Writing / written expression (expression écrite)
Writing / written expression (expression écrite) is the productive domain of PSEB Matric French. You are normally asked to produce a short functional text of about 40–60 words - a message, postcard, informal email, a short dialogue, or five or six connected sentences on a familiar topic such as family, school routine, weekend plans, or hobbies. Marks come from completing every element of the task, using appropriate vocabulary, controlling verb forms, and linking sentences.
Core rules
- Learn the frame: greeting (Salut / Cher / Chère ...), opening sentence, body, closing (À bientôt, Bisous, Cordialement), and your first name.
- Treat each bullet in the prompt as one or two sentences. A missing bullet loses content marks even if the French is perfect.
- Use the present tense for habits and descriptions, aller + infinitive for near-future plans, and the passé composé for a finished past event.
- Add connectors: d'abord, ensuite, puis, enfin, parce que, mais, donc.
- Check gender and number agreement on articles and adjectives before you finish.
- Respect the word limit; 40–60 words is roughly four to six short sentences.
Worked example
Prompt: Write a postcard of 40–50 words to a friend about your holiday in Chandigarh. Mention the place, the weather, one activity, and your return date.
Model: « Salut Léa, Je suis à Chandigarh avec ma famille. Il fait très chaud. Le matin, nous visitons le jardin; l'après-midi, je nage à la piscine. Je rentre le 20 juin. À bientôt ! Priya »
Reasoning: the greeting and closing frame the postcard; je suis and il fait cover place and weather; nous visitons and je nage are present-tense activities; je rentre le 20 juin gives the date. The model is about 45 words, inside the limit.
Traps that cost marks
- Writing an English word or an English sentence order inside the French text.
- Forgetting the closing or the signature, which are part of the required format.
- Using the passé composé with être and forgetting agreement: je suis allé(e).
- Overloading one long sentence with et instead of using short, correct sentences.
- Copying the prompt wording instead of composing your own sentences.