Test Information Guide
Field 26: French
Written Expression
The following materials contain:
- Sample test directions for the written expression assignment
- A description of a written expression assignment
- The performance characteristics and scoring scale
Sample Test Directions for the Written Expression Assignment
This section of the test consists of a writing assignment to which you must respond in the target language. A list of suggestions is provided to help direct your writing for the assignment. It is not necessary that you cover every point on the list, nor are you limited in your response to those points indicated. You are, however, required to write about the general assignment that you are given, and part of your score will be based on the degree to which you elaborate on the assignment by addressing either the suggested points or points of your choosing.
You may use the erasable notebooklet to make notes, write an outline, or otherwise prepare your response. However, your final response to each assignment must be typed in the response box provided for the assignment.
Your response to the assignment will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
- PURPOSE: the extent to which the objective of the assignment is achieved and the response is appropriate for the intended audience
- COHERENCE: organization and clarity of ideas
- CONTENT: development of ideas and relevance of supporting details
- GRAMMAR: accuracy of grammatical forms and syntax
- VOCABULARY: command of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions
- MECHANICS: accuracy of spelling, diacritical marks, and punctuation
Be sure to write about the assigned topic and use MULTIPLE PARAGRAPHS. You may not use any reference materials during the test. This should be your original work, written in your own words, and not copied or paraphrased from some other work. Remember to review what you have written and make any changes you think will improve your written response.
Description of a Written Expression Assignment
The candidate is required to produce a well-organized written response in the target language in response to a prompt. Each assignment will specify a particular type of written product (e.g., a letter, a narrative description, etc.) and an audience for whom the written product is intended. The candidate is expected to demonstrate the ability to communicate in an appropriate register, using a range of vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, and simple and complex linguistic structures, and displaying cultural knowledge and sensitivity.
An example of a sample written expression assignment is provided in the French practice test 
.