Persuasive writing practice with rubric-based feedback.
Students practise writing persuasive texts and receive detailed feedback on every scored criterion — with evidence quoted from their own writing and one clear revision focus per draft.
What strong persuasive writing includes
WriteWise Coach scores each of these elements and shows students exactly where their writing succeeds and where it needs work.
A persuasive text must state a clear opinion in the opening and maintain it throughout. Markers reward writers who commit to a position and argue it consistently.
Each paragraph should present one reason with supporting evidence. Introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion are required for full marks on text structure.
A bare reason without explanation scores lower than a reason supported by a fact, example, or consequence. Students practise unpacking each point in one extra sentence.
Rhetorical questions, repetition, inclusive language ('we', 'our'), and direct address ('you') all demonstrate awareness of audience — a scored criterion.
Strong persuasive writers choose words that convey certainty or urgency — 'essential', 'undeniable', 'critical'. Generic words like 'good' or 'bad' reduce vocabulary scores.
Linking words ('Furthermore', 'However', 'As a result') connect ideas and signal argument structure to the marker. Feedback identifies missing or overused connectives.
Persuasive devices students learn to use
Feedback highlights when devices are used well — and coaching prompts guide students to try new ones in their revision.
"Is it fair that students have no voice in this decision?"
"Schools must be safe, supportive, and inclusive."
"We all benefit when children learn to think critically."
"While some argue phones help in emergencies, the school office provides that safety net."
"It is deeply unfair that students are denied a say."
How a rewrite challenge works
Student wrote
“I think students should not be allowed to bring phones to school. Phones can be a big distraction and they can stop kids from doing their work.”
Feedback
Your position is clear. Your reason is stated but not yet elaborated. After “stop kids from doing their work”, add one sentence explaining why or how this harms learning.
Rewrite challenge
Add one elaborating sentence after your distraction point — explain the consequence of that distraction for learning outcomes.
WriteWise Coach never rewrites the essay for the student. The student applies the feedback in their own words.
Ready to improve persuasive writing?
See how WriteWise Coach feedback looks on a real student draft.
Frequently asked questions
- What is NAPLAN persuasive writing?
- NAPLAN writing tests either persuasive or narrative genre, alternating each year. Persuasive tasks ask students to argue a position on a given topic. The response is marked against nine criteria including audience, text structure, ideas, vocabulary, cohesion, paragraphing, sentence structure, punctuation, and spelling.
- What year levels benefit most from persuasive writing practice?
- Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 sit NAPLAN, but persuasive writing practice benefits all students from Year 3 upwards. Persuasive writing is also central to selective school placement tests for Year 4 and Year 6 students.
- Does WriteWise Coach write the essay for the student?
- No. The student writes their own draft. WriteWise Coach gives rubric-based feedback on what they wrote — scoring each criterion, quoting evidence from their text, and suggesting one revision focus. The student does the rewriting.
- How does feedback on persuasive writing differ from narrative feedback?
- Persuasive feedback focuses on argument structure, evidence quality, persuasive devices, and audience awareness. Narrative feedback focuses on character, setting, complication, tension, and resolution. Both use the same underlying rubric criteria.