DELF B1 Production Écrite is the writing module of the B1 exam. At this level, you are expected to write a structured, semi-formal or informal text of 160–180 words — a letter, email, or short article — responding to a given situation. This guide covers the exact task format, what examiners score, common errors, and how to practise efficiently.
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DELF B1 Writing Module – Exact Format
| Component | Details |
| Module Name | Production Écrite |
| Duration | 45 minutes |
| Number of Tasks | 1 task (sometimes 2 short tasks at some versions) |
| Task Type | Letter, email, or short article responding to a prompt (160–180 words) |
| Content Points | 3–4 required content points; all must be addressed |
| Maximum Score | 25 points |
| Pass Mark | Minimum 5/25; overall 50/100 for DELF B1 |
What a Typical B1 Writing Task Looks Like
You receive a scenario and must write a response. Example:
“You have read an article in a French magazine about young people and sport. Write a letter to the editor sharing your opinion. In your letter: express your reaction to the article; give your personal experience with sport; explain what you think young people should do to stay healthy; ask the editor a question about their next article.”
You must address all four content points in 160–180 words. Missing any point costs marks regardless of how well the rest is written.
How B1 Writing Is Scored
| Criterion | Points | What Is Assessed |
| Respect of task and content | 5 | All content points addressed; appropriate length and text type |
| Coherence and cohesion | 5 | Clear structure; appropriate paragraphing; logical flow; connectors used |
| Morphosyntactic competence | 7.5 | Grammar accuracy: tenses, agreement, sentence structure |
| Lexical competence | 7.5 | Vocabulary range and precision; topic-specific words; register appropriateness |
Note that grammar (morphosyntax) and vocabulary are each worth 7.5 points — 30% of your score each. Even if your content is complete and your structure is clear, weak grammar and limited vocabulary will cap your score.
Register – Getting This Right
The task always specifies who you are writing to. Identify register before you write a single word:
| Task Says | Register | Key Markers |
| Write a letter to a friend | Informal | Tu, Cher/Chère [name], Bises / À bientôt |
| Write to a magazine editor | Semi-formal | Vous, Monsieur/Madame, Cordialement |
| Write to an organisation | Formal | Vous, Madame/Monsieur, Je vous prie d’agréer… |
| Write an article for a school magazine | Neutral / semi-formal | General tone, third person possible, varied vocabulary |
B1 Writing Structure – The 4-Part Template
Every B1 writing task can be completed with this structure:
| Part | Content | Word Target |
| Opening | Greeting + reference to the situation (“J’ai lu votre article…” / “Je t’écris car…”) | 15–20 words |
| Body Point 1 | First content point — develop with 2–3 sentences | 40–50 words |
| Body Point 2 | Second and third content points | 60–80 words |
| Closing | Final content point (if applicable) + closing formula | 20–30 words |
Useful Language for B1 Writing Tasks
| Function | French Phrase |
| Giving an opinion | À mon avis… / Je pense que… / Il me semble que… |
| Describing personal experience | En ce qui me concerne… / Pour ma part… / D’après mon expérience… |
| Expressing a wish or recommendation | Il faudrait que… (+subj) / Je vous conseille de… / Il serait utile de… |
| Asking a question politely | Pourriez-vous me dire si… ? / Je voudrais savoir si… |
| Concluding | En conclusion… / Pour finir… / J’espère que… |
Common B1 Writing Errors
| Error | Fix |
| Missing one content point | Tick off each required point before submitting |
| Under word count (< 140 words) | Each content point needs a 2–3 sentence development, not one line |
| Using “tu” when “vous” is required | Check register on first read of the task — formal task = vous throughout |
| Relying on one tense (present only) | Use passé composé for past events; futur proche for plans; conditionnel for wishes |
| Forgetting to open and close properly | Always start with a greeting and end with a closing formula |
Timed Practice Plan for B1 Writing
| Week | Focus | Activity |
| 1–2 | Register identification | Practise identifying register from task prompts; write correct openings/closings only |
| 3–4 | Content coverage | Write full responses ensuring all 4 points addressed; check with tick-list |
| 5–6 | Vocabulary range | Focus on using 8–10 different connectors and 5+ topic-specific vocabulary items per text |
| 7–8 | Timed full tasks | Write 1 full task under 45-minute time limit; compare to model; measure word count |
Key Takeaway
DELF B1 Production Écrite rewards candidates who cover all required content points, use appropriate register, and write with grammatical accuracy and vocabulary range. The format is completely predictable — practise it consistently. Use languagetest.in DELF B1 mock tests to write under timed conditions and compare your responses to model answers to identify exactly where you are losing points.
References
1. CIEP – DELF B1 Writing Assessment Grid – ciep.fr
2. France Éducation International – fdlf.fr
3. languagetest.in – DELF B1 Mock Tests