TCF Canada Writing Task 2 (Article/Blog): Step-by-Step Guide

The TCF Canada Expression Écrite (Writing) section consists of three tasks to be completed in 60 minutes. While Task 1 is a simple message and Task 3 is a formal essay, Task 2 is the middle ground: writing a blog post, article, or forum response to recount an experience or give an opinion.

Task 2 requires you to write 120 to 150 words. It sounds short, but this task is where examiners actively look for your ability to narrate in the past tense, express feelings, and use connecting words—all hallmarks of an NCLC 7 (Level B2) candidate.

Here is the ultimate step-by-step guide to mastering TCF Writing Task 2.

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Understanding Task 2

The prompt for Task 2 almost always follows one of these formats:

1. Recount an event: "You attended a music festival. Write a blog post describing what happened and your impressions."
2. Share a positive/negative experience: "You used a new app to learn a language. Write an article sharing your experience with other learners."

You are expected to:

• Describe facts (who, what, when, where).

The 4-Paragraph Structure

With only 120-150 words, you don't have room for fluff. Follow this strict 4-paragraph structure to guarantee you hit all the marking criteria.

Paragraph 1: The Hook and Introduction (30 words)

Catch the reader's attention and state what the article is about. Since it's a blog or article, you can address the readers directly.

• Template: "Bonjour à tous chers lecteurs ! Aujourd'hui, je dois absolument vous parler d'une expérience incroyable que j'ai vécue le week-end dernier..."

The Secret to a B2/C1 Score: Mixed Tenses and Transitions

To elevate your writing from B1 to B2/C1, the examiner needs to see two things seamlessly integrated:

1. Mastery of the Passé Composé vs. Imparfait You must show you know the difference between an action in the past (Passé Composé) and a description/state of being in the past (Imparfait).

Strategy: Time Management

You have 60 minutes for the entire writing section. Task 2 should take you exactly 15 to 20 minutes.

1. Plan (3 min): Jot down the event, 3 vocabulary words you want to use, and your final impression.
2. Draft (12 min): Write following the 4-paragraph structure.
3. Review (5 min): Check your word count. Remember, hyphenated words (like c'est-à-dire) count as one word in the TCF! Check your verb conjugations.

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Practice Makes Perfect

The best way to prepare for Task 2 is to write one essay a week and get it corrected. While you can hire a tutor, platforms like PrepMyFrench offer an AI-powered Writing Evaluator that gives you instant feedback, corrects your grammar, and estimates your NCLC score based on official TCF criteria.