MYP French Criterion D: How to Write Your Best Answer (with Checklist)
17 octobre 2026 · Sonali Aggarwal
Criterion D (Using language in spoken and/or written form) is marked out of 8. In writing tasks, teachers look at three things: how well you use vocabulary and grammar, how clearly you organise your ideas, and how well your text fits its purpose and reader.
The good news is that all three can be practised with a method.
What the top band looks like
| Area | To reach 7–8 | Typical 3–4 answer |
|---|---|---|
| Vocabulary and grammar | Varied words and structures, mostly accurate; mistakes don't block meaning | Basic, repeated words; frequent errors |
| Organisation | Logical paragraphs with linking words (d'abord, ensuite, par contre, enfin) | Ideas in a list with little linking |
| Purpose and audience | Correct text type, register (tu/vous) and every task point covered | Missing task points or wrong register |
The exact wording of the bands changes with your phase (1–6), so check the task-specific clarification your teacher gives you.
A 5-step method
- Read the task twice. Underline the text type (email, blog, diary, article), the reader and every bullet point you must cover.
- Plan in 2 minutes. One line per paragraph: introduction, one paragraph per bullet point, conclusion.
- Choose your "level-up" language. Plan 2–3 structures above your basic level, for example a past tense, parce que + an opinion, or a comparison (plus… que).
- Write with the right layout. An email needs a greeting and sign-off; a blog needs a title; a diary needs a date.
- Check with the checklist below in your last 5 minutes.
Before-you-hand-in checklist
- ☐ I answered every bullet point in the task
- ☐ My text type has the right layout (greeting, title, date…)
- ☐ I used tu or vous correctly and consistently
- ☐ I used at least 4 different linking words
- ☐ I gave and justified at least one opinion
- ☐ I used more than one tense (if my phase requires it)
- ☐ I checked verb endings and adjective agreements
- ☐ I'm close to the required word count
Useful linking words
| Purpose | French |
|---|---|
| Order | d'abord, ensuite, puis, enfin |
| Adding | aussi, de plus, en plus |
| Contrast | mais, par contre, cependant |
| Cause | parce que, car |
| Result | donc, alors |
| Opinion | à mon avis, je pense que, selon moi |
Practise Criterion D
Every topic of our MYP French course has Criterion D writing tasks with a checklist. Unit 1 is free.
Frequently asked questions
How many marks is Criterion D in MYP?
8, like each of the four MYP Language Acquisition criteria (A–D).
Is Criterion D only for writing?
No. Criterion D can assess spoken or written language. This guide focuses on writing tasks.
What is the quickest way to improve in Criterion D?
Cover every task point, use the correct text type and add linking words. These are the most common reasons students lose marks.