What it is
The biggest writing mark, and the easiest to control
You react to a quote, a Facebook post, or a situation, and you write a short text. Most often it is an opinion piece with at least three ideas. Sometimes it is a reply with advice, or an article to raise awareness. The topic changes, but the plan stays the same. Learn the plan tonight and you can write a good answer on any topic.
The marks (printed on the paper since 2022). Task and ideas (4 in Lettres, 3 in others), language and vocabulary (4 or 3), and spelling and punctuation (2). Three ways to score. Do not throw away the spelling marks.
The 12 line opinion plan
One plan that fits almost every topic
| Lines | Job | Ready words to start |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 | Start and give your opinion | "These days, [topic] is a hot topic. In my view, …" |
| 3 to 5 | Idea 1 (point, reason, example) | "Firstly, … because … For example, …" |
| 6 to 8 | Idea 2 | "Moreover, … As a result, …" |
| 9 to 11 | Idea 3 | "Finally, … which means …" |
| 12 | Conclusion | "All in all, … (say what we should do)." |
The rule of three. The task almost always asks for "at least three". Give exactly three clear ideas. Each one needs a point, a reason, and an example. Three good ideas beat five weak ones.
Trap. Writing one long block with no linking words, or going off topic. Start each idea with Firstly, Moreover, Finally. Answer the exact question.
Count your lines. 12 lines (10 for Sport). Too short loses idea marks. A whole page wastes time you need to check your work.
Same ideas, different style
Match your style to the format
The task names a format and a reader. Your ideas stay the same. Only the start, the end, and the tone change. This is an easy mark to win or lose.
| Format | Start with | End with | Tone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facebook post | "Hey everyone! Have you ever thought about…?" | "What do you think? Share your views!" | friendly, direct |
| Comment | "I totally agree (or disagree) with this post…" | "That is just my opinion." | relaxed |
| Article | "These days, more and more people…" | "In conclusion, it is time we…" | quite formal |
| Email or letter | "Dear [Name], thank you for your message…" | "Best wishes, [Name]" | polite |
| Speech | "Good morning everyone, today I want to talk about…" | "Thank you for listening." | lively |
Real 2025 tasks. Lettres: a 12 line Facebook post about being a good, active citizen. Sciences: a 12 line blog post about the good and bad points of working from home. Same plan, different wrapper. REAL BAC
The second type
The reply with advice
A person has a problem (Kate, Samir, a worried reader). You reply with three pieces of advice. Same plan, but use advice words:
"If I were you, I would…" · "You had better [verb]…" · "I suggest [verb + ing]…" · "Why do not you [verb]…?"
Dear Sami,
I am sorry to hear that you spend too much time on your phone. Firstly, you had better set fixed hours with no phone, above all at night, so that you sleep better. Secondly, I suggest replacing some screen time with sport or reading. Finally, why do not you tell a friend your goal, so they can help you? Do not be too hard on yourself. Small steps work. Best wishes, Ahmed
I am sorry to hear that you spend too much time on your phone. Firstly, you had better set fixed hours with no phone, above all at night, so that you sleep better. Secondly, I suggest replacing some screen time with sport or reading. Finally, why do not you tell a friend your goal, so they can help you? Do not be too hard on yourself. Small steps work. Best wishes, Ahmed
Greeting, a kind word, three pieces of advice, a warm ending. Practice model. Make it your own, do not copy it.
⭐ Practice: put the plan in order
Number the parts of a 12 line opinion text
Number them 1 to 5, then press Check.Idea 2 (point, reason, example)
A short conclusion
Start and your opinion
Idea 3
Idea 1
⭐ Practice: matching
Match the format to its first line
Facebook post
Email reply
Speech
Your last minute on this task
Quick checklist for free writing
- Did I answer the exact task and give three clear ideas?
- Right format and tone (matching start and end)?
- Linking words at the start of each idea (Firstly, Moreover, Finally, All in all)?
- Right number of lines (12, or 10 for Sport)?
- Spelling, capital letters, full stops, and no missing "is/are"?
Ready essay paragraphs
For each theme: an opener, three ideas, a closer, and a full model
Tonight, read the themes most likely on your paper. Tomorrow, take the plan and one or two ideas, then put them in your own words and fit the exact task.
Why you must change it. Examiners read thousands of papers and know a learnt paragraph at once. A copied paragraph that does not fit the task gets a low mark. Use these to think faster, not to copy. Your own simple, correct English beats a borrowed fancy one.
1 · Technology and social media ▼ open
Opener
"These days, social media is part of almost everything we do. In my view, it has a good side and a bad side."
Three ready ideas
- It connects and teaches us. It keeps us in touch and gives free knowledge. For example, students learn new skills from online videos.
- But it can be an addiction. Apps are made to keep us looking, and this harms our sleep and our focus. Many teenagers scroll late into the night.
- It can also spread harm. Fake news travels fast, and comparing our lives with others hurts our confidence.
Closer
"All in all, social media is here to stay. The real question is how we use it. If we set limits and think before we post, it helps us instead of controlling us."
Useful words
screen time, glued to a screen, addiction, fake news, follower, however, as a result, for example.
Model paragraph
Have you ever counted how many hours a day you spend on your phone? These days social media shapes almost everything we do, and in my view it has a good side and a bad side. Firstly, it connects us and opens doors to knowledge, because students can learn new skills from free videos. Moreover, it can become an addiction, since the apps are made to keep us looking, which harms our sleep and our focus. Finally, it spreads fake news and pushes us to compare our lives with others, and this hurts our confidence. All in all, social media is not going away, so it is up to us to use it wisely. Set limits, and think before you post.
2 · Education and learning ▼ open
Opener
"Education is the key that opens every door. But today it does not only happen in a classroom."
Three ready ideas
- New ways help everyone. Distance learning gives a second chance to people who cannot go to a normal school. For example, a working mother can study from home.
- Learning is for life. Learning at any age keeps the mind active and helps our careers.
- But it needs effort. Studying alone needs strong willpower, and a screen cannot fully replace a good teacher.
Closer
"In conclusion, we should welcome these new ways to learn, while we keep the human side of school alive."
Useful words
distance learning, lifelong learning, drop out, perseverance, skills, firstly, however, therefore.
Model paragraph
Education is the key that opens every door, yet today it does not only happen in a classroom. Firstly, distance learning gives a real second chance to people who cannot go to a normal school, because a working mother, for example, can now study from home. Moreover, learning should last all our life, since keeping the mind active helps our careers and our confidence at any age. However, studying alone needs willpower, and a screen can never fully replace a caring teacher or the friends we make at school. All in all, we should welcome these new ways of learning, while we protect the human side that makes school special.
3 · Environment ▼ open
Opener
"Our planet is sending us a clear warning, and we can no longer look away."
Three ready ideas
- Small habits add up. If each of us saves energy, recycles, and avoids single use plastic, the effect is huge.
- Learning helps. Schools should teach about the climate so young people understand and act.
- We need big action too. Governments should use clean energy and pass stronger laws.
Closer
"To sum up, saving the planet needs small daily choices and brave decisions at the top. It is time we all played our part."
Useful words
carbon footprint, sustainable, recycle, raise awareness, renewable energy, moreover, as a result.
Model paragraph
Our planet is sending us a clear warning, and we can no longer look away. Firstly, small daily habits matter, because if each of us saves energy, recycles, and avoids single use plastic, the total effect is huge. Moreover, schools should teach young people about the climate, so they can turn worry into action. Finally, people alone are not enough, and governments must use clean energy and pass stronger laws. All in all, protecting the Earth needs small choices at home and brave choices at the top. It is time we all played our part.
4 · Work and life balance ▼ open
Opener
"Work pays the bills, but life is much more than a job."
Three ready ideas
- Too much work hurts us. It leads to stress and takes time away from family. A parent who is always tired helps no one.
- A break helps us. A career break or working from home lets people rest and be there for the people they love.
- But it needs a plan. Stopping work needs money saved, and not everyone can do it.
Closer
"In brief, we should find a balance. Work to live, do not live to work."
Useful words
career break, workaholic, run on empty, mounting pressure, work from home, besides, on the other hand.
Model paragraph
Work pays the bills, but life is much more than a job. Firstly, working too hard has a price, because it brings stress and steals time from the family, and a parent who is always tired helps no one. Moreover, a break can help us, since a career break or working from home lets people rest and be there for the people they love. However, this needs a plan, because not everyone can stop work without money saved. All in all, we should find a healthy balance and remember the golden rule. We should work to live, not live to work.
5 · Health and lifestyle ▼ open
Opener
"Good health is the real wealth, but modern life makes it easy to forget."
Three ready ideas
- Eat well. A balanced diet stops obesity and many illnesses. Eating less fast food and sugar really helps.
- Move every day. Exercise is good for the body and the mind. Even a short walk lowers health risks.
- Care for the mind. Enough sleep, real breaks, and less screen stress keep us healthy too.
Closer
"To conclude, it is better to prevent than to cure. The small habits we build today protect our health tomorrow."
Useful words
balanced diet, obesity, physical activity, wellbeing, prevent, sedentary, firstly, in addition.
Model paragraph
Good health is the real wealth, yet modern life makes it easy to forget. Firstly, what we eat is very important, because a balanced diet stops obesity and many illnesses, so eating less fast food and sugar really pays off. Moreover, our bodies need to move, since even a short daily walk lifts our mood and lowers the risk of illness. In addition, we must care for the mind, because enough sleep, real breaks, and less time on screens keep us healthy too. All in all, it is better to prevent than to cure, and the small habits we build today will protect the health we need tomorrow.
6 · Charity and being a good citizen ▼ open
Opener
"Being a citizen is more than holding an ID card. It means taking care of the place where we live."
Three ready ideas
- Give your time. Helping a charity or joining a clean up helps people in need and builds a kinder society.
- Behave well. Respecting public places, the law, and the environment sets an example for others.
- Use your voice. Raising awareness, even online, turns one person's effort into a movement.
Closer
"All in all, if each of us makes a small difference, together we can change our whole town for the better."
Useful words
volunteer, charity, donate, responsible citizen, make a difference, set an example, firstly, moreover.
Model paragraph
Being a citizen is more than holding an ID card. It means taking care of the place where we live. Firstly, we can give our time, because helping a charity or joining a clean up helps people in need and builds a kinder society. Moreover, the way we behave counts, since respecting public places, the law, and the environment sets an example for others. Finally, we should use our voice, even online, to raise awareness and turn one person's effort into a real movement. All in all, if each of us makes a small difference, together we can change our whole town for the better.
7 · Travel and tourism ▼ open
Opener
"It is often said that travel is the one thing you buy that makes you richer."
Three ready ideas
- It opens the mind. Meeting other cultures builds understanding, above all when we live like a local, not just a tourist.
- It helps us grow. Leaving our comfort zone needs courage and teaches us to be independent.
- But travel with respect. We should choose green tourism and respect the people and places we visit.
Closer
"To sum up, travel teaches us lessons no classroom can. So let us see the world, but let us do it with respect."
Useful words
the travel bug, broaden the mind, comfort zone, green tourism, adventure, firstly, moreover, however.
Model paragraph
It is often said that travel is the one thing you buy that makes you richer. Firstly, it opens the mind, because meeting other cultures builds understanding, above all when we live like a local and not just a tourist. Moreover, travel helps us grow, since leaving our comfort zone needs courage and teaches us to be independent. However, we must travel with respect, and choose green tourism that protects the people and the places we visit. All in all, travel teaches us lessons that no classroom can, so let us see the world, but let us do it with respect.
Writing 2 in one line
Start with your opinion, give three ideas with reasons and examples, then a short conclusion. Use the right format, the linking words, and the right number of lines. Pick your theme above, borrow the plan and an idea or two, and write it in your own words. That is the whole kit. Go back to Home for the exam day plan, then rest. You are ready. 🍀