--- title: "Goethe C1 Writing: Forum Post & Message (Example)" description: "Writing (Schreiben) in the Goethe-Zertifikat C1: 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-c1/writing" url: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-c1/writing.md" locale: "en" provider: "Goethe" level: "C1" alternates: de: "https://prepliq.com/de/modelltest/goethe-zertifikat-deutsch-c1/schreiben.md" en: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-c1/writing.md" fr: "https://prepliq.com/fr/examen-blanc/goethe-zertifikat-allemand-c1/expression-ecrite.md" it: "https://prepliq.com/it/simulazione-esame/goethe-zertifikat-tedesco-c1/scrittura.md" es: "https://prepliq.com/es/modelo-de-examen/goethe-zertifikat-aleman-c1/escritura.md" --- # Goethe-Zertifikat C1 – Writing (Schreiben) > Writing (Schreiben) in the Goethe-Zertifikat C1: 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: a forum discussion post and a formal message. - Part 1 is argumentative (~230 words), Part 2 is formal and polite. - You have 75 minutes for the Writing module. Writing is the module of the Goethe-Zertifikat C1 exam where you produce text yourself. It has two parts: in Part 1 you write an argumentative discussion post for an internet forum (around 230 words) covering four guide points, in Part 2 a formal message, for example a complaint (around 100 words). You have 75 minutes for it. In Part 1 you take a stance on a topic, cover all guide points, argue in a differentiated way and support with examples. In Part 2 you write politely and formally, present your concern clearly and formulate a concrete expectation. In both parts a clear structure, demanding language and the right register matter. You’re graded on whether you complete the task (all guide points, on topic), how well your text is structured and connected (communicative design) and how correct and differentiated your language is (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 – Discussion post](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-c1/writing/part-1) — Discussion post · Differentiated argument · 1 Tasks · 60 Points. In Part 1 you write an argumentative discussion post for a forum. Here’s how to treat the guide points and argue convincingly. - [Part 2 – Formal message](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-c1/writing/part-2) — Formal message · Writing formally · 1 Tasks · 40 Points. In Part 2 you write a formal message, for example a complaint. Here’s how to stay polite, clear and complete. ## Tips & strategy - **Cover all guide points:** In Part 1 there are four guide points you must all treat in depth. A missing or too-brief point costs marks. - **Outline before writing:** Plan briefly: introduction, treatment of the guide points with arguments, conclusion. A clear structure and good transitions earn points. - **Argue in a differentiated way:** Don’t just name arguments, weigh up, support with examples and draw conclusions. Use demanding connectors. - **Choose the right register:** Part 1 (forum) is factual and neutral. 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, guide points, connectors, register and grammar. Fix obvious errors. ## Useful phrases Learn a fixed set of phrases for both parts: - **Opinion (Part 1)** — Ich bin der Überzeugung, dass … / Aus meiner Sicht … / Es lässt sich argumentieren, dass … - **Weighing up (Part 1)** — Einerseits … andererseits … / Zwar …, dennoch … / Während … ist … hingegen … - **Supporting & concluding** — Ein anschauliches Beispiel hierfür ist … / Daraus folgt, dass … / Letztlich zeigt sich … - **Formal (Part 2)** — Sehr geehrte Frau …, / ich wende mich an Sie, weil … / Ich möchte Sie nachdrücklich bitten, … / Mit freundlichen Grüßen ## Typical tasks The writing tasks are usually these: - **Discussion post (Part 1)** — take a differentiated stance on a topic (e.g. education, work, society) - **Formal message (Part 2)** — complaint, request or notice to a superior, company or institution - **Topics** — studies, career, society, technology, environment ## Free practice exercises - [Deutschlandfunk](https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/) — Commentaries and debates as models for differentiated argument at C1. - [Spektrum der Wissenschaft](https://www.spektrum.de/) — Demanding texts as a source of vocabulary and arguments. ## 1-week study plan - Day 1 – **Learn the format:** Read this guide and look at the official Modellsatz: what do the discussion post and the formal message look like? - Day 2 – **Learn useful phrases:** Learn demanding phrases for opinion, weighing up, supporting and formal concerns. - Day 3 – **Part 1 – outline & argue:** Practice treating the four guide points with arguments and examples. - Day 4 – **Part 1 – write a discussion post:** Write complete posts (~230 words) on various topics. - Day 5 – **Part 2 – formal message:** Practice formal messages with greeting, a clear concern and the right register. - Day 6 – **Both parts under time:** Work through both parts in 75 minutes and check structure, guide points, 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 discussion post and treat all four guide points. - I argue in a differentiated way and support with examples. - I weigh up and use demanding connectors. - I write a polite, formal message with a clear concern. - I write around 230 words in Part 1 and about 100 in Part 2. - I switch confidently between factual and formal register. ## Frequently asked questions ### How many parts does Goethe C1 writing have? Two parts: Part 1 (argumentative discussion post for a forum, ~230 words, with four guide points) and Part 2 (formal message, e.g. a complaint, ~100 words). ### How much do I have to write? In Part 1 around 230 words, in Part 2 around 100 words. What matters is that in Part 1 you treat all four guide points. ### 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 the criteria task completion (all guide points, on topic), 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? At C1 a high degree of accuracy and linguistic sophistication is expected. Some errors are allowed, but the text should be demanding and clear. ### What’s the best way to practice writing? Write discussion 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-c1?action=start§ionId=Written%20Expression) ## Other exam parts - [Lesen](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-c1/reading) - [Hören](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-c1/listening) - [Sprechen](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-c1/speaking) [Goethe-Zertifikat C1 – Writing (Schreiben)](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-c1/writing)