Using connectors to build a convincing argument | TEF Speaking

TEF Expression orale Section B asks you to play the role of a friend who has seen an advertisement and wants to persuade someone (the examiner) to take up the offer. This is not a debate: you choose a position and support it with reasons, examples, and advice. At B1 level, the connectors you use to link ideas are just as important as the ideas themselves. Without them, your reasons feel like a list. With them, your argument flows and sounds convincing.

What you’ll learn

Use French cause, consequence, and example connectors accurately in spoken argumentation
Structure a Section B answer with a clear position, two or three reasons, and a recommendation
Describe the advertisement briefly before arguing, so the examiner understands your context
Use advice verbs and expressions to sound genuinely persuasive rather than just descriptive
Avoid connector errors that produce awkward or illogical sentences

Opening with a brief description of the ad

Before you argue, give the examiner a one- or two-sentence summary of what the advertisement offers. This is not a test of your reading ability, but it anchors the argument. Think of it as telling a friend "I saw this great ad, listen..." rather than jumping straight to "You should do this because..."

Introducing the ad before arguing

J'ai vu une annonce qui pourrait vraiment t'intéresser. C'est une offre d'emploi pour un poste d'assistant bilingue dans une start-up de Paris, avec un salaire attractif et la possibilité de télétravailler deux jours par semaine.
I saw an ad that could really interest you. It is a job offer for a bilingual assistant role at a Paris start-up, with an attractive salary and the option to work from home two days a week.

Keep the description short

One to two sentences on what the ad offers is enough.
Do not read the ad aloud word by word: that wastes time and does not score marks.
Move quickly to your argument: "Voilà pourquoi je pense que tu devrais..."

Cause connectors: explaining your reasons

Cause connectors introduce a reason. In English we use "because" for almost everything, but French has several options that let you vary your register and show language control. At B1 you need at least two different forms.

"parce que" + clause: the most common, fine for spoken French
"car" + clause: slightly more formal, good for written-style reasoning
"puisque" + clause: implies the reason is already known to the listener ("since" / "given that")
"étant donné que" + clause: formal, good for introducing a concrete fact
"grâce à" + noun: cause with a positive result ("thanks to")

Using three different cause connectors in one argument

Tu devrais postuler parce que ton expérience correspond exactement au profil. Et puis, puisque tu cherches un emploi depuis quelques semaines, c'est le bon moment. Grâce au télétravail, tu n'aurais pas à déménager.
You should apply because your experience matches the profile exactly. And since you have been looking for work for a few weeks, the timing is right. Thanks to remote work, you would not have to move.

Consequence connectors: showing what follows

Consequence connectors link a cause to its result. They make your argument feel logical rather than just opinionated. Use them to show that one good feature leads to another benefit.

"donc": so / therefore (general, versatile)
"alors": so / then (slightly more conversational)
"par conséquent": consequently (formal, good after a strong factual point)
"c'est pourquoi": that is why (strong, links back to a point you already made)
"du coup": so / as a result (informal, fine in friend-to-friend register)

Using consequence to develop a point

Le loyer est très abordable pour le quartier. C'est pourquoi je pense que tu ne trouveras pas mieux dans ce budget. Du coup, tu pourrais même mettre de côté chaque mois.
The rent is very affordable for the area. That is why I think you will not find anything better in this budget. So you could even save money each month.

Example and addition connectors: building your case

A reason without an example is abstract. At B1, you are not expected to invent complex data: a personal anecdote, a detail from the ad, or a hypothetical comparison is enough. Example and addition connectors signal that you are adding evidence.

"par exemple": for example (use once or twice, not after every point)
"notamment": in particular / notably (more precise than "par exemple")
"de plus": furthermore / in addition
"en outre": moreover (more formal)
"d'ailleurs": besides / what is more (adds a supporting point, slightly informal)
"en effet": indeed (confirms and strengthens the previous point)

Combining example with addition

L'appartement a plusieurs atouts. D'abord, il est situé dans un quartier calme. De plus, il y a une cave et un parking inclus dans le loyer. En effet, pour ce prix, ces avantages sont vraiment rares.
The apartment has several advantages. First, it is in a quiet area. Furthermore, there is a cellar and parking included in the rent. Indeed, at this price, these benefits are quite rare.

Advice verbs and persuasion phrases

Section B is specifically an advice task. Using advice verbs moves you from describing the ad to actively persuading. The conditional tense ("je conseillerais", "tu devrais") is the most natural form here.

"Tu devrais / vous devriez + infinitif": You should...
"Je te / vous conseille de + infinitif": I advise you to...
"À ta / votre place, je + conditionnel": In your position, I would...
"Je t'encourage vraiment à + infinitif": I really encourage you to...
"N'hésite / N'hésitez pas à + infinitif": Don't hesitate to...
"Ce serait vraiment dommage de ne pas + infinitif": It would be a real shame not to...

A persuasive closing recommendation

Franchement, à ta place, je n'hésiterais pas. Ce serait vraiment dommage de laisser passer cette opportunité. Je te conseille donc de les appeler dès aujourd'hui avant que l'annonce disparaisse.
Honestly, in your position, I would not hesitate. It would be a real shame to miss this opportunity. So I advise you to call them today before the ad disappears.

Section B is addressed to a friend: use "tu" throughout.
Do not mix "tu" and "vous" for the same imaginary friend.
Avoid very formal connectors like "par conséquent" alongside informal ones like "du coup" in the same sentence.

Putting it together: a full Section B answer

Here is a compact model answer for a job advertisement. Notice how the description is brief, the connectors are varied, and the recommendation is direct. Aim for about two to three minutes of spoken French.

Full Section B model answer (job ad)

Écoute, j'ai vu une annonce qui te correspondrait parfaitement. C'est un poste de responsable marketing dans une PME lyonnaise, avec un salaire de 35 000 euros et deux jours de télétravail par semaine. Voilà pourquoi je pense que tu devrais absolument postuler. D'abord, le profil recherché correspond exactement à ton parcours, puisque tu as déjà travaillé en communication digitale. De plus, le fait de pouvoir télétravailler te permettrait de mieux équilibrer ta vie professionnelle et personnelle. D'ailleurs, pour le salaire proposé, les conditions sont vraiment avantageuses par rapport au marché actuel. Donc, à ta place, je n'attendrais pas : je t'encourage vraiment à envoyer ta candidature dès cette semaine.
Listen, I saw an ad that would suit you perfectly. It is a marketing manager role at a Lyon-based SME, with a 35,000-euro salary and two days of remote work per week. That is why I think you should definitely apply. First, the profile matches your background exactly, since you have already worked in digital communications. Furthermore, the option to work from home would let you better balance your professional and personal life. In fact, for the salary offered, the conditions are very favourable compared to the current market. So, in your position, I would not wait: I really encourage you to send your application this week.

How to practise this

Connector practice routine

Make a connector card: write ten connectors on one side, their English equivalents on the other. Review it daily for a week.
Take any short French advertisement and record yourself arguing for it: time yourself at three minutes.
On playback, count how many different connectors you used. Aim for at least four distinct ones per argument.
If you notice you are only using "parce que" and "donc", deliberately replace them in a second recording.
Try arguing against the same ad in a third recording: this forces you to use concession connectors like "certes" and "cependant".

Key takeaways

Start Section B with a brief ad description (one to two sentences), then move immediately to your argument.
Use at least two different cause connectors (parce que, car, puisque, grâce à) in a single answer.
Link cause to consequence with "donc", "c'est pourquoi", or "du coup" to sound logical.
Advice verbs in the conditional ("tu devrais", "à ta place je...") are the natural language of persuasion.
End with a direct, confident recommendation: the examiner is looking for a clear conclusion.