Producing German texts
What this domain tests
Writing tasks require a coherent text of a specified type - email, blog post, article, letter to the editor, report - with a clear structure, appropriate register and accurate grammar. Marks are usually split between communication (task completion, audience, conventions), content (ideas, development) and language (range and accuracy).
Concepts to master
- Text structure: introduction stating purpose, body paragraphs organised by sub-topic, conclusion that closes the communicative loop (request, thanks, outlook).
- Register and conventions: formal letters use Sehr geehrte/r …, Mit freundlichen Grüßen, no contractions or particles; blogs may use du, rhetorical questions, exclamation.
- Sentence variety: mix main clauses, subordinate clauses (weil, obwohl, sodass, indem), relative clauses, infinitive constructions (um … zu, ohne … zu) and passive where it suits the text type.
- Connectors at paragraph and sentence level: zunächst, darüber hinaus, im Gegensatz dazu, zusammenfassend.
- Vocabulary fields you can deploy flexibly: environment, technology, migration, sport, school and work.
Traps
- Genre drift - writing a chatty blog when asked for a formal letter, or vice versa.
- Under-length answers - too few ideas; prepare two or three developed points per topic.
- All short main clauses - no subordination means limited range marks.
- Anglicisms and false friends: aktuell (current, not actual), sensibel, realisieren (to realise a plan, not to notice), bekommen (to receive).
- Ignoring the reader - a letter to a newspaper editor should address the editor, not a friend.
Worked example
Task: Write a short article for the school magazine about the advantages and disadvantages of online learning. Plan: (1) hook - Seit drei Jahren lernen wir teilweise online. (2) advantages with indem/außerdem - Ein großer Vorteil besteht darin, dass man flexibel arbeiten kann. (3) drawbacks with allerdings - Allerdings fehlt vielen Schülern der direkte Kontakt. (4) conclusion with outlook - Meiner Meinung nach sollte man beides kombinieren. Rule of thumb: one paragraph, one function; open each paragraph with a connector so the reader can follow your line of argument.