NAPLAN writing marks are not about being “good at English”. They reward structure, clear ideas, and control of sentences and punctuation. Here’s what markers look for and how parents can help at home.
If your child gets nervous about NAPLAN writing, you are not alone. Many students have good ideas but lose marks because their writing is unclear, unstructured, or hard to follow.
The good news is that NAPLAN writing is markable and teachable. It follows clear criteria, and small changes can make a big difference.
Below is a parent-friendly guide to what markers look for, and the simplest ways to help at home in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.
The 7 key areas NAPLAN-style writing feedback focuses on
At MyWritingTutor, we use a NAPLAN-style approach that focuses on these key areas:
1) Text structure
Markers reward writing that has a clear beginning, middle, and end.
- Narrative: orientation, complication, resolution
- Persuasive: introduction, reasons, conclusion
At home: Ask your child to point to their beginning, middle, and end. If they cannot, the reader cannot either.
2) Ideas
Strong writing has clear, relevant ideas that match the topic and are developed with detail.
At home: Encourage one strong idea per paragraph, then add supporting detail. For persuasive, add an example.
3) Vocabulary
Better vocabulary is not about big words. It is about precise words.
- “Nice” becomes “thoughtful”
- “Big” becomes “enormous” or “crowded” depending on context
At home: Pick two words from their writing and ask, “What is a stronger word we could use here?”
4) Cohesion
Cohesion is how smoothly the writing flows. Markers look for linking words and clear connections between sentences and paragraphs.
At home: Teach simple linking words:
- first, next, then, finally
- because, so, however
- for example, in addition
5) Sentence structure
Markers reward students who can write a mix of sentence types.
- simple sentences for clarity
- compound and complex sentences for depth
At home: Ask your child to combine two short sentences using “because”, “so”, or “when”.
6) Punctuation
Punctuation is about control and clarity. Missing full stops and commas can make good ideas hard to read.
At home: Do a quick punctuation scan:
- full stop at the end of each sentence
- capital letters at the start
- commas for lists
7) Spelling
Markers reward accurate spelling, especially of common words and topic vocabulary.
At home: Choose 5 words from their writing and practise them for the week.
The fastest way to lift marks at home
If you want one simple routine that works across narrative and persuasive writing, try this:
The 10-minute writing upgrade routine
- Read it out loud (1 minute)
If it sounds confusing, it will read confusing. - Check the structure (2 minutes)
Do we have a clear beginning, middle, and end? - Improve one paragraph (4 minutes)
Add detail, add one stronger word, and add one linking word. - Sentence and punctuation scan (3 minutes)
Full stops, capitals, and at least one sentence that uses “because” or “however”.
This routine is short, repeatable, and builds skill over time.
Want personalised feedback in minutes?
The quickest way to understand what your child needs next is to start with a Free Writing Check.
You will receive:
- what your child is doing well
- what to focus on next
- clear next steps aligned to their year level
Start Free Writing Check:
(Insert your button linking to your Free Writing Check page)
Common questions from parents
Is NAPLAN writing only about spelling and punctuation?
No. Those matter, but structure, ideas, cohesion, and sentence control are often where students gain the most marks.
My child has great ideas but struggles to start. What should I do?
Use a simple planning scaffold. For persuasive writing: opinion, three reasons, conclusion. For narrative: character, setting, problem, ending.
How often should my child practise writing?
Short, consistent practice works best. Even 1–2 tasks per week can create noticeable improvement.
Which year level should I choose if my child is in Year 2, 4, 6, or 8?
Start with the Free Writing Check. We can guide you to the closest match based on your child’s writing.
A simple parent takeaway
Good writing is not a talent. It is a skill. When children learn a clear structure and get feedback they can actually use, they improve quickly.
If you want to see where your child is at right now, start with a Free Writing Check.
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