--- title: "telc C2 Written Expression: Structure, Example & Tips" description: "Written Expression in the telc German C2 exam: write a demanding, differentiated text. Structure, useful phrases, an example and the assessment criteria." canonical: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-c2/writing" url: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-c2/writing.md" locale: "en" provider: "TELC" level: "C2" alternates: de: "https://prepliq.com/de/modelltest/telc-deutsch-c2/schreiben.md" en: "https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-c2/writing.md" fr: "https://prepliq.com/fr/examen-blanc/telc-allemand-c2/expression-ecrite.md" it: "https://prepliq.com/it/simulazione-esame/telc-tedesco-c2/scrittura.md" es: "https://prepliq.com/es/modelo-de-examen/telc-aleman-c2/escritura.md" --- # telc German C2 – Written Expression > Written Expression in the telc German C2 exam: write a demanding, differentiated text. Structure, useful phrases, an example and the assessment criteria. ## Key takeaways - You write a structured, argumentative text at a high level in 90 minutes. - Required are differentiated argumentation, a clear structure and stylistic assurance. - Assessed on task fulfillment, communicative design and accuracy. 40 points. Written Expression is the part of the telc C2 exam where you produce a demanding text yourself. You write a coherent, well-structured and differentiated text on a given topic – usually an essay, a statement or a commentary. You have 90 minutes and can earn 40 points. It tests whether you can express yourself in writing in a differentiated, precise and stylistically assured way at C2 level. You should treat the topic comprehensively, weigh different perspectives, develop a clear position and justify it convincingly. At C2 it’s not only correctness and structure that count, but also stylistic range, nuance and near-native expression. It is assessed by three criteria: task fulfillment (do you treat the topic comprehensively and in a differentiated way?), communicative design (clear structure, thread, appropriate style) and accuracy (grammar, vocabulary, stylistic assurance). Work in three steps: plan, write, check. - Parts: 1 - Tasks: 1 - Points: 40 - Time: 90 min - to pass: ~60 % - Difficulty: very hard (5/5) ## The parts at a glance - [Write a demanding text](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-c2/writing/part-1) — Essay / statement · Written Expression · 1 Tasks · 40 Points. You write a demanding, differentiated text on a topic. Here’s how to open it up, structure it and formulate it at C2 level. ## Tips & strategy - **Open up the topic comprehensively:** Take time to grasp the topic in depth. Consider different perspectives before developing a position. - **Plan first, then write:** Plan arguments, counter-arguments, examples and the structure. At C2 a well-thought-out outline is the basis of a convincing text. - **Argue in a differentiated way:** Weigh different positions, name qualifications and develop a nuanced stance – not just “for” or “against”. - **Vary your style:** Show linguistic range: varied sentence structures, precise vocabulary, demanding connectors. Avoid repetition. - **Thread & coherence:** Connect your thoughts into a coherent whole. Each paragraph builds on the previous one and carries the argument forward. - **Check carefully at the end:** Check structure, argument, style and accuracy. At C2 even small mistakes and stylistic weaknesses carry weight. ## Useful phrases Learn a demanding set of phrases for the essay/statement: - **Introduction** — Kaum ein Thema wird derzeit so kontrovers diskutiert wie … / Die Frage, ob …, berührt einen zentralen Aspekt … - **Developing arguments** — Ein gewichtiges Argument besteht darin, dass … / Hinzu kommt der Aspekt … / Nicht zu unterschätzen ist … - **Weighing & qualifying** — Zwar …, gleichwohl … / Bei näherer Betrachtung zeigt sich jedoch … / Einschränkend ist anzumerken … - **Taking a position** — Aus meiner Sicht überwiegt … / Ich vertrete die Auffassung, dass … / Letztlich spricht mehr dafür, dass … - **Conclusion** — Zusammenfassend lässt sich konstatieren, dass … / Abschließend bleibt festzuhalten, dass … ## Common task types & topics The writing task is usually one of these forms: - **Essay / statement** — discuss a controversial thesis or question in a differentiated way (society, science, culture) - **Commentary** — take a pointed, reasoned position on a current topic - **Argumentative essay** — penetrate and classify an abstract topic intellectually - **Demanding formal letter** — e.g. a differentiated statement or submission ## Free practice exercises - [Deutsche Welle – Learn German](https://learngerman.dw.com/de/overview) — Free demanding texts as inspiration for essays at the highest level. - [DW – Culture & opinion](https://learngerman.dw.com/de/top-thema/s-55861562) — Commentaries and essays as models for differentiated, stylistically assured writing. ## 1-week study plan - Day 1 – **Understand format & assessment:** Read this guide and look at an official practice test: what does the task look like and what is assessed? - Day 2 – **Structure & useful phrases:** Learn the structure of an essay and a demanding set of phrases for arguing and weighing up. - Day 3 – **Argue in a differentiated way:** Practice developing different perspectives on a thesis and justifying a nuanced position. - Day 4 – **Style & range:** Practice varied sentence structures, precise vocabulary and demanding connectors. - Day 5 – **Full text:** Write a complete text on a topic with a clear structure and differentiated argumentation. - Day 6 – **Text under time:** Write a text in 90 minutes and plan time for planning and checking. - Day 7 – **Get feedback:** Have your text assessed – by a teacher or via a Prepliq mock that scores task fulfillment, design and language. ## Are you ready? - I open up a demanding topic comprehensively and in depth. - I structure my text clearly and coherently. - I argue in a differentiated way and develop a nuanced position. - I show linguistic range and stylistic assurance. - I write almost error-free at C2 level. - I write a complete text in 90 minutes and check it at the end. ## Frequently asked questions ### Which text type do I have to write in Written Expression? Usually an essay, statement or commentary on a demanding topic. You open up the topic, weigh perspectives and develop a reasoned position. ### How much time do I have for Written Expression? You have 90 minutes – a separate block. Plan time to open up the topic, to plan, to write and to check. ### How is Written Expression assessed? By three criteria: task fulfillment (topic treated comprehensively and in a differentiated way), communicative design (structure, thread, style) and accuracy (grammar, vocabulary, stylistic assurance). There are 40 points in total. ### What is different at C2 compared with C1? At C2, besides correctness and structure, what counts above all is stylistic range, nuance and near-native expression. The argument has to be deeper and more differentiated. ### How long should my text be? Long enough to treat the topic comprehensively and in a differentiated way. Depth, structure and stylistic assurance matter more than an exact word count. ### What’s the best way to practice Written Expression? Write essays on demanding 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 C2 exam. ## Ready for the exam? [Practice this part on Prepliq](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-c2?action=start§ionId=Written%20Expression) ## Other exam parts - [Leseverstehen](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-c2/reading) - [Hörverstehen und Schreiben](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-c2/listening) - [Mündlicher Ausdruck](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-c2/speaking) [telc German C2 – Written Expression](https://prepliq.com/en/practice-test/telc-german-c2/writing)