GCSE French Essay Examples - AQA Higher Level
These two sample essays demonstrate the writing techniques you'll need for your GCSE French exam. Both pieces aim for 150 words but fall short at around 80 words each - showing you exactly why planning your word count matters.
The first essay about a memorable day uses past tenses effectively, mixing passé composé (je suis allée) with imparfait (j'étais petite). Notice how it includes personal details and a mini-disaster (money being stolen) to make the story engaging. The structure moves chronologically from the shopping trip to childhood memories.
The second essay tackles travelling abroad advantages and disadvantages. It uses connecting phrases like "bien que" (although) and "cependant" (however) to show contrast - exactly what examiners love to see. The writer gives specific examples (Portugal, Spain) and includes personal opinions with justifications.
Top Tip: Both essays use a mix of tenses and opinion phrases, but they're too short! Aim for closer to 150 words by expanding on your examples and adding more descriptive details.