The Complete TEF Canada Writing Guide: Fait Divers, Opinion, and Letter
Here's a complete breakdown of the format, structure, and great tips for the TEF Canada writing section, specifically for "fait divers," opinion pieces, and letters, along with suggestions for starting each section and general advice.
General TEF Canada Writing Tips
Before diving into specific formats, here are some crucial tips for all three writing tasks:
Understand the Instructions: Carefully read the prompt. Identify the key information: the context, the audience, and the purpose of your writing.
Plan Your Response: Take a few minutes to organize your thoughts. Create a brief outline to structure your writing logically. This will help you stay focused and avoid repetition.
Use Appropriate Vocabulary and Grammar: Demonstrate a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures. Avoid overly simplistic language and grammatical errors.
Adhere to Word Count: Stay within the specified word count. Writing too much or too little can negatively impact your score.
Write Clearly and Coherently: Your writing should be easy to understand. Use clear and concise sentences, and connect your ideas with appropriate transition words and phrases.
Proofread Carefully: Before submitting your response, take time to proofread for any errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Even minor errors can affect your score.
Vary Sentence Structure: Use a mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences to make your writing more engaging.
Use Synonyms: As mentioned in the example, paraphrasing is key. Avoid repeating words from the prompt. Use synonyms to show your vocabulary range.
Show Nuance: Avoid overly general statements. Add details and examples to support your points and make your writing more specific and convincing.
Manage your time effectively: Allot time for planning, writing, and proofreading each section.
1. Fait Divers
A "fait divers" is a short news item about an unusual or unexpected event. It focuses on the facts of the event rather than personal opinions. It is the first task of the Expression Ecrite session and you are given 20 minutes to complete it.
Format and Structure:
Headline: A brief, attention-grabbing title that summarizes the event.
Introduction: Briefly state the main facts of the event (what, where, when).
Body: Provide more details about the event. Include relevant information such as the cause, the people involved, and the consequences.
Conclusion (Optional): You can end with a brief statement about the current situation or the aftermath of the event.
Tips for Fait Divers:
Be Objective: Present the facts without expressing personal opinions or feelings.
Be Concise: Fait divers are short, so avoid unnecessary details or lengthy explanations.
Use Precise Language: Choose words that accurately and clearly describe the event.
Focus on the Unusual: Highlight what makes the event unique or noteworthy.
How to Begin a Fait Divers (3 Suggestions):
"Un événement inattendu s'est produit hier à... " (An unexpected event occurred yesterday in...)
"C'est avec stupeur que l'on a appris... " (It was with astonishment that we learned...)
"Un incident surprenant a eu lieu... " (A surprising incident took place...)
2. Opinion Piece
An opinion piece expresses your personal viewpoint on a particular issue. You need to present your arguments clearly and persuasively.
Format and Structure:
Introduction: State the issue and your opinion on it.
Body: Present your arguments in support of your opinion. Provide evidence, examples, and reasons to back up your claims. Organize your arguments logically (e.g., from strongest to weakest, or by topic).
Conclusion: Restate your opinion and summarize your main arguments. You can also offer a final thought or a call to action.
Tips for Opinion Pieces:
State Your Opinion Clearly: Make your position clear from the beginning.
Support Your Arguments: Provide strong evidence and examples to support your claims.
Use Logical Reasoning: Present your arguments in a logical and coherent manner.
Acknowledge Opposing Views (Optional): Briefly address opposing viewpoints to show that you have considered the issue from all sides. Then, explain why you disagree with them.
Use Persuasive Language: Use language that is persuasive and convincing, but avoid being overly emotional or aggressive.
How to Begin an Opinion Piece (3 Suggestions):
"La question de... suscite de nombreux débats. Pour ma part, je suis convaincu que... " (The question of... raises many debates. For my part, I am convinced that...)
"Il est indéniable que... Cependant, je pense que... " (It is undeniable that... However, I think that...)
"À mon avis, ... est un problème crucial qui nécessite une attention immédiate. " (In my opinion, ... is a crucial problem that requires immediate attention.)
3. Letter
In the TEF Canada, you might be asked to write a letter to a newspaper editor, a company, or an individual. The tone and content of your letter should be appropriate to the recipient and the purpose of the letter.
Format and Structure:
Salutation: Begin with an appropriate greeting (e.g., "Cher Monsieur/Madame," "Madame la Directrice,").
Introduction: State the purpose of your letter. Explain why you are writing and what you are writing about.
Body: Develop your message. Provide details, explanations, arguments, or requests, depending on the purpose of the letter.
Conclusion: Summarize your main point and state what you expect the recipient to do (if anything).
Closing: Use an appropriate closing (e.g., "Veuillez agréer, Monsieur/Madame, l'expression de mes salutations distinguées," "Cordialement,").
Signature: Sign your name.
Tips for Letters:
Use Appropriate Tone: Adapt your tone to the recipient and the purpose of the letter (formal, semi-formal, or informal).
State Your Purpose Clearly: Make it clear why you are writing from the beginning.
Be Clear and Concise: Avoid unnecessary details or rambling.
Be Polite and Respectful: Even if you are complaining or expressing disagreement, maintain a polite and respectful tone.
How to Begin a Letter (3 Suggestions):
(Formal) "Je me permets de vous écrire concernant... " (I am writing to you concerning...)
(Semi-formal) "Je vous écris pour vous faire part de... " (I am writing to you to inform you of...)
(Formal/Complaint) "Je vous écris pour exprimer ma vive préoccupation/mon mécontentement concernant..." (I am writing to express my serious concern/dissatisfaction concerning...)
Regarding the Suggested Opening for Letters
The opening you provided ("Cher Monsieur, Je viens de lire un article dans votre journal qui m’a beaucoup intéressé... ") is a good example of a way to start a letter to a newspaper editor. It:
Addresses the recipient appropriately: "Cher Monsieur" is a formal greeting.
Provides context: It explains why you are writing (you read an article).
States the purpose: You want to express your point of view.
Paraphrases the subject: It shows you understood the topic and can express it in your own words.
While this is a strong opening for a letter to an editor, it might not be suitable for all letter-writing scenarios. You'll need to adapt your opening to the specific context.
To perfect your writing skills and ace your TEF Canada writing section, we've developed Prepa TEF, an AI writing tutor tool that is specially designed to help you improve your writing skills and score a B2- C2 in the TEF Canada writing exam.
By following these guidelines and practicing regularly, you can improve your TEF Canada writing skills and increase your chances of achieving a higher score.
Comments
Post a Comment