--- title: "telc B1 Schriftlicher Ausdruck (Writing): Examples & Tips" description: "Written expression (Schriftlicher Ausdruck) in the telc German B1 exam: a letter/email (~150 words) on four guide points. Structure, useful phrases, an example and grading criteria." canonical: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b1/writing" url: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b1/writing.md" locale: "en" provider: "TELC" level: "B1" alternates: de: "https://prepliq.com/de/modelltest/telc-deutsch-b1/schreiben.md" en: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b1/writing.md" fr: "https://prepliq.com/fr/examen-blanc/telc-allemand-b1/expression-ecrite.md" it: "https://prepliq.com/it/simulazione-esame/telc-tedesco-b1/scrittura.md" es: "https://prepliq.com/es/modelo-de-examen/telc-aleman-b1/escritura.md" --- # telc German B1 – Schriftlicher Ausdruck (Writing) > Written expression (Schriftlicher Ausdruck) in the telc German B1 exam: a letter/email (~150 words) on four guide points. Structure, useful phrases, an example and grading criteria. ## Key takeaways - You write a letter/email of about 150 words in 30 minutes. - You get a situation and four guide points (Leitpunkte) – cover all four. - It’s graded on content, structure, register (du/Sie) and language. 45 points. Written expression is the part of the telc B1 exam where you produce text yourself: a letter or email of about 150 words. You have 30 minutes and can earn 45 points. You get a short situation and four guide points (Leitpunkte) that you must all address. It tests whether you can handle an everyday writing situation: greet and sign off appropriately, state your reason, address all guide points and hit the right register (formal “Sie” or informal “du”). More important than perfect grammar is that all four points are covered clearly and coherently. Work in three steps: plan, write, check. First decide whether the letter is formal or informal, and note one sentence per guide point. Then write with a clear structure – salutation, opening, body (all guide points), closing – and use fixed phrases. Leave time to check at the end. - Parts: 1 - Tasks: 1 - Points: 45 - Time: 30 min - to pass: ~60 % - Difficulty: moderate (3/5) ## The parts at a glance - [Write the letter / email](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b1/writing/part-1) — Letter / email · Written expression · 1 Tasks · 45 Points. You write a letter or email for a situation with four guide points. Here’s how to build it step by step. ## Tips & strategy - **Plan first, then write:** Take two minutes: is the letter formal or informal? Note a keyword for each of the four guide points. Then you write more fluently and forget no point. - **Cover all four guide points:** Every guide point must appear – write one to two sentences for each. A missing point will cost you points. - **Choose the right register:** Formal: “Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren” and “Sie” throughout. Informal: “Liebe/r …” and “du”. Stay consistent – don’t mix. - **Use fixed phrases (Redemittel):** Set phrases for the salutation, opening, request, apology and closing save time and look confident. Learn one set by heart. - **Clear structure:** Salutation – opening (reason) – body (all guide points) – closing. A clear structure makes it easy for the examiner and for you. - **Check at the end:** Quickly check: around 150 words, all four guide points, the right register, salutation and closing present. Fix obvious mistakes. ## Useful phrases (Redemittel) Learn a fixed set of phrases – with them you can build any letter quickly (kept in German): - **Salutation** — Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, / Sehr geehrte Frau …, / Liebe/r …, - **Opening** — ich schreibe Ihnen, weil … / vielen Dank für deine E-Mail / ich möchte mich erkundigen, … - **Request & suggestion** — Könnten Sie mir bitte … / Ich würde gern … / Wie wäre es, wenn … - **Apology & cancellation** — Leider kann ich nicht … / Es tut mir leid, dass … / Ich muss leider absagen. - **Closing** — Mit freundlichen Grüßen / Viele Grüße / Ich freue mich auf Ihre Antwort. ## Common task types & topics The writing task is usually one of these situations: - **Invitation / reply to an invitation** — accept, decline, suggest something - **Complaint (Beschwerdebrief)** — describe a problem and ask for a solution - **Request for information** — ask for details about a course, offer or appointment - **Apology / cancellation** — cancel an appointment and suggest a new one - **Enquiry / application** — show interest in something and ask about it ## Free practice exercises - [Deutsche Welle – Learn German](https://learngerman.dw.com/de/overview) — Free writing prompts and vocabulary at B1 level. - [Nicos Weg B1 (Deutsche Welle)](https://learngerman.dw.com/de/nicos-weg/c-36519718) — Free online course with everyday language and writing prompts at B1 level. ## 1-week study plan - Day 1 – **Understand format & grading:** Read this guide and look at an official practice test: what do the situation and guide points look like, and how is it graded? - Day 2 – **Structure & phrases:** Learn a fixed set of phrases for the salutation, opening, request and closing – formal and informal. - Day 3 – **Formal letter:** Write a formal letter (e.g. complaint, enquiry) with “Sie” throughout and all four guide points. - Day 4 – **Informal letter:** Write an informal letter (e.g. invitation, cancellation) with “du” and suitable phrases. - Day 5 – **Practice topics:** Practice different task types: invitation, complaint, request for information, apology. - Day 6 – **Letter under time:** Write a complete letter in 30 minutes and count the words at the end (around 150). - Day 7 – **Get feedback:** Have your letter assessed – by a teacher or via a Prepliq mock that grades content, structure and language automatically. ## Are you ready? - I can tell whether a letter is formal or informal and choose the right register. - I cover all four guide points with one to two sentences each. - I structure my letter clearly: salutation, opening, body, closing. - I know phrases for requests, apologies and suggestions by heart. - I write around 150 words in 30 minutes and check them at the end. ## Frequently asked questions ### How many words do I have to write in written expression? Around 150 words. Write a little more rather than too little – what matters is that all four guide points are sufficiently covered. ### How many points do I have to address? You get a situation and four guide points (Leitpunkte). You must address all four – ideally with one to two sentences per point. ### How is written expression graded? Four areas are assessed: whether you cover all guide points (content), a clear structure, a suitable and consistent register (du/Sie), and correct B1 language. There are 45 points in total. ### Formal or informal letter – how do I tell? The situation tells you: to a company, authority or unknown person you write formally (“Sie”, “Sehr geehrte …”). To friends or acquaintances you write informally (“du”, “Liebe/r …”). ### Which topics come up in written expression? Often invitations, complaints, requests for information, apologies or enquiries – always everyday situations. ### What’s the best way to practice written expression? Write short letters on different topics regularly and have them assessed. At Prepliq a mock grades your letter automatically against the official criteria – the PDF answer key doesn’t cover writing. ### Can I use a dictionary in written expression? No. No aids such as dictionaries are allowed in the telc German B1 exam. ## Ready for the exam? [Practice this part on Prepliq](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b1?action=start§ionId=Written%20Expression) ## Other exam parts - [Leseverstehen](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b1/reading) - [Sprachbausteine](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b1/sprachbausteine) - [Hörverstehen](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b1/listening) - [Mündlicher Ausdruck](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b1/speaking) [telc German B1 – Schriftlicher Ausdruck (Writing)](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-b1/writing)