The essay (l'essai argumentatif) as a text type: An essay (un essai argumentatif) is part of the theme Text types (2.3). It is a formal, impersonal piece that discusses a debatable question for a general reader. The writer weighs both sides of an issue and only reaches a reasoned opinion at the end. On Paper 1 you may be asked to write one, so you need its opening (accroche + problématique + plan), its balanced body and its reasoned conclusion. The key idea: introduce the debate, argue both sides with logical connectors, then conclude.
- un essai (argumentatif)
- an (argumentative) essay
- une problématique
- the central debatable question
- une accroche
- an opening hook that introduces the topic
- l'annonce du plan
- the announcement of the essay's plan
- un argument / un contre-argument
- an argument / a counter-argument
- un connecteur logique
- a logical connector (linking word)
- une opinion nuancée
- a balanced / qualified opinion
- une conclusion raisonnée
- a reasoned conclusion
An essay HAS…
- une introduction : accroche + problématique + annonce du plan
- des paragraphes qui pèsent le pour et le contre
- des connecteurs logiques (d'une part… d'autre part…)
- une conclusion qui donne une opinion raisonnée
An essay is NOT…
- un salut, un corps et une signature (une lettre)
- une suite de questions et de réponses (un entretien)
- un récit privé à la première personne (un journal intime)
How you'll recognise it: If a text opens with a debatable question, argues both sides with logical connectors, and ends with a reasoned opinion, it is an essay. That balanced, impersonal treatment of an issue — and the reasoned conclusion — is its signature, and it is exactly what the examiner rewards in Criterion C (conceptual understanding).
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Formal, impersonal and objective: An essay is formal and impersonal: it discusses the topic objectively, weighing both sides before judging. Use impersonal forms (on, il semble que, on peut dire que) rather than a chatty tu; keep your opinion for the conclusion. The danger is sounding casual or one-sided like a blog or a rant — that loses Criterion C. Decide on this objective register before you write, and hold it to the end.
Tone markers to use
- Impersonal openers — « On se demande si… », « De nos jours, on débat de… »
- Objective stance — « Ses partisans soulignent que… » / « Ses détracteurs soutiennent que… »
- Hedged, balanced verbs — « il semble que… », « on pourrait soutenir que… »
- Logical connectors — « d'une part… d'autre part… », « toutefois », « en effet »
- Opinion reserved for the end — « En conclusion, il me semble que… »
Too casual / wrong (avoid)
- « Salut ! Aujourd'hui je vais te parler des voitures. »
- « C'est nul, je déteste les voitures, point final ! »
- « Cher journal, aujourd'hui j'ai pensé à… »
Formal & impersonal (use)
- « De nos jours, on se demande si la voiture devrait être interdite. »
- « D'une part, ses partisans soulignent que… »
- « En conclusion, il me semble que la mesure devrait être nuancée. »
Objective, not opinionated (until the end): What separates an essay from a blog or a rant is objectivity and balance. Present both sides fairly with impersonal forms and connectors, and hold your opinion back for the conclusion — that is exactly what Criterion C rewards. A one-sided, chatty tone signals the wrong text type.
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Three moves: introduce → argue both sides → conclude: Every essay follows the same shape. Build it in three moves — a full introduction, balanced body paragraphs, and a reasoned conclusion — and you will never forget the problématique or the conclusion, both easy Criterion C marks.
Essay structure — 3 moves
1
Introduce the debate
Hook + central question + plan. « De nos jours, on se demande si… Faut-il…? Nous examinerons d'abord… puis… »
2
Argue one side
Develop the arguments in favour, each with a connector and a reason. « D'une part, ses partisans soulignent que… En effet,… »
3
Argue the other side
Develop the counter-arguments, fairly and with connectors. « D'autre part, ses détracteurs soutiennent que… Toutefois,… »
4
Conclude with a reasoned view
Weigh up and give your qualified opinion. « En conclusion, il me semble que… » Only here do you take a side.
Introduction (accroche + problématique + plan) → Arguments for / against → Reasoned conclusion
| Move | Set phrase (French) | English |
|---|---|---|
| Introduce | De nos jours, on se demande si… Faut-il… ? Nous verrons… | Nowadays, people wonder whether… Should we…? We shall see… |
| For | D'une part, ses partisans soulignent que… En effet,… | On the one hand, its supporters point out that… Indeed,… |
| Against | D'autre part, ses détracteurs soutiennent que… Toutefois,… | On the other hand, its critics maintain that… However,… |
| Conclude | En conclusion, il me semble que… / Tout bien pesé,… | In conclusion, it seems to me that… / All things considered,… |
Balance the two sides before you judge: A strong essay gives roughly equal weight to both sides before the conclusion: one paragraph for, one against. Logical connectors (d'une part… d'autre part…, en effet, toutefois, par conséquent) signpost the reasoning and lift both Criterion B (message) and Criterion C (conventions). Save your own opinion for the very end.
A model essay, feature by feature: Here is a short original essay on whether historic city centres should ban cars. Read it once for the general idea — tap 🔊 to hear it, or Voir la traduction if you get stuck. Then we'll point out the features that earn the marks.
Essai — faut-il interdire la voiture en centre-ville ?: De nos jours, on se demande si les centres-villes historiques devraient interdire la voiture. Cette question divise l'opinion : faut-il privilégier l'environnement ou la liberté de circuler ? Nous examinerons d'abord les arguments en faveur de cette mesure, puis ceux qui s'y opposent.
D'une part, ses partisans soulignent qu'une telle interdiction réduirait la pollution et rendrait les rues plus sûres pour les piétons. En effet, moins de voitures signifie un air plus pur et un centre-ville plus agréable.
D'autre part, ses détracteurs soutiennent qu'elle nuirait au commerce et compliquerait les déplacements des personnes âgées. Toutefois, cet inconvénient pourrait être atténué par un bon réseau de transports en commun.
En conclusion, il me semble que l'interdiction devrait être appliquée de manière progressive, accompagnée de transports publics efficaces, afin de concilier l'écologie et les besoins de tous.
What makes this an essay — the features that score
Feature by feature
- The introduction. « De nos jours, on se demande si… Cette question divise l'opinion… Nous examinerons d'abord… puis… » — an impersonal hook, the problématique (the debatable question), and the announcement of the plan. That full opening is the first Criterion C mark.
- One side, with connectors. « D'une part, ses partisans soulignent que… En effet,… » — the arguments in favour are introduced by a connector and backed by a reason, not just asserted. Developed arguments raise Criterion B.
- The other side, fairly. « D'autre part, ses détracteurs soutiennent que… Toutefois,… » — the counter-arguments are given equal, fair treatment. Balancing both sides is the heart of the essay and of Criterion C.
- Impersonal, objective register. « on se demande », « ses partisans », « ses détracteurs », « il me semble » — no chatty tu, no rant; the topic is treated objectively. The register itself is part of Criterion C.
- The reasoned conclusion. « En conclusion, il me semble que l'interdiction devrait être appliquée de manière progressive… » — only now does the writer give a balanced opinion, justified by a reason. That reasoned conclusion is the final Criterion C mark, often forgotten.
Copy the frame, change the content: Reuse this frame — introduction (hook + question + plan) → arguments for → arguments against → reasoned conclusion, all impersonal — for any essay task. Only the topic and the arguments change; the conventions stay the same, and that is what scores Criterion C.
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Phrases that build the whole essay: Learn these ready-made phrases as a deck. With them you can write any essay: introduce the debate, argue one side then the other with logical connectors, and end with a reasoned conclusion — all in an impersonal register.
To introduce & to argue
- De nos jours, on se demande si… — Nowadays, people wonder whether…
- Cette question divise l'opinion. — This question divides opinion.
- Nous examinerons d'abord… puis… — We shall first examine… then…
- D'une part… d'autre part… — On the one hand… on the other hand…
- En effet, … / De plus, … — Indeed, … / Moreover, …
To contrast & to conclude
- Toutefois / Cependant / Néanmoins — However / Nevertheless
- Certains soutiennent que…, tandis que d'autres… — Some maintain that…, whereas others…
- Par conséquent / C'est pourquoi… — Consequently / That is why…
- Tout bien pesé, … — All things considered, …
- En conclusion, il me semble que… — In conclusion, it seems to me that…
| Connector | English | Use it to… |
|---|---|---|
| d'une part… d'autre part… | on the one hand… on the other… | balance the two sides |
| en effet / de plus | indeed / moreover | back up and add to an argument |
| toutefois / cependant | however / nevertheless | introduce a contrast or a nuance |
| en conclusion / tout bien pesé | in conclusion / all things considered | open the reasoned conclusion |
Plug in, don't translate: These are chunks you plug straight into your essay — never translate word-for-word from English, which produces unnatural French. Reusing accurate connectors + impersonal phrases is exactly what Criterion A (Language) and Criterion C (conventions) reward.