What is a narrative writing task?
A narrative tells a story. For practice, aim to show a situation changing because a character faces a problem, makes a choice or discovers something. A list of unrelated events is harder for a reader to care about.
The official NAPLAN writing task may require narrative or persuasive writing. Use the requested text type on the day. The prompts and sample opening here are original learning material, not official tasks or scored exemplars.
Official guidance: NAP: Writing test FAQs
Four original narrative prompts
The late delivery
A delivery arrives after everyone has given up waiting. Write a story about what happens next.
Plan before writing
- Who was waiting, and why did the delivery matter?
- What has changed while they waited?
- What decision does the arrival force someone to make?
A map with one mistake
Someone follows a map and discovers that one important detail is wrong. Write their story.
Plan before writing
- Where are they trying to go?
- How do they discover the mistake?
- What can they use besides the map to solve the problem?
The sound after closing time
A familiar place is closed, but someone hears a sound from inside. Write a story about the discovery.
Plan before writing
- Who hears the sound?
- What do they think it is, and what is it really?
- How does the discovery change their action?
The borrowed promise
A character must decide whether to keep a promise made by someone else. Write a story about their decision.
Plan before writing
- What is the promise?
- Why is keeping it difficult?
- What does the ending reveal about the character?
Plan a story you can finish
You do not need an elaborate plot. A simple situation with a well-developed response leaves room for precise description, dialogue and a coherent ending. If the plan introduces several mysteries, decide which one this story will actually resolve.
- Character: choose someone with a clear goal or concern.
- Situation: establish the place and the relevant circumstances.
- Complication: introduce one problem that interrupts the goal.
- Response: let the character act; show a consequence of the action.
- Resolution: connect the ending to the original problem or goal.
An original opening, with a useful review
Opening for “A map with one mistake”
Tess checked the map again. The bridge was drawn in a thick blue line, straight across the creek. In front of her, two wooden posts leaned over the water. She folded the map until the bridge disappeared and looked upstream.
What problem does the opening establish?
Show answer and explanation
The map shows a bridge, but the crossing appears to be missing.
The drawn blue line is contrasted with two remaining posts. The problem is visible through details rather than a long explanation.
What makes the final action useful for the story?
Show answer and explanation
Tess begins looking for another way across.
Folding the map and looking upstream show a response to the problem. The next paragraph can develop that action instead of introducing an unrelated event.
What would a connected ending need to do?
Show answer and explanation
Show how Tess deals with the crossing or changes her goal because of it.
The ending should respond to the central problem. Finding a safe alternative, seeking help or deciding to turn back could all work if the story develops the choice.
Revise the story for the reader
Read the draft once for the overall sequence. Can the reader see why the character acts and how that action affects the next event? If the sequence is clear, choose a paragraph where one more detail would help the reader understand the situation.
Check whether description earns its place. A wet sleeve can show a character tried the crossing; a long list of colours may do less for the problem. Dialogue is useful when it reveals a decision, a relationship or information the reader needs.
- Keep the point of view and tense consistent unless a change is deliberate and clear.
- Start a new paragraph when the focus, time or speaker changes.
- Reread sentence endings and dialogue punctuation.
- Check that the final paragraph answers the story’s central question.
Frequently asked questions
Can these narrative prompts be used for different year levels?
Yes. Adjust the support and expectations to the learner. A younger writer may plan a concrete event with a simple resolution; an older writer can develop motives, consequences and language choices.
Does a narrative need a dramatic twist?
No. A clear problem and a developed response can make an effective story. A twist should make sense within the story rather than replace a connected ending.
Can we know the NAPLAN narrative prompt in advance?
The official task is not available for advance prediction, and the required text type is revealed at assessment. These prompts are original practice activities.
Check the official guidance.
Reviewed by TestHero on . Official facts are drawn from the sources below. Examples, prompts and learning suggestions are original TestHero material.
TestHero is an independent practice product. Practice results are not official NAPLAN scores. Check the school and current official guidance for administration details.