Official guidance for the TEF writing section
In the latest guide to preparing for the TEF new format, there is nothing completely new in the writing tips, but there are important points that should not be forgotten:
📌Section A emphasizes that the task is not just to write an article, but to create a text in the faits-divers genre, a detail that is often missed when limiting itself to a simple narration of past events.
📌A formal and neutral tone is required, although some humor is allowed.
📌The beginning provided in the assignment should not be rewritten - your task is to complete its logical continuation.
▪️In section B, they remind you of the need to present several arguments “for” or “against”, each of which must be disclosed and supported by examples.
▪️Unnecessarily bulky letter headers, including addresses and other formalities, should be avoided.
▪️Long introductions and conclusions that are not related to the main topic are also not welcome.
▪️A polite end to a letter should be brief, for example “Bien cordialement”, and the tone should be neutral.
⚠️The authors of the textbook also insist not to fit into too short a volume of text, as this will complicate a correct assessment, but also not to make it too long in order to avoid mistakes.
⚠️In both texts it is important to use logical connectives so that the reader understands the sequence of presentation.
⚠️As in the oral part, it is recommended to avoid the use of verbs être, faire, avoir and expressions like il y a, c’est, giving preference to complex sentences.
⚠️Particular attention should be paid not only to spelling, but also to punctuation.
What struck me most was the advice on timing. It is recommended to allocate approximately 25 minutes for writing each text, plus 10 minutes for the final revision. How is this possible given that the second text is twice as long, I don’t know.