How to Ace IB French SL Paper 2 (Productive Skills)

For IB French SL students, Paper 2 is often challenging. It tests your productive writing skills, meaning your ability to express ideas clearly, coherently, and appropriately for a specific audience, purpose, and text type.
Success depends not just on grammar and vocabulary, but also on how effectively you communicate meaning in a real-world context.

With the right strategy, you can approach Paper 1 with confidence and write with precision, clarity, and purpose.

Step 1: Understand the Task

Before you start writing, take a few minutes to analyse the prompt carefully. You will be asked to produce one piece of writing based on a short text — and choose the correct text type (e.g. article, blog, letter, email, brochure, or review).

Ask yourself:

• What is the purpose? (To inform, persuade, entertain, or express an opinion?)
• Who is the audience? (Friends, readers, the public, an organisation?)
• What register should I use? (Formal, neutral, or informal?)

Tip: Underline key words in the question. They guide your tone, content, and structure. Missing them can cost you marks for task achievement.

Examples of IB-Style Prompts and Text Type Choices

Below are sample prompts modelled on real IB Paper 1 tasks, showing how to recognise the purpose, audience, and format:

Example 1: Blog Entry

Prompt: Your school has organised a campaign to reduce the use of plastic bottles. Write a blog post to share your opinion and suggest alternatives for students.
Text type: Blog entry (article de blog)
Audience: School community
Tone: Semi-formal, informative, persuasive
Useful openers: Chers lecteurs, / Aujourd’hui, je veux partager avec vous…

Example 2: Formal Letter

Prompt: You read an article about public transport problems in your city. Write a formal letter to the mayor suggesting solutions to improve mobility.
Text type: Formal letter (Lettre officielle)
Audience: Mayor / local authority
Tone: Formal, polite, solution-oriented
Useful openers: Monsieur/Madame le Maire, / Je vous écris afin de proposer…

Example 3: Article for School Newspaper

Prompt: Your school newspaper is preparing a special edition about technology and young people. Write an article expressing your opinion on the advantages and disadvantages of social media.
Text type: Article (Article de journal scolaire)
Audience: Students
Tone: Semi-formal, reflective, balanced
Useful openers: Les réseaux sociaux occupent une place importante dans nos vies…

Example 4: Email or Informal Letter

Prompt: You have just participated in a cultural exchange in France. Write an email to your French friend describing your experience and what you learned.
Text type: Email or informal letter (Courriel / Lettre personnelle)
Audience: Friend
Tone: Informal, personal
Useful openers: Salut [nom], / J’espère que tu vas bien ! Je voulais te raconter…

Example 5: Brochure or Leaflet

Prompt: Your local youth centre wants to encourage young people to volunteer in the community. Create a brochure to present the benefits of volunteering and how to get involved.
Text type: Brochure (Dépliant / Brochure)
Audience: Teenagers / community members
Tone: Informative, positive, motivational
Useful openers: Pourquoi faire du bénévolat ? / Découvrez comment vous pouvez aider !

Step 2: Plan Before You Write

Spend 5–7 minutes planning before writing.

1. Brainstorm ideas relevant to the topic.
2. Organise your structure:
   • Introduction – state purpose and engage the reader.
   • Body – develop 2–3 clear ideas with examples or arguments.
   • Conclusion – summarise and restate your viewpoint.
3. Decide on connectors and cohesive devices (cependant, en outre, par conséquent, d’une part… d’autre part).

Insight: A clear structure makes your writing coherent and easy to follow — something examiners always reward.

Step 3: Write with Purpose and Accuracy

Focus on clarity, coherence, and grammatical control.

• Tone and register: Stay consistent from start to finish.
• Grammar:
  • Use présent, passé composé, imparfait, futur simple, conditionnel, and subjonctif appropriately.
  • Check agreement, prepositions, and pronouns.
• Cohesion: Use linking words to connect ideas logically.
• Content: Respond directly to the task — don’t go off-topic.

Tip: Leave a few minutes at the end to proofread. Correct small gender or tense errors that can easily cost points.

Step 4: Refine Style and Voice

IB French SL Paper 1 rewards writing that feels authentic and natural.

• Adapt tone and vocabulary to the text type and audience.
• Use idiomatic expressions where appropriate, but don’t overdo them.
• Vary sentence length and structure to keep your writing dynamic.

Insight: Examiners reward fluency and flow. Even if your vocabulary isn’t perfect, writing that feels smooth, coherent, and purposeful always stands out.

Extra Insights for IB French SL Paper 2 Success

• Know your text types and practise writing each one at least once.
• Revise common IB themes: identity, experiences, human ingenuity, social organisation, and sharing the planet.
• Practise timed writing: You have 1 hour 15 minutes — plan, write, and proofread efficiently.
• Self-assess: After practice, review your grammar, connectors, and tone.

Final Tip: Strong Paper 2 responses balance accuracy, structure, and authentic communication. Don’t aim for perfection — aim for clarity and purpose.

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