Creative writing is a vital component of Primary School English, particularly in preparation for NAPLAN in Years 3 and 5. While primary school tutoring can be fun, it definately has its challenges!!

In NAPLAN, for example, students in year 3,5, and 7 are assessed on their ability to respond to a stimulus through imaginative or persuasive writing. However, strong creative writing skills are not just about test performance. They build vocabulary, sentence control, imagination, and confidence in communication. Students who can craft a clear narrative with engaging detail are far more likely to succeed across all areas of literacy.

Sentence variety is another essential skill. Model how to combine short and long sentences for effect. For example, a short sentence can build tension: “The door creaked open.”

For tutors, the key is to explicitly teach the building blocks of storytelling. Start with structure. Students need to understand orientation (who, where, when), complication (the problem), and resolution (how it is solved). In Years 3 and 5, clear structure is often more important than complex ideas. See attached example response for assistance.

Next, focus on vocabulary development. Encourage students to replace simple adjectives like “big” or “nice” with more precise words such as “enormous,” “ancient,” or “mysterious.” Create adjective banks linked to common NAPLAN themes such as adventure, friendship, or fear. Teach them to “show, not tell” by adding sensory detail. Instead of writing “He was scared,” guide them to write “His hands trembled and his heart thumped loudly in his chest.” (See dialogue attachment here)

Finally, provide regular practice with feedback aligned to NAPLAN criteria: ideas, structure, language features, vocabulary, and spelling. Use model texts and jointly construct paragraphs before asking students to write on their own for the very first time. I think it can be a very rewarding experience for tutors themselves!

Eleni Nicholas