Improve your writing through reading
Preparation for the written part is inextricably linked with reading. It is impossible to learn how to write essays well if you have never read good articles in this genre. Just as it is impossible to become a good writer if you have not opened a single book in your life.
If you're planning to take an exam, you don't have to immerse yourself in novels in French (although it wouldn't hurt either). But it’s worth regularly reading articles on topics that may appear on the exam.
What you should pay attention to when you read the material:
- Practice new vocabulary.
If you simply intuitively understand new words by scrolling through articles, the effect will also be there, but not so confident. Vocabulary needs to be written down, immediately come up with examples with it, and repeated. Then you will understand it well and be able to apply it at the right time.
- Analyze the structure of the article.
How the topic begins, how the topic is stated, how the argument is built, how the plot develops and how conclusions are drawn. Notice what is common in articles of the same genre, make notes. This way you can quickly find your way around, make your work easier and avoid mistakes when constructing your own text.
- Try to feel the rhythm, the special dynamics inherent in each type of article. This also affects the construction of your text and its perception.
- At first, you can simply copy the structure of texts and sentences.
The more and more consciously you practice, the faster you come up with your own unique texts that meet the requirements of the genre and thematic content.
- Don't trust the search engine.
If you google it well, you will find dozens of examples. But how can you check how good they are? Only by studying the structure that is required in the exam.
- Try to read and analyze real articles and notes in foreign media.
Look at different texts, study the reasoned positions of different authors. Your task is to enrich yourself with ideas on numerous topics so that you have the opportunity to solve any narrower question.
Reading is also important for the oral part, but more on that next time.
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