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Paper 1 is worth 25% of your IB French grade — and it is one of the most winnable parts of the exam. The text types are known in advance, the assessment criteria are public, and the conventions for each format can be learned and practised. Yet many students underestimate it, focusing all their energy on the oral and arriving on the day unsure which format to choose or what conventions to apply.
This guide gives you everything you need: all eleven IB French SL text types with their specific conventions, how Paper 1 is assessed, the grammar structures that raise your Language score, a fully annotated model answer, and the most common mistakes to avoid.
At French via Skype, we specialise in IB French tuition for Ab Initio, SL and HL. For expert guidance and the best possible grade, please get in touch.
What Is the IB French SL Written Production?
The written production is Paper 1 of the IB French B Standard Level exam. It is a timed writing task completed under exam conditions, without dictionaries or notes.
You will be given three prompts and asked to complete one. Each prompt describes a situation, a task, and a list of points to address — but does not specify a format. Choosing the most appropriate format is part of the task itself and is assessed under Criterion C. The prompt that best matches your strengths — in terms of topic, vocabulary, and format knowledge — is the one to choose.
Key facts:
- Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Worth: 25% of the final grade
- Word count: 250–400 words
- Number of tasks: one, chosen from three options
- No rationale required at SL (rationale is required at HL only)
- Topics are drawn from the five IB themes: identities, experiences, human ingenuity, social organisation, sharing the planet
- For Reading and Listening (Paper 2), see our dedicated guide: IB French SL Paper 2 — Reading and Listening — Complete Guide
How Is the Written Production Assessed?
The written production is marked out of 25 points, divided across three criteria. Understanding these criteria is the most direct way to improve your score — because it tells you exactly what the examiner is looking for in every sentence you write.
Criterion A — Language (10 points)
This is the highest-weighted criterion. The examiner assesses your vocabulary range and accuracy, your grammar (including complex structures such as the subjunctive, the conditional, and the gerund), the variety of sentence structures you use, and whether you include idiomatic expressions naturally. Aiming for 2–4 well-chosen idiomatic expressions per text is enough — quality matters more than quantity.
Criterion B — Content (10 points)
Are your ideas relevant, developed, and clearly communicated? Do you address all the points in the prompt? A text that is linguistically imperfect but genuinely engages with the task will always outscore a grammatically polished text that says very little. Read the prompt carefully and respond to every point it raises.
Criterion C — Format (5 points)
Does your text use the conventions of the format requested? A blog needs a title and a personal voice. A formal letter needs opening and closing formulas. A speech needs an address to the audience. These format markers are worth 5 points and take only a few seconds to include — but forgetting them costs marks that are very easy to keep.
Key insight: Language and Content carry equal weight (10 points each). Do not focus exclusively on grammar at the expense of your ideas, or the reverse. The best scores come from texts that are both linguistically strong and genuinely responsive to the prompt.
The IB French SL Text Types — All Formats for Paper 1
The IB French B course defines ten text types for the Paper 1 written production. Each has its own register, conventions, and format markers. Knowing all of them before the exam means you will never be caught off guard by a prompt — and you will know immediately which conventions to apply.
Blog
Written for an audience, but personal in tone. A blog entry has a title, uses the first person, and can be opinionated or advisory. The register is semi-formal — more structured than a diary, but less impersonal than an article.
Key grammar: the passé composé and imparfait for recounting, the conditional for suggestions, rhetorical questions to engage the reader.
Journal intime (Diary)
Written for yourself — not for a public audience. A diary entry has a date at the top, uses the first person throughout, and is more emotional and unfiltered than a blog. The register is informal and intimate.
Key grammar: verbs of feeling, the passé composé and imparfait for narrating events, the conditionnel passé for regrets.
Lettre formelle (Formal Letter)
Addressed to an institution, an editor, or a company. Uses vouvoiement throughout, requires formal opening and closing formulas, and maintains a measured, impersonal tone.
Key grammar: the conditional for polite requests (je souhaiterais, pourriez-vous), impersonal structures (il convient de, il est important de), and the subjunctive (afin que, pour que).
Lettre amicale (Informal Letter)
Addressed to a friend, family member, or acquaintance. Uses tutoiement throughout, a warmer and more personal tone, and informal opening and closing formulas (Cher/Chère, Grosses bises, À bientôt).
Key grammar: the passé composé and imparfait for news and stories, the future for plans, direct questions.
Courriel (Email)
More concise than a letter, but the register depends on the recipient. An email to an institution uses the same conventions as a formal letter; an email to a classmate is more direct. Always include a subject line (Objet:).
Key grammar: the conditional for formal requests, the infinitive for lists of actions.
Article
Informative and structured, written for a general readership. Uses the third person or impersonal structures (on, il convient de), requires a headline, and presents facts and arguments in a logical order.
Key grammar: the present tense for general truths, the passive voice (a été adopté, ont été observés), reported speech (selon les experts, d'après une étude).
Chronique d'opinion (Opinion Column)
Like an article, but openly subjective — the writer's voice and opinions are front and centre. A chronique d'opinion takes a clear position, argues it with conviction, and does not hide behind impersonal structures. It requires a headline and reads more like an editorial than a news report.
Key grammar: first-person opinion structures — see our guide to opinion expressions in IB French — rhetorical questions, and connectors of contrast (certes... mais, bien que + subjonctif).
Discours (Speech)
Persuasive, formal, and addressed directly to an audience. Must open with an apostrophe to the audience (Mesdames, Messieurs / Chers camarades). Uses inclusive nous, rhetorical questions, and calls to action.
Key grammar: the imperative for calls to action, the subjunctive for conviction (il faut que, il est essentiel que), the conditional for proposals.
Entretien (Interview)
A dialogue format — a series of questions and answers between an interviewer and an interviewee. It requires clear identification of both speakers (Q: / R:, or the names of the speakers). The register varies depending on context: a journalistic interview is formal, a conversation between students is more relaxed.
Key grammar: direct and indirect questions, the passé composé for past experiences, the conditional for hypothetical scenarios (que feriez-vous si...).
Rapport (Report)
Formal, objective, and analytical. Structured with clear section headings (Introduction, Analyse, Conclusions, Recommandations). Written in the third person or impersonal form, with measured, precise language. Include the date and, where relevant, the name of the author or organisation.
Key grammar: the passive voice, nominalisation, impersonal structures (il ressort de, il convient de noter que).
Brochure / Dépliant / Tract
Concise and persuasive — section headings are required. Uses short, punchy sentences, imperatives, and superlatives to inform or persuade. The register is direct and engaging. A tract (leaflet or flyer) tends to be even shorter and more urgent in tone.
Key grammar: the imperative, the infinitive for instruction lists, exclamations.
Essential Grammar for the IB French SL Written Production
The Language criterion rewards candidates who use a range of accurate grammar structures, not just a wide vocabulary. The following structures are directly assessed — and including them deliberately in your writing will raise your score.
Every text should include:
- The correct tenses for the format — passé composé and imparfait for narratives, present and future for arguments
- The subjunctive after il faut que / bien que / pour que
- Logical connectors: cependant, en revanche, par conséquent, de plus
- Relative clauses: qui, que, dont, où
- Object pronouns including EN and Y to avoid repetition
High-value structures that distinguish a strong text:
- non seulement… mais aussi
- bien que + subjunctive
- si + imparfait + conditionnel (hypothesis)
- ce qui / ce que / ce dont for emphasis
- The gerund: en + present participle
- Nominalisations (turning a verb into a noun)
For a full grammar checklist organised by format, see our dedicated resource: IB French grammar guide.
Idiomatic Expressions in the Written Production
The Language criterion explicitly rewards idiomatic expressions. Aim for 2–4 per text — enough to demonstrate range, without forcing expressions that feel unnatural. The expressions that score most are those that fit the format and the topic seamlessly.
The key rule: use an expression only if you are sure of its meaning and register. A misused idiom loses more points than it gains.
For a full list by format, see our dedicated resource: IB French vocabulary and expressions guide.
How to Approach the Written Production in the Exam
Step 1 — Read all three prompts (2 minutes)
Do not start writing immediately. Read all three options carefully. For each one, identify the topic and the specific points you are asked to address. Note that the prompts do not specify a format — choosing the most appropriate format is part of the task and is assessed under Criterion C. Ask yourself: what format best fits this situation and this audience?
Step 2 — Choose your prompt and plan (8 minutes)
Choose the prompt you feel most confident with — not necessarily the easiest topic, but the one where you know the format conventions well and have the most to say. Before writing a single word, jot down: two or three main ideas, one counterargument, a few vocabulary items and expressions you plan to use.
Step 3 — Write your text (55 minutes)
Begin with the format markers specific to your text type (salutation for a letter, date for a diary, headline for an article, apostrophe for a speech). Then write your introduction, develop your ideas in clear paragraphs, and conclude. Use your planned vocabulary and grammar structures deliberately.
Step 4 — Reread and correct (10 minutes)
Check for verb agreement, gender agreement, missing accents, and tense consistency. Make sure your format markers are in place and your word count is within range. A clean, proofread text signals precision — which is part of what Criterion A rewards.
Model Answer — Blog (Social Media and Young People)
The Most Common Mistakes in the IB French SL Written Production
Choosing an inappropriate format
The prompt does not tell you which format to use — choosing the most appropriate one is part of the task, and it is assessed under Criterion C. Read the prompt carefully: the situation and the task will guide you. A prompt set in a school newsletter calls for an article; a prompt asking you to share a personal experience points to a blog or diary entry. If your format choice is clearly unsuitable for the context, you will lose marks on Format — even if your writing is otherwise strong.
Missing format markers
A formal letter without closing formulas, a speech without an address to the audience, a blog without a title — these omissions are avoidable and each costs points under Criterion C.
Wrong register throughout
Mixing vouvoiement and tutoiement in a formal letter, or using formal impersonal structures in a personal diary entry, signals a lack of control. Choose the correct register for the format and maintain it from the first word to the last.
Ignoring part of the prompt
Many prompts have multiple requirements. For example: "explain the problem, give your opinion, and suggest a solution." Missing any one of these directly affects your Criterion B score. Underline every instruction in the prompt before writing.
Connectors that are too basic
Et, mais, parce que — these signal A2/B1 level. At IB SL level, the examiner expects cependant, en revanche, par conséquent, néanmoins, de surcroît. Replace basic connectors with more precise ones and your Language score will rise immediately.
Writing too little — or too much
Falling below 230 words results in a deduction. Exceeding 400 words significantly suggests poor time management. Aim for 280–340 words: enough to develop your ideas fully, without padding.
Frequently Asked Questions — IB French SL Paper 1
How many words do I need for the IB French SL written production?
Between 250 and 400 words. Falling below 230 words results in a points deduction. Slightly exceeding 400 is generally acceptable, but staying within the range shows good control of your writing.
How many text types are there in IB French SL Paper 1?
The IB French B course defines ten text types for Paper 1: blog, journal intime, lettre formelle, lettre amicale, courriel, article, chronique d'opinion, discours, entretien, rapport, and brochure/dépliant/tract. All of them can appear in the exam — which is why practising all formats before the day is essential.
Can I choose my text type in the written production?
Yes — the prompts do not specify a format. You choose which of the three prompts to respond to, and for each one, you decide which format best fits the situation and the audience described. This choice is assessed under Criterion C (Format). If your format is clearly unsuitable for the context, you will lose marks even if your writing is otherwise strong.
What is the difference between a blog and a chronique d'opinion in IB French?
Both are written for an audience and can express opinions, but they differ in tone and register. A blog is personal, semi-formal, and conversational — the writer shares experiences and views in a direct, engaging way. A chronique d'opinion is more formal, more structured, and more explicitly argumentative — closer to an editorial or a newspaper column. In an exam, if the prompt asks for a chronique d'opinion, using a conversational blog tone will cost you points on the Format criterion.
What is an entretien in IB French and how do I write one?
An entretien is an interview — a dialogue format with questions and answers between two identified speakers. Each turn must be clearly labelled (with the speaker's name or a label such as Q: / R:). The register depends on the context given in the prompt. The key challenge is to make the dialogue feel natural while maintaining the register required — and to develop ideas in full rather than giving one-line answers.
Is a rationale required for IB French SL?
No. The rationale (a short explanation of your format and register choices) is required at Higher Level only. At Standard Level, you only submit your written text.
What topics come up in the IB French SL written production?
Topics are drawn from the five IB themes: identities (self-image, language, relationships), experiences (travel, customs, personal milestones), human ingenuity (technology, art, media), social organisation (education, work, community), and sharing the planet (environment, migration, global issues). You will always be given a source text or stimulus to react to.
What grammar structures should I include to score well on Paper 1?
Aim for: the subjunctive (bien que, il faut que, pour que), the conditional (suggestions, hypotheses), complex connectors (cependant, en revanche, par conséquent), relative clauses (qui, que, dont, où), object pronouns (EN and Y), and the gerund (en + present participle). For a full list, see our IB French SL grammar guide.
How is the IB French SL written production different from the HL?
At HL, the text must be 450–600 words and include a rationale of up to 100 words. At SL, the text is 250–400 words with no rationale required. The HL exam also allows more complex text types and expects a wider range of grammar.
How can I practise for IB French SL Paper 1?
The most effective method is timed practice with detailed corrections. Write one text per week under exam conditions — 1 hour 15 minutes, no notes — then have your work corrected by an experienced tutor who knows the IB assessment criteria. Vary the text types you practise so that you are comfortable with all of them before the exam. For mock exam practice with personalised feedback, see our IB French online courses.
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Prepare for the IB French SL Written Production with an Expert Tutor
At French via Skype, our tutor specialises in IB French tuition at Ab Initio, Standard Level, and Higher Level — and has been preparing students for their final exams for many years. Having lived in Australia and worked directly with Australian international schools, she has a first-hand understanding of how these schools approach the IB programme and what they expect from their students. She works with students across Australia, the UK, and Europe.
She has a thorough mastery of the IB curriculum — the assessment criteria, the weighting of every component, and what distinguishes a good response from an excellent one. She is often in direct contact with students' teachers, which allows her to align preparation closely with what is being covered in class. Whether a student needs to strengthen their written production, prepare for the individual oral, or work through Paper 2 strategies, every session is adapted accordingly.
She also understands the reality of what IB students are dealing with. French is one subject among many, and the pressure to perform is very real. Her role is not only to teach French, but to help every student feel genuinely prepared and confident when it matters most.
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