The purpose of this study is to analyze the writing of Annie Ernaux in two early texts LaPlace and La Honte. We will explain the notion of “écriture plate” (neutral writing) firstdefined by Roland Barthes and we will examine Ernaux’s narrative approach regarding thisconcept. We will also review the place and the use of the sociological in the two novels,focusing on the intertextuality between Ernaux’s and Bourdieu’s work. Our theoreticalbackground will be based on Barthes’ literary critic in Writing Degree Zero and onBourdieu’s general studies about class distinction and reproduction of social structures.