TCF Writing 3 — the synthesis (reported viewpoints)

Tâche 3 is the third and final writing task in TCF Canada's Expression Écrite section (three tasks, 60 minutes total). You're given two short texts on the same topic that disagree with each other, and you write 120–180 words that do two distinct jobs: first, summarize both viewpoints in your own words; then, defend your own opinion. A common, exam-tested split is roughly 40–60 words for the synthesis and 80–120 words for your argued position — don't let the synthesis half balloon and crowd out your own argument.

The synthesis half is graded on accuracy and compression, not on agreeing with anyone. Name each text explicitly rather than writing a vague "some people say":

Report each side's position in your own words — copying sentences straight from the source texts scores badly. Vary your reporting verb instead of repeating "dit que" every time: souligne, insiste sur, met en avant, estime, considère. Then do the part that actually separates a synthesis from a summary: say explicitly how the two texts relate to each other, not just what each one says on its own. If they genuinely disagree, contrast them directly (le premier..., tandis que le second...). If they actually agree on part of the issue and only split on the rest, say that too — that's a different, more precise move than a flat contrast:

Examiners notice when a "synthesis" is really just two summaries stapled together with no comparison between them at all.

Only once the synthesis is done do you switch into your own voice. That pivot, and the opinion vocabulary and connectors (cependant, en revanche, par conséquent...) that carry your argument once you're there, are taught in Lessons 12 and 13 — this lesson covers only what's unique to reporting and comparing two sources, not the opinion language you already have.