Le Journal Intime - Leaving Cert French
Le Journal Intime: The diary entry part of the Leaving Cert French exam is a hugely popular choice with over 75% of students opting to do it.
Fear not, we’re here to guide you through acing “Le Journal Intime.” From expressing elation to weathering disappointment, we’ve got you covered with key phrases and essential grammar tips. So, grab your pen, and let’s embark on this linguistic adventure together!
While students tend to do very well in this question, they must have a good grasp on the French language in order to achieve top marks. This is an optional question which appears at both Higher and Ordinary Level. Students tend to enjoy preparing for this question as the style is informal and they can incorporate some interesting vocab and idioms in their answer. Again, try to recycle vocabulary from other aspects of the exam such as the oral. It is important to note the tone and mood in which you will be writing in.
You are asked to write 75 words minimum. Usually, you have to react to something very good or something very bad that happened to you. It is very important that you express your feelings.
1. Grammar:
You will required to use most of the usual tenses but especially:
- Présent: to express how you feel at the time you are writing you entry.
- Passé composé: to write about events that took place that day or before.
- Futur: to express any plans for the next day, the coming weekend …
- What you hope to do: J’espère + infinitive / J’aimerais + infinitive.
2. The lay out:
Write the day and the time at the top. Start with “Cher journal”. End with one of these expressions: bonne nuit ! or à demain.
Example:
Vous avez gagné deux billets pour un concert. Malheureusement, vos examens sont proches et vos parents ne veulent pas vous laisser y aller. Qu’est-ce que vous notez à ce sujet dans votre journal intime ? (75 mots environ).
Sentences to help
| Quelle soirée horrible ! | What a horrible evening ! |
| Tu ne croiras jamais ce qui m’est arrivé(e) ! | You will never believe what happened to me! |
| Aujourd’hui c’était la pire / la meilleure journée de ma vie ! | Today was the worst / the best day of my life ! |
| Je n’y crois pas ! | I can’t believe it ! |
| Je n’oublierai jamais cette journée ! | I will never forget this day ! |
| Ce soir, je n’ai pas sommeil car … | I don’t feel sleepy tonight because … |
| En revenant du lycée, ma mère / mon père m’a dit que … | On my way back from school, my mum / my dad told me … |
| Mes parents m’ont annoncé que … | My parents announced to me that … |
| J’en ai marre de | I’m fed up with |
| J’en ai assez ! / J’en ai ras le bol ! | I’ve had enough ! |
| Mes parents me tapent sur les nerfs ! | My parents are annoying ! |
| J’ai le cafard | I feel low |
| Je suis hors de moi ! | I am furious ! |
| J’ai vraiment du mal à + infinitif | I really find it hard + infinitive |
| C’est ennuyeux | It’s boring |
| Je ne sais pas quoi faire | I don’t know what to do |
| Pour couronner le tout … | To top it off |
| Je suis très déçu(e) de + infinitif | I am very disappointed to |
| Quelle déception ! | How disappointing ! |
| J’étais triste de + infinitif | I was sad to + infinitive |
| Je m’en fiche / ça m’est égal ! | I don’t care ! |
| Quel dommage ! | What a pity ! |
| Ça m’énerve ! | This is annoying ! |
| Tant pis ! | Never mind / too bad ! |
| Je suis de mauvaise humeur | I am in a bad mood |
| Je vais me coucher tôt ce soir | I am going to go to bed early tonight |
| Mon week-end est fichu | My weekend is ruined |
| Tous mes projets tombent à l’eau | All my projects are falling to pieces |
| Je me suis disputé(e) avec … | I had an argument with … |
| Nous nous sommes disputé(s) à propos de / du / de la / des / de l’ … | We argued about … |
| Ils ne me font pas confiance | They don’t trust me |
| Ils ne comprennent rien | They don’t get it |
| Je n’ai jamais le droit de sortir | I am never allowed to go out |
| Ça devait être un super concert mais je n’y assisterai pas | It should be a great concert but I will not attend it |
| Je ne leur parle plus | I don’t talk to them anymore |
| C’est tout pour ce soir | That’s all for tonight |
| Il est tard, je suis crevé(e) | It’s late, I am wrecked |
| Demain, j’en parlerai à … | Tomorrow, I will speak to … |
| Espérons que ça s’arrange | Let’s hope it will get better |
| J’essaierai de les convaincre de me laisser y aller | I will try and convince them to let me go |
So there you have it! Your “Journal Intime” section in the LC exam is a great place to secure good points if you prepare for it correctly. We hope these tips come in handy for your exams! And if you’re looking for even more guidance and preparation for the Leaving Cert, our French courses are an excellent resource. And remember, practice makes perfect!