french beginner essay

How to Write an Excellent French Essay (Resources Included)

Tips to write an excellent french essay.

Writing essays is challenging enough, but when you are asked to write a French essay, you are not only being asked to write in a foreign language, but to follow the conventions of another linguistic and literary tradition. Like essay-writing in any language, the essential part of writing a French essay is to convey your thoughts and observations on a certain topic in a clear and concise manner. French essays do come out of a certain tradition that is part of the training of all students who attend school in France – or at least secondary school – and when you are a French essay, it is important to be aware of this tradition.

The French philosopher Michel de Montaigne is credited with popularizing the essay form as a literary genre. His work, Essais, first published in 1580, and undergoing several subsequent publications before his death in 1592, covers a wide breadth of topics, ranging from “amitié” to “philosopher c’est apprendre à mourir”, and includes many literary references, as well as personal anecdotes. The name for this genre, essai, is the nominal form of the verb essayer, “to attempt”. We have an archaic English verb essay, meaning the same thing. The limerick that includes the phrase, “... when she essayed to drink lemonade ...” indicates an attempt to drink a beverage and has nothing to do with writing about it. But the writing form does illustrate an attempt to describe a topic in depth with the purpose of developing new insights on a particular text or corpus.

French instructors are very specific about what they would like when they ask for an essay, meaning that they will probably specify whether they would like an explication de texte, commentaire composé, or dissertation. That last essay form should not be confused with the document completed for a doctorate in anglophone countries – this is called a thèse in French, by the way. There are different formats for each of these types of essay, and different objectives for each written form.

Types of Essay

1. l’explication de texte.

An explication de texte is a type of essay for which you complete a close reading. It is usually written about a poem or a short passage within a larger work. This close reading will elucidate different themes and stylistic devices within the text. When you are completing an explication de texte, make sure to follow the structure of the text as you complete a close examination of its form and content. The format for an explication de texte consists of:

i. An introduction, in which you situate the text within its genre and historical context. This is where you can point out to your readers the general themes of the text, its form, the trajectory of your reading, and your approach to the text.

ii. The body, in which you develop your ideas, following the structure of the text. Make sure you know all of the meanings of the words used, especially the key terms that point to the themes addressed by the author. It is a good idea to look words up in the dictionary to find out any second, third, and fourth meanings that could add to the themes and forms you describe. Like a student taking an oral examination based on this type of essay writing, you will be expected to have solid knowledge of the vocabulary and grammatical structures that appear in the text. Often the significance of the language used unfolds as you explain the different components of theme, style, and composition.

iii. A conclusion, in which you sum up the general meaning of the text and the significance of the figures and forms being used. You should also give the implications of what is being addressed, and the relevance of these within a larger literary, historical, or philosophical context.

NB: If you are writing about a poem, include observations on the verse, rhyme schemes, and meter. It is a good idea to refer to a reference work on versification. If you are writing about a philosophical work, be familiar with philosophical references and definitions of concepts.

Caveat: Refrain from paraphrasing. Instead show through careful analysis of theme, style, and composition the way in which the main ideas of the text are conveyed.

2. Le commentaire composé

A commentaire composé is a methodologically codified commentary that focuses on themes in a particular text. This type of essay develops different areas of reflection through analytical argument. Such argumentation should clarify the reading that you are approaching by presenting components of the text from different perspectives. In contrast to the explication de texte, it is organized thematically rather than following the structure of the text to which it refers. The format for a commentaire composé consists of:

i. An introduction, in which you present the question you have come up with, often in relation to a prompt commenting on a thematic or stylistic aspect of the text, such as “Montrez en quoi ce texte évoque l’amour courtois” or “Qu’apporte l’absence de la ponctuation dans ce texte ?” In this section, you will be expected to delineate your approach to the text and illustrate the trajectory of your ideas so that your readers will have a clear idea of the direction these ideas will take.

ii. A tripartite body, in which you explore the question you have come up with, citing specific examples in the text that are especially pertinent to the areas of reflection you wish to explore. These citations should be explained and connected to the broad themes of your commentary, all the while providing details that draw the readers’ attention to your areas of inquiry. These different areas of inquiry may initially seem disparate or even contradictory, but eventually come together to form a harmonious reading that addresses different aspects of the text. The more obvious characteristics of the text should illuminate its subtler aspects, which allows for acute insight into the question that you are in the process of exploring.

iii. A conclusion, in which you evaluate your reading and synthesize its different areas of inquiry. This is where you may include your own opinions, but make sure that the preceding sections of your commentaire remain analytical and supported by evidence that you find in the text.

NB: Looking at verb tenses, figures of speech, and other aspects that contribute to the form of the text will help situate your reader, as will commenting on the register of language, whether this language is ornate, plain, reflects a style soutenu, or less formal patterns of speech.

Caveat: Quotations do not replace observations or comments on the text. Explain your quotations and situate them well within your own text.

3. La dissertation

The dissertation is a personal, organized, and methodical reflection on a precise question that refers to a corpus of writing. Referring to this corpus, you may be asked questions along the lines of “Que pensez-vous de l’équivalence entre l’amour et la chanson exprimée dans ces textes ?” or “Est-ce que la sagesse et la folie ont les mêmes sources?” This type of essay allows for an exploration of a question through knowledge of a corpus as well as through an individual’s cultural knowledge. The format for a dissertation consists of:

i. An introduction, in which you present the topic addressed, the significance of your argument, and the trajectory of your ideas.

ii. The body which, like a commentaire composé, consists of a tripartite development of your argument. This can follow any one of the following structures: a dialectical schema, organized into thèse, antithèse, and synthèse – an argument, its counter-argument, and its rebuttal; an analytical schema, consisting of the description of a situation, an analysis of its causes, and commentary on its consequences; a thematic schema, which consists of a reflection on a topic which you proceed to examine from different angles in an orderly fashion.

iii. A conclusion, in which you address the different ways in which you have approached the question at hand and how this deepens your insights, while placing the question within a broader context that shows room for expansion. The conclusion can open up the topic addressed to show its placement within a literary movement, or in opposition to another literary movement that follows it, for example.

NB: Approach the question at hand with as few preconceptions as possible. If you are writing on a quotation, gather all of your knowledge about its author, the work in which it appears, and the body of literature with which it is associated.

Caveat: Even for a personal reflection, such as a dissertation, avoid using the first person pronoun je. Nous or on are preferable. It is advisable not to switch from one to the other, though.

For each of these essay forms, it is a good idea to make an outline to which you can refer as you write. As your writing progresses, things may shift a bit, but having a structure on which you can rely as you gather your various ideas and information into a coherent argument provides solid foundation for a clear and well-developed essay. This also facilitates smooth transitions from one section of your essay to the next.

During your reading, you may encounter a problem, a contradiction, or a surprising turn of phrase that is difficult to figure out. Such moments in a text give you the opportunity to delve into the unique characteristics of the text or corpus to which you are referring, to propose different solutions to the problems you encounter, and to describe their significance within a larger literary, philosophical, and historical context. Essay writing allows you to become more familiar with French works, with their cultural significance, and with the French language. You can refer to the following resources to guide you in this endeavor:

Auffret, Serge et Hélène. Le commentaire composé. Paris: Hachette, 1991. Dufau, Micheline et Ellen D'Alelio. Découverte du poème: Introduction à l'explication de textes. New York: Harcourt, Brace & World, 1967. Grammont, Maurice. Petit traité de versification française. Paris: A. Colin, 2015. Huisman, Denis et L. R. Plazolles. L’art de la dissertation littéraire : du baccalauréat au C.A.P.E.S. Paris : Société d’édition d’enseignement supérieur, 1965.

The French newspaper Le Monde also has good articles on these essay forms that prepare French students for the baccalauréat exam: CLICK HERE

This is also a website with thorough information on essay writing techniques that prepare students for the baccalauréat exam: CLICK HERE

In addition, the University of Adelaide has tips for general essay writing in French: CLICK HERE

🇫🇷 Looking for More French Resources?

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Improve Your Written French Today

Whether you want to pen a love letter or submit an essay in France, you need to know how to write in French. Luckily, learning how to write in French is fairly straightforward. Since French uses the Latin Alphabet, you’re already ahead of the game. Improve your writing in French fast with these easy steps.

The Basics of French Writing for Beginners

When it comes to French writing, it’s a little different than speaking French. But, if you know how to read French well, you shouldn’t have a lot of problems.

Before you read the 8 easy steps of learning to write in French, there’s one important factor in mastering French writing: practice. The only way you can truly improve your French writing skills is with a lot of practice . Make sure you write a little bit in French every day. Soon, you’ll find that writing in French is like second nature.

1. Watch Out for French Spelling

One of the biggest obstacles that throws French learners off is spelling. Unfortunately, those silent letters that you don’t pronounce are very much there in writing. Be careful how you spell certain complicated words. You need to master all parts of French grammar to write French correctly.

2. Genders Influence Grammar in French

You may already know that nouns have genders in French. They can either be masculine or feminine. And depending on the gender, different parts of a French sentence need to be conjugated.

• articles : French articles need to be conjugated to reflect the gender and the number of the noun. These can be ‘le’, ‘la’, ‘l”, and ‘les’ for definite articles, and ‘un’ and ‘une’ for indefinite articles.
• pronouns : Pronouns in French are the words that replace the name of the subject in a sentence. ‘He’, ‘she’, and ‘them’ are some examples of pronouns in English. In French, you need to use different forms of pronouns depending on the gender of the subject.
• adjectives : When you’re describing a noun, you use an adjective. And since the noun is the only reason the adjective’s there in the sentence, you need to make the adjective fit the noun in French. There are various ways to conjugate French adjectives depending on the gender and the number of the noun, so make sure you brush up on that knowledge before you write in French.

3. Careful with French Accent Marks

French accent marks also don’t do us any favors. While they’re extremely useful when it comes to French pronunciation, their writing isn’t as straightforward. Try to associate the sound with the written French word. There are only 5 accent marks in French. One is the cedilla (ç), which only works with the letter “c”, and another is the acute accent (é), which only sits on top of the letter “e”. So in practice, there are only 3 different kinds of accents you should look out for in French.

4. Follow the French Sentence Structures

English and French sentence structures are similar in many ways. Both follow the SVO (subject-verb-object) structure, which makes writing in French much easier. And just like in English, the French sentence structure is also flexible. You can switch the words around to emphasize a part of a sentence, but still have the same meaning.

• Tomorrow , I’m going to work.    Demain  je vais travailler. I’m going to work  tomorrow .   Je vais travailler  demain .

The most important part of the first sentence is the time the speaker goes to work. The second sentence focuses on the subject, the speaker instead. Still, both sentences convey the same meaning of going to work.

If you want to ask a question in French, you can do so by putting a question word at the beginning of the sentence. Common question words are:

• How  Comment
• What  Que / Qu’est-ce que queue
• What kind  Quel genre
• When  Quand
• Why   Pourquoi

You can also ask a question by switching the order of the verb and the pronoun around, and connecting them with a hyphen:

• Do you speak English?    Parlez-vous anglais ?

It’s important to remember these basic rules of French sentence structure before you start writing in French. If you want to learn how to write in French effectively, practice these 4 steps a lot.

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How to Write in French for Intermediate Students

If you’re an intermediate French learner you’re familiar with basic French grammar, and you’re confident in writing in French. But, there’s always room to improve. Once you know the basic steps of how to write in French, it’s time to make your writing even better. You can start paying attention to style, flow, and structure. The tips below will benefit your French writing practice.

5. Try Nominalization

This useful technique will make your sentences better. Nominalization means that you make nouns in the sentence more dominant. While in English, the dominant words are verbs, in French, you can write with the focus of the noun instead, making them more meaningful. Here’s an example to demonstrate.

• Normal sentence: The ice cream is cold. – La glace est froide.
• Nominalized sentence: The ice cream is cold. – La glace, c’est droid.

6. Use French Conjunctions

Conjunctions are the tools to write complex French sentences. Without them, you’re limited to simple and boring sentence structures. As an intermediate student, you can start connecting two equal or unequal sentences to make an even more interesting phrase. Here are the different kinds of French conjunctions you can use to write better in French:

Coordinating Conjunctions:

You use these kinds of conjunctions to connect two equal sentences. The most common coordinating conjunctions in French are:

Subordinating Conjunctions:

If one of the sentences in unequal or dependent on the other, you need to use subordinating conjunctions. These connectors often show causality. The most common conjunctions in French for this category are:

7. Style and Flow

Now that you wield the power of conjunctions, you have to be careful with it. As fun as it is to write long and complicated sentences in French, it doesn’t sound good. Make sure you use appropriate sentence lengths as you’re writing in French.

Aim for shorter sentences. Make them explain your point well. But, feel free to mix the flow up with the occasional longer sentences. That’s how you write in French with a nice and smooth flow. And that’s how you perfect your French writing too. It will be a pleasure to read your work.

Writing in French for Advanced Learners

Once you mastered all of the French writing rules, you’re officially an advanced French learner. But, there may still be room to improve your French writing. If you’re looking to kick your projects up a notch, you can learn how to write essays and dissertations in French. These pointers will be useful if you ever attend school or university in France, or you want to take a language exam.

8. Get Familiar with French Essay Structure

When you’re writing an essay, you have to structure it for readability. If you want to learn how French high schoolers are taught to write their essays, this is the structure they follow: thèse-antithèse-synthèse (thesis-antithesis-synthesis). Learn how to write French essays using a traditional French essay structure.

• Introduction : You begin your essay by having an introduction, which is a context for argument.
• Thesis : In this section, you present and defend the statement of your thesis. You need to write everything that supports the topic of your essay.
• Antithesis : The antithesis follows the thesis. This is where you state conflicting evidence and explain other potential substitutes for your essay. Including an antithesis doesn’t mean that you disagree with your original thesis. You just need to show that you thought of all possibilities before arriving to your conclusion.
• Synthesis : This is your conclusion. This is where you summarize your arguments, and explain why you still stand by your original thesis despite the antithesis.

9. Use Introduction and Conclusion Vocabulary

Certain words can encourage sentence flow by introducing or concluding some parts of your work.

• tout d’abord (firstly)
• premièrement (firstly)
• deuxièmement (secondly)
• ensuite (then)
• enfin (finally)
• finalement (finally)
• pour conclure (to conclude)

You can use these words when introducing a new idea to your dissertation or essay. These words will signal the readers that they are encountering a new part or thought of your writing process.

10. Writing a Dissertation in French

This is the form of writing you encounter in French higher education. It’s a very complex form of French writing, only the most advanced and fluent French learners should attempt it. It’s also a longer piece of academic writing. It may take you weeks to complete research and write your French dissertation.

The French dissertation is similar to essay structure. But, there’s one main difference: your thesis isn’t a statement, but rather a question. It’s your job in the dissertation to take the reader through your thought process and research to answer your question. This logic is known as “ Cartesian logic .” It comes from Descartes , who was a well known French philosopher.

History of Written French

French was used in Strasbourg Oaths, and it first appeared in writing in 842 AD. Before then, Latin was the only language used for literature in Europe. However, in the 10th and 11th centuries, French appeared in some religious writings and documents but was not used up to the late 12th century or early 13th century. The first greatest French Literature work, the Song of Roland (Chanson de Roland), was published around the year 1200.

Writing in French Alone Won’t Make You Fluent

You need to learn how to write in French to be proficient in the language. But, it won’t make you fluent. The only way to become fluent is to practice speaking French. While it’s crucial to develop every area of your French knowledge, if you want to be fluent in French, you need a reliable language learning method like OptiLingo.

OptiLingo is an app that gets you speaking, not typing a language. It gives you the most common French words and phrases, so you’re guaranteed to learn the most useful vocabulary. Don’t waste time trying to learn French you’ll never use. Complement your French writing practice with fun speaking exercises when you download OptiLingo !

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Published on October 6th, 2023 | by Adrian Lomezzo

How to Write an Essay in French Without Giving Yourself Away as a Foreigner

Image source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-shot-of-a-quote-on-a-paper-5425603/

Bienvenue! Do you dream of unleashing your inner French literary genius, but worry that your writing might inadvertently reveal your foreign roots? Fret not, mes amis, as we have the ultimate guide to help you master the art of essay writing en Français!

Within these pages, we’ll navigate the intricate waters of linguistic nuances, cultural subtleties, and grammatical finesse, allowing you to exude the aura of a native French speaker effortlessly. Many students like you have embarked on this journey, seeking academic assistance from platforms like  https://paperwritten.com/  to conquer their writing pursuits.

From crafting a compelling introduction to fashioning impeccable conclusions, we’ll unveil the secrets that will leave your professors applauding your newfound linguistic prowess. So, bid adieu to those awkward linguistic giveaways and embrace the sheer elegance of French expression – all while keeping your foreign identity beautifully concealed! Let’s embark on this adventure together and unlock the true essence of writing like a native French virtuoso.

1.   Mastering French Grammar and Vocabulary: Building a Strong Foundation

To create a compelling French essay, it’s essential to lay a solid groundwork. Ensure that your French grammar is accurate and that you possess a rich vocabulary. Avoid relying on online translators, as they may yield awkward or incorrect sentences. Instead, embrace reputable dictionaries and language resources to enhance your language skills effectively.

2.   Mimic Sentence Structures: The Art of Authentic Expression

To truly immerse yourself in the French language, observe and mimic the sentence structures used by native speakers. Analyzing essays written by experienced writers can prove invaluable in grasping the authentic style required to compose a captivating essay.

3.   Use Transition Words: Crafting a Smooth Flow of Ideas

In French essays, the use of transition words and phrases plays a pivotal role in connecting ideas seamlessly. Incorporate expressions like “de plus,” “en outre,” “en conclusion,” “tout d’abord,” and “par conséquent” to add coherence and elegance to your writing.

4.   Embrace French Idioms and Expressions: Unveiling Cultural Fluency

Demonstrate a deeper understanding of the French language and culture by incorporating idioms and expressions where appropriate. However, remember to use them sparingly to avoid overwhelming your essay.

5.   Pay Attention to Formality: Striking the Right Tone

Tailor the formality of your writing to suit the context of your essay. Whether you are crafting an academic piece or a more personal creation, be mindful of your choice of vocabulary and sentence structures to match the required tone.

6.   Research Cultural References: The Power of In-depth Knowledge

If your essay touches upon French culture, history, or literature, extensive research is key. Delve into your subjects to avoid mistakes and showcase your genuine interest in the matter at hand.

7.   Avoid Direct Translations: Let French Be French

To avoid awkward phrasing, strive to think in French rather than translating directly from your native language. This will lead to a more natural and eloquent essay.

8.   Practice Writing Regularly: The Path to Proficiency

Mastering the art of French writing requires regular practice. Embrace writing in French frequently to grow more comfortable with the language and refine your unique writing style.

9.   Read French Literature: A Gateway to Inspiration

Explore the world of French literature to expose yourself to diverse writing styles. This practice will deepen your understanding of the language and immerse you further in French culture and history.

10.   Connect with French Culture: Bridges of Cultural Resonance

Incorporate cultural references that resonate with French readers, such as art, cuisine, festivals, historical figures, or social customs. Authenticity is key, so avoid relying on stereotypes.

11.   Use a French Thesaurus: Expanding Your Linguistic Palette

Discovering new contextually appropriate words can elevate your writing. Embrace a French thesaurus to find synonyms that may not be apparent through direct translations.

12.   Master French Punctuation: The Finishing Touch

Take care to use correct French punctuation marks, such as guillemets (« ») for quotes and proper accent marks. These subtle details add a professional touch to your essay.

13.   Practice French Rhetorical Devices: Crafting Eloquent Prose

Experiment with rhetorical devices like parallelism, repetition, and antithesis to lend depth and sophistication to your writing.

14.   Pay Attention to Word Order: Unlocking French Sentence Structure

French boasts a unique sentence structure distinct from English. Dive into the intricacies of subject-verb-object order and grasp the art of organizing sentences to sidestep common foreign mistakes. Embracing this essential aspect will elevate your writing to a truly native level.

15.   Use French Idiomatic Expressions: Infuse Cultural Flair

Enrich your prose with the colorful tapestry of French idioms, reflecting the vibrant essence of the culture. Yet, a word of caution – wield them with finesse, for the strategic placement of an idiom can imbue your essay with unparalleled flair and authenticity.

16.   Master Pronouns and Agreement: The Dance of Language

The dance of pronouns, nouns, and adjectives requires your keen attention. Like a skilled performer, ensure their seamless alignment to avoid inadvertently revealing your non-native status. Mastering this harmony is key to writing like a true Francophone.

17.   Understand Subtle Connotations: Unveiling Linguistic Shades

Delve into the labyrinth of French words, where subtle connotations diverge from their English counterparts. Familiarize yourself with these delicate nuances, for it is in their mastery that your writing shall find refinement.

18.   Study Formal and Informal Registers: Tailoring Language to Purpose

Akin to selecting the perfect outfit for each occasion, comprehend the art of using formal and informal language. Consider your essay’s purpose and audience, and with this knowledge, enhance your authenticity, seamlessly aligning with the appropriate linguistic register.

19.   Practice Dialogue Writing: Conversing with Eloquence

Embark on the journey of dialogue writing to enrich your linguistic repertoire. As you hone your conversational skills, watch as authenticity gracefully weaves itself into your written work, enchanting readers with its charm.

20.   Seek Feedback: A Second Set of Eyes

To refine your essay further, seek the guidance of a native French speaker or language tutor from the  best cheap essay writing services . Their valuable feedback can uncover any language or cultural mistakes you may have made, allowing you to make necessary improvements.

Equip yourself with these priceless tips and set forth on your quest to master the art of French writing. Embrace the language’s allure, immerse in its rich culture, and watch your words flow with grace and poise. À la plume! Let the pen become your ally in crafting captivating prose that echoes with authenticity and charm. 

Header Photo Credit by George Milton: https://www.pexels.com/photo/smiling-woman-in-eyeglasses-with-books-7034478/

About the Author

Adrian Lomezzo is a content writer and likes to write about technology and education. He understands the concern of parents due to the evolving technology and researches deeply in that area. When he is not researching, he buries himself in books along with his favorite cup of hot chocolate.

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How to Write The Perfect French Essay For Your Exam

November 16, 2014 by Jessica 3 Comments

Here are tips to help you write a great French essay with exam requirements in mind. Once you’re done, I strongly suggest you proofread your text using my checklis t.

Note: if you’re preparing for the French VCE, there is an updated version of these exam tips in my guide  “How to Prepare for the French VCE & Reach your Maximum Score” .

While supervising exams or tutoring for exam preparation, I’ve seen too many students writing straight away on their exam copies. Stop! Resist the urge to jump on your pen and take a step back to make sure that you will be addressing all the exam requirements or you may be shooting yourself in the foot and lose precious points.

I recommend that you train with exam sample questions so that you set up good working habits and respect the required length of the essay, as well as the timing (allow at least 10 minutes for proofreading).

Crafting your French Essay

1. identify the situation: preparation work.

•   Read the topic carefully, slowly and at least twice to absorb every information/detail.
• Underline/highlight/jot down any piece of information that you are expected to reuse:
• What type of text do you need to write? (a journal entry? A formal letter? A speech? Etc). Note to VCE French exam students : refer to page 13 of the VCE French Study Design for more information about the different types of texts.
• Who are you in the situation? (yourself? A journalist? etc)
• Who are you addressing? (a friend? A large audience? Etc) à adjust the degree of formality to the situation (for example by using the “tu”/”vous” form, a casual or formal tone/register, etc)
• What are the characteristic features of the type of text you need to write? (eg a journal entry will have the date, a formal letter will start and end with a formal greeting, etc)
• What is your goal ? What are you expected to talk about / present / defend / convey?
• What are the length requirements for your French essay ? Respect the word count (there’s usually a 5% or so tolerance. Check the requirements specific to your exam)

Tip : when you practice at home, count how many words in average you fit on a line. This will give you a good indication of how many lines your text should be.

Ex: You write an average of 15 words per line. If you are required to write a 300-word French essay, you should aim for:

300 words / 15 words per line = 20 lines total.

2. Draft the outline of your essay

•  An essay typically has an introduction, a body with 2 or 3 distinct parts and a conclusion . (See if that outline is relevant to the type of text you are expected to write and adjust accordingly.)
• Use bullet points to organize your ideas.
• Don’t remain too general. A good rule is to use one main idea for each part and to back it up/reinforce in/illustrate it with one concrete example (eg. data).
• Brainstorming about things to say will also help you use a wider range of vocabulary , which will get noticed by the examiner. Are there some interesting/specific words or expressions that you can think of using in your text (example: if you are writing about global warming, brainstorm the vocab related to this topic. Brainstorm expressions to convince or disagree with something, etc)?
• Make sure you have reused every point identified in part 1 .

 3. Write your essay

•  It’s better if you have time to write or at least draft a few sentences on your draft paper rather than writing directly because:
• You want to meet the word count requirements
• You don’t want multiple words to be barred cross crossed-out and your page looking messy and great anything but neat!
• you don’t want to have to rush so much that your handwriting is really unpleasant to read (or worse, impossible to read…)
• So… monitor your time carefully!

  Structuring your text

• Visually, the eye should instantly be able to see the structure of your French essay: make paragraph and skip lines so that it doesn’t look like an unappealing large block of text.
• Use connectors/link words to structure your text and make good transitions.

4. Proofread, proofread, proofread!

•   It’s important that you allow at least 10 minutes for proofreading because there most likely are a few mistakes that you can fix very easily. It would therefore be a shame not to give yourself your best chances of success! Check out my Proofreading Checklist.

Bonne chance!

If you need any help with your essay, you can submit it to me there.

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Writing essays in French Cheat Sheet by JAM

Useful expressions to help structure your A level French essay.

Introd­ucing the first argument

Adding and listing arguments, listing arguments - start, listing arguments - middle, listing arguments - end, indicating the reason for something, expressing contrast / concession, introd­ucing one's own point of view, in conclusion, how's your readability.

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• Languages: English français (French)
• Published: 21st September, 2013
• Last Updated: 26th February, 2020
• Rated: 5 out of 5 stars based on 9 ratings

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Simple et utile, j'aime.

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French Writing Practice

French writing exercises by level.

Practise your French writing skills with our ever-growing collection of interactive French writing exercises for every  CEFR level from A0 to C1! If you're unsure about your current proficiency, try our test to get your French level  before diving into the exercises.

All writing exercises are made by our qualified native French teachers to help you improve your writing skills and confidence.

Kwizbot  will give you a series of prompts to translate to French. He’ll show you where you make mistakes as you go along and will suggest related lessons for you.

Boost your French writing skills by adding the lessons you find most interesting to your  Notebook and practising them later.

Click on any exercise to get started.

A1: Beginner French writing exercises

• A Christmas feast Celebrations & Important Dates Food & Drink Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif possessif Sébastien is in charge of Christmas Eve Dinner this year.
• A French lunch menu Food & Drink Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif Adjectif possessif Article Here's the typical lunch menu of a French coffee shop.
• A French woman Employment Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe Élodie tells us about her everyday life as a lawyer specialised in women's rights.
• A day in my cat Max's life Family & Relationships Adjectif possessif Article Article contracté Juliette tells about her cat's daily routine.
• A day in the city of Le Mans Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe Audrey had a nice time visiting Le Mans, in northwestern France.
• A dream Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif possessif Article Geoffrey tells us about one of his dreams.
• A love story Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe Cécile and Andrew meet in a bar.
• A rainy afternoon Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe Soizic and Armelle meet up on a rainy day in Brest.
• A romantic Valentine Celebrations & Important Dates Family & Relationships Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif possessif Adverbe Henri tells us about his special plans for Valentine's Day.
• A winter meal Food & Drink Accord Adjectif Adjectif possessif Bernard has his perfect comfort meal for cold nights.
• Actress Anne Dorval Famous People Film & TV Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Claire tells us about her favourite actress, French-Canadian Anne Dorval.
• Anne's Easter loot Celebrations & Important Dates Accord Adjectif Adjectif possessif Anne lists all the treats she found during her Easter egg hunt.
• Annoying Things Family & Relationships Adjectif Adverbe Article Philippe and Julien share some of the things that really annoy them.
• Arnaud and Ophélie describe themselves Family & Relationships Accord Adjectif Adjectif possessif Arnaud and Ophélie describe themselves physically.
• At midnight Celebrations & Important Dates Family & Relationships Food & Drink Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Adverbe Sébastien's family celebrates Christmas on the evening of the 24th.
• At the beach Free Food & Drink Sports & Leisure Adjectif Article Article défini Conversation at the beach between an ice cream vendor and a customer.
• At the beach Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif Adjectif possessif Article Tom is telling us about his day at the beach.
• At the bookshop Employment Literature, Poetry, Theatre Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe François needs help choosing a book.
• At the gift shop Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif possessif Mike and Linda pick some souvenirs in a Montmartre gift shop.
• At the newsagent's Employment Family & Relationships Adjectif Adverbe Article Sophie is buying a few items at a French newsagent's.
• At the sporting goods store Sports & Leisure Accord Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Alain is buying tennis equipment for his son.
• Baby at the beach Family & Relationships Accord Adjectif Adjectif possessif Baby enjoys being at the beach with his family.
• Back to School Family & Relationships Language & Education Accord Adjectif Adjectif possessif Mathieu tells us about going back to school tomorrow.
• Ball Sports Sports & Leisure Adjectif Adjectif possessif Article Vincent and Leila discuss their favourite ball sports.
• Beyoncé Family & Relationships Famous People Music Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe The famous singer introduces herself.
• Board games Family & Relationships Sports & Leisure Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe Jonathan is playing board games with his family.
• Booking a hotel room Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif Adjectif possessif Article Pierre wants to book a room in a hotel.
• Can I come? Family & Relationships Sports & Leisure Adjectif Adjectif possessif Article Marie chats with her roommate's friend Damien.
• Cleaning with my family Family & Relationships Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Jonathan and his family are cleaning the house today!
• Corsica is beautiful! Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif Adjectif possessif Article Julien explains why he thinks Corsica is so beautiful.
• Do you like the French language? Language & Education Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Noémie and Léo have opposite opinions on the French language!
• Do you like theme parks? Sports & Leisure Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adverbe Louis and Zoé give their opposite opinions on theme parks.
• Driving in the city Family & Relationships Sports & Leisure Adjectif Adverbe Forme négative Sophie and Christophe talk about driving in city centres [US: downtown].
• Easter decorations Free Celebrations & Important Dates Family & Relationships Sports & Leisure Accord Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Alice and her sister Zoé are decorating their house for Easter.
• Easter preparations Celebrations & Important Dates Language & Education Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Today, Daniel and his pupils are getting ready for Easter.
• Exchanging a scarf Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Article Christine is returning a scarf to the shop
• Father of two Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif possessif Article Léon talks about his two beloved children.
• Filling in a form Employment Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif possessif Article Olivier answers questions from a form.
• Food shopping for a picnic Food & Drink Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe Daniel and Aline are buying food for a picnic.
• Gardening with Jacqueline Family & Relationships Sports & Leisure Adjectif Adjectif possessif Article Julia always loves to take care of her aunt's garden with her.
• Going on a diet Family & Relationships Food & Drink Sports & Leisure Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Marie has a plan to lose weight this year.
• Going shopping Family & Relationships Food & Drink Accord Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Annie and Nicolas discuss her upcoming trip to the shop.
• Hanukkah with my family Celebrations & Important Dates Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Rachelle celebrates Hanukkah with her family every year.
• Hello! I'm Mario! Famous People Sports & Leisure Accord Adjectif Adjectif possessif The famous plumber introduces himself.
• Hello, my name is France! Politics, History & Economics Accord Adjectif Adjectif possessif The country France introduces itself.
• Helping my neighbourhood Family & Relationships Adjectif possessif Adverbe Article Noémie likes helping her neighbours after school.
• Helping the planet Technology & Science Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe François does his best to help the planet in his everyday life.
• How to stay healthy Food & Drink Sports & Leisure Accord Adjectif Adjectif possessif Matthieu tells us about his healthy habits.
• How to vote at a polling station in France? Politics, History & Economics Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe Learn how to vote in a French election.
• I hate the rain! Sports & Leisure Adverbe Article défini Article indéfini Annie stays in on rainy days
• Load more …

A2: Lower Intermediate French writing exercises

• A Creole picnic Food & Drink Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Accord Adjectif Adjectif possessif During a visit to La Réunion, Julie and Léo went for a typical Creole meal.
• A family of dog lovers Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe Anthony had many dogs growing up, but Pip was special.
• A few days in Dordogne Free Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Monique tells Patrick about her coming holiday [US: vacation].
• A football accident Family & Relationships Sports & Leisure Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe Anthony had his friend Bruno over to play...
• A great party for Mum [US:Mom]! Celebrations & Important Dates Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Manon and her sister Aline treated their mother for Mother's Day.
• A nice train journey Family & Relationships Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe Lucie and her boyfriend Marc went to the countryside by train this weekend.
• A noisy hotel room Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe Bertrand complains to the hotel reception about noises during the night.
• A romantic trip to Paris Family & Relationships Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Anna took her boyfriend on a romantic trip to Paris.
• A romantic weekend away Family & Relationships Sports & Leisure Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Adverbe Aline and her boyfriend went away for a relaxing weekend.
• Afternoon ice cream Free Food & Drink Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif possessif Lucie and Greg feel like an ice cream this afternoon.
• Arriving at the hotel Employment Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe Aline checks into her Parisian hotel.
• At my best friend's wedding Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Patrick gives a toast at Stéphane's wedding.
• At the Chinese restaurant Food & Drink Adjectif Adjectif possessif Article James is ordering food in a Chinese restaurant.
• At the allergist's Employment Technology & Science Accord Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Pierre went to the allergist to get a diagnosis.
• At the bar Food & Drink Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adverbe Au bar Patricia and Samuel discuss what drinks they want to order.
• At the bureau de change Employment Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif Adjectif possessif Article Patrick needs to change some dollars upon arriving in Paris.
• At the grocery store Employment Family & Relationships Food & Drink Accord Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Julie and Frank need some things from the grocery store.
• At the medieval market in Orléans Art & Design Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adverbe Flora and Sami enjoy Orléans's medieval market.
• At the mountain restaurant Food & Drink Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif possessif Gérard and Sylvie stop for lunch after their mountain hike.
• At the post office Family & Relationships Adjectif possessif Adverbe Article Christophe has a few errands to run at the post office.
• At the shoe store Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif possessif Christine is looking for a pair of shoes with the help of a nice sales assistant.
• Bastille Day in the South of France Celebrations & Important Dates Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adverbe Bernard tells us about celebrating Bastille Day last summer.
• Bedtime stories Family & Relationships Literature, Poetry, Theatre Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Florian remembers the bedtime ritual he had with his daughter.
• Breakfast in the sun Family & Relationships Food & Drink Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Sabrina surprised Thomas with a nice breakfast on the balcony.
• Calling the hotel's room service Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe Valérie calls room service from her hotel room.
• Chocolate mousse cooking tips! Food & Drink Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe André gives us some tips to make the perfect chocolate mousse.
• Conversation on the plane Family & Relationships Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Pascal and Julie get acquainted on a flight to Montpellier.
• Cooking as a family Family & Relationships Food & Drink Accord Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Yesterday, Antoine and his family made tartiflette together.
• Dividing the restaurant bill Food & Drink Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Sports & Leisure Adjectif possessif Adverbe Article Isabelle and her friends are splitting the bill at the restaurant.
• Do you have a favourite male singer? Famous People Music Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Simone and Amélie are talking about their favourite French-speaking male singers.
• Do you have any dirty clothes? Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe Bastien and his mother debate the need for a dirty laundry basket.
• Driving in France Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Technology & Science Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Here are a few things to be aware of when driving in France!
• Fireworks Celebrations & Important Dates Family & Relationships Sports & Leisure Accord Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Juliette went to watch New Year's fireworks yesterday.
• Fishing with Dad Sports & Leisure Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe Benjamin went fishing with his father last Sunday.
• Getting to know each other Employment Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe New colleagues Julien and Olivier get to know each other over a coffee.
• Giving up tobacco Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe Amélie has stopped smoking and she's so happy about it!
• Holiday [US: Vacation] by the sea Family & Relationships Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Édouard remembers his childhood seaside holidays [US: vacations] in the south of France.
• I love autumn! Family & Relationships Food & Drink Sports & Leisure Accord Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Jacqueline tells us what she loves to do in the fall.
• I love my grandmother! Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif possessif Lucas tells us about his lovely grandmother.
• I prefer going skiing Sports & Leisure Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif possessif Pierre tells us why he prefers going skiing rather than beach holidays.
• In a taxi Family & Relationships Article Article contracté Article partitif Magalie needs her taxi to take her for a few errands.
• In the changing rooms Family & Relationships Sports & Leisure Accord Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Mélanie is trying on a dress... and testing Pierre's patience!
• Instagram love Family & Relationships Technology & Science Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Adverbe Julien and Sandra became famous thanks to their Instagram account.
• Instructions for a test Language & Education Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Teacher Marc read out the instructions for today's French test.
• Jojo is such a joker! Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Thomas talks about his school friend Jojo, who loves a joke.
• Last night's party Family & Relationships Sports & Leisure Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif possessif Pauline and Adrien discuss yesterday's party at Thomas's house.
• Les Sables-d'Olonne Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Julien enjoyed his stay in the seaside town of Les Sables-d'Olonne, in the Pays de la Loire region in France.
• Lockdown solidarity Free Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif possessif Article Clément and his neighbours organised to help each other.
• Making Halloween decorations Celebrations & Important Dates Sports & Leisure Accord Adjectif Adjectif possessif Elsie and her mother are making some spooky Halloween decorations.
• Movie Date Family & Relationships Film & TV Adjectif Article Article défini Luc was nervous for his first date with Belinda.

B1: Intermediate French writing exercises

• A Horror Story Celebrations & Important Dates Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe On a dark October night, Emma received a disturbing call...
• A childhood passion Family & Relationships Sports & Leisure Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Vincent and his brother loved video games growing up.
• A family day at the park Family & Relationships Food & Drink Sports & Leisure Adjectif Adjectif possessif Article Benoît will spend this Saturday at the park with his daughter Mia.
• A game of hide and seek Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Article Linda and Christian are watching from afar a game of hide and seek between the children.
• A greener future Technology & Science Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe Julien is seeing a future where people are more eco-conscious.
• A special Monday Celebrations & Important Dates Family & Relationships Sports & Leisure Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Adverbe Anna is looking forward to a lazy Easter Monday!
• A strange encounter Family & Relationships Literature, Poetry, Theatre Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Yoann had the strangest encounter in the Broceliande forest!
• A trip to the cinema Film & TV Sports & Leisure Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe Antoine and his daughter Emma are planning a trip to the movies.
• A weather forecast Technology & Science Adjectif Adverbe Article Find out what tomorrow's weather will be like.
• A weekend in Montpellier Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe Élise and Lucas plan their weekend in the southern French city.
• An amazing New Year's Eve meal Celebrations & Important Dates Food & Drink Accord Adjectif Adjectif possessif Henriette is planning a dazzling meal for New Year!
• An annoying cat allergy Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Éloïse suffers from an annoying cat allergy.
• An incredibly caring boy Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Lydia's son, Olivier, is such a caring person.
• An old scary tradition Celebrations & Important Dates Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Yoann recalls celebrating the old Celtic tradition of Samhain with his Gran.
• Animal emergency Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif possessif Julien's cat is stuck in the tree!
• Around the world by motorcycle Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Sports & Leisure Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Joël would love to travel the world on his motorcycle.
• Asking about a hotel room Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Catherine has a few questions about the hotel room she's booked.
• At the amusement park Sports & Leisure Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Thomas will go to the amusement park with his friend Samia for their birthday this year.
• At the doctor's Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe Robert goes to the doctor for a consultation.
• At the till Employment Sports & Leisure Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Peter is at the till [US: cash register] of a French supermarket.
• Birthday makeover Family & Relationships Accord Adjectif Adjectif indéfini "New year, new me" Julia thought on her 20th birthday.
• Busy Schedule Family & Relationships Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif possessif Adverbe Isabelle recaps what everyone will have to do on Saturday!
• Camping at home Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Sports & Leisure Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Gabriel and Rose are making plans for the weekend.
• Cathy's future holiday [US: vacation] in Montpellier Free Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Learn about Cathy's plan to spend her holiday [US: vacation] in Montpellier.
• Christmas in the mountains Celebrations & Important Dates Family & Relationships Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Antoine will spend Christmas at his dad's house in the Alps, if he can get there!
• Christmas specialities Celebrations & Important Dates Food & Drink Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Paul tells us about some traditional French Christmas dishes.
• Conversation between the election's two rounds Politics, History & Economics Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Marc explains the French presidential election process to his friend Alice.
• Corsican polyphonic singing Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Music Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Do you know about this bewitchingly melodic tradition from Corsica?
• Cycling in Nantes Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Sports & Leisure Accord Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Isabelle agrees with Nantes's status as France's "cycling capital".
• Dalida Famous People Music Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe Learn about Dalida, an iconic French-speaking singer.
• Dealing with your emotions Sports & Leisure Technology & Science Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe Here's a guide to keeping calm.
• Discussing a ski weekend Sports & Leisure Accord Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Laurent and his friend Matt are planning their ski weekend.
• Dreaming of Paris Family & Relationships Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif possessif Grégory imagines his ideal Valentine's Day's proposal.
• Family holiday car trip Family & Relationships Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif possessif Adverbe Concordance des Temps Let the squabbles begin!
• Flying anxiety Family & Relationships Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Jean-Luc has a plan to deal with his fear of flying.
• Following the GPS Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Technology & Science Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Follow this GPS's instructions to reach your destination.
• Getting ready for autumn Celebrations & Important Dates Family & Relationships Sports & Leisure Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif possessif Article Rosalie won't get caught out by the arrival of autumn this year.
• Giving up smoking Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe François tells us how he managed to stop smoking.
• Going back in time Family & Relationships Politics, History & Economics Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adverbe Marine asks Amanda, Bruno and Sébastien what they would do if they could go back in time.
• Going to the bank Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif possessif Article Flora and her father need to go to the bank.
• How to share household chores equally Family & Relationships Accord Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Follow Céline's tips to share household chores more equally.
• I love swimming! Sports & Leisure Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif possessif Thomas tells us about his love for swimming and his hope to one day dive from up high!
• I miss French food! Food & Drink Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adverbe Hélène tells Betty how she's coping with missing French food abroad.
• I want to help! Family & Relationships Adjectif possessif Adverbe Article Suzanne wishes she had more time to help others.
• I've always loved French Family & Relationships Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Sports & Leisure Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif possessif Emily has always had a fascination for the French language.
• I, Lucky Luke Literature, Poetry, Theatre Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Christophe imagines what he would do if he were the fastest shooter in the West.
• If I could start over... Employment Language & Education Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Anne wishes she could do things differently.
• If I were Wonder Woman Film & TV Literature, Poetry, Theatre Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Annie imagines what it would be like to be Wonder Woman.
• If I were a chef Food & Drink Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Benjamin tells us of his dream of being a chef.
• Interview with a jewellery creator Art & Design Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe Hugo is interviewing Marie who creates her own jewellery.

B2: Upper Intermediate French writing exercises

• "Amélie": my favourite film! Film & TV Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif possessif Lisa explains why "Amélie" is her favourite film.
• A History of French TV Film & TV Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif possessif Learn some interesting facts about the beginnings of French TV.
• A busy weekend ahead Family & Relationships Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Adverbe Olivier sums up his busy schedule for the weekend.
• A day in the countryside Free Family & Relationships Sports & Leisure Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe Marie spent last weekend in the countryside with her daughters.
• A great Advent calendar Celebrations & Important Dates Sports & Leisure Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe Find out how to make a unique Advent calendar.
• A great passion for reading Literature, Poetry, Theatre Sports & Leisure Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Florence talks about her grandmother's passion for books.
• A nice morning surprise Food & Drink Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Lucie will serve a delicious breakfast in bed to her fiancée on their anniversary.
• A nice table "à la française" Food & Drink Adjectif Adjectif possessif Article Jacqueline explains the intricacies of setting the table the French way.
• A nightmare journey Free Family & Relationships Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Adverbe Josiane and Robert explain why they're an hour late to their friends' place.
• A perfect interview Employment Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Léo's just had the best job interview of his life!
• A slippery drive Technology & Science Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Richard struggled to get to work this morning: everything was frozen!
• At the football [US: soccer] game Celebrations & Important Dates Sports & Leisure Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Henri took his dad to a football [US:soccer] game for Father's Day.
• At the neighbours' house Family & Relationships Food & Drink Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif possessif Véronique and Bruno are at their neighbours' house for an aperitif.
• Bad Movie Review Film & TV Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif possessif Bernadette delivers a scathing movie review.
• Barbara Famous People Music Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Laëtitia talks about her passion for fascinating French singer Barbara.
• Bayonne, France's chocolate capital Food & Drink Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Learn why Bayonne is considered the French capital of chocolate.
• Brasserie La Coupole Food & Drink Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Accord Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Vincent always eats here when he's in Paris.
• British National Museums Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini National museums are free in the UK, as Paul happily found out.
• Building a snowman Sports & Leisure Accord Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Martine and Bastien enjoyed building a snowman.
• Camping with your dog Family & Relationships Sports & Leisure Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Patrick gives us some advice on taking your dog camping with you.
• Catherine Ségurane: a local heroine Famous People Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Politics, History & Economics Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Toni, a tourist guide from Nice talks about local legend Catherine Ségurane.
• City vs dog poop Family & Relationships Politics, History & Economics Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Alain and Pauline discuss the city's measures to fight against dog waste.
• Composting is awesome! Technology & Science Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif possessif Elsa explains composting to her friend Pierre.
• Congratulations on your degree! Family & Relationships Language & Education Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Thomas's aunt and uncle send him an email to congratulate him on getting his Master degree.
• Conversation between friends Family & Relationships Sports & Leisure Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Friends Simon and Isabelle are catching up.
• Couples' annoying habits Family & Relationships Adjectif indéfini Adverbe Article Olivier gets so annoyed by the way couples behave sometimes!
• Family Reunion Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini At a family reunion, Lea sees her aunt Patricia for the first time in years.
• Finding the perfect anniversary gift Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif possessif Article Jean-Paul is listing his gift ideas for his wife on their anniversary.
• French Easter specialties Celebrations & Important Dates Accord Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Discover some of France's regional Easter specialties.
• French-style lemon tart recipe Food & Drink Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif possessif Follow the recipe to make a delicious lemon tart.
• Garip Ay's amazing paintings Art & Design Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif possessif Jean-Pierre tells us about the work of this fascinating Turkish artist.
• Getting ready for the holiday [US: vacation] Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif Article Article contracté Bastien and Alicia are getting ready for tomorrow's departure.
• Giving back Celebrations & Important Dates Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Especially during the holiday season, it's good to give back to those less fortunate than us...
• Going lily-of-the-valley picking Family & Relationships Sports & Leisure Accord Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Jean-Pierre's family goes to pick lily-of-the-valley every year.
• Heatwave Politics, History & Economics Technology & Science Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini A weather forecast on one of the hottest days of the year.
• High cost of cigarette packaging change Politics, History & Economics Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Learn about the cost of the new policy on cigarette packaging in France.
• I can't find my shirt! Family & Relationships Adjectif possessif Adverbe Article Claire and Julien are almost ready to go out...except for Julien's missing shirt!
• In a clothes store Sports & Leisure Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Patrick complains to the sales assistant about a defective item.
• In the return taxi Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Aline talks about her trip with the taxi driver on her way back to the airport.
• Long time no see! Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Marina and her cousin Tom catch up after quite a while.
• Louise Bourgeois Art & Design Famous People Politics, History & Economics Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Marie-Claire tells us about her favourite French artist.
• Mice invasion Family & Relationships Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Lisa and Paul are discussing options to get rid of Lisa's mice.
• Moving house chores Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Sophie had so many chores to do before moving into her new apartment.
• My car is a real beater! Sports & Leisure Technology & Science Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe Yann's car has so many problems!
• My chosen family Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Magalie found her own loving family.
• My dream invention Technology & Science Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Sonia asks Sylvie what invention she'd dream to see becoming a reality.
• My first Easter memory Celebrations & Important Dates Family & Relationships Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Alexandre remembers the first time he went egg hunting.
• My grandmother's rosebushes Family & Relationships Accord Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Lucie tells us about her grandmother's beloved and renowned rosebushes.
• My hot-headed nephew Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Michel talks about how his nephew used to get on his nerves.
• My kids' back to school day Family & Relationships Language & Education Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Claire is getting ready for the kids' first day back to school.

C1: Advanced French writing exercises

• A bad matchmaker Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Sophie tells us about her failed attempt at matchmaking.
• A couple's ups and downs Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Hélène explains how she and her partner managed to navigate out of a rough patch.
• A difficult sibling relationship Family & Relationships Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Yvan has always had a fraught relationship with his sister.
• A dreadful teenager Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif possessif Philippe recalls his bad behaviour as a teenage boy.
• A ghost story Celebrations & Important Dates Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif possessif Hugo is visiting his mother on All Saints' Day.
• A hard time at work Employment Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Adverbe Érica went through a rough time at work.
• A horrible storm! Technology & Science Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Julien remembers spending a horrible night due to a violent storm.
• A last minute request Employment Family & Relationships Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif possessif Adverbe Isabelle's colleague keeps making her miserable...
• A lovely car Technology & Science Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Find out about Michel's beloved 2CV car.
• A lovely encounter Family & Relationships Sports & Leisure Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif possessif On her daily walk, Audrey met a furry little friend in need of help...
• A special Christmas in Switzerland Celebrations & Important Dates Food & Drink Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Damien recalls a wonderful family Christmas holiday in Switzerland.
• A sudden reappearance Family & Relationships Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif After years of disappearance, Olivia's friend is back.
• Advice for new pet owners Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Laurent asks people for their advice on welcoming a new pet at home.
• Alice and the Caterpillar (Alice in Wonderland) Literature, Poetry, Theatre Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Alice meets the mysterious Caterpillar in this adapted excerpt from "Alice in Wonderland"
• An animal tale Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini By a lovely winter morning, Henri the hare meets poorly Lili the rabbit.
• An incredible trip on the Canal du Midi Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Sports & Leisure Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Patrice recalls his trip along the Canal du Midi.
• An upcycling tutorial Art & Design Sports & Leisure Technology & Science Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif possessif Find out a few ideas for your upcycling projets.
• Anna's birthday party Family & Relationships Food & Drink Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Clément discusses the organisation of his daughter's birthday party with his friend Charlotte.
• At Uncle Robert's 70th birthday Family & Relationships Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Adverbe Laura catches up with her cousin Charlotte at a family event.
• At the psychiatrist's Employment Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Mme Dupont is talking to her psychiatrist.
• At the ski resort Sports & Leisure Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Paul needs to get ski gear for himself and his family.
• Back to School shopping Family & Relationships Language & Education Accord Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Viviane and Christian try and get everything on their children's school supply list.
• Bathroom chat Family & Relationships Accord Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Bruno and Sonia are having a chat in the bathroom.
• Brest during World War II Politics, History & Economics Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif possessif Alex is talking about WWII in Brest with his granddad.
• Californian dream Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adverbe Olivia finally followed her dream to move to California.
• Camping in the woods Free Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Nathalie enjoys camping in the middle of the woods.
• Coco Chanel Famous People Politics, History & Economics Adjectif Adjectif possessif Article Learn about this extraordinary woman who became a fashion icon.
• Complaining about a hotel room Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Gérard complains to the receptionist about the state of his hotel room.
• Coping with the heatwave Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif possessif Adverbe Emma asks how Simon and his pregnant girlfriend Christelle coped with the extreme heat.
• Drôme provençale, a little piece of heaven Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Politics, History & Economics Accord Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Vincent tells us about this beautiful region in the South of France.
• Engagement dinner's speech Family & Relationships Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Adverbe The bride's father thanks the guests for attending and announces the evening programme.
• Engagement surprise Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Louise enjoys an unexpected visit at her engagement party.
• Fireside memories Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Manuelle has warm memories of family times by the fireside.
• First day back to school Family & Relationships Food & Drink Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Sabrina tells us what she'll do on her children's first day back to school.
• French Mobile Phone Habits Politics, History & Economics Technology & Science Accord Adjectif Adjectif indéfini We're taking a look at the importance of mobile phones in French people's lives.
• Gardening weekend Sports & Leisure Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Jean-Pierre had a busy weekend taking care of his garden.
• Gastronomical review Food & Drink Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Discover a mouthwatering review of a French restaurant.
• Gluten-free living Food & Drink Adjectif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Alexandre tells us how he dealt with his newly discovered gluten allergy.
• Gustave Moreau Museum Art & Design Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif possessif Claire tells us about her fascination for 19th-century symbolist painter Gustave Moreau.
• Holidaying in July Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini July is a hard time to organise holiday [US: vacation] for, as Martine and Sam found out!
• How to show your love? Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Marianne and her partner Adèle are making some changes to show their appreciation for each other more.
• In the lives of the writers of French romance novels Employment Literature, Poetry, Theatre Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif possessif Discover what the life of a French writer of romance novels looks like.
• Jean-Marc Vallée Famous People Film & TV Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Nathan and Florence discuss the late Quebecois director Jean-Marc Vallée.
• Johnny Hallyday, a French icon Famous People Music Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Paul and his mum talk about her favourite French singer, Johnny Hallyday.
• La Petite France in Strasbourg Art & Design Monuments, Tourism & Vacations Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Discover this unique area of Strasbourg, a UNESCO site and tourists' favourite.
• Last-minute hesitations Family & Relationships Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif François is torn between his love for Marianne and his duty to the Duchess who he's about to marry.
• Letter to Santa Celebrations & Important Dates Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Timothée writes to Santa, hoping he's been good enough this year...
• Letter to my daughter Family & Relationships Adjectif indéfini Adjectif possessif Adverbe Marc writes a love letter to his newborn baby girl.
• Long distance relationships Family & Relationships Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Here's some advice on how to keep your long distance relation working.
• Luxembourg: A bit of history Politics, History & Economics Adjectif Adjectif démonstratif Adjectif indéfini Learn about the early history of this interesting country.

In this section

• Hanukkah 2023 Menorah
• Christmas 2023 Advent Calendar
• Tips and ideas to improve your French writing skills
• French Glossary and Jargon Buster

French Essay: Topics, Tips, and Examples [2024 Updated]

Nowadays, knowing several foreign languages is no longer surprising. For example, learning French is common for English-speaking countries. So, getting an assignment on this subject won’t be a surprise for a student.

Our specialists will write a custom essay specially for you!

Writing a French essay, you can dwell into:

• the history of the French language;
• various dialects;
• its grammatical features;
• similarities between French and English (or another language);
• the distribution of the language around the globe.

One studying the language may penetrate the rich French culture and comprehend the nation itself. Besides, writing a French essay can develop the author’s writing skills and broaden their outlook. And even if you make mistakes doing so, it’s not the end of the world. The fact that you’re able to recognize them is already good enough, and you can fix complex errors using a free essay rewriter .

Our writers prepared French essay topics and tips for you to nail your task. See the examples below for better understanding.

📯 French Essay Topics

Are you one of those who are assigned to write French essays? Then we suggest you pick out some of the following problems to investigate:

• History of the French language;
• Dialects of the French language;
• French phonology ;
• French orthography;
• French grammar ;
• French alphabet.

The suggested topics are too vague and need narrowing. You may single out some aspects and analyze it in your paper. An excellent French essay topic should be:

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• Broad for you to have enough room to develop your arguments;
• Narrow enough for you to be able to concentrate on one or several points;
• It should also be creative and original. You want people to enjoy reading it, right?
• Most importantly, the topic should be interesting for you.

If the essay topics seem too formal to you, study, for example, your progress in analyzing the French language. Alternatively, you can state what attracts you in the language and explain why. You may also do a comparative analysis of French and some other languages. Comparing French with English may turn out to be a fascinating task to cope with. Both languages will benefit from your French essay writing.

Here are some topics and French essay examples you can consider writing about:

• Your progress in learning the French language . Here you can write about your personal experience learning the French language. What techniques do you apply, and what motivates you personally? You can explain why you have to learn how to speak French .
• How are the French language and culture in Southern France different from Parisian? In this essay, you can compare the Southern French dialect and culture with the one in Paris. What are some of the critical phonetic, grammar, and linguistic characteristics of Southern French?
• Parisian dialect as a standard of French . When people think about the French language, the Parisian variant immediately comes to mind. In this essay, you can analyze why Parisian French became the standard version.
• Why do you enjoy learning French? This essay focuses on your personal preferences and likes in the process of learning. What makes it fun and enjoyable? Is it French movies, French literature, or understanding French written work documents?
• French influence on English . Although English is a Germanic language, it looks and sounds a lot like French. The influence which French had on English is significant. Look at some historical reasons (the Norman invasion in particular) and why English benefited from it.
• French language in 19th century Russia . Not everyone knows that French was the official language of the Russian elite in the 19th century. Discuss the reasons why and what influence French culture had on Russian literature, music, and language.
• The effect of the French language on the development of English writing . More than 10,000 French words came into the English language. Not only did the vocabulary of English get more prosperous, but the French way of spelling and letter convention influenced English orthography.
• What caused French to become an aristocratic language in Europe? The reasons why the French language became so dominant throughout Europe are broad. In this essay, you can focus on economic grounds, cultural or political reasons.
• An analysis of Canadian French. This essay can be a comparative analysis of Canadian and European French. What are the main differences? What are some similarities between the two variants?
• Is there any similarity between French and German ? All of the languages in the Indo-European language family have some similarities. Therefore, French and German are not exceptions. You can focus on sentence structure, word order, pronunciation, or phonetics.
• The popular strategies in English-French translation .
• Describe the challenges of French language acquisition.
• Analyze the peculiarities of French vowel pronunciation.
• Cultural events and their traditions in French-speaking countries .
• Discuss the advantages of learning French .
• Examine the semantic peculiarities of the French language.
• Explore the role of watching movies in the French language learning process.
• Comparison of language education theories .
• Analyze the impact of French language learning on your personality.
• Describe the methods you’ve used to improve your French language fluency and which turned out to be the most effective.
• Similarities and differences between realism and naturalism in Spanish and French literature .
• What is the role of the French language in the modern world?
• Advantages and disadvantages of knowledge of multiple languages .
• Discuss the role of the French language in the United States.
• The specifics of learning French in early childhood.
• Compare the grammar peculiarities of English and French languages.
• How is the concept of friendship interpreted in American and French cultures?
• Analyze the correlation between the history of France and French language development.
• Explore the origin of the French language.
• Verbal and non-verbal communication in French culture.
• Examine the crucial role of French literature in learning French.
• Describe the relationship between French culture and language.
• Is it a good idea to integrate bilingual programs in early childhood education?
• Discuss the best ways to prepare for the speaking exam in French.
• The role of audiovisual materials in learning French .
• What difficulties did you face when learning to write in French ?
• The essential role of sociocultural context when translating from French.
• Compare the customs of French, Chinese, and Hispanic cultures.
• The best methods of learning the second language .
• Describe the best ways of promoting language development for French language learners.
• Analyze the methods of French word formation .
• Would you like to become a French language teacher?
• Analysis of the food words in English and other European languages.
• Examine the specifics of the French language in former French colonies .

Do not treat your French essay as an ordinary task to undertake. Make it as creative as possible!

🖋️ How to Write a French Essay

Note that writing on some language problems requires more than your knowledge of the subject matter. It also tests your abilities to present them in terms of academic writing.

Special care should be taken concerning the following:

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• The structural organization of your French essay.

Mostly, it is similar to any other academic essay :

• It should start with a hook . In simple terms, it is the opening sentence or two of your writing. It can be a quote, a short story, or a catchy statement that grabs the reader’s attention.

Here’s an example of from the sample essay:

Every language is a mirror of society, a living organism that exists and changes under the influence of historical, political, and social conditions.

• The next part of your essay is a thesis statement . Typically, it should be placed at the end of the first paragraph. The thesis statement’s purpose is to state the central idea in one or two phrases.

Here is a thesis statement from our French essay example:

Today, it is common to study English as a foreign language, as an international means of communication. However, this does not diminish the importance of learning other foreign language like French.

• After that, the body of the essay should start. This part of the composition usually has three separate paragraphs. These paragraphs can include research, supporting evidence, and arguments that prove the point of view.
• The conclusion brings together all the points of the essay. It goes back to the thesis statement and explains the broader importance of the topic. It is the last chance to leave a lasting impression on the reader.

Here is an example form our French essay sample:

To conclude, the above discussion provides evidence and arguments that maintain the position according to which learning French is a necessity nowadays. The crucial points are as follows; first, French has a long tradition of international language; second, French is spoken around the globe; third, it is a language of international relationships. The opposing position that English is sufficient for appropriate global communication was claimed unreasonable – an emphasis in this regard was on the essence of cultural and language diversity.

• The logical organization of your French essay .

There are some ways in which you can coherently write your essay. The following three aspects can guide you when organizing your French essay:

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• Topic sentence : you should mind linking elements within the paragraphs and between them. First of all, each section should include a topic sentence. It aims to identify the central idea and express an overall direction in which the writer will develop the paragraph.

The demand for knowledge of a language has changed in recent years.

• Concluding sentence: each paragraph should also include a concluding sentence. It asserts the main idea of the section and sums up all the information said in it.

It may be claimed that in a period of rather an aggressive introduction of the Anglo-American language in the world, the French need to persistently and resolutely defend their language, their national interests, and calls on other nations to preserve linguistic diversity.

• Linking words: it is crucial to use linking words in your essay. Linking words show relationships between ideas. It can be used to build sentences together to develop a cohesive paragraph.

To see the full essay sample, check the link below:

• Grammar, spelling, and vocabulary.

The last step in writing an A+ French essay is proofreading and editing. Before submitting your academic paper, make sure to pay attention to grammar, spelling, and vocabulary mistakes . Without proofreading, your writing can contain typos and errors that will not leave a good impression.

Good luck with your French essay writing! We hope the article was helpful. If so, share it with your peers and leave a comment below to let us know what you think.

This might be interesting for you:

• How to Write an Expository Essay in Simple Steps
• Nursing Reflective Essay Example and Guidelines for Students
• Essay on Dengue Fever: How to Write + Free Examples
• Objective Essay Writing: How to Write, Topics and Examples
• Organizing an Essay: Jerry Plotnick, College Writing Centre, University of Toronto
• Organizing an Essay: Study Guide Zone
• Paragraphs & Topic Sentences: Writing Guides, Writing Tutorial Services, Indiana University Bloomington
• Thesis Generator: Ashford Writing Center
• Proofreading: The Writing Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Basic Essay and Paragraph Format: Utah Valley University
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It is not helpful to me.

Anyway, thanks for stopping by, Yunika.

Thanks for the help with out this i wouldn’t even know what to do on my essay

Hi, do you also do French powerpoint presentation?

Hi dear, sorry, but we can do a PowerPoint presentation in English only. If that’s what you need, you’re welcome to check out our order form . Good luck and have a nice day!

Good advice. Thanks.

Thanks for your comment. We’re happy to hear that. Be sure to check other posts on this blog.

This was a very great help. I’m writing a French essay, and I know, thanks to your post and the provided tips on French essay writing, I will pass!

Hi! I just want to thank you for your ideas and tips for writing French essays! Write a French paper in English or write an essay for the French by an American) Funny.

Thanks a lot for the help.

No problem, Sash:) Good luck!

French Texts for Beginners

French texts for beginners (A1/A2) and intermediates (B1/B2) to practice your French reading and comprehension skills. Learning to read French well is a genuine accomplishment. For beginning learners, we offer an enjoyable way to improve your comprehension with the brief, text-based lessons below.

Professional French teachers designed the texts and exercises with easy vocabulary and elementary grammar to help you grow in ability and confidence. Following your review of each text, answer the questions of comprehension in our online exercises, and we'll evaluate it immediately. You get instant feedback about your French reading skills. It's challenging, fun and free!

Hint: Download our texts and exercises as pdf and use it as free teaching materials for your students.

• Cinéma DIALOGUE PREMIUM How about we go to the movies? ? »
• Les vacances d'été PREMIUM Summer holidays and the French ? »
• Séjour à la ferme PREMIUM A day off away from the city ? »
• Du soleil sous la neige PREMIUM Clean, fresh air: just what was needed ? »
• Formation en anglais PREMIUM I need information about the English class. ? »
• Journée en forêt PREMIUM A walk in the woods with grandpa ? »
• La réunion de famille PREMIUM The only time of the year when the family gets together ? »
• Le chat et la taupe PREMIUM The mole was lucky to escape ? »
• Le jour du marché PREMIUM I'm going to buy the vegetables for today's meal ? »
• Les courses d'Arthur PREMIUM The days when Arthur does the shopping ? »
• Les lectures de Hector PREMIUM ? »
• Trouver l'amour sur internet PREMIUM Will Amelie find the love of her life? ? »
• Un instant de détente PREMIUM A bit of relaxation after lots of work ? »
• La nouvelle année PREMIUM Sabrina's goal for next year ? »
• Le français, langue de Molière PREMIUM One of the greatest writers in the French language ? »
• La photographie PREMIUM ? »
• Le jardinage PREMIUM ? »
• Les voyages en bus PREMIUM ? »

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StoryLearning

Learn A Language Through Stories

33 French Conversational Connectors For Smooth Spoken French

As you learn French and begin using longer sentences to express your ideas, you need to know the connectors in French that allow everything to flow together.

Connectors will turn disjointed phrases into joined up sentences, making your French sound more smooth, natural and fluent.

Let’s have a look at an example in English first:

Yesterday, I went for a walk in the park. I arrived at the park. It started raining. I didn’t have an umbrella. I was starting to feel hungry. I decided to take the bus home. I had wasted my day off. It’s always a bad idea to go out without an umbrella in spring. It serves me right.

Compare that with:

Yesterday, I went for a walk in the park. However , when I arrived at the park, it started raining, and unfortunately, I didn’t have an umbrella. Furthermore, I was starting to feel hungry, so I decided to take the bus home instead – but I had wasted my day off. In fact , it’s always a bad idea to go out in spring without an umbrella, so I guess it serves me right.

Which one sounds more natural? Of course it’s the second one. Why? Thanks to the connectors! 

So, to help you out and save you a bit of time, here’s my list of the most important French conversational connectors to get you started.

By the way, if sounding more fluent in French fast is one of your goals, I recommend French Uncovered, which teaches you through StoryLearning®.  Click here  to find out more and try out the method for free.

33 French Conversational Connectors

These are some of the very first words you will learn in French and are essential when forming even the simplest joined-up sentences.

Most of these words work just like their English counterparts.

#1 Et – And

• Example: Je ne veux pas y aller et c’est tout ! – I don’t want to go and that’s that!

#2 Mais – But

• Example: Je ne veux pas y aller, mais tu peux me convaincre – I don’t want to go, but you can convince me

#3 Parce que – Because

• Example: Je ne veux pas y aller parce que ça m’ennuie – I don’t want to go because it bores me

#4 Peut-être – Perhaps, Maybe

• Example: Peut-être qu'on peut y aller après-demain – Perhaps we can go the day after tomorrow

#5 Comme – As, Since

This word in French has several meanings, including “like” (as in “similar”) and “as” (“he’s dressed as a monk”). But here, as a connector, it means “as” or “since”, a meaning that is close to “because”.

• Example: Comme ça m’ennuie, je ne veux pas y aller – Since it bores me, I don’t want to go

#6 Donc – Therefore

This is a useful word and is very common – it’s slightly more formal than alors , which we’ll come to in a moment.

• Example: Je n’ai pas d’argent donc je ne veux pas y aller – I don’t have any money, therefore I don’t want to go
• Example: Je pense donc je suis – I think therefore I am

It's also used in the following expression:

• Example: Quoi donc ? – What then?

Multipurpose Connectors In French To Sound Like A Native

Here are a couple of words that are super-common in French and that have lots of meanings.

Learning how to use them correctly can help make your French sound much more natural. And because they have so many uses, they’re extremely useful words to know.

In fact, I could probably write a whole post just about number 7. But I'll just give you an overview for now!

#7 Alors – So, Then, Therefore

This is a word that can seemingly be made to mean almost anything.

But its primary sense is “so” or “therefore”. It’s often used instead of donc and sounds less formal – the difference between the two is similar to the difference between “so” and “therefore” in English.

Note that when it isn’t being used to connect two parts of a sentence, alors can be placed at the beginning or end of what you say.

In English, we use “so” at the start of the sentence or replace it with “then” – which can go at the start or at the end. See the third example below to see how this works.

• Je n’ai pas d’argent alors je ne veux pas y aller – I don’t have any money, so I don’t want to go
• Je ne le voulais pas alors pourquoi tu l’as acheté ? – I didn’t want it so why did you buy it?
• Alors pourquoi tu l’as acheté?/Pourquoi tu l’as acheté alors ? – So/then why did you buy it?/Why did you buy it then?

Alors can also be used when in English you might say “so” or “well”. And just like in English, it has the full range of nuances, depending on how and when you say it.

Here are just a couple of examples:

• Alors ? – So? Well? (with a rising, questioning intonation – could mean “what do you want?” “how did it go?” “did you find it?” etc. depending on the context)
• Alors ! – Well then! (with a falling intonation, kind of like “I told you so!”)
• Bah alors ! – Well then! There, there! (depending on how you say it, it could mean anything from “well what did you expect?” or “serves you right” to “there, there” said to comfort someone!)

#8 Quand Même – All The Same, Anyway

I remember hearing this expression a lot when I was first learning French. Then – and when I finally worked out how to use it myself, I felt that my French had suddenly made a big jump forward.

It’s such a typically French expression that’s more than just another vocabulary item. And sometimes its meaning defies translation.

The basic sense is something like “all the same”. But you'll hear it used in all kinds of situations with varying nuances. Check out these examples:

• Je ne veux pas y aller mais je vais y aller quand même – I don’t want to go but I will go all the same (the meaning is close to “anyway” – I will go even though I don’t want to)
• Il est quand même un bon jouer – He’s a good player all the same (perhaps some doubt has been expressed about the player’s abilities and the speaker accepts the point but wants to stress that he’s still a good player – ‘yes, sometimes he’s lazy, but he’s a good player all the same’)
• C’est cher mais c’est bon quand même ! – It’s expensive, but it’s good though! (here, the idea being expressed is that although the food is expensive, it’s very good so it’s worth the money)

Quand même can also be used alone as a kind of exclamation to express the idea that something is impressive or considerable.

• Example: C’était combien ? 1.300€. Quand même ! – How much was it? €1,300. Wow, not exactly cheap! (the meaning is that the price is quite considerable – try to imagine it being said with a Gallic rise of the eyebrows, a slight tilt of the head, a little exhalation and a facial “shrug”!)

Other Useful Connectors In French

Most of these words are similar to the English equivalents.

#9 Pourtant – Yet, Still

Similar to “yet” or “still” in English.

• Example: Il est pourtant venu – Yet he came/he still came/yet he still came
• Example: Et pourtant, il est quand même venu – And yet he still came

#10 Cepandant – However

• Example: Il est beau. Cepandant je le trouve très bête – He’s handsome. However, I find him very stupid

#11 (Tout) D’abord – First (Of All)

• Example: D’abord, je vais chercher mon manteau – First, I’m going to fetch my coat

#12 En Général – In General

• Example: En général, ils sont tous comme ça – In general, they’re all like that

#13 En fait – In fact, Actually

Also, see actuellement in the “False Friends” section at the end.

• Example: En fait, je préfère la bière – In fact, I prefer beer

#14 Quant à – As For, Concerning

• Example: Quant à mes amis, ils préfèrent le vin – As for my friends, they prefer wine

#15 D’ailleurs – Moreover, Furthermore

• Example: Non, je ne l’ai pas invité. Et d’ailleurs, je lui ai dit de ne pas venir – No, I didn’t invite him. And moreover, I told him not to come

#16 Au Contraire – On The Contrary

• Example: Au contraire, ce n’est pas du tout ce que je voulais dire – On the contrary, that’s not what I meant at all

#17 Malgré – Despite

• Example: Malgré tout, elle l’aime toujours – Despite everything, she still loves him

#18 Sinon – Otherwise

• Example: Tu lui diras. Sinon il va oublier – Tell him. Otherwise he’ll forget

#19 Dès Que – As Soon As

• Example: On va partir dès qu’il arrive – We’ll leave as soon as he arrives

#20 Quoique – Whatever

This expression is always followed by a subjunctive verb in French .

• Example: Il ne me croit pas, quoique je dise – He doesn’t believe me, whatever I say

#21 Sans Doute – Without

• Example: Sans doute, c’est pour ça – Without doubt, that’s why

#22 Par Contre – On The Other Hand

• Example: S’il fait beau, j’irai. Par contre, s’il pleut, je reste ici – If the weather is good, I’ll go. On the other hand, if it rains, I’ll stay here

#23 En Plus – Furthermore, Additionally, As Well

• Example: Il a volé mon portefeille, et en plus, il m’a insulté ! – He stole my wallet, and furthermore, he insulted me!

#24 Surtout – Above All

• Example: Et surtout, il ne faut pas le dire à personne ! – And above all, you mustn’t tell it to anyone!

#25 De Toute Façon – Anyway

• Example: De toute façon, je vais lui dire – I’m going to tell him anyway

Connectors In French For Expressing Your Opinion

These are words and phrases for when you need to express your opinion.

#26 Je Pense Que… – I Think That…

• Example: Je pense que tu as tort – I think you’re wrong

#27 À Mon Avis – In My Opinion

• Example: À mon avis, ce n’est pas le cas – In my opinion, that’s not the case

#28 Pour Moi – For Me

• Example: Pour moi, ce n’est pas la peine – For me, it’s not worth it

#29 Selon – According To

• Example: Selon mon professeur, ça se dit comme ça – According to my teacher, that’s how it’s said

Connectors In French: False Friend Alert!

To finish, here are a couple of connecting words that many English speakers get wrong – as do many French speakers when they use the English versions.

#31 and #32 are slightly different from English and are easy to confuse. The last is one of the most notorious false friends in the French language.

#30 En Effet – Indeed, Actually

This doesn’t quite mean ‘in effect’. It’s closer to ‘indeed’ or ‘actually’.

• Example: En effet, c’est tout à fait vrai ! – Indeed, it’s completely true!

#31 Finalement – In The End, After All

Be careful here – finalement doesn’t mean “finally” as in “he’s finally arrived”. The true meaning is “in the end” and is used, for example, when the final outcome is not what you expected.

• Example: Ah ! Alors finalement tu as décidé de venir ! – Ah! So you decided to come in the end!

#32 Enfin – Finally, At Last, At Least

If you want to say “finally”, the correct word is enfin – it expresses the idea that something you have been waiting for has finally happened.

• Example: Il a enfin réussi à vendre sa maison ! – He’s finally managed to sell his house!

It also has another meaning that is similar to “at least” in English.

• Example: Il a vendu sa maison. Enfin, c’est ce que j’ai entendu – He sold his house. At least, that’s what I heard

#33 Actuellement – At The Moment, Currently, Right Now

Actuellement DOES NOT mean “actually”! If you want to express “actually”, the closest French expression is en fait (in fact).

Actuellement means “currently” or “at the moment”, and this is why sometimes French people will say things like “I’m busy actually” – they really mean “I’m busy right now”.

• Example: Je ne suis pas disponible actuellement – I’m not available right now/currently

Connectors In French: A Quick Way To Improve Your French

Many of these words are invaluable since they can help you express yourself much more clearly and accurately.

Plus, there are no complicated grammar rules to learn. You can sound more natural and fluent with minimal effort.

En plus , by incorporating them into your active French vocabulary, you can make yourself sound much more like a native speaker.

Et finalement , that’s the goal that everyone is hoping to achieve!

This list is a great start point. But now it's over to you. As you read French and listen to French , notice these connectors. Observe how native people use them in their conversations. How do they pronounce them? Where and when do they use them.

This is great preparation for using them in your conversations with French speakers.

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French Writing Practice and Prompts for the Classroom

October 5, 2022 by Devon Leave a Comment

When you teach French, whether in middle school, high school, core French or immersion, you need all the French writing prompts and practice activities you can get! This handy dandy list is great to keep in your back pocket for those 5 minute pockets of unexpected down time, to prepare for final writing exams, and everyday French activities.

Studying French Grammar Does NOT Lead to Accurate Writing

Before we start looking at french writing prompts, it’s important to understand its role in the French lesson plan. The #1 thing to remember about French writing activities in a classroom is that ACCURACY is not where you start – let alone put all your time and energy.

HOW MUCH students are exposed to the structure leads to accuracy.

Many teachers teach the way they were taught: show students the proper way to form a structure, give them opportunities to practice, and then test it. This DOES NOT WORK. See this post about second language acquisition and French grammar to see why.

Comprehensible Input French Example

Instead, give students tons of tiny texts with the structures you want them to use. Ask them warm up questions where they have to choose an answer between the structures they need to use. Lead them in tons of input-rich activities (WAY more than you think is necessary) before you ever ask them to produce the structure in writing).

For example:

J’ai besoin d’une calculatrice et un livre pour le cours de (fill in the blank, kiddos)

If you want students to be able to accurately talk about what they need for each class, instead of wasting time showing them how “j’ai besoin de/d'” works, just use that precious precious time for input and comprehension based activities where they get tons of repetitions of that structure!

Aim for them seeing, hearing, and using j’ai besoin de/d’ in context at least 50 times (ideally 75-125) before they are tested on it.

French 1 Writing Prompts

First, let’s look at French 1s as this is a very delicate stage of learning. Writing is a dangerous thing to mess with too early. At this stage in the game, our kids are baby baby novices. Starting at novice low with a writing prompt is honestly not a good idea, so don’t expect much. It’s more research-based practice to wait until students are at novice mid at the very least to introduce French writing prompts .

However, some of us (I also used to be in this position) teach in places where that just won’t fly.

Many students because of school constraints and stuffy curriculums need to use writing in French class, so let’s make this work as best we can at this level.

French 1 Writing Activities Tips

Again, for realz, make sure that you have given students at least 50 context rich, input rich exposures to any structure before asking them to write anything!

For novice lows, their very best skill is listing. Capitalize on this by asking questions that use the very same structures they need to answer inside the question. In other words, stay away from tu questions that need a j’ai answer until they are ready.

They will slay questions in the 3rd person though, especially if you teach them to look for the phrase they need in the question to answer it.

Next, you’ll see some copy-and-paste ready French 1 writing prompts with these exact principles in mind. Steal ’em!

French 1 Food Unit Writing Prompts:

Qu’est-ce qu’il y a dans le frigo?

Qu’est-ce qu’il y a dans le garde-manger? 

Qu’est-ce qu’on mange  au petit-déjeuner? 

Quels aliments ne sont pas sains? 

French 1 Personality & Adjectives Writing Prompts:

C’est comment, un bon ami?

C’est comment, un mauvais ami?

Comment est ta personnalité?/ Décris ta personnalité.

Tu es comment?

Tu es timide ou extraverti(e)? (Other either/or questions work well)

French 1 Family Unit

Qui est dans ta famille?

Tu as un animal domestique?

Décris une personne dans ta famille.

French 2 Writing Prompts

Next, let’s look at French 2 writing prompts. Don’t assume your French 2s are ready for more writing just because this class in high school French tends to have more grammar. They are only one teeny tiny step above French 1. They are still building a great deal of vocabulary and most are starting at novice mid. Here are some ideas for your French 2 writing prompts:

French 2 Writing Activities Tips:

• Start to ask for complete sentences
• Vary the question format to consistently work with 2nd person questions and 1st person answers. This of course means that you as the teacher need to speak to them in the 1st person a TON.
• Start asking for sequence. It will be choppy and inaccurate. That’s perfectly normal for novice mids to highs, but it will push them further into novice high. For example, daily routine works well in level 2 to help work with first, next, then, last.
• Ask for more details – maybe 3 in each sentence.
• Never expect accuracy. Instead, expect complexity. That is what you will get at this level.
• Praise like crazy when you start to see students using conjunctions. That is a very high-level skill for novice mids and emerging novice highs. For example, J’ai mangé une pizza et une pomme. That’s an advanced sentence for French 2! Treat it as such.
• Instead of review, revisit the same prompts they remember from French 1 and ask for more complex and detailed responses. Less prep for you and still just as valuable output practice for them!

French 2 Writing Prompt Examples:

• Qu’est-ce que tu fais pour le matin?
• Qu’est-ce qu’on fait pour se preparer pour l’école?
• Qu’est-ce qu’il y a dans la douche?
• Qu’est-ce que tu aimes faire après-l’école?
• Qu’est-ce que tu vas faire ce week-end?
• Qu’est-ce que tu mets quand il fait beau?
• Qu’est-ce que tu fais dans la cuisine? dans la chambre? dans la salle à manger?
• Qu’est-ce que vous avez fait avec tes amis hier?

French Past Tense Writing Practice

Last, let’s take a look at a very common question: how can I practice French past tense with my students? You don’t need to wait until French 2 to use past tense! They are ready for it! Instead of teaching the ins and outs of how past tense works, use your precious class time to give input rich examples for students in comprehensible input activities like weekend chats!

For example, if you’re teaching a food unit, why not ask things like “what did you eat yesterday?” Just don’t expect complete sentences. Then, later in the year, after you’ve done lots of interpersonal work, they will be ready to respond with j’ai mangé after they have seen and worked with at least 50 in context examples (ideally 75).

The best way to give past tense writing practice is to expose students to tons of simple past tense structures in the 1st person, 2nd person, and 3rd person in levels 1 and 2. Use the high frequency verbs and phrases that they will naturally hear the most. Use this post on French High Frequency Verbs to guide you!

More Posts on Comprehensible Input, Research, and Linguistics

In conclusion, you have lots to think about with writing practice in French class. The most important concept is to make sure that writing is a proficiency-oriented practice in your class. Dive into the world of second language acquisition with these other posts for teachers:

• The Research Behind Comprehensible Input
• What is Comprehensible Input?
• Second Language Acquisition
• French Grammar and its New Role in Class
• French High Frequency Verbs
• Map Out Your French 1 Curriculum

More French teacher resources for you

Have you ever wished the transition to proficiency were easier to do?  Grab the FREE toolkit here  to learn the framework for updating your practice to comprehensible input with key tools like French grammar in context and high frequency words – with actionable ideas you can use tomorrow in class.

Free Conference for World Language Teachers 

If you’re ready to jump in and get started with proficiency and teaching with comprehensible input, I have another resource to help you on your journey below:

Sign Up for the  Next Practical & Comprehensible Free Virtual Conference!  Every year, I gather together the best and brightest in the field of world language to share with you how to switch to proficiency through comprehensible input.  All with practical ideas that you can use tomorrow . It’s a FREE virtual conference –  join the waitlist and find out more about the speakers here.

French Teacher Resources and Posts

You may also like these French teacher resources for your immersion classroom or high school French class:

• How to Map out a French 1 Curriculum for High School
• French Classroom Decor Ideas for Proficiency Oriented Instruction
• 11 French Resources for Teachers – All Free!
• Can Do Statements and ACFTL Tools for World Language Teachers

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 You’re in the right place if you’re ready to discover how more target language use in class can bring you and your students more joy instead of adding to your plate. This podcast is for the creative world language teacher like you, who’s ready to ditch the overwhelming pressure of switching to acquisition-driven instruction and […]

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Fast-Track Fluency: 50 Common French Phrases for Beginners

This is your shortcut from novice to natural — our essential guide to the basic French phrases you should master first.

Basic French Greetings

Introducing yourself, polite expressions, asking for help & directions, other common french phrases, the bottom line.

Welcome to your crash course in basic French phrases — your key to navigating through the beautiful language of French with ease. Whether you are planning a trip to a French-speaking country, adding another language to your skill set, or simply passionate about languages, these phrases will provide a solid foundation for your French language journey.

In this article, we share the most common French phrases that beginners should master first. These phrases include everything from introductions and apologies to asking for help and directions . Learning these will not only enhance your vocabulary but will also make you feel more confident and comfortable in French-speaking environments.

So, let's jump right in and crack the code to becoming bilingual!

Discover how to learn words 3x faster

Learn French with Langster

First things first, let's start with basic greetings that will help you kick-start a conversation. These phrases are essential in any social setting and will help you make a good first impression :

Remember to always greet people with a friendly smile and a bonjour or bonsoir when entering a shop, café, or any public place.

Now that we know how to greet people, let's learn how to introduce ourselves and others. This will come in handy when meeting new people or making small talk at a social event.

Here are some essential French phrases for introductions:

It’s important to note that there are several ways to ask for someone’s name in French, depending on the context — we cover them in our specifically dedicated guide .

Politeness is highly valued in French culture, so it's essential to know some polite expressions. Here are a few phrases that will help you show your manners and communicate courteously:

Apart from the standard s'il vous plaît , you can also explore alternative ways to say “please” in French . Using these phrases will help you navigate through everyday interactions with French speakers and show your respect for their culture.

Mistakes happen, and it's essential to know how to apologize in French. Here are a few phrases you can use:

By knowing these basic French words and phrases and using them when necessary, you'll show your genuine remorse and respect for those around you.

When in a new country, it's always helpful to know how to ask for assistance — just in case. Here are some useful French phrases that will come in handy in these situations:

Knowing these phrases will make your travels smoother and help you communicate effectively with locals.

In addition to the French phrases mentioned above, here are a few more common expressions that will come in handy for having everyday conversations in French.

Learning a new language is an enriching experience that can open doors to new opportunities and connections. By mastering these essential French phrases, you'll be on your way to fluency in no time.

Remember to practice, and don't be afraid to make mistakes — it's all part of the learning process. You can also check out other resources, such as language exchange programs or our Langster app , to further improve your skills. Keep exploring the language and culture, and you'll see your fluency grow along the way. Bon voyage!

Ellis is a seasoned polyglot and one of the creative minds behind Langster Blog, where she shares effective language learning strategies and insights from her own journey mastering the four languages. Ellis strives to empower learners globally to embrace new languages with confidence and curiosity. Off the blog, she immerses herself in exploring diverse cultures through cinema and contemporary fiction, further fueling her passion for language and connection.

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The AP French Exam: Your Ultimate Guide (with 15 Study Tips and Test Strategies)

This is your ultimate guide to study and prepare for the AP French Language and Culture Exam.

From detailed information about the exam to 15 study tips and test-taking strategies, you’ll find everything you need to set up your study plan!

What Is the AP French Exam?

How will the ap french exam help in college, how is the exam scored, when and where do i take it, how is the exam structured, 1. start early, study often, 2. make the most of your ap class, 3. bring french into your daily life, 4. practice speaking as often as you can, 5. practice conversational vs. presentational tone, 6. use a study guide, 7. take practice tests, test-taking tips, 1. don’t underestimate simple concepts, 2. read the entirety of each question, 3. listen and read holistically, 5. budget your time, 6. remember to breathe, 7. smooth out your transitions, 8. mind your register.

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

AP exams are comprehensive subject-specific exams for accomplished high school students . Having a high AP exam score on your high school transcript can help you stand out to colleges.

If you’re taking an AP French class, it means that you are studying more advanced French material than the average high school French class in preparation for the exam.

Even with class time, this exam is advanced and rigorous, requiring additional individual study time in order to excel.

Whether you want to major in French or just want to learn it, a passing score on the AP French Exam will let you test out of introductory classes and save time and money . You might also earn college credits before you start college.

This is especially useful if you have a different major but want to minor in French, because minors often have course loads that can cause scheduling conflicts with your major.

Colleges also sometimes consider AP experience when awarding scholarships.

The exam is scored on a simple 1 (worst) to 5 (best) scale. Usually, a score of 3 and above will qualify you for college credits and/or advanced placement, but each college sets their own requirements.

AP exams are given every year in May . You’ll take the exam in class during a normal school day.

Signing up for the AP exam is as simple as registering for AP classes in high school. Then, you will be provided with a test schedule and pay a fee (which is significantly less than a college course would cost) in order to register officially for the exam.

In many districts, there are subsidies available to offset the exam fee, offering a further incentive to take the test.

The exam is 3 hours long , of which roughly half consists of multiple choice questions and the other half free response.

Section 1: multiple choice (1 hour, 35 minutes)

This section consists of 65 questions that test your passive French reading and listening skills.

• Part A (40 minutes) is 30 questions based on sample texts such as newspaper articles or train schedules.
• Part B (55 minutes) is 35 questions based on audio clips which may or may not be paired with texts. All audio is played twice.

Section 2: free response (1 hour, 28 minutes)

This section consists of four tasks that test your active French writing and speaking skills.

• Part B (18 minutes) is two speaking tasks: a conversation and a presentation that demonstrates your knowledge of French and Francophone culture.

As with most tests (especially AP exams), you can’t just study the day before the exam and expect to get a good score.

Start scheduling as far ahead as you can. Consistency is key, and time is your greatest ally.

If you start studying 6 months before your test, you can spend just 15 minutes a day studying and build confidence in your skills.

If you wait until the last minute, you might spend hours and hours cramming in all your studying the week of, only to be unprepared and burned out for your exam.

Remember: your French teacher is already an expert in the language! Take advantage of their knowledge as much as possible while you still can. Something I used to do when learning French was to make a point of asking at least one question in class every day .

Pay extra attention to all the materials your teacher provides for you. They know what the exam will be like, so they know what it’s most important for you to be studying.

Whether it’s simple worksheets, beneficial websites or games, don’t just blow through these activities! Ask yourself what aspect of French these assignments are actually teaching you . Take them to heart.

Immersion is the best way to pick up any language.

While you may get short bits of immersion in your French classes, there is more that you can do outside of school that will immerse you in the language and get you thinking in it.

Try reading in French , setting your Facebook page to French , listening to French music or even finding some cool YouTube videos! You can also watch movies and TV shows or listen to podcasts in French.

Really, anything in your everyday life that’s usually done in English can probably also be done in French.

Whether it’s with a classmate, your teacher, a French friend or even yourself , find every possible opportunity to get in that speaking practice .

You might be able to understand written French and know the grammar concepts like the back of your hand, but speaking is a huge part of your test and you need to sound confident while doing it!

This one’s very important. Remember, an email isn’t an essay, and a conversation isn’t a presentation.

When you compose your email, write as if you’re a French person casually writing to another French person. Same goes for the conversation.

It’s during the essay and presentation that you want to show off how formal and informative you can be!

A study guide often includes important information on how the test is formatted and how to best approach it, as well as the grammar and vocabulary that you should know.

Be sure to find a study guide that covers all four language skills (speaking, writing, listening and reading).

Here are some of the most popular guides you can try:

• Barron’s – Breaks things down well and includes MP3 audio and two full practice tests.
• REA – Offers mobile and online content and tracks your progress with quizzes.
• College Board – While not technically a study guide, it has lots of relevant study material that is sure to help you since it comes from the creators of the test!

There are plenty of practice AP French exams out there, including in the study guides mentioned above. There are also practice exams online from resources such as Albert . The College Board website AP Central offers examples of past test questions , including writing and audio samples.

Try timing yourself with the actual exam times and keeping track of your progress, then studying the parts you struggle with the most.

Practice tests will have the same instructions as the real exam, so pay attention to them to understand what to expect beforehand.

While knowing advanced French is a plus, don’t forget what you learned when you were just starting out.

Things like incorrect gender , forgetting to use the subjunctive and improper conjugations are simple mistakes that even advanced speakers can commit. Don’t fall into that trap.

Read carefully to be sure the question you think you’re answering and the question you’re really  answering are one and the same.

If you skim through the questions, you may miss important parts that would completely change your answer.

The audio section presents the stress of only being able to listen to the audio twice. The key here is to listen holistically.

Don’t try to understand every word; that’s not necessary to answer the questions. If you dwell too long on one word you didn’t understand, you might miss the rest of the audio.

This goes for the reading portions of the exam, too. Especially considering the advanced level of language used in the exam, you are most likely going to come across something you don’t recognize. That’s okay! Just pick out the words you do know and use context clues to fill in the missing pieces.

You will be sitting at your exam for a little over three hours.

This means you should make sure to not only eat a big, nutritious breakfast, but also bring along a small snack or two to give you a boost. It’s hard to remember subject-verb agreements when your stomach won’t stop grumbling.

Water is also important.

You have to take care of your body to prepare your mind!

With 65 multiple choice questions to answer in 95 minutes, that leaves you about 1.5 minutes to answer each question.

Don’t get caught hemming and hawing over a question for five minutes. You can circle the question, move on, and get back to it if you have time at the end.

Since you’re not penalized for wrong answers—they’re simply not counted—you should try to fill in an answer for every question, even if it’s just a wild guess.

When it comes to the speaking portion, don’t let nervous jitters jumble your words. Speak slowly and deliberately. Remain calm.

You can even throw in some fillers à la française (in the French style) such as uh and ben (well) to give yourself some time to gather your thoughts, find le mot juste (the right word), and sound elegantly fluent .

In order to make your French sound as smooth and buttery as possible, you’ll need to be sure to have a store of transitions in your arsenal that will allow you to make logical connections and add variety to the structure and length of your sentences.

Think of the free response section as an opportunity to show that you know the difference between words like pour que (so that) and quoi que (no matter what).

Register is one of the areas in which you’ll be evaluated on the exam. In part A of the free response section, for example, you’ll be asked to reply to an email.

If the email is addressed to a close friend, you’d use tu . Addressing a professional acquaintance, on the other hand, requires vous . You should have the difference between the formal and informal register down pat.

With ample preparation, not only can you pass the AP French Exam, but you can improve your French enormously in the process.

Take it from a seasoned veteran of AP exams: there’s nothing on the AP French Exam that you can’t do, especially if you’re already a passionate learner.

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Simple-French

Simple French Lessons Online and Other Things Too

French Lessons For Beginners

Lesson 1: introduce yourself   :.

Learn how to introduce yourself in French, tell your name , your age and where you are from . You will also see how to ask simple questions in French, basic French conjugation , the verb to be ( être ), to have ( avoir ), to be called ( s’appeler ) and you will discover names of different nationalities in French. You will also have your first lesson on French phonetics : how to correctly pronounce je , j’ai , tu and d’où .

Lesson 2: How Old Are You ?   :

Learn how to tell your age in French, ask and compare your age with others and speak about other members of your family . You will learn more about the conjugation and the use of the French Present Simple Tense ( Le présent de l’indicatif  ), as well as the French comparatives and superlatives .

Lesson 3: Nice to Meet You !  :

Learn what to say in French when you meet people for the first time and how to introduce other people . Look up the words and do the interactive exercise at the end check your knowledge of the vocabulary from the dialogue.

Lesson 4: Talk About Yourself :

Learn how to briefly  talk about yourself in French. Learn how say what your name and age are, where you live (city and country), what you do for a living , what you like doing , where you work and what languages you speak . Audio text with interactive exercises to improve your learning.

Lesson 5: What Do You do For a Living ?  :

Learn how to ask somebody for his / her profession . Learn different profession names in French, how to ask polite questions and what the possessive adjectives are. You will also see the difference between “ tu ” and “ vous “, or how to politely address to other people.

Lesson 6: French Basic Words: Greetings  :

Learn the basic Greeting words  in French. If you want to start with something really simple or if you just want to to be speaking some basic French words  to be polite  with the French people  on your journey to a French speaking country, then this lesson is for you.

Lesson 7: French Basic Words: Thanking and Apologising  :

Learn the basic Greeting words  in French. If you want to start with something really simple or if you just want to to be speaking some basic French words  to be polite  with the French people  on your journey to a French speaking country, then this lesson is for you. You may also see this lesson as a reminder of the words you had learned long, long time ago. Have fun !

Lesson 8: French Basic Words: Questions and Exclamations  :

The third part of “Learn the basic words and sentences in French”. Learn the basic Greeting words  in French. If you want to start with something really simple or if you just want to to be speaking some basic French words  to be polite  with the French people  on your journey to a French speaking country, then this lesson is for you. You may also see this lesson as a reminder of the words you had learned long, long time ago. Have fun !

Lesson 9: French Alphabet  :

In this lesson you will learn the sounds of French letters and how to spell the words in French.

Lesson 10: What Do You Like Doing In Your Free Time ?  :

Simple French Lesson 10 on how to say   what your hobbies are and what you like doing . Learn how to ask questions and how to answer using “I / You like”.

Lesson 11: Asking For Information:

In this lesson you will learn how to approach people in the street and ask politely for information . You will learn the vocabulary related to travel and you will also be introduced to the French conditional . The content of this lesson corresponds to A2 CEFR level of French.

Lesson 12: In a French Café  :

Simple French lesson on how to order a coffee in a typical French  brasserie.  You will also learn the two most popular types of coffee ordered in France: un expresso and un café allongé.  Enjoy your lesson !

Lesson 13: In the Louvre Museum  :

In this lesson you will discover the Louvre Museum of Paris , the most visited museum in the world ! You will learn the French vocabulary and structures that will allow you to make the most of your visit in Louvre and your stay in Paris: how to buy tickets and ask for specific information . You will see how to use the French conditional sentences to sound more polite and how to express that you have only small quantity of something .  Enjoy !

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50 Common French Phrases for Beginners: Start Speaking Like a Pro

• Post author: Elijah Logan
• Post last modified: May 13, 2023
• Post category: Blog

Learning a new language can be both exciting and intimidating, but mastering the basics is the first step to becoming fluent. French, known as the language of love and diplomacy , is no exception. With over 220 million speakers worldwide, learning French can be an invaluable skill for travel, work, and personal growth.

In this blog post, we’ve compiled a list of common French phrases with descriptions and examples to help beginners familiarize themselves with the language and become more confident in their conversational skills.

Also Read: 6 Ways To Mastering French Vocabulary : Tips, Tricks, and Expressions

These phrases will help you navigate everyday situations and allow you to communicate with native speakers more effectively. Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

Here are 50 common French phrases with descriptions and examples:

• Bonjour (Good morning/Hello) – A standard greeting used in both formal and informal settings. Example: “Bonjour, comment ça va?” (Hello, how are you?)
• Bonsoir (Good evening) – A greeting used in the evening in both formal and informal situations. Example: “Bonsoir, Madame.” (Good evening, ma’am.)
• Salut (Hi/Bye) – An informal greeting or farewell. Example: “Salut, ça va?” (Hi, how’s it going?)
• Au revoir (Goodbye) – A polite way to say goodbye. Example: “Au revoir, à demain!” (Goodbye, see you tomorrow!)
• Merci (Thank you) – To express gratitude. Example: “Merci pour le cadeau.” (Thank you for the gift.)
• Merci beaucoup (Thank you very much) – To emphasize appreciation. Example: “Merci beaucoup pour votre aide.” (Thank you very much for your help.)
• De rien (You’re welcome) – A polite response to someone who thanked you. Example: “Merci pour le café.” “De rien.” (Thank you for the coffee. You’re welcome.)
• S’il vous plaît (Please – formal) – A polite request in a formal context. Example: “Pourriez-vous me passer le sel, s’il vous plaît?” (Could you pass me the salt, please?)
• S’il te plaît (Please – informal) – A polite request in an informal context. Example: “Passe-moi le sucre, s’il te plaît.” (Pass me the sugar, please.)
• Excusez-moi (Excuse me – formal) – To get someone’s attention, apologize, or make your way through a crowd. Example: “Excusez-moi, pourriez-vous me dire où se trouve la gare?” (Excuse me, could you tell me where the train station is?)
• Excuse-moi (Excuse me – informal) – Informal version of “Excusez-moi.” Example: “Excuse-moi, tu pourrais m’aider avec ça?” (Excuse me, could you help me with this?)
• Pardon (Pardon/Sorry) – To apologize for a minor mistake or inconvenience, or to ask someone to repeat what they said. Example: “Pardon, je n’ai pas compris.” (Sorry, I didn’t understand.)
• Comment ça va? (How are you?) – A common way to ask someone how they are doing. Example: “Salut, comment ça va?” (Hi, how are you?)
• Comment allez-vous? (How are you? – formal) – A more formal way to ask someone how they are doing. Example: “Bonjour, Madame Martin, comment allez-vous?” (Hello, Mrs. Martin, how are you?)
• Je m’appelle… (My name is…) – To introduce yourself and share your name. Example: “Je m’appelle Pierre. Enchanté.” (My name is Pierre. Nice to meet you.)
• Enchanté(e) (Nice to meet you) – To express that you are pleased to meet someone. Example: “Je m’appelle Sophie. Enchantée.” (My name is Sophie. Nice to meet you.)
• Oui (Yes) – An affirmative response. Example: “Est-ce que tu veux venir au cinéma avec moi?” “Oui!” (Do you want to come to the movies with me? Yes!)
• Non (No) – A negative response. Example: “Tu aimes les épinards?” “Non.” (Do you like spinach? No.)
• Comment tu t’appelles? (What’s your name? – informal) – To ask someone’s name in an informal context. Example: “Comment tu t’appelles?” “Je m’appelle Julie.” (What’s your name? My name is Julie.)
• Comment vous appelez-vous? (What’s your name? – formal) – To ask someone’s name in a formal context. Example: “Comment vous appelez-vous?” “Je m’appelle Monsieur Dupont.” (What’s your name? My name is Mr. Dupont.)
• Ça va? (How’s it going?) – A casual way to ask someone how they are doing. Example: “Salut, ça va?” “Oui, ça va bien, merci.” (Hi, how’s it going? Yes, I’m fine, thank you.)
• D’accord (Alright/OK) – To express agreement or understanding. Example: “On se retrouve à 19h?” “D’accord.” (We’ll meet at 7 PM? Alright.)
• Je ne sais pas (I don’t know) – To express uncertainty or lack of knowledge. Example: “Où est la bibliothèque?” “Je ne sais pas.” (Where is the library? I don’t know.)
• Je ne comprends pas (I don’t understand) – To indicate that you don’t understand something. Example: “Je ne comprends pas cette phrase.” (I don’t understand this sentence.)
• Pouvez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît? (Can you repeat, please? – formal) – To ask someone to repeat something in a formal context. Example: “Pouvez-vous répéter, s’il vous plaît?” (Can you repeat, please?)
• Peux-tu répéter, s’il te plaît? (Can you repeat, please? – informal) – To ask someone to repeat something in an informal context. Example: “Peux-tu répéter, s’il te plaît?” (Can you repeat, please?)
• Parlez-vous anglais? (Do you speak English? – formal) – To ask if someone speaks English in a formal context. Example: “Parlez-vous anglais?” “Oui, un peu.” (Do you speak English? Yes, a little.)
• Tu parles anglais? (Do you speak English? – informal) – To ask if someone speaks English in an informal context. Example: “Tu parles anglais?” “Oui, assez bien.” (Do you speak English? Yes, quite well.)
• Combien ça coûte? (How much does it cost?) – To inquire about the price of something. Example: “Combien ça coûte, ce sac?” (How much does this bag cost?)
• Où sont les toilettes? (Where is the bathroom?) – To ask for the location of the restroom. Example: “Où sont les toilettes, s’il vous plaît?” (Where is the bathroom, please?)
• À tout à l’heure (See you later) – To say goodbye when you expect to see someone later the same day. Example: “Je vais au magasin. À tout à l’heure!” (I’m going to the store. See you later!)
• À bientôt (See you soon) – To say goodbye when you expect to see someone again soon. Example: “Au revoir, à bientôt!” (Goodbye, see you soon!)
• À demain (See you tomorrow) – To say goodbye when you plan to see someone the next day. Example: “Bonne soirée, à demain!” (Have a good evening, see you tomorrow!)
• Quelle heure est-il? (What time is it?) – To ask for the current time. Example: “Quelle heure est-il?” “Il est 3 heures de l’après-midi.” (What time is it? It’s 3 PM.)
• Comment dit-on… en français? (How do you say… in French?) – To ask for the translation of a word or phrase. Example: “Comment dit-on ‘apple’ en français?” “On dit ‘pomme’.” (How do you say ‘apple’ in French? It’s ‘pomme.’)
• J’aimerais… (I would like…) – To express a preference or desire for something. Example: “J’aimerais une tasse de thé, s’il vous plaît.” (I would like a cup of tea, please.)
• Je voudrais… (I would like…) – Another way to express a preference or desire for something. Example: “Je voudrais un billet pour Paris, s’il vous plaît.” (I would like a ticket to Paris, please.)
• C’est bon (It’s good) – To express satisfaction or approval. Example: “Tu as goûté ce gâteau?” “Oui, c’est bon!” (Have you tasted this cake? Yes, it’s good!)
• Je suis fatigué(e) (I am tired) – To express that you are tired. Example: “Je suis fatigué, je vais me coucher.” (I am tired, I’m going to bed.)
• Je suis désolé(e) (I am sorry) – To apologize for a mistake or inconvenience. Example: “Je suis désolé, je suis en retard.” (I am sorry, I am late.)
• Je t’aime (I love you) – To express love or affection for someone. Example: “Je t’aime, mon amour.” (I love you, my love.)
• Il fait beau (The weather is nice) – To describe pleasant weather. Example: “Il fait beau aujourd’hui, n’est-ce pas?” (The weather is nice today, isn’t it?)
• Il fait froid (It’s cold) – To describe cold weather. Example: “Il fait froid ce matin!” (It’s cold this morning!)
• Il fait chaud (It’s hot) – To describe hot weather. Example: “Il fait chaud cet après-midi, allons à la plage.” (It’s hot this afternoon, let’s go to the beach.)
• C’est loin? (Is it far?) – To ask about the distance to a destination. Example: “C’est loin, la gare?” “Non, c’est à 10 minutes à pied.” (Is the train station far? No, it’s a 10-minute walk.)
• C’est près? (Is it near?) – To ask about the proximity of a destination. Example: “C’est près, l’épicerie?” “Oui, juste au coin de la rue.” (Is the grocery store near? Yes, just around the corner.)
• Où se trouve…? (Where is… located?) – To ask for the location of a place. Example: “Où se trouve le musée d’Orsay?” (Where is the Orsay Museum located?)
• Qu’est-ce que c’est? (What is it?) – To inquire about the nature or identity of something. Example: “Qu’est-ce que c’est, ça?” “C’est une écharpe.” (What is this? It’s a scarf.)
• Je voudrais réserver une table (I would like to reserve a table) – To make a reservation at a restaurant. Example: “Je voudrais réserver une table pour deux personnes à 20h, s’il vous plaît.” (I would like to reserve a table for two people at 8 PM, please.)
• L’addition, s’il vous plaît (The check, please) – To request the bill at a restaurant. Example: “L’addition, s’il vous plaît.” (The check, please.)

Suggestion: French Phonetics – Unlocking the Secrets of French Pronunciation

FAQs About Common Phrases in French

Q1: do i need to learn both formal and informal versions of french phrases.

Yes, it’s important to understand both formal and informal phrases in French. The level of formality used depends on your relationship with the person you’re speaking to and the context of the conversation.

Generally, use formal phrases when speaking with strangers, older people, or in professional settings. Informal phrases are more appropriate for friends, family, and peers.

Q2: How do I practice my pronunciation of these French phrases?

To improve your pronunciation, listen to native speakers in videos, podcasts, or language learning apps. You can also practice speaking with a language partner or tutor, who can provide feedback on your pronunciation.

Repeating phrases aloud and recording your voice can also help you identify areas for improvement.

Q3: Are these 50 French phrases enough to become fluent in French?

While these 50 phrases are a great starting point, they are not sufficient to become fluent in French. Fluency requires a deeper understanding of grammar, vocabulary, and cultural context. Continue building your vocabulary, practicing grammar, and engaging in conversations with native speakers to progress towards fluency.

Q4: How long will it take to learn and memorize these 50 French phrases?

The time it takes to learn and memorize these phrases varies depending on your language learning background, dedication, and personal learning style. Consistent practice and repetition will help you retain the phrases more effectively.

Q5: What are some other resources I can use to learn French?

There are many resources available to help you learn French. Some popular options include language learning apps (e.g., Duolingo, Babbel, and Rosetta Stone), online courses, language schools, textbooks, podcasts, YouTube channels, and language exchange platforms.

Q6: How can I improve my French listening skills?

To improve your listening skills, expose yourself to French as much as possible. Watch French movies and TV shows, listen to French podcasts and music, or attend language meetups or conversation groups. This will help you become familiar with the rhythm, intonation, and colloquial expressions used by native speakers.

Q7: Can I learn French without a teacher?

While having a teacher can provide guidance and support, it is possible to learn French on your own. Self-study methods, such as using language learning apps, online courses, and textbooks, can be effective. However, it’s essential to find opportunities to practice speaking with native speakers, whether through language exchange platforms, conversation groups, or other social settings.

Mastering these 50 common French phrases will help you build a strong foundation in the language and make your travels in French-speaking countries much more enjoyable. As you progress, continue to expand your vocabulary and learn more about the nuances of the language. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep speaking, listening, and engaging with native speakers to improve your skills. Bonne chance (good luck) on your French language journey!

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French Sentences for Beginners

French Sentences for Beginners: A Comprehensive List of 50+ Phrases

In this comprehensive lesson, you’ll find a list of common French phrases to help improve your basic conversation level in the French language. Learning a new language can be challenging, but with consistent practice, you can achieve fluency. To build your vocabulary, try to learn a few basic sentences or words each day.

In the French sentence examples provided, we use casual language with the pronoun “tu” (you). If you’re looking to use formal language, simply replace “tu” with “vous” (you). Additionally, we’ll cover the nuances of using formal and informal language in French conversation and provide examples for when to use “tu” and “vous” in different situations.

For example, when speaking to a stranger who is older or in a position of authority, it’s best to use “vous.” However, if you’re speaking to someone who is much younger or someone you’re already familiar with, such as a family member or friend, you can drop the formal “vous” and use “tu” instead.

Examples of common French phrases include:

Comment vas-tu ? (informal) – Comment allez-vous ? (formal) = How are you? Quel âge as-tu ? (informal) – Quel âge avez-vous ?(formal) = How old are you?

Note: “vous” is also used when speaking to a group of people. For example, when you meet three friends on the street and you ask them: How is it going? You will then say: Comment allez-vous ?

When learning French, it’s important to practice regularly in order to build up your vocabulary. One effective way to do this is by committing to learning a few basic sentences or words each day. This consistent approach will help you gradually acquire new vocabulary and improve your overall understanding of the language. Remember, mastering a new language takes time and patience, but with regular practice, you’ll see progress and be able to communicate more effectively in French.

We hope these French sentences with English translation help you to learn new words. Don’t forget to check out all our lessons.

You can also watch our video to learn basic sentences in French :

Want to improve your French conversation skills? Check out our post on “French conversation – Everyday dialogues”! This post is filled with practical examples of common everyday dialogues in French, which will help you to understand and use the language in real-life situations. You will be able to learn how to hold a conversation in French, from asking for directions to making plans with friends, and much more.

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