IB French B Paper 1 - Writing Guide

Understanding Paper 1

Exam Structure

1. Time allocation: 1 hour 30 minutes
2. Weight: 25% of the final grade
3. Word count:
   1. SL: 250–400 words
   2. HL: 450–600 words
4. Task: Choose one prompt from three options, each related to one of the five prescribed IB themes.

Assessment Criteria

Paper 1 is assessed based on:

1. Language (30%) – Accuracy, variety of sentence structures, appropriate vocabulary
2. Message (30%) – Relevance, coherence, and clarity of ideas
3. Format & Style (20%) – Correct use of text type conventions, appropriate tone and register
4. Conceptual Understanding (20%) – Awareness of context, cultural elements, and purpose

How to Approach Paper 1

Step 1: Understanding the Prompt

1. Identify the text type required
2. Determine the audience and purpose
3. Underline key instructions (e.g., express an opinion, describe an event, persuade the reader)

Step 2: Planning Your Response

1. Spend 5–10 minutes outlining your ideas
2. Structure your response logically:
   1. Introduction – Set the tone, present the main idea
   2. Main Body – Develop arguments, provide examples
   3. Conclusion – Summarize key points, include a final thought or call to action

Step 3: Writing with Accuracy

1. Use varied sentence structures
2. Incorporate appropriate connectors (ainsi, en revanche, par conséquent)
3. Avoid overly complex phrasing—clarity is key

Step 4: Reviewing Before Submission

1. Check for errors in grammar, spelling, and verb agreements
2. Ensure text type conventions are followed
3. Confirm word count falls within the required range

Choosing the Right Text Type

Your response should follow the specific conventions of the text type chosen.

1. Articles (Article de journal ou magazine)

• Register: Formal
• Tone: Objective
• Key Features:
  • Headline/title
  • Introduction with a "chapeau" (summary)
  • Subheadings (optional)
  • Conclusion
  • Stylistic elements: rhetorical questions, statistics

2. Reviews (Critique d’un film, livre, pièce de théâtre, etc.)

• Register: Formal or semi-formal
• Tone: Subjective
• Key Features:
  • Title and reviewer’s name
  • Introduction and conclusion
  • Personal evaluation and recommendations

3. Speeches (Discours)

• Register: Formal
• Tone: Objective
• Key Features:
  • Title, date, and context
  • Greeting (e.g., Mesdames et Messieurs...)
  • Clear conclusion and call to action
  • Audience consideration (use vous)
  • Express gratitude to the audience

4. Presentations (Exposé)

• Register: Formal or semi-formal
• Tone: Balanced (objective argumentation)
• Key Features:
  • Clear introduction and conclusion
  • Structured argumentation (pour et contre)
  • Audience consideration

5. Interviews (Entretien)

• Register: Formal
• Tone: Objective
• Key Features:
  • Title
  • Introduction of the interviewee
  • Q&A format
  • Closing statement or conclusion

6. Debates (Débat)

• Register: Standard
• Tone: Subjective
• Key Features:
  • Moderator introduction
  • Alternating viewpoints
  • Structured speaking turns

7. Informal Letters (Lettre amicale)

• Register: Informal
• Tone: Subjective
• Key Features:
  • Date and greeting (Cher Paul, Salut Sophie!)
  • Friendly tone with exclamations/emoticons
  • Closing phrase (À bientôt !) and signature

8. Formal Letters (Lettre formelle)

• Register: Formal
• Tone: Objective
• Key Features:
  • Addresses (optional)
  • Date and formal greeting (Madame, Monsieur)
  • Polite closing (Je vous prie d’agréer, Madame, Monsieur, mes salutations distinguées.)
  • Signature