Writing Tips for the Selective Entry Exam - Persuasive and Narrative

The writing section of the Victorian Selective Entry High School exam is where many students underperform - and where prepared students gain a significant advantage. Two tasks, 20 minutes each, testing very different skills. This guide breaks down exactly what markers look for, how to approach each task and the most effective way to practise.

The Writing Section - What You Need to Know

Section 3 of the SEHS exam consists of two writing tasks completed back to back:

• Task 1 - Persuasive writing: 20 minutes to write an argument on a given topic
• Task 2 - Narrative writing: 20 minutes to write a short story based on a prompt

Students should aim for 200-400 words per task. Writing fewer than 150 words will limit the score regardless of quality. Writing more than 400 words is fine if the quality holds, but time management is critical - every minute counts.

The writing section is scored by trained markers using a detailed rubric. Understanding this rubric is the single most important thing a student can do to improve their writing score.

Persuasive Writing - What Markers Look For

A strong persuasive piece is not just an opinion. It is a structured argument that convinces the reader through logic, evidence and technique. Here is what separates a high-scoring persuasive essay:

Clear Argument Structure

Open with a strong thesis statement that makes your position clear. Each body paragraph should present one distinct reason supporting your argument. Close with a conclusion that reinforces your position without simply repeating what you have already said.

Persuasive Techniques

Markers look for deliberate use of rhetorical devices. These include:

• Rhetorical questions that engage the reader
• Emotive language used with precision (not overdone)
• Inclusive language ("we", "our") to build connection
• Repetition for emphasis
• Addressing and rebutting counterarguments
• Appeals to logic, emotion and credibility

Evidence and Examples

Even in 20 minutes, students should include specific examples or evidence to support their claims. General statements like "everyone knows this is bad" score poorly. Concrete examples - even hypothetical ones framed convincingly - demonstrate stronger thinking.

Vocabulary Precision

Use words that are precise and appropriate. "Detrimental" instead of "bad". "Fundamental" instead of "important". But do not overload the piece with complex vocabulary for its own sake - every word choice should serve the argument.

Narrative Writing - What Markers Look For

Narrative writing requires different skills from persuasive writing. Here, the student is telling a story - and the best stories draw the reader in from the first line.

Opening Hook

Start in the middle of the action, with dialogue, or with a vivid sensory detail. Do not waste the first three lines on "One day, there was a boy named..." - markers read hundreds of essays and a strong opening stands out immediately.

Show, Don't Tell

This is perhaps the most important narrative skill. Instead of writing "She was scared", write "Her hands trembled against the cold metal of the door handle." Instead of "The room was messy", write "Clothes spilled from the open wardrobe like a fabric waterfall, covering the floor in a patchwork of colour."

Narrative Flow and Pacing

A 200-400 word story cannot have a complex plot. Focus on a single moment, a single conflict, a single turning point. The best exam narratives zoom in on one scene and explore it deeply rather than rushing through an entire adventure.

Figurative Language

Similes, metaphors, personification and sensory imagery all demonstrate writing maturity. Use them purposefully - one strong metaphor is better than five weak similes crammed into a paragraph.

Structural Pacing

Vary sentence length deliberately. Short sentences create tension. Longer, flowing sentences slow the pace and build atmosphere. A mix of both shows control over the craft.

The Scoring Rubric - 8 Criteria Per Task

Each writing task is assessed across 8 criteria, with specific weightings:

Persuasive Writing Criteria

Narrative Writing Criteria

Notice that Time and Word Count carries the highest weight at 15% for both tasks. Finishing the piece within the time limit and hitting the target word count is not optional - it is one of the most heavily weighted criteria.

Band Thresholds and What They Mean

To be competitive for selective entry schools like Melbourne High School, Mac.Robertson Girls' High School, Nossal High School or Suzanne Cory High School, students should be consistently scoring in the High to Superior band range across both tasks.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

After reviewing thousands of student writing samples, these are the mistakes that appear most often:

1. No planning: Students dive straight into writing without spending 2-3 minutes planning structure. A quick plan prevents rambling and ensures a clear beginning, middle and end.
2. Telling instead of showing (narrative): "He was happy" instead of "A grin spread across his face as he clutched the letter to his chest." This is the most common weakness in narrative writing.
3. Weak openings: Starting with "I think..." (persuasive) or "Once upon a time..." (narrative) signals a lack of preparation. Strong writers start with impact.
4. Running out of time: Students who do not practise under timed conditions often cannot finish their second task. This costs significant marks.
5. Vocabulary overload: Cramming in complex words that do not fit the context. One well-placed sophisticated word is worth more than five awkwardly forced ones.
6. No counterargument (persuasive): Acknowledging and rebutting the opposing view shows maturity of thought and significantly lifts the score.
7. Too many plot events (narrative): Trying to fit an entire novel into 300 words. Focus on one moment. Depth over breadth.
8. Ignoring paragraph breaks: A wall of text is hard to read and signals poor structural awareness. Use paragraphs deliberately.

How AI Feedback Accelerates Writing Improvement

Traditional writing practice has a bottleneck: feedback. A student writes an essay, submits it to a tutor or teacher, and waits days - sometimes a week - to receive comments. By then, the writing mindset is gone and the feedback feels disconnected from the work.

AI-powered writing evaluation changes this entirely:

• Instant feedback: Submit a piece and receive detailed, criteria-specific scoring within seconds
• Every criterion scored: Not just "good effort" but specific scores and commentary on argument structure, vocabulary precision, persuasive techniques and every other rubric criterion
• Actionable suggestions: Concrete advice on what to improve - not vague encouragement
• Multiple iterations per session: Write, get feedback, revise, resubmit - all in a single practice session. This is how rapid improvement happens.
• Consistent standards: AI applies the same rubric consistently, so students can track genuine progress over time

The SK Writing Lab scores every submission against the full 8-criteria rubric for both persuasive and narrative writing. Students receive a band classification, individual criterion scores and specific feedback on how to improve. It is the most complete online writing practice tool built specifically for the Victorian selective entry exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended tools: SK Writing Lab SK Writing Coach SK FREE Diagnostic Test