How Writesy aligns to the NAPLAN writing criteria

NAPLAN assesses writing in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 against ten marking criteria — the same criteria whether students face a narrative or persuasive task. The best preparation isn't practice tests: it's regular, scaffolded writing where students get explicit support in each of the skills markers assess. That's exactly how every Writesy resource is built.

Here's how each element of a Writesy resource maps to what NAPLAN markers are looking for.

1. Audience
Markers assess: The writer's capacity to orient, engage and affect the reader
Writesy builds it with: Engaging images and story starters model hooks that grab a reader from the first line; Reflective Questions push students to consider how their choices affect the reader
2. Text structure
Markers assess: Organisation of the text into an effective narrative (orientation, complication, resolution)
Writesy builds it with: Every resource is built on the orientation–complication–resolution arc: the Story Starter establishes orientation, the Complication drives the middle, and Brainstorming Prompts guide students toward a resolution
3. Ideas
Markers assess: The creation, selection and crafting of ideas
Writesy builds it with: Brainstorming Prompts and Creative Twists generate and stretch ideas; Writing Challenges push students beyond their first, easiest idea
4. Character and setting
Markers assess: Portrayal and development of character and setting
Writesy builds it with: Vivid generated images anchor setting; Dialogue Prompts develop character voice; Reflective Questions connect characters to students' own experience
5. Vocabulary
Markers assess: Range and precision of language choices
Writesy builds it with: Tiered vocabulary support (Tier 1, 2 and 3 word choices) is built into every resource, letting every student reach one level up in context
6. Cohesion
Markers assess: Control of threads and relationships across the text (referring words, connectives, sequencing)
Writesy builds it with: Sentence Starters model connectives and sequencing language; the Writing Checklist prompts students to check their story flows as one connected piece
7. Paragraphing
Markers assess: Segmenting of text into paragraphs that pace and direct the reader
Writesy builds it with: The starter–complication–resolution structure gives students natural paragraph breaks; the Writing Checklist includes explicit paragraphing checks
8. Sentence structure
Markers assess: Production of grammatically correct, structurally sound and meaningful sentences
Writesy builds it with: The Sentence Variety feature shows simple, compound and complex sentences drawn from the actual story, so students see the technique in the context they're writing in
9. Punctuation
Markers assess: Accurate use of punctuation to aid the reading of the text
Writesy builds it with: Dialogue Prompts create authentic practice with speech punctuation — the punctuation skill markers most often see done poorly; the Writing Checklist includes a punctuation pass
10. Spelling
Markers assess: Accuracy of spelling across increasingly difficult words
Writesy builds it with: Tiered vocabulary exposes students to more difficult words with support, building the spelling repertoire markers reward

In persuasive writing tasks, NAPLAN replaces "character and setting" with "persuasive devices" — the remaining nine criteria are identical. Writesy's current library focuses on narrative writing, where students' imagination gives you the most engagement leverage.

How teachers use this

A practical NAPLAN writing routine with Writesy:

One resource per week. Run the image and story starter as your hook, use the brainstorming prompts for planning, write with the vocabulary and sentence supports available, and finish with the student checklist as a self-assessment against the same skills NAPLAN markers assess. By March, students have written ten or more complete, scaffolded narratives — the strongest preparation there is.

Frequently asked questions

What are the ten NAPLAN writing criteria?

NAPLAN marks writing against ten criteria: audience, text structure, ideas, character and setting, vocabulary, cohesion, paragraphing, sentence structure, punctuation and spelling. Each criterion has its own score range, and the ten scores combine into the overall writing result.

Which year levels sit the NAPLAN writing test?

Students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 sit the NAPLAN writing test each March, alongside the reading, conventions of language and numeracy tests.

Is narrative writing marked differently from persuasive writing in NAPLAN?

Nine of the ten criteria are identical. In a persuasive task, the "character and setting" criterion is replaced with "persuasive devices" — everything else, from audience to spelling, is marked the same way.

What is the best way to prepare students for NAPLAN writing?

Regular, scaffolded writing beats practice tests. Students improve fastest when they write complete texts often, with explicit support for the specific skills markers assess — vocabulary choices, sentence variety, paragraphing and punctuation — and then self-assess against those same criteria.

Start with the free library

110+ NAPLAN-aligned resources, free with a teacher account. Access all free resources now.

Get free access →

Writesy is an independent resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by ACARA. NAPLAN is administered by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. Criteria summaries above are paraphrased from publicly available ACARA marking guidance.