The ‘Secret’ to NAPLAN Writing Success: Why Figurative Language is the Key to Top Marks

By Pascal Press I April 29th, 2026

As the NAPLAN season approaches, the pressure is on for students across Australia to showcase their literacy skills. While many parents and educators focus on the "nuts and bolts", perfecting spelling, mastering punctuation, and ensuring clear sentence structure, recent insights suggest that a crucial element of high-scoring writing is often overlooked.

A recent report by the Sydney Morning Herald has highlighted a "secret" that separates the 'Strong' students from those who land in the 'Exceeding' category: the strategic use of figurative language.

The Research: Why Figurative Language Matters

According to researchers who analysed high-achieving NAPLAN narratives, approximately 25% of the words used by top-scoring Year 3 students were figurative. While the official marking criteria focuses heavily on technical markers like "Audience," "Ideas," and "Vocabulary," it is the way students use these words that catches a marker's eye. Markers are increasingly rewarding students who go beyond literal descriptions and demonstrate a sophisticated flair for creative expression. Instead of just "telling" the story, these top-tier students "show" the story through vivid imagery.

Moving Beyond the Literal: "Show, Don’t Tell"

For many students, writing under the 40-minute NAPLAN time limit leads to "safe" writing. They default to literal statements like "The man was angry" or "The storm was loud." However, the data shows that students who take the creative risk to include figurative devices score significantly higher in the Audience (engaging the reader) and Vocabulary (precision of language) criteria. Key devices to master include:

• Similes and Metaphors: Creating a visual bridge for the reader (e.g., "His temper was a ticking time bomb" instead of "He was mad").
• Personification: Adding depth and emotion to settings (e.g., "The old floorboards groaned under his weight").
• Onomatopoeia: Adding a sensory layer to the narrative (e.g., "The sharp crack of the branch echoed through the woods").
• Alliteration and Assonance: Enhancing the "flow" and musicality of the text, which helps in the Cohesion criteria.

Why Is This Easily Missed?

The challenge lies in the official marking guides. While they mention "precise words" and "effective word groups," they don't always explicitly state that a metaphor is worth more than a well-spelt adjective. Consequently, many students spend their time checking their spelling of "necessary" when they should be spending time crafting a more engaging opening hook or a "Sizzling Start."

How to Prepare Your Child for the Writing Task

The transition from literal to figurative writing requires practice. To help your child bridge this gap:

1. Analyse the Prompt: Practice brainstorming 2–3 figurative "word banks" for common NAPLAN prompts (e.g., bravery, the box, a surprise).
2. Edit for Impact: During practice sessions, have your child go back and find three "boring" sentences to replace with figurative ones.
3. Read for Technique: When reading at home, point out when authors use similes or personification and ask, "How does this make you feel compared to a plain sentence?"

Unlock Your Child’s Potential with Pascal Press

At Pascal Press, we have been Australia’s leading publisher of NAPLAN preparation materials for over 35 years. We understand that excelling in NAPLAN requires a balance of technical accuracy and creative sophistication.

Our NAPLAN-style Literacy Workbooks are specifically engineered to help students move beyond the basics and master the advanced language features that markers are looking for.

• Excel Revise in a Month NAPLAN*-style Tests: The ultimate "exam-room" companion. These books help students manage their time so they have the headspace to include that high-scoring figurative language.
• Excel Basic Skills - Creative Writing: A dedicated resource for mastering the "Show, Don't Tell" technique. This workbook guides students through the exact figurative devices mentioned in the SMH report.
• Targeting Writing: Whether it’s a Narrative or Persuasive year, these books teach students how to structure their ideas and use high-level vocabulary to engage any audience.
• Excel Advanced Skills - Spelling and Vocabulary: Ensure your child has the "precise words" necessary to build those metaphors and similes effectively.

Don’t just aim for a pass. Aim for 'Exceeding.' Equip your child with the tools they need to stand out from the crowd.

👉 Explore our full range of NAPLAN Literacy resources at Pascal Press today.