High-Scoring Words for Student Writing
Vocabulary is one of the most heavily weighted criteria in NAPLAN-style writing assessments. These word banks and tips will help your child choose words that are precise, natural and appropriate — without sounding forced or out of place.
1. Why vocabulary matters
In NAPLAN-style writing, vocabulary is assessed on whether the student uses words that are precise, varied and suited to the purpose. This does not mean using the longest or rarest words — it means choosing the right word for each sentence.
A student who writes “she walked nervously to the door” is telling us the emotion. A student who writes “she hesitated at the door, hand raised and not quite touching the handle” is showing it — and that is what markers reward.
2. Why “fancy words” are not enough
Forced vocabulary (avoid):
“The melancholic precipitation descended upon the verdant landscape.”
Precise, natural vocabulary:
“A thin drizzle settled over the paddock, turning the grass dark.”
3. Use precise words
The most common vocabulary mistake is using vague or generic words when a precise alternative is available. Replace these:
| Weak word | Stronger alternatives |
|---|---|
| said | announced, whispered, insisted, admitted, argued, confirmed |
| walked | strode, crept, stumbled, hurried, wandered, shuffled |
| good | effective, reliable, impressive, valuable, beneficial, significant |
| bad | harmful, severe, damaging, ineffective, concerning, troubling |
| big | enormous, substantial, significant, vast, considerable, towering |
| nice | welcoming, thoughtful, generous, pleasant, considerate |
| got | received, acquired, earned, discovered, obtained, retrieved |
4–7. Word banks by category
Persuasive — to state a position
Persuasive — to add a reason
Narrative — strong verbs
Narrative — setting and mood
Emotion words
Transition words
8. Common vocabulary mistakes
- ✕Using the same word multiple times in a paragraph (e.g. “important” appears four times).
- ✕Starting every sentence with “I” or “The”.
- ✕Choosing a word from a thesaurus without checking if it makes sense in context.
- ✕Using informal words (e.g. “kids”, “lots of”, “stuff”) in formal writing tasks.
- ✕Overusing filler phrases: “as well as”, “and also”, “in addition to this” in every paragraph.
9. Practice activity
Vocabulary upgrade exercise
Rewrite this paragraph using more precise vocabulary. Do not change the meaning — just upgrade the word choices.
“The old man walked slowly into the room and said he was tired. He sat down on a big chair and looked out the window. It was getting dark outside and he felt bad.”
Try it yourself before looking at how WriteWise Coach would give feedback on vocabulary in a student response.
Get personalised vocabulary feedback
WriteWise Coach gives specific vocabulary feedback on your child’s actual writing — highlighting overused words and suggesting natural, precise alternatives.