Autumn Holidays 2026 • Year 5 & Year 6
10-Day Intensive Selective Writing
Narrative and persuasive writing across 5 Selective exam formats. Personalised feedback every session. The only Scholarly program dedicated exclusively to the writing paper.
10
Days
1 hr
Per session
≤13
Students
5
Text types
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM daily • Monday to Friday • 6 April – 17 April
This is a single 10-day program spanning both holiday weeks. No recordings available.
This is a single 10-day program spanning both holiday weeks. No recordings available.
Does This Sound Like Your Child?
Writing feels “flat” — tells the story but doesn’t show it. Descriptions lack the five senses detail that separates a 38/50 from a 44/50
Can speak ideas clearly but can’t get them on paper within the time limit — the gap between what they think and what they write is the constraint, not their intelligence
Stories ramble without structure — no strong opening hook, no rising tension, no satisfying resolution. The reader loses interest halfway through
Vocabulary is limited — keeps recycling the same simple words (“happy”, “sad”, “said”) instead of precise, expressive language that demonstrates control
Only knows one writing style — can write a basic narrative but freezes when asked to produce a persuasive letter, speech, email, or feature article for the exam
Scoring below 40/50 in writing — this almost always means descriptive ability needs work before anything else. Structure and technique come second
Why this matters more than parents think: Writing is often the last subject families prioritise, but it can be the difference between school tiers. Our data shows students with similar English, Maths, and Thinking Skills scores get separated by their writing mark. If your child scores below 40/50, we focus exclusively on five senses description first. Once that foundation is solid, we build structure, voice, and exam technique on top. That’s exactly what this 10-day program does.
Where Does Your Child’s Writing Score Sit?
Below 35/50
Significant weakness. Five senses fundamentals are the single constraint. This program starts here.
35 – 39/50
Below average. Five senses plus basic structure needed. Days 1–2 build the narrative foundation that lifts scores out of this band.
40 – 42/50
Borderline top 10%. Cross-textual analysis and text type adaptability are the constraints keeping them here.
43 – 47/50
Top 10% band. Getting here means filling two full pages with originality, coherence, and unique thoughts across multiple formats.
Students who placed at Tier 1 selective schools scored 42+ in writing. Students at Tier 2 schools averaged 38–41. The gap is often just 3–4 marks, but it translates directly into school placement.
Both weeks included • 10 sessions
10-Day Intensive Selective Writing
Narrative and persuasive writing with personalised feedback
🕑 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM • 📅 6 – 17 April (Mon-Fri)
Only 3 spots left
Enrol Now →
The 10-Day Curriculum with Exam Techniques
Each day pairs focused writing practice with specific, named exam techniques drawn from the 2021–2025 NSW Selective Tests. Click any day to expand.
Week 1: 6 – 10 April — Narrative Foundations & Selective-Style Writing
01
Narrative Craft: Show, Don’t Tell
Five senses description, sensory vocabulary, tone control
▼
- Five senses description: building vivid scenes that put the reader inside the story
- Selective-style prompt practice drawn from 2021–2025 test themes
- Openings that hook: micro-story, contrast pair, or surprising image
- 40-word sensory vocabulary bank: show don’t tell at speed (30-second drill)
- Timed piece #1 with individual feedback
Exam Techniques
- Zoom Lens Opening: wide shot (setting), medium (character), close-up (moment). Creates cinematic immersion in 3 sentences
- 5-Senses Sweep: sight + sound + one surprise sense (touch, smell, or taste). Multi-sensory = higher marks every time
- 5-20-5 Split: 5 min plan, 20 min write, 5 min proofread. The non-negotiable time structure for every exam piece
Key outcome: Students can write a descriptive paragraph that places the reader inside the scene using at least 3 senses.
02
Narrative Structure & Character Voice
Story architecture, pacing, character motivation
▼
- Story architecture: strong opening, rising tension, climax, and satisfying resolution
- Character voice and motivation: making characters feel real in a timed piece
- Selective-style creative prompts: adapting narrative to exam constraints
- Sentence variety for effect: short for impact, long for flow
- Timed piece #2 with individual feedback
Exam Techniques
- Power Sentence Variety: Short. Medium follows. Then longer with subordinate clauses. Repeat the pattern. Instantly lifts writing quality
- Power Openings Menu: Action, Dialogue, Question, or Sound effect. Never open with “One day…” or “Once upon a time…”
- 3-Word Anchor: underline 3 key words from the prompt. Every paragraph must connect to at least 1. Prevents rambling
Key outcome: Students can write a complete narrative with clear structure, character depth, and sentence variety.
03
Persuasive Letters & Hybrid Formats
PEEL/TEER structure, evidence ladder, persona mapping
▼
- Format refresh: formal, semi-formal, and friendly letters aligned to purpose
- Blending narrative techniques into persuasive writing for emotional impact
- Evidence ladder: anecdote, statistic, and expert voice for credibility
- Paragraph engine: TEER (Topic, Explain, Evidence, Respond) and PEEEL structures
- Timed piece #3 with individual feedback
Exam Techniques
- Persona Mapping: who is writing, who is the audience, what do they care about? Map this in 60 seconds before drafting
- Tone Ladder: casual → conversational → formal → academic. Match the rung to the text type. Most students default to one rung only
- Evidence Sandwich: claim, evidence, explain why the evidence supports the claim. Never leave evidence floating
Key outcome: Students can write a persuasive letter with clear structure, appropriate register, and layered evidence.
04
Persuasive Speeches: Structure, Rhythm & Rebuttals
PREP/SPAR frameworks, rhetorical devices, counterarguments
▼
- Speech blueprints: PREP/SPAR frameworks with clear signposting and transitions
- Rhythm tools: rule of three, sentence-length variety, rhetorical questions, pause cues
- Steelman then rebuttal sandwich: circular close and call-to-action crescendo
- Timed piece #4 with individual feedback
Exam Techniques
- Rule of Three: “We need courage, we need commitment, and we need change.” Rhythmic triplets are the single most effective persuasive device
- Rebuttal Sandwich: acknowledge the counterargument, then dismantle it, then restate your position stronger. Shows maturity
- Echo Ending: callback to your opening image or phrase. Creates circular structure that raises marks instantly
Key outcome: Students can write a speech that sounds like a speech, with rhythm, rhetorical devices, and a structured argument.
05
Persuasive Emails & Register Switching
Subject lines, inverted pyramid, brevity under pressure
▼
- Subject-line patterns: benefit, question, number, and time-bound hooks
- Inverted pyramid: strong first-line tactics and skim-friendly formatting
- Register-shifting: moving between formal and conversational without sounding rude
- Brevity drill: same argument in 200 words, then 100 words, then 50 words
- Timed piece #5 with individual feedback
Exam Techniques
- Register Switch Drill: same idea in formal, informal, and narrative voice in 30 seconds each. Builds the flexibility examiners reward
- Inverted Pyramid: most important point first, supporting detail second, background last. The opposite of how most students write
- Boosters vs Softeners: “certainly” / “without doubt” = booster. “Perhaps” / “it seems” = softener. Control these and you control tone
Key outcome: Students can write a persuasive email with appropriate register, clear structure, and controlled tone.
Week 2: 13 – 17 April — Advanced Technique, Feature Articles & Exam Simulation
06
Advanced Speech Writing + Rhetorical Devices
Audience segmentation, framing, cross-cultural tone
▼
- Audience segmentation: tailoring tone and structure for peers, teachers, organisations
- Positive vs loss framing, ethical nudges, follow-up templates and timing
- Cross-cultural tone pitfalls and how to fix them
- Timed piece #6 with individual feedback
Exam Techniques
- Audience-First Planning: before writing a single word, ask “what does my reader already believe?” Then start from their position, not yours
- Loss Framing: “imagine if we DON’T act” is more persuasive than “imagine if we do.” Use it once per piece for maximum impact
Key outcome: Students can adapt speech writing for different audiences with sophisticated rhetorical control.
07
Feature Articles: Angle, Lede & Nut-Graf
Finding an angle, ledes, integrating evidence, credible voice
▼
- Finding an angle readers care about; ledes: anecdotal, scene-setter, surprising-stat, quote
- Nut-graf mastery: the paragraph that tells readers why this matters NOW
- Integrating quotes/paraphrases and “by-the-numbers” fact boxes
- Timed piece #7 with individual feedback
Exam Techniques
- Lede Menu: anecdotal (story), scene-setter (place reader there), surprising-stat (shock), or quote (authority). Pick one, commit
- Nut-Graf Formula: “This matters because [reason]. Here’s what you need to know.” Place it in paragraph 2 or 3. Always.
- Source Triangulation: statistic + expert quote + real-world example. Three types of evidence = unshakeable credibility
Key outcome: Students can write a feature article opening with a compelling lede and clear nut-graf.
08
Feature Articles: Narrative Drive & Authority
Scene-building, source integration, house style
▼
- Narrative drive: scene, character, and tension without losing accuracy
- Source integration: statistics with proper attribution
- House style and voice: crafting callouts and sidebars for impact
- Timed piece #8 with individual feedback
Exam Techniques
- Narrative-Persuasive Blend: open with a scene (narrative), pivot to the argument (persuasive), close with a return to the scene. Feature article gold
- Transition Bridges: “However,” “Despite this,” “What most people don’t realise is…” These phrases link paragraphs and signal sophistication
Key outcome: Students can sustain a feature article across multiple paragraphs with narrative drive and authority.
09
Cross-Format Remix Studio
Transform one argument across all 5 text types under pressure
▼
- Transform one argument into letter, speech, email, feature article, and narrative formats
- Style-switch practice: formal to conversational register shifts in real time
- Self-edit cycle: peer-review checklists and macro-to-micro refinement
- Timed piece #9 with individual feedback
Exam Techniques
- Format Detection: read the prompt. “Write a letter to…” = letter. “You are giving a speech…” = speech. “Write an article for…” = feature. Identify in 10 seconds
- Idea Cascade: topic to 5 images in 60 seconds. Pick the strongest. This prevents the blank-page panic that costs marks
- Macro-to-Micro Edit: check structure first (macro), then paragraphs, then sentences, then word choice (micro). Never start with spelling
Key outcome: Students can take any exam prompt, identify the required format, and produce exam-quality writing within the time limit.
10
Full Exam Simulation & Final Assessment
Timed exam conditions, typing speed, final portfolio review
▼
- Full 30-minute timed writing task on an unseen prompt under exam conditions
- Typing speed practice: targeting 25+ WPM for the computer-based test
- Teacher-led review comparing Day 1 writing to Day 10 writing
- Final feedback report covering all 10 days with personalised next steps
Exam Techniques
- Full Technique Deployment: 5-20-5 time split? 3-Word Anchor from prompt? Zoom Lens or Power Opening? 5-Senses in paragraph 1? Echo Ending? All automatic by Day 10
- Emotional Hijacking Training: if the prompt feels unfamiliar, don’t panic. Idea Cascade in 60 seconds, pick the strongest, commit. Reset Breath if stuck
- Target: 25+ WPM typing speed for the computer-based Selective test
Key outcome: Students complete a full exam-standard piece under real conditions. Parents receive a detailed progress report showing improvement from Day 1 to Day 10.
Early bird pricing
$388 for 10 days of intensive writing
Year 5 and Year 6 • 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM daily
Only 3 spots left
Enrol Now →
The Intensive Writing System
How 10 days produces measurable improvement.
1-Hour Live Zoom Sessions Daily
Students craft pieces daily from real exam prompts, then lock in technique with bite-sized skill builders covering structure, vocabulary, sentence variety, and grammar.
Dedicated Success Coach
Each student is paired with a coach who provides personalised writing feedback, tracks progress across all 10 days, and identifies the single constraint holding their writing back.
Guided Drafting with Model Exemplars
Step-by-step writing instruction with model pieces to benchmark against. Students learn what exam-quality writing looks like across all five text types and how to produce it consistently.
7-Day Support Hotline
Contact us 7 days a week via WhatsApp, WeChat, Scholarly Ask (Live Chat), or phone. Immediate responses so momentum is never lost.
App-Enabled Learning Included
Every enrolment unlocks the full Scholarly app suite, so your child builds every pillar that drives Selective results alongside their writing focus.
Primary app for this course
Writely
Daily writing prompts, step-by-step skill builders covering structure, vocabulary, sentence variety, and grammar. Guided drafting with model exemplars and instant feedback. The engine behind the 10-day program.
Vocably
Makes vocabulary stick through interactive play. A strong vocabulary is essential for expressive, high-scoring writing.
Readly
Audio-powered reading with comprehension questions. Builds the fluency and broad knowledge that feeds better writing.
Mathly
Clear explanations, step-by-step solutions, and bite-sized drills. Keeps maths sharp while writing takes priority.
Also Included
✓ 7am Club: bonus access for both weeks of the program
✓ 7-Day Support: contact us any day with any concerns
✓ Learning materials available for up to two weeks post-session
✓ Support via WhatsApp, WeChat, Scholarly Ask and Phone
✓ Small classes: up to 13 students per class
✓ Covers all 5 persuasive text types tested in the Selective exam