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TCF Canada writing template: a simple frame for each task

A good TCF Canada writing template is a short frame, not a text learned by heart. Below you get one frame for each of the 3 tasks (60 to 120, 120 to 150 and 120 to 180 words) with French phrases you can reuse. Use the frame for the order of your ideas, and write your own sentences inside it.

Use a frame, not a learned text

Many candidates memorize a full answer and write it on exam day. This is risky. The instruction changes every time, and your text must answer the instruction of the day. A frame is safer: it tells you what comes first, what comes next and how to finish. The details come from the instruction.

All three tasks are written in the same 60 minutes. The tasks are a message (60 to 120 words), a report or story (120 to 150 words) and a comparative text with your opinion (120 to 180 words).

Source: Alliance Française de Philadelphie, TCF Canada page, checked 18 October 2026. Confirm with your test centre before you book.

Task 1 template: the message

Greeting. Friend: "Salut Karim," or "Coucou Léa,". Organization: "Madame, Monsieur,".
Reason for writing. "Je t'écris pour te parler de..." or "Je vous écris afin de..."
One short paragraph for each point in the instruction. Join them with "d'abord", "ensuite", "en plus", "mais".
Next step. "Dis-moi vite si tu es libre." or "Pourriez-vous me répondre avant vendredi ?"
Closing. Friend: "À bientôt," Organization: "Cordialement,"

Keep the same register from start to finish: tu with a friend, vous with an organization. See the full Task 1 guide for a model message.

Task 2 template: the report or story

Title or opening line. "Une journée inoubliable" or "Je voudrais vous raconter..."
Context. When, where, with whom. Use the imparfait: "Il faisait beau, nous étions quatre."
What happened. Use the passé composé and link the events: "D'abord, nous avons pris le train. Puis, nous avons visité la ville."
Your impressions. "J'ai trouvé cela magnifique parce que..." or "Ce qui m'a surpris, c'est que..."
Short conclusion. "Au final, c'est un souvenir que je n'oublierai jamais."

The Task 2 mistake to avoid is the present tense for a past event. Read the Task 2 guide for a full example.

Task 3 template: compare two points of view

Task 3 gives you two points of view. You compare them and give your opinion. A simple frame has four parts:

Introduction. Name the topic: "Le sujet de ces documents est le télétravail."
Point of view 1, in your own words. "Selon le premier document, le télétravail permet de gagner du temps."
Point of view 2, in your own words. "En revanche, le second document explique que..."
Your opinion with two reasons and one example. "À mon avis, ... D'une part, ... D'autre part, ... Par exemple, ..."

Do not copy sentences from the documents. Rephrase them. The Task 3 guide shows how to do this step by step.

Useful connectors for all tasks

Goal	French
Add an idea	de plus, en outre, également
Show a contrast	mais, pourtant, en revanche, cependant
Give a reason	parce que, car, puisque
Give a result	donc, alors, c'est pourquoi
Give an example	par exemple, comme
Conclude	enfin, en conclusion, pour finir

How to use a template without losing points

Read the instruction first. Underline every point you must cover before you write.
Replace the examples. The phrases above are models. Change the topic, the names and the details so that they fit.
Use only phrases you can spell. A simple phrase written correctly is better than a long one with errors.
Stay in the word range. A template can push you over the limit, so count your words.
Keep time for a reread. Check agreements, accents and verb endings in the last minutes.

Why the template still needs feedback

A frame helps with structure, but it does not find your mistakes. For Express Entry, IRCC converts your writing score to an NCLC level. On the IRCC table for TCF Canada, NCLC 7 is 10 to 11 and NCLC 8 is 12 to 13. Your results must be less than 2 years old when you complete your profile and when you apply for permanent residence.

Source: IRCC, language testing for Express Entry (canada.ca), checked 18 October 2026. IRCC can change its tables, so confirm on canada.ca before you apply.

Write one text for each frame, get it corrected, then rewrite the sentences with mistakes. For the score table of all four skills, see the TCF Canada exam page. To practise all three tasks with one 60-minute timer, try the writing mock exam.

Test your template on a real text

Write a text with one of these frames, paste it and get a score, your NCLC level and every mistake explained in English, Português, हिंदी or ਪੰਜਾਬੀ. 5 free checks a day, no sign-up.

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Questions

Can I use a template in the TCF Canada writing test?

A frame for the structure is a good idea. A full text learned by heart is risky, because your text must answer the instruction of the day. Write your own sentences inside the frame.

How many words should my text have in each task?

Task 1 is 60 to 120 words, Task 2 is 120 to 150 words and Task 3 is 120 to 180 words. Check the range with your test centre before you book.

What is the best structure for Task 3?

Introduce the topic, present each point of view in your own words, then give your opinion with two reasons and one example.

Should I use tu or vous in Task 1?

Use tu for a friend or family member and vous for an organization or a person you do not know well. Keep the same one in the whole message.

What writing score do I need for NCLC 7?

On the IRCC table for TCF Canada, NCLC 7 is a writing score of 10 to 11. Check the IRCC page for your program, because the minimum can differ.

More about TCF Canada

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