Persuasive Writing Proficiency Scales | Year 5/6 Tasks (English ACARA V9)

Bring clarity, consistency and high-impact assessment literacy to your persuasive writing unit. Support your students to clearly understand the difference between A, B and C responses (because let's be honest, that marking guide isn't friendly) with these explicit, student-friendly proficiency scales aligned to ACARA Version 9. Designed specifically for Year 5/6 Persuasive Writing, this resource makes achievement standards visible, actionable and easy to use throughout the entire unit.

Why this resource?

Students often struggle to understand what separates an A from a C. These first-of-its-kind proficiency scales (A3/A4 versions) break it down clearly, helping our high school students:

✔ understand what quality writing looks like

✔ identify the difference between A/B and C responses

✔ use success criteria to improve their work

✔ engage more deeply with feedback

This resource supports you to build clarity across the entire writing process — not just at assessment.

What’s INCLUDED in this resource?

1. Year 5 Persuasive Writing Proficiency Scale (A–B–C)

A clear, student-friendly proficiency scale aligned to ACARA V9 that breaks down:

• A/B level response (4 stars)
• C-level response (3 stars – minimum standard)

2. Year 6 Persuasive Writing Proficiency Scale (A–B–C)

A parallel proficiency scale for Year 6, aligned to ACARA V9, supporting:

• clarity of achievement standards
• consistency across teaching and assessment
• progression in persuasive writing expectations

How to Use:

• Make minor edits/print to align with your task
• Introduce at the beginning of your unit to build clarity
• Use to unpack exemplars and model quality writing
• Refer to during drafting to guide student improvement
• Use in feedback lessons to support reflection and editing
• Display on your learning wall for ongoing reference

Perfect For:

✔ Year 5/6 Persuasive Writing

✔ ACARA Version 9 alignment

✔ Learning walls & visible learning environments

✔ Explicit instruction & assessment literacy

✔ Supporting student independence and ownership

From confusion to clarity. Help your students understand what quality persuasive writing looks like — and how to achieve it.