These free NAPLAN writing prompts give your child plenty of topics to practise with, for both persuasive and narrative writing. Each prompt is original and written in the style of the real NAPLAN writing test, grouped by year level so you can pick the right challenge. Choose one, set a 40-minute timer, and use the planning guide at the bottom of the page.
Looking for Year 5 specifically? Our NAPLAN writing Year 5 guide has another 24 prompts and a practice plan.
Persuasive writing prompts
For each prompt, your child should choose a side, give reasons, and try to convince the reader. See NAPLAN persuasive writing for structure and examples.
Years 3 and 5
- Every classroom should have a class pet.
- Children should be allowed to choose what they learn one day a week.
- It is better to live in the country than in the city.
- Kids should get pocket money for doing chores.
- Every school should have a library dog.
- Lunchtime sport should be compulsory.
- Children should be allowed to stay up late on Friday nights.
- Books are better than movies.
- Playgrounds should have more challenging equipment, even if it is a bit risky.
- Every child should learn a musical instrument.
Years 7 and 9
- Social media platforms should not allow accounts for anyone under 16.
- Schools should replace some exams with real-world projects.
- Australia should make volunteering part of the school curriculum.
- Professional athletes are paid too much.
- Cars should be banned from city centres on weekends.
- Students should be allowed to use AI tools to help with homework.
- Every high school student should learn to cook.
- Fast fashion does more harm than good.
- Public transport should be free for students.
- School should start later for teenagers.
Narrative writing prompts
For each prompt, your child should write a story with a clear orientation, complication and resolution. See NAPLAN narrative writing for structure and examples.
Years 3 and 5
- Write a story about a tiny creature that lives in your schoolbag.
- The day the classroom clock stopped, so did everything else.
- You are given a key with a label that says “Do not use until Tuesday.”
- Write a story called “The Lost Kite”.
- A new student arrives who can speak to animals.
- The treehouse was much bigger on the inside.
- Write a story about a race that nobody expected to win.
- Grandpa’s old suitcase is ticking.
- You follow a trail of glitter footprints across the school oval.
- Write a story that ends with the words: “And that is why we never go back to the beach on a Wednesday.”
Years 7 and 9
- The last train of the night stops somewhere that isn’t on the map.
- Write a story about two people who see the same event very differently.
- A power outage reveals something about a neighbour nobody knew.
- Write a story called “Signal”.
- You receive a message from yourself, sent ten years in the future.
- The drought finally breaks, but the rain brings something unexpected.
- Write a story about a decision that can’t be undone.
- An empty house, a ringing phone, and one chance to answer.
- Write a story that begins: “Everyone said the bridge was safe.”
- A character finds out the truth about an old family story.
Prompts by year level
| Year level | How to use the prompts |
|---|---|
| Year 3 | Use the Years 3 and 5 prompts. Handwrite on paper, as Year 3 does in the real test. Aim for a clear beginning, middle and end. See also our Year 3 writing guide. |
| Year 5 | Use the Years 3 and 5 prompts, typed on a computer. Aim for paragraphs, a strong opening and precise words. |
| Year 7 | Use the Years 7 and 9 prompts. Focus on developing ideas in depth and varying sentences. |
| Year 9 | Use the Years 7 and 9 prompts. Aim for a sustained, controlled piece with a distinctive voice. |
How to plan a response
The real test gives 40 minutes in total. A simple time plan helps your child finish:
| Time | What to do |
|---|---|
| 5 minutes | Plan. Persuasive: opinion plus three reasons. Narrative: character, setting, problem and ending. |
| 30 minutes | Write. Start a new paragraph for each reason or each new part of the story. |
| 5 minutes | Check. Reread for full stops, capitals, commas and spelling. |
Planning templates
- Persuasive: My opinion is… / Reason 1 + example / Reason 2 + example / Reason 3 or “Some people say… however…” / Conclusion.
- Narrative: Who? Where and when? What goes wrong? How do they try to fix it? How does it end, and how has the character changed?
After writing, look at one or two of the marking criteria together, and compare with our sample answers to see what the next step looks like.
Writing prompts FAQs
Will these prompts appear in the real NAPLAN test?
No. Real NAPLAN prompts are kept secure until the test. These are original practice prompts written in the same style, so your child can practise the skills.
Can I use official NAPLAN prompts?
Yes. ACARA has released the writing prompts from 2008 to 2016. See free NAPLAN past papers.
How often should my child practise?
One prompt a fortnight, alternating persuasive and narrative, is plenty for most children.
Related guides
- NAPLAN Writing: A Parent’s Guide to the Writing Test
- NAPLAN Writing Year 5: Prompts, Tips and Practice
- NAPLAN Persuasive Writing: Examples and Tips
- NAPLAN Narrative Writing: Examples and Tips
- Free NAPLAN Practice Tests
All prompts on this page are original and written by MyNaplan.