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C1 Level C1 · TEF Canada Reading: A1 to C2

C1 · Opinion pieces: tone and intention

Analyse opinion columns and letters to the editor: the thesis, the tone, the intention and the implicit.

14 min · 8 activities

In this lesson you will

  • Identify the thesis of an opinion piece
  • Recognise the tone: ironic, indignant, measured
  • Understand the author’s implicit intention
MatchingQuiz

Lesson summary

The key points to remember, for revision.

  • 1Tone adjectives: mesuré, indigné, ironique, alarmiste, nostalgique, militant, conciliant.
  • 2Irony signals: quotation marks (« nature »), “paraît-il”, “sans doute avec plaisir”.
  • 3“Il ne s’agit pas de… Mais…” → the thesis follows “mais”.
  • 4“Relève du raccourci” = is an oversimplification.

Key vocabulary

diaboliserto demonise
le perronfront steps
reprendre la mainto take back control
les préjugés (m.)prejudice
légitimelegitimate