Deux points imposés + votre idée : la mécanique de l’essay
Oubliez thèse-antithèse-synthèse. L’essay du First : introduction (reformuler la question), un paragraphe par point imposé, un paragraphe pour votre idée, conclusion avec opinion claire. 140–190 mots, registre formel.
Consigne type : « Every town should have a park. Notes: 1. health 2. cost 3. (your own idea) »
Reformulez la question avec vos mots et annoncez la couleur — l’anglais dit son opinion dès l’intro, contrairement à la prudence française.
It is often said that parks are essential to city life. In my view, every town does indeed need one, for several reasons.
Le quatuor du paragraphe : Firstly / To begin with · Furthermore / Moreover · However / On the other hand · In conclusion / To sum up. Pas de contractions : do not, it is.
Furthermore, green spaces encourage people to exercise.
On the other hand, maintaining a park is expensive.
Variez l’opinion : In my view · It seems to me that · I would argue that · There is a strong case for. Et l’impersonnel : It could be argued that...
I would argue that the benefits far outweigh the costs.
It could be argued that taxes are better spent elsewhere.
Pas de « chacun son avis » : le First exige une position. In conclusion / To sum up / On balance + reprise de l’opinion + la raison maîtresse.
In conclusion, despite the cost, I firmly believe every town needs a park: the health benefits alone justify the investment.
Les pièges classiques pour les francophones
Voici les erreurs que les francophones font le plus souvent sur ce point.