Why these look different to other prompt lists. A NAPLAN writing prompt is more than a topic sentence. Each Brightstar practice prompt gives a topic or idea, a short set of "Think about" points, and a "Remember to" checklist, so children practise planning as well as writing.
Do Year 3 and Year 5 get different prompts? NAPLAN writing prompts can vary, and the prompt used on the day is not published in advance. What is consistent is that expectations for the quality of writing differ by year level. Every prompt below is written to suit both Year 3 and Year 5 practice.
These are original prompts written in a NAPLAN-style format. ACARA's actual test prompts are copyright and aren't reproduced here.
How to use these prompts
- Don't let your child choose the genre. On test day they don't get a choice — the genre is revealed on the day. Pick one for them, and rotate between narrative and persuasive.
- These prompts suit both Year 3 and Year 5 practice. A Year 3 response is simply expected to be less developed than a Year 5 one on the same topic.
- Use the real timing. Roughly 5 minutes to plan, 30 to write, 5 to check. Year 3 writes by hand; Year 5 types.
- Read the "Think about" points first. They're there to help, and using them lifts Text Structure and Ideas.
- One piece a fortnight, marked, beats five pieces unmarked. Feedback is where the improvement happens.
An important detail from ACARA's marking guide: if a marker is certain the student hasn't used the topic on the prompt page in any way, the Ideas criterion is capped at 1 mark out of 5. Creative writing is wonderful — but it must connect to the topic given.
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