Master the DELF B2 Exposé: A Winning Strategy Guide

The DELF B2 oral exam, specifically the monologue suivi (or exposé), is often the most intimidating part of the test. You're given a short article on a social topic, 30 minutes to prepare, and then you must speak for 5-7 minutes, presenting a structured argument... followed by a debate with the examiners.

It sounds tough, but success here isn't about magic. It's about having a clear, repeatable strategy.

This guide will give you that strategy. We'll break down everything from how to use your 30-minute preparation time to the exact phrases that will impress your examiners.

Part 1: Understanding Your Goal

First, let's be clear: you are not being asked to summarize the article.

The examiner has read the article. Your goal is to use the article as a springboard to do three things:

1. Identify a central problem or question (the problématique).

2. Present a structured, logical argument about that problem.

3. Defend your personal opinion with examples.

You are being graded on your ability to argue, structure your thoughts, and use B2-level language—not your ability to remember facts from the text.

Part 2: Your 30-Minute Prep Time: A Minute-by-Minute Strategy

Those 30 minutes fly by. Don't waste them. The biggest mistake is trying to write full sentences. Do not write a script. You will be marked down heavily for reading. Use a keyword-based outline.

Here is a battle-tested timeline to structure your preparation:

Minutes 1-7: Analyze & Define the Problématique

Read the Title & Source: Get your bearings. Is it from Le Monde (serious) or a health magazine (specific)?

First Read (2 min): Read for the general theme. What is the topic? (e.g., le télétravail, l'écologie, les réseaux sociaux).

Second Read (3 min): Read with a pen. Underline keywords, the author's main arguments, and any strong opinions.

Define the Problématique (2 min): This is the most critical step. You must create a central question that your entire presentation will answer.

Often, you can just reformulate the title. If the title is "The New Popularity of Telework," your problématique could be: "Le télétravail est-il réellement une solution d'avenir pour les entreprises et les salariés ?" (Is telework really a solution for the future for companies and employees?)

Write this question at the top of your draft paper.

Minutes 8-25: Brainstorm & Build Your Plan

This is the core of your prep time. You must create a two-part plan (plan en deux parties). This is the standard for the DELF B2.

Do not use a "Thesis, Antithesis, Synthesis" plan. It's too complex and risky. Stick to one of these simple, effective plans:

Plan 1: Advantages / Disadvantages (Avantages / Inconvénients)

Plan 2: Causes / Consequences (Causes / Conséquences)

Plan 3: Observations / Solutions (Constats / Solutions)

Plan 4: For / Against (Pour / Contre) - This is a good default.

How to do it:

Draw a line down the middle of your paper.

Label your two parts (e.g., I. Avantages, II. Inconvénients).

Brainstorm 2-3 arguments for each part.

For each argument, find one example (un exemple). This can be from the text, from your personal life, your country, or even one you invent.

Argument: Le télétravail améliore l'équilibre de vie. (Telework improves work-life balance.)

Example: Par exemple, un parent peut finir sa journée à 17h et être immédiatement avec ses enfants, au lieu de passer une heure dans les transports.

Minutes 26-30: Write Your "Safety Net"

You're not writing a script, but you should write down your introduction and conclusion almost word-for-word. This calms your nerves and ensures you start and finish strong.

Write your full introduction.

Write your full conclusion.

Jot down 3-4 sophisticated connecteurs logiques (logical connectors) you want to use (see our list below!).

Part 3: The 4-Step Structure of Your 5-Minute Exposé

Now, you just follow your plan. Here is the script, step-by-step.

Step 1: The Introduction (Approx. 1 minute)

Follow this formula precisely.

1. Greet & State the Topic: "Bonjour, aujourd'hui je vais vous présenter mon exposé sur le thème de..." (Hello, today I will present my exposé on the theme of...)

2. Introduce the Document: "...Le document qui sert de base à ma réflexion est un article tiré de [Source, e.g., 'Le Monde'] et daté du [Date], intitulé [Title]." (...The document that is the basis for my reflection is an article from... dated... titled...)

3. State the Main Idea: "Cet article aborde le problème de... / L'auteur explique que..." (This article tackles the problem of... / The author explains that...)

4. State Your Problématique: "Cela nous amène donc à nous poser la question suivante : [Your question]." (This leads us to ask the following question: ...)

5. Announce Your Plan: "Pour répondre à cette question, j'analyserai dans un premier temps [Part 1], et dans un second temps, j'examinerai [Part 2]." (To answer this question, I will first analyze... and secondly, I will examine...)

Step 2: The Development (Approx. 3-4 minutes)

This is where you use your notes. Do not look down and read. Look at your keywords, then make eye contact with the examiners and speak.

Transition to Part 1: "Commençons donc par la première partie : [Name of Part 1]."

State Argument 1: "Tout d'abord, il est évident que..." (First of all, it is obvious that...)

Give Example 1: "Par exemple..." / "Prenons le cas de..."

State Argument 2: "Ensuite, il convient de souligner que..." (Next, it should be stressed that...)

Give Example 2: "Pour illustrer ce point..."

Transition to Part 2: "Après avoir examiné [Part 1], passons maintenant à [Part 2]."(Repeat the structure: Argument 1 + Example 1, Argument 2 + Example 2)

Step 3: The Conclusion (Approx. 1 minute)

This is your grand finale. It has two parts.

Answer the Problématique: "Pour conclure, et pour répondre à la question que j'ai posée au début..." (To conclude, and to answer the question I posed at the beginning...)

Give Your Opinion: "Personnellement, je pense que..." / "À mon avis..." (Personally, I think that...)

The "Ouverture" (Opening the Debate): This is the high-level skill that impresses examiners. You must end with a new question that is related to the topic but broadens the debate. This is your signal that you are finished and ready for the debate.

Examples of a good "ouverture":

Topic: Telework. Ouverture: "...on peut se demander si la prochaine étape ne sera pas la semaine de quatre jours." (...we can ask ourselves if the next step won't be the four-day work week.)

Topic: Social Media. Ouverture: "...il reste à voir si la société est prête à éduquer ses enfants à une utilisation plus responsable de ces outils." (...it remains to be seen if society is ready to educate its children on a more responsible use of these tools.)

Topic: Environment. Ouverture: "...la vraie question est de savoir si ces gestes individuels sont suffisants sans un changement profond de la part des industries." (...the real question is whether these individual actions are enough without a profound change from industries.)

Step 4: The Debate (5-10 minutes)

You've finished! Now, just say: "Merci de m'avoir écouté. Je suis maintenant prêt(e) à répondre à vos questions." (Thank you for listening. I am now ready to answer your questions.)

The examiner will challenge you. Your job is to be polite, stand your ground, and use nuanced language.

If you agree: "Absolument." / "Je suis tout à fait d'accord avec vous sur ce point."

If you disagree: "Je comprends votre point de vue, cependant..." / "Ce n'est pas tout à fait mon avis. Je crois que..."

If you need a second: "C'est une question intéressante, laissez-moi réfléchir un instant..."

Part 4: Your B2 Language "Toolkit"

You must sound like a B2 speaker. Use this checklist.

Must-Have Logical Connectors

Impressive Grammatical Structures

Try to use at least one or two of these.

Le Subjonctif: "Il est essentiel que nous fassions..." / "Je ne pense pas que ce soit la seule solution." (It is essential that we do... / I don't think that is the only solution.)

Le Conditionnel: "Si on augmentait les taxes, on pourrait investir..." / "Cela serait une bonne idée." (If we raised taxes, we could invest... / That would be a good idea.)

La Voix Passive: "Une solution a été proposée par..." (A solution was proposed by...)

Les Pronoms Relatifs Complexes: "C'est un problème auquel il faut réfléchir." / "La raison pour laquelle je dis cela..." (It's a problem we must think about. / The reason for which I say that...)

Part 5: Top 7 Common Mistakes to AVOID

1. Reading Your Notes: The #1 mistake. It's an oral exam, not a reading one.

2. Writing Full Sentences: This wastes prep time and leads to Mistake #1.

3. Just Summarizing the Text: The examiner wants your argument, not a book report.

4. Having No Problématique: Without a central question, your exposé is just a list of random facts.

5. Giving Your Opinion Too Early: Don't say "I think" in the introduction. Build your case and state your opinion in the conclusion.

6. Using Simple Language: Avoid "C'est bien," "C'est mauvais," "Il y a." Use "C'est bénéfique," "C'est nuisible," "On constate que..."

7. Forgetting the "Ouverture": A flat ending ("...et c'est tout," "...j'ai fini") is a missed opportunity. End with a strong, open-ended question.

You now have a complete, step-by-step strategy. The key is to practice. Find sample B2 articles online, give yourself 30 minutes, and record yourself speaking for 5-7 minutes.

Bonne chance ! (Good luck!)