Assignment #20 - Megan Ewing - French Emails

I’m in AP French this year, so we’re learning how to write specific assignments for the AP exam. I’m not taking the exam, so I’m struggling to see the real purpose of these assignments outside of college board just wants us to suffer. So far, the assignment I’m best at is the formal email. This guide could also apply to any other AP foreign language, but I’m in French so it’s a French email. Step 1: Read the prompt email- take note of any questions asked or important informationStep 2: Begin the email with Cher Monsieur ___ or Chère Madam ___ and a formal greeting. Use the subjunctive in one of these to ensure you get those points. Use the formal form of “you” throughout the email. Step 3: Use a transition to enter the meat of your email, such as “tout d’abord” (first of all). Then continue to use transitions as you move between topics. Consider “en revanche, malgré que, and cependant.” (On the other hand, despite, and however)Step 4: Answer every question asked in the email, adding extraneous detail. For example, if they ask how they should get to your house from the airport, you could say you’ll pick them up in a small blue car because the taxis and buses in the area cost too much. Consider using some figurative language here, such as “Ça coûte un œil de la tête” (it costs an eye from the head) for it costs a lot. Step 5: Ask a question. Make sure they haven’t already answered this question in the prompt and that it relates to the situation. Step 6: Use a formal closing. I would memorize one and stick to this one. I use “veuillez agréer l’expression de ma sincère reconnaissance.”Step 7: Close with “cordialement” (cordially) or “sincèrement” (sincerely) and your name. Either one is fine, as long as the prompt didn’t use it.Step 8: Get your grade and commentary from your French teacherStep 9: Sulk because no matter what you do, you can’t succeed with these emails.