What DELF B2 Production Écrite tests
The B2 writing task assesses whether you can construct an argument in written French — take a position on a societal or professional issue, defend it with reasons and examples, acknowledge counter-arguments, and close with a nuanced conclusion. It is the closest of the DELF tasks to real-world professional writing.
There is one task, one prompt, one hour. The prompt sets a topic (banning smartphones in schools, four-day work week, urban vs rural life) and a text type (open letter, forum post, formal request). Getting the text type wrong caps you at ~15/25 regardless of content quality.
Format & requirements
| Element | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Word count | 250 words minimum — no upper limit but 280–320 is the sweet spot. |
| Register | Formal or semi-formal — set by the prompt’s text type. |
| Task type | Argued text — position, at least 2 defended arguments, nuance, conclusion. |
| Marks | /25 across 6 criteria, morphosyntax the largest block at 6 marks. |
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The 25-mark grid
| Criterion | Marks | What examiners look for |
|---|---|---|
| Respect of the task | 2 | Text type respected, word count met, all elements addressed. |
| Ability to present facts | 4 | Clear position, 2+ arguments with concrete examples. |
| Ability to argue and nuance | 4 | Counter-arguments acknowledged; hedges and qualifiers used. |
| Coherence & cohesion | 4 | Paragraph structure; connectors from 3+ categories. |
| Lexical range | 3 | Nuanced vocabulary; press-article register. |
| Morphosyntax | 6 | Complex sentences — subjunctive, conditional, relative clauses. |
| Compétence linguistique bonus | 2 | Style flair — inversion, mise en relief, apposition. |
The 4-paragraph structure that scores 20+
The high-return structure is a 4-paragraph frame that plugs into any B2 prompt. Learn it once, practise it four times, and it becomes the shape you default to under time pressure.
- Paragraph 1 — hook + position (40–50 words). Open with a fact, statistic, or short scenario; end paragraph 1 with a clear thesis: ‘Je suis convaincu(e) que…’ or ‘Il me semble essentiel que…’.
- Paragraph 2 — first argument with example (80–100 words). Announce with ‘En premier lieu’ or ‘D’abord’. Support with a concrete example — a personal anecdote is fine if it illustrates.
- Paragraph 3 — second argument + counter-argument acknowledged (80–100 words). Announce with ‘De plus’ or ‘Par ailleurs’, then hedge: ‘Certes, on pourrait objecter que… Néanmoins…’.
- Paragraph 4 — nuanced conclusion + open question (40–50 words). Close with ‘En définitive’ or ‘Pour toutes ces raisons’, then leave a question: ‘Reste à savoir si…’ or ‘La véritable question est…’.
Grammar targets the grid actively rewards
- At least one subjunctive (“il faut que”, “bien que”, “pour que”). Absence at B2 caps morphosyntax at 3/6.
- One ‘si + imparfait, conditionnel’ construction. High-yield signal of B2 command.
- Two relative pronouns beyond qui/que — a well-placed dont or ce qui visibly moves the score.
- Three connectors from three different categories — addition (de plus), opposition (cependant), cause (en effet).
- One mise en relief — ‘Ce qui me frappe le plus, c’est…’ — earns the compétence linguistique bonus.
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Common mistakes that cap you at 15/25
- Writing under 250 words. Under-length is task-achievement failure — max ~14/25 regardless of French.
- One-sided argument. B2 rewards nuance; no acknowledgement of the counter-view caps argument marks at 2/4.
- No paragraph structure. A single-block essay drops coherence to 2/4 and lexical range with it.
- Wrong register. A forum post in academic French, or an open letter in colloquial French — both cap task marks at 1/2.
- Present-tense-only argument. B2 requires subjunctive and conditional in the same text as present + past.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DELF B2 writing word count?
250 words minimum. There is no upper limit but examiners do not reward length beyond about 320 words — additional content dilutes the argument. Aim for 280–320 in the actual attempt.
How long is the DELF B2 writing exam?
60 minutes for the single task. Most successful candidates spend 10 minutes planning, 40 minutes writing, and 10 minutes proofreading — proofreading catches enough small errors to be worth the time.
What text types can appear in DELF B2 writing?
Three main types recur: a letter to a newspaper or magazine (formal), a contribution to an online forum (semi-formal), or a formal written request to an authority. The prompt names the type — get it right or task achievement caps.
Do I need to use the subjunctive in DELF B2 writing?
Yes — at least once, ideally twice. Absence of subjunctive at B2 caps morphosyntax at 3/6 and signals sub-B2 command overall. Learn ‘il faut que’, ‘bien que’, ‘pour que’ as reliable openers.
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