Bonjour!
Giving your opinion is a key skill in IB French SL — whether in Paper 1 writing tasks, or oral assessments. Using precise, varied expressions not only helps you communicate your ideas clearly but also demonstrates language range and sophistication to examiners.
This article highlights the best expressions to Give Your Opinion in IB French SL , shows when to use them, and gives examples for both formal and informal contexts.
Why Using Opinion Expressions Matters in IB French SL
In IB French SL:
- Written tasks (Paper 1, Paper 2) require you to present arguments, justify points, and show critical thinking.
- Oral tasks (Individual Oral, Interactive Oral, IA discussion) test your ability to express and defend your opinions clearly.
- Examiners look for: accuracy, coherence, register, and variety. Using the right expressions helps achieve all of these.
Tip: Avoid repeating the same phrases too often — variety makes your language more sophisticated.
Expressions to State Your Opinion
Neutral / Standard Opinion
These are suitable for essays, reports, blogs, letters, and oral answers:
- À mon avis… → In my opinion…
- À mon avis, les réseaux sociaux ont un impact positif sur la communication.
- Selon moi… → According to me…
- Selon moi, les voyages enrichissent la compréhension culturelle.
- D’après moi… → In my view…
- D’après moi, il est essentiel de protéger l’environnement.
- Je pense que… → I think that…
- Je pense que le télétravail devient de plus en plus courant.
- Je crois que… → I believe that…
- Je crois que les jeunes devraient s’engager dans le bénévolat.
Stronger / Emphatic Opinion
Use these to emphasize your point or show conviction:
- Je suis convaincu(e) que… → I am convinced that…
- Je suis convaincue que l’éducation artistique est essentielle à l’école.
- Il est évident que… → It is obvious that…
- Il est évident que la technologie transforme la société.
- Je suis persuadé(e) que… → I am certain that…
- Je suis persuadé que les transports publics doivent être améliorés.
Tentative / Polite Opinion
Useful in oral tasks or when your opinion is nuanced:
- Il me semble que… → It seems to me that…
- Il me semble que certains médias ne sont pas toujours fiables.
- On peut penser que… → One could think that…
- On peut penser que l’alimentation influence la santé mentale.
- Je dirais que… → I would say that…
- Je dirais que le sport favorise le bien-être.
Formal / Academic Opinion
Great for essays and formal writing:
- Il est indéniable que… → It is undeniable that…
- Il est indéniable que le changement climatique affecte la planète.
- Il faut reconnaître que… → One must acknowledge that…
- Il faut reconnaître que la technologie présente des avantages et des inconvénients.
- Il est important de noter que… → It is important to note that…
- Il est important de noter que la lecture développe la pensée critique.
Linking Opinions to Justification / Argumentation
Giving your opinion is not enough — IB French SL requires supporting evidence or reasoning. Use these linking expressions to justify your point:
- Parce que… → Because…
- Je pense que le bénévolat est important parce que il favorise la solidarité.
- Car… → Because / as…
- Selon moi, les transports en commun devraient être gratuits car cela réduit la pollution.
- En effet… → Indeed / in fact…
- Je suis convaincu que l’éducation artistique est essentielle. En effet, elle stimule la créativité.
- Puisque… → Since / as…
- Il est évident que la technologie change nos habitudes puisque nous passons plus de temps en ligne.
- C’est pourquoi… → That is why…
- La lecture développe la pensée critique, c’est pourquoi elle devrait être encouragée.
Giving a Balanced Opinion / Nuance
in IB French SL exams, examiners reward critical thinking and nuance. Use these to present both sides before giving your view:
- D’un côté… d’un autre côté… → On one hand… on the other hand…
- D’un côté, les réseaux sociaux facilitent la communication; d’un autre côté, ils peuvent être addictifs.
- Certains pensent que… tandis que… → Some think that… whereas…
- Certains pensent que le télétravail est efficace, tandis que d’autres préfèrent le contact direct.
- Bien que… / Quoique… → Although…
- Bien que la technologie ait ses avantages, elle présente aussi des risques pour la vie privée.
Oral-Specific Tips
- Start with a clear opinion: e.g., À mon avis…, Je suis convaincu(e) que…
- Use linking words naturally: Cependant, En outre, Par conséquent…
- Vary your expressions: Avoid repeating Je pense que… too often.
- Practice aloud: Reading your expressions out loud helps build fluency and confidence.
- React to prompts: You can start with Je dirais que…, Il me semble que… before giving a stronger opinion.
Written-Specific Tips
- Mix short and complex sentences for fluency.
- Use formal expressions for essays, articles, and reports.
- Integrate evidence from texts in Paper 1 or Paper 2.
- Conclude with your opinion clearly: Pour conclure, il est clair que…
Practice Makes Perfect
To master these expressions:
- Create a personal phrase bank divided into neutral, emphatic, tentative, and formal expressions.
- Write mini-essays using 3–4 new expressions each time.
- Practice speaking using prompts, debates, and oral exercises.
- Record yourself and listen for fluency, accuracy, and natural pronunciation.
Conclusion
Using a variety of opinion expressions in IB French SL demonstrates language range, fluency, and critical thinking. By mixing neutral, emphatic, tentative, and formal phrases, and linking them with evidence and reasoning, you can confidently express your ideas both in writing and orally.
Remember, examiners reward clarity, coherence, and nuanced thinking — so practice actively and integrate these expressions into all your IB French work!
Top Expressions to Give Your Opinion in IB French SL (Written and Oral)
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