--- title: "Goethe C2 Writing: Rewriting & Text Type (Example)" description: "Writing (Schreiben) in the Goethe-Zertifikat C2 (GDS): rewrite a short referat (Part 1) and write a longer text such as a letter or review (Part 2). Structure, examples and grading." canonical: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-c2/writing" url: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-c2/writing.md" locale: "en" provider: "Goethe" level: "C2" alternates: de: "https://prepliq.com/de/modelltest/goethe-zertifikat-deutsch-c2/schreiben.md" en: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-c2/writing.md" fr: "https://prepliq.com/fr/examen-blanc/goethe-zertifikat-allemand-c2/expression-ecrite.md" it: "https://prepliq.com/it/simulazione-esame/goethe-zertifikat-tedesco-c2/scrittura.md" es: "https://prepliq.com/es/modelo-de-examen/goethe-zertifikat-aleman-c2/escritura.md" --- # Goethe-Zertifikat C2 – Writing (Schreiben) > Writing (Schreiben) in the Goethe-Zertifikat C2 (GDS): rewrite a short referat (Part 1) and write a longer text such as a letter or review (Part 2). Structure, examples and grading. ## Key takeaways - Writing has 2 parts: a rewriting task (Part 1) and a longer text (Part 2). - In Part 2 you choose one of four topics and write around 350 words. - You have 80 minutes for the Writing module. Writing is the module of the Goethe-Zertifikat C2 exam (GDS) where you produce text yourself. It has two parts: in Part 1 you rewrite marked passages of a short referat, using given words that may not be changed (around 20 minutes). In Part 2 you choose one of four topics and write a longer text of around 350 words (around 60 minutes). Part 1 is about linguistic flexibility: you express the same content differently and correctly build in the given words – with all necessary grammatical transformations. In Part 2 you produce a demanding, well-structured text in a particular text type: a reader’s letter, an email to an editorial team or a book review of a work from the official reading list. In Part 2 you’re graded on whether you treat all aspects of the task appropriately in content and length, whether your text is clearly structured and coherent, and whether word choice and style fit the text type. Part 1 counts less than Part 2 (about 20/80 points). - Parts: 2 - Tasks: 2 - Points: 100 - Time: 80 min - to pass: ~60 % - Difficulty: very hard (5/5) ## The parts at a glance - [Part 1 – Rewriting](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-c2/writing/part-1) — Rewriting · Linguistic flexibility · 1 Tasks · 20 Points. In Part 1 you rewrite marked passages of a short referat, using given words. Here’s how to build them in correctly. - [Part 2 – Longer text](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-c2/writing/part-2) — Longer text · Writing demandingly & with assured style · 1 Tasks · 80 Points. In Part 2 you choose one of four topics and write a longer text in a particular text type. Here’s how to hit the text type, content and style. ## Tips & strategy - **In Part 1, build in the given words exactly:** You must use the given words unchanged and rewrite the surrounding sentence. Check each transformation for grammar and sense. - **Hit the text type (Part 2):** A reader’s letter, an email and a review each have their own conventions. Choose greeting, structure and style to fit the text type. - **Treat all aspects:** In Part 2 there are several content aspects or statements you must address. Treat each – a missing aspect costs marks. - **Write demandingly and with assured style:** At C2 differentiated vocabulary, complex structures and a clear, elegant style count. Vary sentence structure and word choice. - **Split your time across both parts:** Plan about 20 minutes for Part 1 and 60 for Part 2. Leave time at the end to check. - **Check at the end:** Check transformations (Part 1), all aspects, structure, style and grammar (Part 2). Fix obvious errors. ## Useful phrases & text types Learn phrases and conventions for Part 2: - **Reader’s letter** — Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, / mit großem Interesse habe ich … gelesen / Mit freundlichen Grüßen - **Opinion & weighing up** — Ich bin der Überzeugung, dass … / Einerseits … andererseits … / Dem ist entgegenzuhalten, … - **Book review** — Das Buch handelt von … / Besonders gelungen ist … / Ich empfehle das Buch allen, die … - **Style (C2)** — differentiated vocabulary, complex sentence structures, clear structure, elegant style ## Typical tasks The writing tasks are usually these: - **Rewriting (Part 1)** — rewrite marked passages of a short referat using given words - **Text types (Part 2)** — reader’s letter, email to an editorial team or book review (~350 words) - **Topics** — society, work, education, media, literature ## Free practice exercises - [Die Zeit](https://www.zeit.de/) — Demanding texts as models for style, argument and text types at C2. - [Goethe-Institut – C2 reading list](https://www.goethe.de/de/spr/prf/prf/gc2.html) — Official reading list for the book review in Writing Part 2 (updated annually). ## 1-week study plan - Day 1 – **Learn the format:** Read this guide and look at the official Modellsatz: what do the rewriting task and the text types look like? - Day 2 – **Part 1 – practice rewriting:** Practice rewriting sentences with given words – with all grammatical transformations. - Day 3 – **Part 2 – text types:** Learn the conventions of reader’s letter, email and book review. - Day 4 – **Part 2 – write a letter/email:** Write complete texts (~350 words) and treat all aspects. - Day 5 – **Part 2 – book review:** Read a work from the reading list and practice a review with the required content aspects. - Day 6 – **Both parts under time:** Work through both parts in 80 minutes and check transformations, aspects, style 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 rewrite sentences correctly with given words. - I hit the conventions of reader’s letter, email and book review. - I treat all aspects or statements of the task. - I write a clearly structured, coherent text. - I use differentiated vocabulary and complex structures. - I write around 350 words in the right style. ## Frequently asked questions ### How many parts does Goethe C2 writing have? Two parts: Part 1 (rewrite a short referat, ~20 minutes) and Part 2 (write a longer text of around 350 words, ~60 minutes, choosing from four topics). ### Which text types are there in Part 2? You choose from four topics: usually a reader’s letter, an email to an editorial team or a book review of a work from the official reading list. ### How much time do I have for writing? The Writing module lasts 80 minutes. Plan about 20 minutes for Part 1 and 60 for Part 2. ### How is writing graded? In Part 2 you’re graded on whether you treat all aspects appropriately, whether the text is clearly structured and coherent, and whether word choice and style fit the text type. Part 1 counts less than Part 2 (about 20/80). ### Do I need a specific book for the review? Yes. For the book review there is an official Goethe-Institut reading list, updated every year. Read the works for your exam year in good time. ### What’s the best way to practice writing? Practice rewriting sentences and write texts in the various text types. 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-c2?action=start§ionId=Written%20Expression) ## Other exam parts - [Lesen](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-c2/reading) - [Hören](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-c2/listening) - [Sprechen](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-c2/speaking) [Goethe-Zertifikat C2 – Writing (Schreiben)](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/goethe-zertifikat-german-c2/writing)