DELF Writing: Tips and Examples for Every Level

DELF writing, also called the written production section, is one of the four parts of the DELF exam — and for many candidates, it's the one that causes the most anxiety. The good news is that it is also one of the most predictable parts of the exam.

Unlike listening comprehension, where you cannot control what you hear, the written production follows a clear structure at every level. Once you understand what the examiners are looking for, you can prepare strategically and walk into the exam room with confidence.

This guide covers everything you need to know about the DELF written production for levels A1, A2, B1 and B2: what the task looks like, how it is marked, a sample question, and a model answer for each level.

What Is the DELF Writing Test (Production Écrite) and How Is It Marked

Regardless of the level, the DELF written production is worth 25 points out of a total of 100. You need a minimum of 5 out of 25 on this section to pass — and a total of 50 out of 100 overall. Examiners assess your writing using a grid that looks at several criteria: how well you address the task, the organization and coherence of your writing, your vocabulary range, your grammar accuracy, and your spelling.

One critical point that many candidates miss: you must respond to every element of the question. If the prompt asks you to describe a situation, explain your opinion, and ask two questions — you must do all three. Missing even one element will cost you points.

DELF A1 Written Production

At A1 level, the written production lasts 30 minutes and is marked out of 25 points. It includes two tasks: filling in a form with personal information such as your name, address, and nationality, and writing a short text of at least 40 words — typically a postcard, a short letter to a friend, or a simple message.

The goal at this level is not perfection — it is basic communication. The examiner wants to see that you can convey simple information in written French.

Example question: You have just moved to a new city. Write a postcard to a friend to tell them your new address, describe your new neighborhood in two sentences, and say whether you like it or not. (40 words minimum)

Model answer: Salut Marie ! Je suis arrivée dans ma nouvelle ville la semaine dernière. Mon adresse est : 12 rue des Fleurs, 75001 Paris. Mon quartier est très calme et agréable. Il y a un joli parc près de chez moi. J'aime beaucoup ma nouvelle vie ici ! À bientôt, Sarah.

Tip: Keep your sentences short and simple. Do not try to write complex structures at A1 — clarity and completeness matter far more than sophistication.

DELF A2 Written Production

At A2 level, the written production lasts approximately 45 minutes and includes two tasks: a descriptive text about an event or personal experience, and an interactive text such as an email to friends where you might invite, thank, apologize, propose, or ask for information — with a minimum of 60 words.

The A2 written production asks you to write about your feelings and general impressions using adjectives, to describe an experience using the passé composé and the imparfait, and to structure your text using logical connectors.

Example question: You recently attended a cultural event in your city (concert, festival, exhibition). Write an email to a French friend to describe the event, explain what you thought of it, and invite them to come with you next time. (60 words minimum)

Model answer: Salut Thomas ! Le week-end dernier, je suis allée à un concert de jazz en plein air dans le centre-ville. C'était vraiment magnifique ! Il y avait beaucoup de monde et l'ambiance était super. Les musiciens étaient excellents. J'ai adoré cette soirée. La prochaine fois, tu veux venir avec moi ? Il y a un autre concert le mois prochain. Dis-moi si tu es libre ! Bisous, Marie.

Tip: Use connectors like d'abord, ensuite, enfin, parce que, and mais to organise your writing. Examiners reward structured, coherent text even at A2 level.

DELF B1 Written Production

At B1 level, the written production asks you to write a text on a given topic — which could be a letter, an email, an article, or a short essay — usually related to everyday life, professional, or educational situations. The duration of the B1 written production has been extended to 1 hour 55 minutes in total for the collective exam (including reading comprehension), with additional time added as part of a recent update. The written production itself is worth 25 points.

At B1, the examiner expects you to express and justify a point of view, describe experiences and reactions, and use a range of tenses correctly including the passé composé, imparfait, futur simple, and conditionnel.

Example question: Your company is considering introducing a four-day working week. Your manager has asked all employees to write a short article for the internal newsletter giving their opinion on this idea with supporting arguments. (160 words minimum)

Model answer: La semaine de quatre jours : une bonne idée ?

De nombreuses entreprises à travers le monde expérimentent la semaine de quatre jours. À mon avis, c'est une idée excellente qui mérite d'être sérieusement envisagée.

Premièrement, travailler quatre jours par semaine permettrait aux employés de mieux équilibrer leur vie professionnelle et personnelle. Ils auraient plus de temps pour leur famille, leurs loisirs et leur santé. En conséquence, ils seraient moins stressés et plus motivés au travail.

Deuxièmement, plusieurs études montrent que la productivité augmente lorsque les employés travaillent moins d'heures mais de façon plus concentrée. La qualité du travail s'améliore quand on est bien reposé.

Cependant, certains secteurs pourraient rencontrer des difficultés pour organiser ce changement, notamment dans les services aux clients.

En conclusion, je pense que la semaine de quatre jours représente l'avenir du travail moderne. Nous devrions au moins tester ce système dans notre entreprise.

Tip: Structure your text with a clear introduction, developed arguments, and a conclusion. Use linking words such as premièrement, cependant, en revanche, and en conclusion to guide the reader through your reasoning.

DELF B2 Written Production

The B2 written production lasts one hour and is marked out of 25 points, representing a quarter of the total exam score. At this level, candidates must write a personal, argumentative piece of writing in the form of a contribution to a debate, a formal letter, or a critical article.

This is the most demanding written task in the DELF range. The examiner expects a well-structured argument, a rich and varied vocabulary, controlled grammar, and a clear personal position that is developed and supported with examples.

Example question: A national newspaper has published an article arguing that social media is doing more harm than good to society. You write a letter to the editor in response, presenting your own point of view and supporting it with specific arguments. (250 words minimum)

Model answer: Madame, Monsieur,

J'ai lu avec intérêt votre article sur les effets des réseaux sociaux et je souhaite apporter un point de vue nuancé à ce débat.

Il est indéniable que les réseaux sociaux présentent certains risques, notamment pour les jeunes. La désinformation, le cyberharcèlement et la dépendance aux écrans sont des problèmes réels qui méritent d'être pris au sérieux. Pourtant, réduire ces outils à leurs seuls aspects négatifs me semble injuste.

En effet, les réseaux sociaux ont profondément transformé nos sociétés de manière positive. Ils permettent à des millions de personnes de rester connectées malgré les distances géographiques — je pense notamment aux expatriés qui maintiennent un lien vital avec leur pays d'origine. Par ailleurs, ils ont donné naissance à de nouveaux mouvements citoyens et ont offert une tribune à des voix qui n'auraient jamais pu s'exprimer autrement.

Il convient également de souligner le rôle économique croissant de ces plateformes. De nombreux entrepreneurs, artistes et formateurs ont pu développer leur activité grâce à elles, sans les ressources nécessaires pour accéder aux médias traditionnels.

En conclusion, plutôt que de condamner les réseaux sociaux dans leur ensemble, il me semble plus constructif de réfléchir à une meilleure éducation numérique, dès le plus jeune âge, afin que chacun puisse en tirer le meilleur parti.

Je vous adresse, Madame, Monsieur, mes salutations distinguées.

Tip: At B2, presentation and tone matter. Use formal register in letters, organise your argument in clear paragraphs, and always include an introduction and a conclusion. Avoid repeating the same vocabulary — varied lexis is one of the key criteria at this level.

Practical Tips That Apply to Every Level

Regardless of your level, a few habits make a consistent difference in how examiners score your writing. Here's what to keep in mind before exam day:

• Read the question twice before writing. Many candidates lose points not because their French is poor, but because they missed part of the task. Count the elements in the prompt and tick them off mentally before you finish.

• Always respect the minimum word count. At A1 and A2, writing too little will cost you points directly. At B1 and B2, a text that is too short signals that you have not developed your ideas sufficiently.

• Leave five minutes at the end to re-read your work. Checking for basic errors in agreement, accents, and verb endings can make a meaningful difference to your final score.

• Practice writing timed texts before the exam. The combination of time pressure and the effort of writing in French is something you need to get used to before exam day — not discover during it.

  
  

Want to Go Further in Your DELF Preparation

The written production is one piece of the DELF puzzle. If you want to understand the full structure of the exam, the marking criteria in detail, and how to prepare efficiently across all four skills, join my free French With Audrey Discord community where I regularly share exam tips and practice exercises.

You can also book a private French lesson — tailored specifically for expats preparing for DELF and other French certifications.

The writing exam rewards preparation — and preparation rewards consistency. Start early, practice often, and trust the process!

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À très bientôt !

Audrey, your French teacher 👩‍🏫