Writing Strategy

The writing paper rewards a text that does the task, is clearly organised and is controlled in grammar. A plain text with few errors usually scores more than an ambitious, messy one.

What examiners mark

Criteria vary by level but cover the same areas. Read the marking grids published for your level.

Area	What they ask	How to score
Task	Did you do everything asked, in the right format and register?	Tick each point of the instructions
Length	Did you respect the word limit?	Count words. Don't go far under or over
Organisation	Is there a clear plan with paragraphs?	Intro, developed points, conclusion, connectors
Argument	Do you explain and support your views (B1 and above)?	One idea, one example per paragraph
Vocabulary	Is it varied and precise?	Avoid repeating words, use topic vocabulary
Grammar	Is it accurate, and do you use a range of structures?	Safe but varied: relatives, subjunctive, conditional
Spelling and punctuation	Does it interfere?	Save time for a final check

Task

What they askDid you do everything asked, in the right format and register?

How to scoreTick each point of the instructions

Length

What they askDid you respect the word limit?

How to scoreCount words. Don't go far under or over

Organisation

What they askIs there a clear plan with paragraphs?

How to scoreIntro, developed points, conclusion, connectors

Argument

What they askDo you explain and support your views (B1 and above)?

How to scoreOne idea, one example per paragraph

Vocabulary

What they askIs it varied and precise?

How to scoreAvoid repeating words, use topic vocabulary

Grammar

What they askIs it accurate, and do you use a range of structures?

How to scoreSafe but varied: relatives, subjunctive, conditional

Spelling and punctuation

What they askDoes it interfere?

How to scoreSave time for a final check

Time plan

Check exact timings on your convocation. This balance is a personal rule of thumb.

Stage	Share	What to do
Read and plan	20%	Underline the task, list ideas, choose a plan
Write	60%	Follow the plan and don't over-edit as you go
Check	20%	Check for task, agreement, verbs, spelling and word count

Read and plan

Share20%

What to doUnderline the task, list ideas, choose a plan

Write

Share60%

What to doFollow the plan and don't over-edit as you go

Check

Share20%

What to doCheck for task, agreement, verbs, spelling and word count

Read the task first

Underline four things: who you are, who you're writing to, what the purpose is, and what format and length are expected. Many candidates lose marks by producing a good text on the wrong task.

Question	Example	Effect
Who are you?	Un étudiant, un habitant du quartier	Sets your angle
Who is the reader?	Le maire, un ami, le journal	Sets the register
Purpose?	Se plaindre, convaincre, informer, remercier	Sets the vocabulary and structure
Format?	Lettre, courriel, article, essai	Sets the layout
Length?	At least 160 words, about 220 words	Sets your plan

Who are you?

ExampleUn étudiant, un habitant du quartier

EffectSets your angle

Who is the reader?

ExampleLe maire, un ami, le journal

EffectSets the register

Purpose?

ExampleSe plaindre, convaincre, informer, remercier

EffectSets the vocabulary and structure

Format?

ExampleLettre, courriel, article, essai

EffectSets the layout

Length?

ExampleAt least 160 words, about 220 words

EffectSets your plan

Level by level

Word counts here are the usual targets. Always follow the figures printed on your paper.

Level	Task	Focus
A1	A short form, then a short note of about 40 words	Personal information, simple sentences, correct spelling
A2	Two short texts, about 60 words each	Telling, inviting, thanking, describing, with simple links
B1	One text, about 160 words	Giving and supporting opinions with clear paragraphs
B2	One argued text, about 250 words	Formal letter or article with a real line of argument
C1	Synthesis about 220 words, then essay about 250 words	Reformulation, then argument. See the synthese sheet
C2	Structured text from documents, at least 700 words	Fine argument and style, using sources skilfully

TaskA short form, then a short note of about 40 words

FocusPersonal information, simple sentences, correct spelling

TaskTwo short texts, about 60 words each

FocusTelling, inviting, thanking, describing, with simple links

TaskOne text, about 160 words

FocusGiving and supporting opinions with clear paragraphs

TaskOne argued text, about 250 words

FocusFormal letter or article with a real line of argument

TaskSynthesis about 220 words, then essay about 250 words

FocusReformulation, then argument. See the synthese sheet

TaskStructured text from documents, at least 700 words

FocusFine argument and style, using sources skilfully

Build a text that reads well

A clear plan is easy to mark. Each paragraph has one main idea, a development, then an example. Connect paragraphs with varied connectors, and leave a line between them. Avoid repeating the same subject and verb: replace them with pronouns, synonyms and relatives. See opinion-essay and formal-letter.

Function	Basic	Better
Add	et, aussi	de plus, par ailleurs, en outre
Contrast	mais	cependant, en revanche, néanmoins
Cause	parce que	car, en effet, étant donné que
Result	donc	par conséquent, c'est pourquoi, ainsi
Example	par exemple	notamment, c'est le cas de
Conclusion	enfin	en définitive, pour conclure, en somme

Add

Basicet, aussi

Betterde plus, par ailleurs, en outre

Contrast

Basicmais

Bettercependant, en revanche, néanmoins

Cause

Basicparce que

Bettercar, en effet, étant donné que

Result

Basicdonc

Betterpar conséquent, c'est pourquoi, ainsi

Example

Basicpar exemple

Betternotamment, c'est le cas de

Conclusion

Basicenfin

Betteren définitive, pour conclure, en somme

Use only what you control

Don't use a structure you aren't sure of. Range only helps you when it's correct. Build a personal stock of phrases, learned by heart and checked, for your target level.

Il me semble que cette mesure est nécessaire.It seems to me this measure is necessary.
Bien que cette idée soit séduisante, elle pose plusieurs problèmes.Although this idea is attractive, it raises several problems.
C'est la raison pour laquelle je vous écris.That's why I'm writing to you.
Si nous agissions maintenant, nous pourrions éviter ce problème.If we acted now, we could avoid this problem.

Final check: your error list

Reread your text several times, each time for one thing. Track your personal top errors from mocks and put them first.

Pass	Look for
1. Task	Every point answered, correct format, register, signature
2. Verbs	Subject and verb agreement, tense, être or avoir, si clauses
3. Agreement	Noun, adjective, article, participles
4. Homophones	a/à, ou/où, et/est, son/sont, ces/ses, -⁠er/-é
5. Accents and spelling	é/è, ç, common words, ne with pas
6. Prepositions	à, de, en, dans with places; verbs + à or de
7. Word count	If you're asked for it, write the number at the end

Common ways to lose marks

Most are avoidable.

1. Off-topic: learned texts that don't answer the question. 2. Wrong register: tu to an official, or a stiff tone with a friend. 3. Translation from English, as in je suis 25 ans or il regarde pour ses clés. 4. No paragraphs, or no conclusion. 5. Running out of time without checking. 6. Words far outside your control. 7. Copying long pieces of the source documents.

Training plan

1. Write one short text weekly on a mock task. Time yourself. 2. Compare with the model answers in Lingo Pal mock exams. 3. Keep an error log, and read it before each writing session. 4. Rewrite your text after correction. Improvement comes from that step. 5. Memorise a small set of solid openings, transitions and closings.