--- title: "telc C1 Written Expression: Structure, Example & Tips" description: "Written Expression in the telc German C1 exam: choose one of two topics and write a structured text (around 250 words). Structure, useful phrases and assessment." canonical: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-c1/writing" url: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-c1/writing.md" locale: "en" provider: "TELC" level: "C1" alternates: de: "https://prepliq.com/de/modelltest/telc-deutsch-c1/schreiben.md" en: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-c1/writing.md" fr: "https://prepliq.com/fr/examen-blanc/telc-allemand-c1/expression-ecrite.md" it: "https://prepliq.com/it/simulazione-esame/telc-tedesco-c1/scrittura.md" es: "https://prepliq.com/es/modelo-de-examen/telc-aleman-c1/escritura.md" --- # telc German C1 – Written Expression > Written Expression in the telc German C1 exam: choose one of two topics and write a structured text (around 250 words). Structure, useful phrases and assessment. ## Key takeaways - You choose 1 of 2 topics and write a structured text of around 250 words in 70 minutes. - Usually a statement/argumentative essay: introduce the topic, weigh arguments, justify your opinion, conclude. - Assessed on task fulfillment, communicative design and accuracy. 48 points. Written Expression is the part of the telc C1 exam where you produce a longer text yourself. You choose between two topics and write a coherent, well-structured text of around 250 words. You have 70 minutes and can earn 48 points. It tests whether you can deal with a demanding topic in writing – usually a statement or argumentative essay on a thesis, a question or a short prompt. At C1 you should introduce the topic, weigh arguments (advantages and disadvantages, different viewpoints), justify your own opinion and draw a conclusion. A clear structure, precise vocabulary and correct, formal German are important. It is assessed by three criteria: task fulfillment (do you treat the topic fully and in a differentiated way?), communicative design (clear structure, connectors, a thread) and accuracy (grammar, vocabulary, register at C1 level). Work in three steps: plan, write, check. - Parts: 1 - Tasks: 1 - Points: 48 - Time: 70 min - to pass: ~60 % - Difficulty: hard (4/5) ## The parts at a glance - [Write a structured text](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-c1/writing/part-1) — Statement / essay · Written Expression · 1 Tasks · 48 Points. You choose one of two topics and write a structured, argumentative text. Here’s how to build it step by step. ## Tips & strategy - **Choose your topic deliberately:** You have two topics to choose from. Read both briefly and pick the one you have more arguments and vocabulary for. - **Plan first, then write:** Take five minutes: collect arguments for and against, order them and plan the introduction, body and conclusion. Then you write in a structured way. - **Structure clearly:** Introduction (topic and thesis) – body (weigh arguments) – conclusion (your opinion, summary). A clear structure is half the battle. - **Argue in a differentiated way:** Weigh up: einerseits/andererseits, advantages and disadvantages, different viewpoints. Justify your opinion and use examples. - **Connect with connectors:** Use demanding connectors (zudem, allerdings, folglich, gleichwohl) and precise vocabulary – not just “und” and “aber”. - **Check at the end:** Quickly check: around 250 words, clear structure, all task parts covered, formal register, correct grammar. Correct obvious mistakes. ## Useful phrases Learn a fixed set of phrases for the statement/essay: - **Introduction** — In letzter Zeit wird häufig diskutiert, ob … / Die Frage, ob …, ist umstritten. - **Introducing arguments** — Ein wichtiges Argument ist … / Dafür/Dagegen spricht, dass … / Hinzu kommt, dass … - **Weighing up** — Einerseits … andererseits … / Zwar …, aber … / Im Vergleich dazu … - **Your opinion** — Meiner Ansicht nach … / Ich bin überzeugt, dass … / Aus meiner Sicht überwiegt … - **Conclusion** — Zusammenfassend lässt sich sagen, dass … / Abschließend bleibt festzuhalten, dass … ## Common task types & topics The writing task is usually one of these forms: - **Statement / essay** — discuss and justify a thesis or question (e.g. on society, education, technology) - **Argumentative letter to the editor** — respond to an article or post and take a position - **Formal letter** — e.g. a justified complaint or enquiry at a high level - **Comment on a prompt** — respond to a quote, a graph or notes ## Free practice exercises - [Deutsche Welle – Learn German](https://learngerman.dw.com/de/overview) — Free writing prompts and demanding vocabulary for advanced learners. - [DW – Top-Thema mit Vokabeln](https://learngerman.dw.com/de/top-thema/s-55861562) — Current factual and social texts as inspiration for statements. ## 1-week study plan - Day 1 – **Understand format & assessment:** Read this guide and look at an official practice test: what do the two topics look like, and what is assessed? - Day 2 – **Structure & useful phrases:** Learn the structure of a statement (introduction, body, conclusion) and a set of phrases for arguing and weighing up. - Day 3 – **Collect arguments:** Practice quickly collecting and ordering arguments for and against a thesis. - Day 4 – **Connectors & vocabulary:** Practice demanding connectors and precise, formal vocabulary instead of simple connections. - Day 5 – **Full text:** Write a complete text on a thesis with a clear structure and differentiated argumentation. - Day 6 – **Text under time:** Choose one of two topics and write a text in 70 minutes; count the words at the end (around 250). - Day 7 – **Get feedback:** Have your text assessed – by a teacher or via a Prepliq mock that scores task fulfillment, design and language automatically. ## Are you ready? - I choose, from two topics, the one I have more arguments for. - I structure my text clearly: introduction, body, conclusion. - I argue in a differentiated way and weigh up advantages and disadvantages. - I connect my text with demanding connectors. - I write formally and correctly at C1 level. - I write around 250 words in 70 minutes and check them at the end. ## Frequently asked questions ### How many words do I have to write in Written Expression? Around 250 words. More important than the exact number is that you treat the topic fully and in a differentiated way. ### Can I choose the topic? Yes. You get two topics to choose from and write on one. Pick the one you have more arguments and vocabulary for. ### How is Written Expression assessed? By three criteria: task fulfillment (topic treated fully and in a differentiated way), communicative design (clear structure, connectors) and accuracy (grammar, vocabulary, register). There are 48 points in total. ### Which text type do I have to write? Usually a statement or argumentative essay on a thesis or question – sometimes an argumentative letter. You introduce the topic, weigh arguments and justify your opinion. ### How much time do I have for Written Expression? You have 70 minutes – a separate block. Plan a few minutes for collecting arguments and planning, plus time to check at the end. ### What’s the best way to practice Written Expression? Write statements on various topics regularly and have them assessed. At Prepliq a mock scores your text 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 C1 exam. ## Ready for the exam? [Practice this part on Prepliq](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-c1?action=start§ionId=Written%20Expression) ## Other exam parts - [Leseverstehen](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-c1/reading) - [Sprachbausteine](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-c1/sprachbausteine) - [Hörverstehen](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-c1/listening) - [Mündlicher Ausdruck](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-c1/speaking) [telc German C1 – Written Expression](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-c1/writing)