How to Write a Perfect DELF B1 Article: Complete Guide with Examples

The article is one of the possible formats in the written production test of DELF B1. This guide shows you how to structure your article, which expressions to use, and how to avoid common mistakes to get the best possible score.

1. Types of Articles in DELF B1

In the DELF B1 written production test, you may encounter different types of articles:

Common Types of Articles

📝 Give your opinion on a social debate
✍️ React to an issue
📢 Raise awareness about a cause
💡 Propose solutions
📋 Present pros and cons of a topic

Key Test Elements

⏱️ Duration: 45 minutes
📊 Minimum length: 160 words
🎯 Points: 25 points

2. Example Topic and Response

Here's a typical example of a topic you might encounter:

◾ Exercice

160 mots minimum 25 points

Vous participez à une discussion sur Internet dont le thème est : "Les réseaux sociaux : amis ou ennemis des jeunes ?". Vous rédigez un article pour donner votre opinion sur ce sujet en vous appuyant sur des exemples précis.

Here's a sample response that meets all the criteria:

Les réseaux sociaux : un outil à double tranchant

Les réseaux sociaux font désormais partie intégrante de notre quotidien, particulièrement chez les jeunes. Mais quel est leur véritable impact sur notre génération ?

D'un côté, ces plateformes offrent des avantages indéniables. Elles permettent de maintenir le contact avec des amis du monde entier, de partager instantanément des moments de vie et de s'informer rapidement sur l'actualité. Par exemple, pendant le confinement, Instagram et WhatsApp ont été essentiels pour garder le lien social. De plus, ces réseaux peuvent être de véritables tremplins professionnels, comme LinkedIn qui facilite la recherche de stages et d'emplois.

Cependant, une utilisation excessive peut avoir des conséquences négatives. Le temps passé sur les écrans réduit souvent celui consacré aux activités physiques ou aux études. J'ai personnellement constaté que consulter les réseaux sociaux tard le soir perturbait mon sommeil. Sans parler des problèmes d'estime de soi liés à la comparaison permanente avec les autres et du cyberharcèlement qui touche de nombreux adolescents.

Pour tirer le meilleur parti des réseaux sociaux, il est crucial d'apprendre à les utiliser de manière équilibrée. Limiter son temps d'écran, vérifier ses sources d'information et privilégier les vraies rencontres sont des habitudes essentielles à adopter. Les réseaux sociaux doivent rester un outil au service de notre vie sociale, et non l'inverse.

Structure of a DELF B1 Article

1. Introduction

Start with a general statement about the topic
Present the context of the debate
Show understanding of the issue's importance
Frame the main question or problem to be discussed

2. First Aspect - The Advantages

Present the positive points
Give concrete examples
Use your personal experience
Illustrate with facts

3. Second Aspect - The Disadvantages

Present the negative points
Give counter-examples
Share real experiences
Mention real situations

4. Conclusion

Propose a balanced solution
Give your final opinion
Open up to a broader reflection
End with a strong message

3. Essential Strategies for Writing a Successful Article

To succeed in your DELF B1 article, it's essential to have a methodical approach. Here are the strategies that will help you maximize your points and write a clear and convincing article.

3.1 Analyzing the Topic

The first crucial step is to fully understand what's being asked. Let's take time to analyze a typical example:

◾ Example Instructions

Vous participez à un débat sur Internet à propos de l'importance du sport à l'école. Vous écrivez un article pour le journal de votre établissement dans lequel vous donnez votre opinion en vous appuyant sur des exemples concrets.

When faced with these instructions, here's how to proceed:

1. Identify Key Elements

Type of writing: Opinion article

Target audience: School newspaper readers

Main topic: Sports in school

Objective: Convince with examples

2. Identify Aspects to Cover

• Importance: why is sport necessary?

• Experience: your personal observations

• Examples: concrete situations

• Solutions: improvement proposals

3.2 Organizing Your Ideas

Before starting to write, take 5-7 minutes to structure your thoughts. For our example about sports in school, here's an effective plan:

Introduction

Hook the reader: "Dans un monde où les écrans occupent une place grandissante..."
(In a world where screens are increasingly present...)
Present the debate: "La place du sport à l'école fait l'objet de nombreuses discussions..."
(The role of sports in school is widely discussed...)
State your position: "Il est crucial de comprendre pourquoi l'éducation physique reste indispensable..."
(It's crucial to understand why physical education remains essential...)

Development (2 main paragraphs)

The Positive Aspects
- Main point: "Le sport scolaire présente de nombreux avantages"
  (School sports offer many advantages)
- Health: "Il combat efficacement la sédentarité croissante chez les jeunes"
  (It effectively fights growing sedentary lifestyle among youth)
- Social: "Les sports d'équipe développent l'esprit de collaboration"
  (Team sports develop a collaborative spirit)
- Concrete example: "Dans notre classe, l'ambiance s'est nettement améliorée depuis la création d'une équipe de volleyball"
  (In our class, the atmosphere has notably improved since creating a volleyball team)
- Global impact: "Ces compétences sont utiles bien au-delà du terrain de sport"
  (These skills are useful well beyond the sports field)
The Difficulties and Limitations
- Main point: "Cependant, certains obstacles freinent la pratique sportive à l'école"
  (However, certain obstacles hinder sports practice at school)
- Problems: "Le manque d'installations et d'équipements limite les activités possibles"
  (Lack of facilities and equipment limits possible activities)
- Constraints: "Les emplois du temps surchargés réduisent le temps consacré au sport"
  (Overcrowded schedules reduce time dedicated to sports)
- Concrete example: "Dans notre établissement, nous devons partager un seul gymnase entre dix classes"
  (In our school, we must share one gymnasium between ten classes)
- Consequences: "Cette situation crée des inégalités dans l'accès au sport scolaire"
  (This situation creates inequalities in access to school sports)

Conclusion with Proposals

Balanced summary: "Malgré ces obstacles, les bénéfices du sport scolaire sont indéniables"
(Despite these obstacles, the benefits of school sports are undeniable)
Concrete solutions: "Il est nécessaire d'investir dans de nouvelles installations et de repenser les emplois du temps"
(It's necessary to invest in new facilities and rethink schedules)
Opening: "L'avenir de nos jeunes dépend aussi de leur santé physique et mentale"
(The future of our youth also depends on their physical and mental health)

3.3 Adopting the Right Style

A DELF B1 article requires a clear style appropriate for the target audience. Here are the key elements to master:

For the School Newspaper

Balanced, accessible yet serious tone:

• "Il est vrai que les réseaux sociaux..."
(It's true that social media...)
• "Comme beaucoup d'entre nous le savent..."
(As many of us know...)
• "Dans notre établissement, nous constatons que..."
(In our school, we observe that...)

For an Online Debate

More engaged but still polite style:

• "Je suis convaincu(e) que..."
(I am convinced that...)
• "Mon expérience montre que..."
(My experience shows that...)
• "Il me semble essentiel de..."
(It seems essential to me...)

Absolutely avoid:

Casual or slang expressions
Aggressive or overly direct tone
Sweeping generalizations ("everyone", "never")
Overly literary or complex style

4. Advanced Techniques to Improve Your Writing

4.1 Developing Your Arguments

The examiner expects rich and well-developed written content. For each important idea, follow this structure:

How to Develop an Idea

Present your argument: "Les téléphones portables en classe posent un réel problème"
(Mobile phones in class pose a real problem)
Explain why: "Ils créent non seulement des distractions, mais réduisent aussi la concentration"
(They not only create distractions but also reduce concentration)
Give an example: "Dans notre classe, plusieurs élèves consultent régulièrement leurs messages pendant les cours"
(In our class, several students regularly check their messages during lessons)

4.2 Enriching Your Vocabulary

For Introducing Positive Aspects

To begin: "un avantage majeur", "un point positif", "le principal bénéfice"
(a major advantage, a positive point, the main benefit)
To add: "de plus", "par ailleurs", "en outre"
(moreover, furthermore, in addition)
To illustrate: "par exemple", "notamment", "en particulier"
(for example, notably, in particular)

For Presenting Negative Aspects

To nuance: "cependant", "néanmoins", "toutefois"
(however, nevertheless, yet)
To oppose: "en revanche", "par contre", "à l'inverse"
(on the other hand, conversely, on the contrary)
To conclude: "en définitive", "pour conclure", "en somme"
(ultimately, to conclude, in sum)

4.3 Using Tenses Correctly

When to Use Which Tense

Present Tense: general facts, opinions "Les jeunes passent beaucoup de temps sur les écrans"
(Young people spend a lot of time on screens)
Passé Composé: specific examples, experiences "Notre classe a participé à une expérience intéressante"
(Our class participated in an interesting experiment)
Imperfect: descriptions, past situations "Avant, la situation était différente"
(Before, the situation was different)
Simple Future: proposals, solutions "Cette mesure permettra d'améliorer la situation"
(This measure will help improve the situation)

4.4 Avoiding Common Mistakes

Points to check before submitting your work:

Text structure: Clear introduction, distinct paragraphs, conclusion
Argument coherence: Logical progression, relevant examples
Logical connectors: Varied and appropriate use
Appropriate vocabulary: Neither too casual nor too complex

PRO TIP: Make sure to leave 5 minutes at the end for proofreading. Focus especially on verb agreements and gender/number concordance, as these are common sources of errors in French.

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