Prentice Hall
Topics: Middle Years (5-9), Preteen Years (9-13), What to Expect in Writing (Grade and Age)
The table below lists the writing traits matrix of the developmental phases in second language writing at three different levels: beginning, intermediate, and advanced.
| Trait | Beginning Level | Intermediate Level | Advanced Level |
| Fluency | Writes one or two sentences. | Writes several sentences. | Writes a paragraph or more. |
| Organization | Lacks logical sequence or so short that organization presents no problem. | Somewhat sequenced. | Follows standard organization for genre. |
| Grammar | Basic word order problems. Uses only present tense forms. | Minor grammatical errors, such as -s on verbs in third person singular. | Grammar resembles that of native speaker of same age. |
| Vocabulary | Limited vocabulary. Needs to rely at times on first language or ask for translation. | Knows most words needed to express ideas, but lacks vocabulary for finer shades of meaning. | Flexible in word choice; similar to good native writer of same age. |
| Genre | Does not differentiate form to suit purpose. | Chooses form to suit purpose, but limited in choices of expository forms. | Knows several genres; makes appropriate choices. Similar to effective native writers of same age. |
| Sentence Variety | Uses one or two sentence patterns. | Uses several sentence patterns. | Uses a good variety of sentence patterns effectively. |
Excerpted From:
Excerpt from Reading, Writing and Learning in ESL: A Resource Book for K-12 Teachers, MyLabSchool Edition, by S.F. Peregoy & O.F. Boyle, 2005 edition, p. 224.
© 2005, Allyn & Bacon, an imprint of Pearson Education Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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