12. Writing: paragraphs, letters and essays
≈ 5 minExam skills2 exemples3 questions
Plan and write the writing task of the national exam: structure, linkers and checklist.
AaRésumé du cours
Structure
- Paragraph / essay: topic sentence → supporting ideas with examples → concluding sentence.
- Formal letter / email: Dear Sir/Madam, → purpose → details → request → Yours faithfully / Yours sincerely.
- Informal letter: Dear Ali, → news → questions → Best wishes / Love.
Linkers to use
Firstly, secondly, finally; moreover, in addition; however, on the other hand; therefore, as a result; for example, such as; in conclusion, to sum up.
Checklist
Respect the task and word limit, use topic vocabulary from the units, vary sentences (relative clauses, conditionals, passive), check tenses, subject-verb agreement, spelling and punctuation.
✎Exemples corrigés
Exemple 1
Write a topic sentence for an essay on the advantages of the internet.
Voir la correction
The internet has made our lives easier in many ways.
Exemple 2
How do you end a formal letter that begins with “Dear Sir”?
Voir la correction
Yours faithfully (when you don’t know the name).
?Teste-toi
Clique sur la bonne réponse.
-
“To sum up” introduces…
Réponse
b) a conclusion — Concluding linker. -
A topic sentence is placed…
Réponse
a) at the beginning of a paragraph — Main idea first. -
“Yours sincerely” is used when…
Réponse
a) you know the person’s name — Dear Mr Alaoui…
Résumé rédigé par Nqraw selon le programme officiel marocain.