In the writing task you describe a graphic and then take an argumentative stance on a question. Here’s how to build the text.
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Key takeaways
In Written Expression you produce a connected text in two steps. First you describe a graphic or statistics: you give the most important data, developments and comparisons – not every number, but the essentials.
Then you take an argumentative stance on a question on the topic of the graphic: you name arguments for and against, justify them with examples, weigh up and formulate your own position. Both parts belong to one structured text.
The most common losses of marks: being too detailed or too brief on the graphic, staying superficial in the argument or not weighing up, or not structuring the text clearly. Whoever combines both in a balanced and structured way writes convincingly.
Read the task and look at the graphic carefully.
Plan your text: introduction, graphic description, argument, conclusion.
Describe the most important data and developments of the graphic.
Name arguments for and against and justify them with examples.
Formulate your own position and a short conclusion.
Check structure, grammar and vocabulary at the end.
A short example in the same format: the task and a shortened model extract.
Die Grafik zeigt die Entwicklung des Anteils internationaler Studierender an deutschen Hochschulen von 2010 bis 2023. Beschreiben Sie die Grafik und nehmen Sie dann Stellung zu der Frage: Sollten Hochschulen noch mehr internationale Studierende aufnehmen?
Model extract (shortened):
Why? The extract leads into the topic, describes the graphic with concrete figures and the development, then weighs up arguments (einerseits/andererseits) and formulates a justified position – exactly what Written Expression expects.
Die Grafik zeigt: Der Anteil der Studierenden, die ein Auslandssemester machen, ist von 15 % (2010) auf 30 % (2023) gestiegen.
Which sentence describes the development appropriately?
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Select the essentials. Not every single number of the graphic is important.
Don’t just state your opinion. Weigh up arguments and justify them.
Without introduction, body and conclusion the text feels disordered. Structure clearly.
Both parts belong together: graphic description and argument. Don’t leave one out.
First describe a graphic (the most important data) and then take an argumentative stance on a question on the topic – in a connected text.
There is no fixed word count, but the text should be detailed and well structured and treat both parts appropriately.
Yes. In the argumentative part you should weigh up arguments and formulate your own position at the end.
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