telc German A2 · Schreiben
LetterWriting a short letter

telc A2 Writing Part 2 – Short Letter

In Part 2 you write a short personal letter about a situation with three guide points. Here’s how to build it step by step.

As of 2026 · Built to the official exam format

1
Tasks
10
Points

Key takeaways

  • You write a short letter about a situation with three guide points.
  • Cover all three points and don’t forget the salutation and closing.

What this part tests

In Part 2 you produce text yourself: a short personal letter – for example an invitation, a cancellation or a request to a friend. You get a situation and three guide points, all of which you must cover.

Three things are decisive: you address all three guide points (one or two sentences each), you start with a salutation and end with a closing, and you write simple, understandable sentences. Perfect grammar is not expected at A2.

The most common point losses: a guide point is missing, or the salutation and closing are missing. Whoever covers all three points, connects the sentences with “und”, “aber”, “weil” and uses fixed phrases writes reliably and completely.

What you practice:Structuring a letterCovering the guide pointsConnecting sentences

How to approach it

  1. 1

    Read the situation and the three guide points carefully.

  2. 2

    Start with an appropriate salutation (“Hallo …” / “Liebe/r …”).

  3. 3

    Write one or two sentences on each guide point.

  4. 4

    Connect your sentences with “und”, “aber”, “weil” and use fixed phrases.

  5. 5

    End with a closing (“Viele Grüße”).

  6. 6

    Check at the end: all three guide points, salutation and closing present?

Example task with answer

A short example in the same format: the task and a model letter that covers all the guide points.

Aufgabe

Deine Freundin Nina hat dich zu ihrem Geburtstag eingeladen. Schreibe eine Antwort. Leitpunkte: (1) Bedanke dich für die Einladung. (2) Sage, dass du gern kommst. (3) Frage, ob du etwas mitbringen sollst.

Model letter:

Answer: Liebe Nina, vielen Dank für deine Einladung zum Geburtstag! Ich freue mich sehr und komme gern, weil ich dich lange nicht gesehen habe. Soll ich etwas mitbringen, zum Beispiel einen Kuchen oder Getränke? Bis Samstag! Viele Grüße, Maria

Why? The letter covers all three guide points: thank (1), accept (2), ask what to bring (3). It has a salutation (“Liebe Nina”) and a closing (“Viele Grüße”), connects the sentences with “und” and “weil” and is consistently informal – exactly what’s expected in Part 2.

Practice: test yourself

Du antwortest einer Freundin auf eine Einladung zum Geburtstag.

Which salutation and closing fit?

Common mistakes

1
Forgetting a guide point

All three points must appear. Tick them off individually after writing.

2
Forgetting salutation or closing

A letter needs a salutation at the start and a closing at the end.

3
Only stringing short sentences

Connect your sentences with “und”, “aber”, “weil” – that looks better at A2.

4
Wrong register

To friends you write “du” and “Hallo”, not “Sie” and “Sehr geehrte …”.

Tips

  • Write one or two sentences on each of the three guide points.
  • Learn fixed phrases for salutation, request, cancellation and closing by heart.
  • Connect your sentences with “und”, “aber”, “weil”.

Frequently asked questions

How long should the letter be?

Short – one or two sentences per guide point, plus a salutation and closing. What matters is that all three points appear.

Do I really have to cover all three guide points?

Yes. Every missing guide point costs points. Tick off each point individually after writing.

Do I write “du” or “Sie”?

At A2 the letter is usually private (to friends/family) – then you write “du” and “Hallo”. The situation tells you who you’re writing to.

How do I get feedback on my letter?

The official PDF answer key doesn’t assess writing. At Prepliq a mock scores your letter automatically against the official criteria.

Other parts

Useful resources

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