In simple terms
A friendly intro before the formal notes — no formulas yet.
The Linguistic Chameleon: Mastering Paper 1
Paper 1 asks you to write one piece of 250-400 words, choosing from three prompts based on the five IB themes. Your goal is to demonstrate that you can use French effectively for a specific purpose and audience.
Think of this task like being a linguistic chameleon. A chameleon changes its colour and pattern to perfectly blend into its environment. Similarly, for Paper 1, you must change your language—your tone, vocabulary, and structure—to perfectly suit the environment of the task: the text type, the intended audience, and the context given in the prompt.
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Deconstruct the Prompt (C.A.T.): Before writing, identify the Context (the situation), the Audience (who you are writing for), and the Text Type (blog, email, etc.). This dictates your entire approach.
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Plan Your Message: Brainstorm 3-4 key ideas related to the prompt and the theme. Structure them logically with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. This ensures your message is clear and developed (Criterion B).
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Write with the Criteria in Mind: As you write, consciously think about language (Criterion A), message (Criterion B), and conventions (Criterion C). Use varied vocabulary, logical connectors, and the correct format.
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Review and Refine: Allocate the last 5-10 minutes to proofread. Hunt for systematic errors in grammar (e.g., adjective agreement, verb endings) and check that you have respected the text type conventions.
Explore the concept
Use the live diagram and synced steps — play it or tap a step card to walk through.
Full topic notes
Formal explanation with the rigour you need for the exam.
Understanding the Assessment Criteria
Your writing is assessed against three criteria. To achieve a top mark (Level 7), you must excel in all three. Examiners use these criteria to award marks, so understanding them is your first step to success.
Criterion A: Langue (12 marks): This is about the quality of your French. Examiners look for a wide range of vocabulary and complex grammatical structures used accurately and effectively. Minor, non-systematic errors are acceptable, but the language must be clear and fluent. To score highly, you must demonstrate a strong command of the language.
Criterion B: Message (12 marks): This assesses your ideas. Is your response relevant to the prompt? Are your ideas developed with supporting details and examples? Is your argument logical and persuasive? A top-scoring response presents a clear, coherent, and thoroughly developed message from start to finish.
Criterion C: Convention (6 marks): This is about your ability to adopt the conventions of a specific text type. Examiners check if you have used the correct format, register (tone/formality), and other stylistic features associated with the task (e.g., a blog post versus a formal letter). An effective use of conventions shows you understand how language functions in different contexts.
Deconstructing the Prompt: The C.A.T. Method
Before you write a single word, you must become a detective and analyse the prompt. The C.A.T. method is a simple and effective way to ensure you address every part of the task. Spend the first few minutes of the exam breaking down your chosen prompt into these three components:
C - Context: What is the situation? Are you responding to an event, providing information, or trying to persuade someone? The context is the 'why' of your writing.
A - Audience: Who are you writing for? Your classmates? A newspaper editor? The school principal? The audience dictates the 'registre' (formal/informal) and the tone you should adopt.
T - Text Type: What format must you use? An article, a blog post, a formal email, a speech? This determines the structural conventions you must follow (Criterion C).
Mastering Common Text Types
While the prompt can ask for a variety of text types, some appear more frequently than others. Mastering the conventions for these is a direct path to scoring well on Criterion C.
Courriel formel (Formal Email): Requires a clear 'Objet' (subject line), a formal opening ('Madame la Directrice,', 'Monsieur le Rédacteur en chef,'), the use of 'vous', a polite and respectful tone, and a formal closing ('Je vous prie d'agréer, Madame, l'expression de mes salutations distinguées.').
Article: Needs a headline (titre), often a sub-heading (chapeau), and a clear, structured argument. The tone is generally objective and informative, though it can be persuasive depending on the prompt. Paragraphs should be well-defined.
Discours (Speech): Must directly address the audience ('Chers camarades,', 'Mesdames et Messieurs,'). Use rhetorical devices like questions and repetition to engage listeners. The tone should be persuasive and confident. It needs a clear introduction to grab attention and a powerful conclusion to leave a lasting impression.
Elevating Your Language for Criterion A
To move from a good score to a top score in Criterion A, you need to demonstrate flair and sophistication. This means going beyond just being 'correct'. Focus on variety and precision. Instead of using 'il y a', try 'on trouve' or 'il existe'. Instead of 'c'est bien', use more descriptive adjectives like 'bénéfique', 'essentiel', or 'remarquable'. Integrating a few well-chosen idiomatic expressions can also signal a high level of proficiency, but only if they are used naturally and correctly. Finally, vary your sentence structures: use subordinate clauses (qui, que, dont), conditional sentences (si + imparfait, conditionnel), and the subjunctive mood where appropriate.
For each of the five themes (Identités, Expériences, Ingéniosité humaine, Organisation sociale, Partage de la planète), create a dedicated vocabulary list. Include sophisticated nouns, verbs, adjectives, and a few idiomatic expressions. Reviewing these lists before the exam will arm you with the specific language needed to develop a rich and relevant message.
Worked examples
See the formulas applied — reveal one step at a time, like the exam.
Thème : Expériences. Vous tenez un blog de voyage pour jeunes. Rédigez un billet de blog dans lequel vous décrivez une expérience de voyage qui a changé votre perspective sur le monde et encouragez vos lecteurs à sortir de leur zone de confort. (250-400 mots)
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Here is an analysis and a model opening paragraph:
Thème : Partage de la planète. Vous êtes préoccupé(e) par le manque d'initiatives écologiques dans votre lycée. Écrivez un courriel au directeur/à la directrice de votre établissement pour proposer la création d'un club écologique. Présentez deux ou trois activités que ce club pourrait organiser. (250-400 mots)
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Here is a model response focusing on conventions and formal register:
How it all connects
The big idea sits in the middle — tap a linked idea to explore the link.
Tap a linked idea to see how it connects back to the main topic — that connection is what examiners reward.
Glossary
Try to recall each definition before you reveal it.
Quick check
Answer in your head first — then tap to check. No pressure.
Revision flashcards
Flip the card. Test yourself before the exam.
Critère A : Langue
Assesses the quality and accuracy of your French. Top marks require clear, effective, and varied language with few errors. Focus on grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure.
Key takeaways
Review these before you close the topic — retrieval beats re-reading.
- ✓
Criterion A: Langue (12 marks): This is about the quality of your French. Examiners look for a wide range of vocabulary and complex grammatical structures used accurately and effectively. Minor, non-systematic errors are acceptable, but the language must be clear and fluent. To score highly, you must demonstrate a strong command of the language.
- ✓
Criterion B: Message (12 marks): This assesses your ideas. Is your response relevant to the prompt? Are your ideas developed with supporting details and examples? Is your argument logical and persuasive? A top-scoring response presents a clear, coherent, and thoroughly developed message from start to finish.
- ✓
Criterion C: Convention (6 marks): This is about your ability to adopt the conventions of a specific text type. Examiners check if you have used the correct format, register (tone/formality), and other stylistic features associated with the task (e.g., a blog post versus a formal letter). An effective use of conventions shows you understand how language functions in different contexts.
Practice — then mark it
The whole point: a real Cambridge question, marked mark-by-mark.
Test Your Skills with a Paper 1 Writing Prompt
Test Your Skills with a Paper 1 Writing Prompt
Extra simulations & links
PhET, GeoGebra and other curated tools — open in a new tab.
Frequently asked
Checkpoint
One marked question is worth ten re-reads — close the loop before you move on.
Reading it isn’t knowing it — prove it.
Before you move on: do Test Your Skills with a Paper 1 Writing Prompt on paper, snap a photo, and get examiner-style feedback on exactly where you win and lose marks.