--- title: "Goethe B2 Writing: Forum Post & Message (Example)" description: "Writing (Schreiben) in the Goethe-Zertifikat B2: write an argumentative forum post (Part 1) and a formal message (Part 2). Structure, useful phrases, examples and grading." canonical: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b2/writing" url: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b2/writing.md" locale: "en" provider: "Goethe" level: "B2" alternates: de: "https://prepliq.com/de/modelltest/goethe-zertifikat-deutsch-b2/schreiben.md" en: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b2/writing.md" fr: "https://prepliq.com/fr/examen-blanc/goethe-zertifikat-allemand-b2/expression-ecrite.md" it: "https://prepliq.com/it/simulazione-esame/goethe-zertifikat-tedesco-b2/scrittura.md" es: "https://prepliq.com/es/modelo-de-examen/goethe-zertifikat-aleman-b2/escritura.md" --- # Goethe-Zertifikat B2 – Writing (Schreiben) > Writing (Schreiben) in the Goethe-Zertifikat B2: write an argumentative forum post (Part 1) and a formal message (Part 2). Structure, useful phrases, examples and grading. ## Key takeaways - Writing has 2 parts: an argumentative forum post and a formal message. - Part 1 is argumentative (opinion + reasons), Part 2 is formal and polite. - You have 75 minutes for the Writing module. Writing is the module of the Goethe-Zertifikat B2 exam where you produce text yourself. It has two parts: in Part 1 you write an argumentative contribution to an online forum (around 150–180 words), in Part 2 a formal message or notice (around 100 words). You have 75 minutes for it. In Part 1 you comment on a topic, give your opinion, justify it with arguments and examples and weigh things up. In Part 2 you write politely and formally, for example a request, a complaint or a notice to a person or institution. You’re graded on whether you complete the task (all points covered, on topic?), how well your text is structured and connected (communicative design) and how correct your language is (formal accuracy). Part 1 counts more than Part 2 (about 60/40 points). - Parts: 2 - Tasks: 2 - Points: 100 - Time: 75 min - to pass: ~60 % - Difficulty: hard (4/5) ## The parts at a glance - [Part 1 – Forum post](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b2/writing/part-1) — Forum post · Arguing · 1 Tasks · 60 Points. In Part 1 you write an argumentative forum post on a topic. Here’s how to structure it and argue convincingly. - [Part 2 – Formal message](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b2/writing/part-2) — Formal message · Writing formally · 1 Tasks · 40 Points. In Part 2 you write a formal message, for example a request, complaint or notice. Here’s how to stay polite, clear and complete. ## Tips & strategy - **Read the task carefully:** Grasp the topic and the guide points exactly. In Part 1 you must argue and weigh up, not just state your opinion. - **Outline before writing:** Plan briefly: introduction, arguments (for and against), own opinion, conclusion. A clear structure earns points. - **Justify and support arguments:** Don’t just name arguments, justify them and give examples. Link them with “einerseits … andererseits”, “zwar … aber”. - **Choose the right register:** Part 1 (forum) is neutral and factual. Part 2 (formal message) is polite and formal (Sie, Sehr geehrte …). - **Split your time across both parts:** Plan about 50 minutes for Part 1 and 25 for Part 2. Leave time at the end to check. - **Check at the end:** Check structure, connectors, register and grammar. Fix obvious errors. ## Useful phrases Learn a fixed set of phrases for both parts: - **Opinion (Part 1)** — Ich bin der Meinung, dass … / Meiner Ansicht nach … / Ich vertrete den Standpunkt, … - **Weighing up (Part 1)** — Einerseits … andererseits … / Zwar …, aber … / Ein Vorteil ist …, ein Nachteil dagegen … - **Justifying & supporting** — Das zeigt sich daran, dass … / Ein Beispiel dafür ist … / Aus diesem Grund … - **Formal (Part 2)** — Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, / Ich wende mich an Sie, weil … / Ich möchte Sie bitten, … / Mit freundlichen Grüßen ## Typical tasks The writing tasks are usually these: - **Forum post (Part 1)** — take an argumentative stance on a topic (e.g. media, environment, work) - **Formal message (Part 2)** — request, complaint, enquiry or notice to a person or institution - **Topics** — society, education, technology, environment, the working world ## Free practice exercises - [Deutsche Welle – Top-Thema](https://learngerman.dw.com/de/overview) — Free articles as prompts and vocabulary for argumentative texts at B2. - [Deutschlandfunk](https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/) — Commentaries and debates as models for argument and useful phrases. ## 1-week study plan - Day 1 – **Learn the format:** Read this guide and look at the official Modellsatz: what do the forum post and the formal message look like? - Day 2 – **Learn useful phrases:** Learn fixed phrases for opinion, weighing up, justifying and formal requests. - Day 3 – **Part 1 – argue:** Practice outlining and arguing: introduction, arguments, opinion, conclusion. - Day 4 – **Part 1 – write a forum post:** Write complete forum posts on various topics with reasons and examples. - Day 5 – **Part 2 – formal message:** Practice formal messages with greeting, a clear request and the right register. - Day 6 – **Both parts under time:** Work through both parts in 75 minutes and check structure, register and grammar at the end. - Day 7 – **Get feedback:** Have your writing graded – by a teacher or via a Prepliq mock that scores your text automatically. ## Are you ready? - I write a clearly structured argumentative forum post. - I name arguments, justify them and give examples. - I weigh up (“einerseits … andererseits”) and state my opinion. - I write a polite, formal message with a clear request. - I link my sentences with demanding connectors. - I switch confidently between factual and formal register. ## Frequently asked questions ### How many parts does Goethe B2 writing have? Two parts: Part 1 (argumentative forum post, ~150–180 words) and Part 2 (formal message or notice, ~100 words). ### How much do I have to write? In Part 1 around 150–180 words, in Part 2 around 100 words. What matters is that you treat the topic fully and with arguments. ### How much time do I have for writing? The Writing module lasts 75 minutes for both parts. Plan about 50 minutes for Part 1 and 25 for Part 2. ### How is writing graded? By three criteria: task completion (content), communicative design (structure, connectors, register) and linguistic accuracy. Part 1 counts more than Part 2 (about 60/40). ### Does my grammar have to be perfect? No, but at B2 more accuracy is expected than at B1. More important than being error-free is that you argue well and structure clearly. ### What’s the best way to practice writing? Write forum posts and formal messages on various topics and have them graded. At Prepliq a mock exam scores your text automatically – because the PDF answer key does not cover writing. ## Ready for the exam? [Practice this part on Prepliq](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b2?action=start§ionId=Written%20Expression) ## Other exam parts - [Lesen](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b2/reading) - [Hören](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b2/listening) - [Sprechen](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b2/speaking) [Goethe-Zertifikat B2 – Writing (Schreiben)](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-b2/writing)