This guide is intended to help writers produce tracts that are simple, clear, and easy to understand in French. Always aim for clarity while remaining faithful to the biblical message.
| Register | Description | Use it? | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formal language | Literary or elevated style, often found in books or speeches | ❌ No | Nous nous rendîmes aussitôt… |
| Standard language | Clear, correct French used in most writing | ✅ Yes | Nous sommes allés tout de suite… |
| Informal language | Very casual or regional speech | ❌ No | On y est allés direct… |
Always use standard French: simple, correct, and accessible.
| Tense | Usage | Example in a tract |
|---|---|---|
| Present | Biblical truths, general statements | Jésus revient bientôt. |
| Past (passé composé) | Testimonies, real experiences | Il a changé ma vie. |
| Near future | Upcoming actions | Dieu va te bénir. |
| Imperative | Invitations and appeals | Suis Jésus aujourd’hui. |
Avoid literary or outdated tenses like *passé simple* or *imparfait du subjonctif*.
Dieu t’aime. Il a un plan pour toi.aide instead of assistanceTu peux avoir la paix aujourd’hui.tu or vous (vous is more neutral and respectful)| Element | Capitalized? | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Days of the week | ❌ No | lundi, samedi |
| Months of the year | ❌ No | janvier, décembre |
| Nationalities (adjectives) | ❌ No | un chrétien français |
| Languages | ❌ No | il parle espagnol |
| Common religious terms | ❌ No | l’évangile, le messie |
| Proper names (biblical) | ✅ Yes | Jésus-Christ, Dieu, Saint-Esprit |
| Symbol | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| : ; ! ? | Add a non-breaking space before | Voici la vérité : Jésus t’aime ! |
| . , | No space before | Il est venu, il reviendra. |
| Quotation marks | Use French guillemets | « Jésus est le chemin. » |
| Parentheses | Space before and after | Dieu (selon la Bible) est amour. |
To ensure the text is easy to read:
Tip: If a teenager can read and understand the tract without help, it is ready to be shared.