TELC B1 Schreiben — Writing Section Guide
Master the writing task: formal and semi-formal letters addressing four content points. Format, scoring criteria, and proven strategies.
Practice FreeThe Schreiben (Writing) section requires you to write one semi-formal or formal text in response to a given situation. With 75 points — the same as Leseverstehen and Sprechen — this is a high-value section that can significantly impact your final score. You have 30 minutes.
The task always involves writing a letter or email that addresses four specific content points (Inhaltspunkte). You receive a prompt describing the situation and four bullet points you must cover in your response. A successful text addresses all four points clearly, uses appropriate register (formal or semi-formal), and demonstrates B1-level grammar and vocabulary.
This is the only section scored by human examiners (not machine-graded), which means scoring considers overall communication quality, not just correct/incorrect answers. You can gain points for clear structure, appropriate greeting and closing, coherent argumentation, and natural language use — even if your grammar isn't perfect.
Section at a Glance
Part-by-Part Breakdown
Write a semi-formal or formal letter/email (approx. 150 words) responding to a given situation. Address all four content points provided in the prompt.
Tips
- Read the situation and all four content points carefully before writing
- Plan your structure: greeting → introduction → four content points → closing → sign-off
- Address each content point in a separate sentence or short paragraph
- Use appropriate register: "Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren" for formal, "Liebe Frau/Herr..." for semi-formal
Common Mistakes
- Missing one or more content points — each unaddressed point costs significant marks
- Using informal language ("du") in a formal context that requires "Sie"
- Writing too much about one point and barely mentioning others
- Forgetting the greeting (Anrede) or closing formula (Grußformel)
Example Task
You saw an ad for a German course and want to register. Write to the school: 1) Say where you saw the ad, 2) Ask about course times, 3) Ask about the price, 4) Explain your current German level.
Scoring
Scored by two trained examiners on: content completeness (all 4 points addressed), communicative appropriateness (register, greeting, closing), grammatical accuracy, and vocabulary range. Partial credit is possible.
Schreiben is worth 75/225 points (33%) of the written exam — the joint-highest with Leseverstehen. A strong writing performance can compensate for weaker scores in other sections.
Strategy Tips
Always address all four content points
This is the single most important scoring criterion. Even a grammatically imperfect sentence that clearly addresses a content point earns more than skipping it entirely.
Learn the letter format by heart
Memorize standard openings, closings, and transition phrases. "Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren," "Mit freundlichen Grüßen," "Ich schreibe Ihnen, weil..." are free structure points.
Write clearly and concisely
You don't need complex sentences to score well. Clear, correct B1-level sentences that address the content points are better than ambitious constructions with errors.
Manage your time: 5-20-5
Spend 5 minutes planning (read prompt, note key phrases), 20 minutes writing, and 5 minutes reviewing for errors. Don't skip the review — catching a missing content point is worth more than polishing grammar.
Practice common letter types
The most frequent scenarios: complaints, requests for information, booking confirmations/changes, invitations, and applications. Practice 2-3 letters per type.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Skipping a content point
Each of the four content points carries significant weight. Missing even one can drop your score below passing. If you're running low on time, write at least one sentence per point.
Wrong register
Formal situations require "Sie," "Sehr geehrte/r," and "Mit freundlichen Grüßen." Semi-formal uses "Liebe/r" and "Viele Grüße." Mixing registers signals a lack of language awareness.
No clear structure
A wall of text without paragraphs or logical flow scores lower than the same content organized into clear sections. Use paragraph breaks between content points.
Running out of time
Some candidates plan too long or write too much for the first content point. Set a mental checkpoint: by minute 15, you should be on content point 3.
Not proofreading
Common fixable errors: missing verbs in position 2, wrong case after prepositions, forgotten umlauts. A 3-minute review catches the most costly mistakes.
2-Week Study Plan
Focused preparation plan for this exam section
- Memorize the formal letter structure: Anrede, Einleitung, 4 content points, Grußformel
- Write out 3 standard openings and 3 standard closings from memory
- Study the difference between formal (Sie) and semi-formal (du/Sie) register
- Write 3 practice letters (one per day), each addressing 4 content points
- Use a checklist after each letter: Did I address all 4 points? Did I use the right register?
- Practice writing exactly one sentence per content point — then expand to 2-3 sentences
- Write one complaint letter, one information request, and one booking change letter
- Build a phrase bank for each scenario: useful verbs, polite requests, expressing dissatisfaction
- Practice the 5-20-5 time strategy: 5 min planning, 20 min writing, 5 min review
- Review common grammar mistakes in B1 writing: verb position, case after prepositions, Konjunktiv II for polite requests
- Rewrite 2 of your earlier letters, correcting all grammar errors you can find
- Practice writing polite request formulas: "Ich möchte Sie bitten...", "Wäre es möglich, dass..."
- Write 2 letters under exam conditions (30 minutes each, pen on paper if possible)
- After each, check: all 4 content points covered? Correct register? Greeting and closing present?
- Review your phrase bank and standard letter templates one last time
- Re-read your best practice letter to remind yourself what a good B1 text looks like
- Do one quick 15-minute writing warm-up to stay sharp for exam day
Other Exam Sections
Frequently Asked Questions
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