French Writing Tips for IGCSE: Letter, Email, Article & Essay Formats

Preparing for the Cambridge IGCSE French exam can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to writing. Students often ask, "How do I structure my letter?" What phrases should I use? How do I get top marks? This detailed, student-friendly guide will help you master letters, emails, articles, and essays—the most common writing tasks. With practical examples, vocabulary lists, and exam-focused tips, you’ll learn how to write clearly, naturally, and effectively for higher grades.

Why French Writing Skills Matter in IGCSE

The writing component tests your ability to:

• communicate ideas clearly

• follow the correct format

• use proper grammar and a range of tenses

• express opinions with logical reasons

• adapt tone/formality based on the task

Strong writing can boost your overall grade, especially if you aim for A or A*

1. Universal Writing Tips for All IGCSE Tasks

Before jumping into each format, keep these essential rules in mind:

Use a range of tenses: Top-scoring answers include at least three tenses:

• Présent – je fais, je vais

• Past – j’ai fait, je suis allé(e)

• Future – je ferai, je vais faire

• Conditional – je voudrais, j’aimerais

Use linking words. These make your writing flow better:

• d’abord, ensuite, pourtant, cependant, donc, par exemple, à mon avis

  Keep sentences clear Simple, accurate French is better than complicated but incorrect French.

  Avoid repetition Use synonyms for common words:

  • content → heureux / ravi

  • grand → énorme / vaste

  Check agreements: Gender, plural, accents, and verb forms are easy marks to lose.

  
  

  2. How to Write an IGCSE French Letter Letters can be informal (to a friend) or formal (to a school or organization). The register is the key difference.

  A. Informal Letter Format

  Structure:

  1. Date – Le 12 mai 2025

  2. Greeting – Cher Paul, / Chère Julie,

  3. Introduction

  4. Main body paragraphs

  5. Closing line – Écris-moi bientôt !

  6. Sign-off – Amitiés, / Ton ami(e), Arjun
     

  Useful phrases:

  • Comment vas-tu ? Moi, je vais très bien.

  • Je t’écris pour te raconter

  • J’ai hâte de te voir bientôt.

  Example opening: Cher Lucas, Merci pour ta lettre ! J’étais très content de recevoir tes nouvelles…

  
  

  B. Formal Letter Format

  Structure:

  1. Your address

  2. Date

  3. Receiver’s address

  4. Formal greeting – Madame, / Monsieur,

  5. Purpose of the letter

  6. Clear paragraphs

  7. Formal closing

  8. Signature
     

  Useful phrases:

  • Je vous écris pour demander…

  • Je voudrais poser quelques questions concernant…

  • Veuillez agréer, Madame, Monsieur, l’expression de mes salutations distinguées.

  Example opening: Madame, Je vous écris pour demander des informations concernant votre programme d’échange scolaire

  
  

  3. IGCSE French Email Format: Emails are shorter and simpler than letters.

  Structure:

  • Subject line – Objet: Demande d’information

  • Greeting

  • Short intro

  • Clear, focused paragraphs

  • Conclusion

  • Sign-off

  Useful phrases:

  • Merci pour votre email.

  • J’attends votre réponse avec impatience.

  • Je voudrais plus d’informations sur…

  Tip: Treat each bullet point as a mini paragraph. Examiners love clarity.

  
  

  4. How to Write an Article for IGCSE French Articles are semi-formal and usually require an interesting title and organized content.

  Article Structure:

  1. Title

  2. Introduction

  3. Main paragraphs

  4. Conclusion or final thought
     

  Strong titles:

  • Comment rester motivé ?

  • La vie des jeunes aujourd’hui
    

  Useful phrases:

  • Dans cet article, je vais expliquer…

  • Tout d’abord… ensuite… enfin…

  • Selon moi…
    

  Exemple introduction: De nos jours, les réseaux sociaux jouent un rôle important. Mais sont-ils vraiment utiles ? Dans cet article, nous allons explorer les avantages et les inconvénients…

  
  

  5. How to Write an Essay for IGCSE French Essays require structure, arguments, and opinions. They often ask for advantages/disadvantages or your personal view. Essay Structure:

  1. Introduction: Introduce the topic and paraphrase the question.

  2. Body Paragraph 1: Give an argument + example.

  3. Body Paragraph 2: Discuss the opposite view or expand with another idea.

  4. Conclusion: State your opinion clearly.

  Useful phrases:

  • À mon avis / Selon moi…

  • D’un côté… de l’autre côté…

  • Je pense que…

  • In conclusion…

  Exemple conclusion: En conclusion, même si la technologie peut être dangereuse, je crois qu’elle est essentielle dans notre vie quotidienne.
  

  6. High-Value Vocabulary for Better Marks

  Here are ready-to-use vocabulary lists that instantly boost quality.
  

  A. Connectors

  • ensuite, puis, enfin

  • cependant, pourtant

  • par exemple, notamment

  • donc, ainsi

    
    

  B. Opinion Phrases

  • Je suis convaincu(e) que…

  • Il est évident que…

  • Selon moi…
    

  C. Time Expressions

  • la semaine dernière

  • le mois prochain

  • quand j’étais petit(e)

  • si j’avais l’argent…
    

  D. Advanced Adjectives

  • incroyable, inoubliable, passionnant

  • ennuyeux, stressant, fatigant
    

  E. Useful Verbs

  • profiter de, découvrir, réaliser, améliorer, économiser
    

  7. A/A* Level Example Paragraph

  Topic: “Parle-moi de tes vacances préférées.”

  L’année dernière, je suis allé(e) en France avec ma famille et c’était vraiment inoubliable. Nous avons visité Paris, où j’ai vu la Tour Eiffel — elle était magnifique ! J’ai adoré la nourriture française, surtout les crêpes. L’année prochaine, j’aimerais retourner en Europe pour découvrir de nouvelles cultures.

  
  

  8. How to Plan Your Writing in the Exam A simple 4-step planning method:

  Step 1: Identify all bullet points: Make sure you answer every part.

  Step 2: Choose tenses: Plan where you will use past, present, and future.

  Step 3: Quick notes: Write 2–3 keywords per paragraph.

  Step 4: Final check: Review:

  • spellings

  • accents

  • agreements

  • verb endings

  This alone can raise your marks significantly.
  

  Final Tips for Scoring A/A*

  • Use three or more tenses naturally.

  • Keep paragraphs clear and structured.

  • Follow the exact format requested.

  • Answer every bullet point in detail.

  • Use opinions and reasons.

  • Avoid overly complex sentences.

  • Use connectors for flow.

  • Check your work for mistakes.

    
    

  Conclusion Mastering IGCSE French writing is easier once you understand the formulas behind each format—letters, emails, articles, and essays. With a strong structure, good vocabulary, and clear ideas, you can confidently aim for A or A* in the Cambridge IGCSE French exam.

FAQs Q.1: How many tenses are needed for top marks? Use at least three tenses (present, past, and future), and add conditional tense if possible for higher scores.

Q.2: Should I write complex or simple sentences? Always choose simple, clear, and accurate sentences over long but incorrect ones.

Q.3: What is the most common writing mistake? Missing or partially answering bullet points is the biggest reason students lose marks.

Q.4: Does format really matter in the exam? Yes, an incorrect format (letter/email/article) can cost easy marks even with good language.

Q.4: What’s the fastest way to improve my writing score? Learn ready-made phrases and connectors, and plan answers for 2–3 minutes before writing.