Professional texts

vous / votre — jamais tu, même à une seule personne.

Dear Sir or Madam, / Dear Madam (Head), (formal greeting)

I am writing to you concerning… (the opening line)

I am writing in order to… (formal opening)

I would be grateful if you would kindly… (polite request)

I should like to know… (softened, conditional request)

Awaiting your reply, (formal closing line)

Yours faithfully, (the formal sign-off formula)

Date + greeting → opening → body → close → sign-off.

The date + formal greeting and the formal sign-off — never drop either.

par ailleurs (moreover), c'est pourquoi (that is why) — also: en effet, toutefois.

Polite, respectful and measured — never chatty.

Formal = vous + Madame, Monsieur, + Je vous prie d'agréer…; informal = tu + Salut… + Bises.

Use the conditional: « Je souhaiterais… », « Je vous serais reconnaissant de bien vouloir… ».

L'impersonnel : on / le passif (« on observe », « il est recommandé ») — pas de je.

Report on… / Account of… (the title that names the subject)

The aim of this report is to analyse… (the introduction line)

According to the data, it is observed that… (presenting a finding)

It is found that… / The majority of… (impersonal findings)

It is recommended to… (the impersonal recommendation)

It would be advisable to… / It would be desirable to… (softened recommendations)

In short, … / To conclude, … (the closing line, no new data)

Title → Introduction → Constats (findings) → Recommandations → Conclusion.

A title + section headings (Constats, Recommandations) and recommendations at the end.

d'après les données (according to the data), par conséquent (consequently) — also: en effet, en somme.

Neutral, objective and factual — data and findings, never personal feelings.

Report = impersonal on + title/headings + recommendations; blog = je + personal experience + feelings.

Use « Il est recommandé de… » or « Il conviendrait de… » — never « Tu dois… » or « Je veux que… ».

Le formel : vous au lecteur, je pour soi — pas de tu, pas d'argot. Ton poli et persuasif.

Proposal: … / Plan for… (the title that names the plan)

I am writing to put forward this proposal in order to… (the opening / aim line)

Indeed, … / Currently, … (introduce the context that justifies the plan)

I propose that… / It would be desirable to… (introduce the proposal)

Which would make it possible to… / This measure would benefit… (state the benefit)

I would be grateful if you would consider this proposal. (the courteous final request)

Yours faithfully… (the formal sign-off after the request)

Title → Objet/aim → Context → Proposal + benefits → Final request (with sign-off).

A title + an aim, a justified proposal and a final request for approval.

en effet (indeed), ce qui permettrait de… (which would allow…) — also: c'est pourquoi, pour ces raisons.

Formal and persuasive — you convince an authority with reasons and benefits, politely (vous), never with slang or pressure.

Proposal = constructive: a plan + benefits + a request for approval; complaint = protests about a problem and demands a fix.

Use « Je vous serais reconnaissant de bien vouloir… » — never « Tu dois… » or a blunt demand.

a set of instructions / how-to

the title (says what to make/do)

the step

the imperative (command form: épluche, ajoute)

the warning / a tip to be careful

Before you start, you need…

First,… Next,…

Then,… Finally,…

Make sure you…

Be careful with…

A command register — imperative (épluche) or infinitive (éplucher); precise, ordered, direct; never tentative.

Title → what you need → numbered steps → tip/warning → encouraging close.

Criterion C (Conceptual) — title, list of what's needed, ordered steps, consistent command form.

« D'abord,… » and « Ensuite,… » (also « Après,… », « Enfin,… »).