Goethe B1 Writing Task 2: arguing convincingly

An opinion is not yet a discussion post

In Task 2 you write a post on a discussion topic — in the official model set, around 80 words. You are not supposed to answer a statement or a question with nothing more than „Ich bin dafür“ — I am in favour. A convincing B1 post makes the position clear, gives reasons that can be followed, offers at least one concrete example, and where it helps, takes account of the other side.

You do not need a spectacular opinion for this. A simple, well-explained position is stronger than an original thought you cannot control linguistically.

Break the task down into four decisions

Before you write, answer in keywords:

1. Position: Am I in favour, against, or partly in agreement?
2. Reason: What is my strongest argument?
3. Example: Which concrete situation demonstrates that argument?
4. Qualification: When does my position not apply, or which counter-position do I understand?

Sample topic: „Sollten Innenstädte für Autos gesperrt werden?“ — Should city centres be closed to cars?

Position: teilweise dafür
Grund: weniger Lärm, sicherer
Beispiel: Einkaufsstraße bei uns am Samstag
Einschränkung: Lieferdienste und Menschen mit Mobilitätseinschränkung

With this mini plan you avoid saying the same thing three times in different words.

A stable structure for about 80 words

Pick up the topic

„Die Frage, ob Innenstädte autofrei werden sollten, wird oft diskutiert.“ One sentence is enough. Do not copy the whole task prompt, and do not waste space on a general history of the world.

State your position

„Ich halte eine teilweise Sperrung für sinnvoll.“ — I consider a partial closure sensible. Your reader should not have to puzzle over what you think until the last sentence.

Give reasons and back them up

„Weniger Autos bedeuten weniger Lärm und mehr Sicherheit für Fußgänger. In meiner Stadt ist die Einkaufsstraße samstags gesperrt; dort halten sich Familien seitdem länger auf.“ The example makes the reason concrete.

Qualify or round off

„Allerdings brauchen Lieferdienste und Menschen mit eingeschränkter Mobilität Ausnahmen.“ — However, delivery services and people with restricted mobility need exceptions. A qualification shows nuance without dissolving your position.

A complete sample of our own

Die Frage, ob Innenstädte für Autos gesperrt werden sollten, wird oft diskutiert. Ich halte eine teilweise Sperrung für sinnvoll, weil weniger Verkehr die Straßen ruhiger und sicherer macht. In meiner Stadt ist die Einkaufsstraße am Samstag autofrei. Seitdem spielen dort Kinder, und viele Menschen bleiben länger in den Cafés. Allerdings sind Ausnahmen wichtig: Lieferdienste und Personen, die nicht gut laufen können, müssen die Geschäfte weiterhin erreichen. Deshalb finde ich feste autofreie Zeiten besser als ein totales Verbot.

The text does not take an extreme position. It is strong because every statement has a function.

Do not confuse reasons and examples

A reason answers “Why?”, an example answers “What does that look like in practice?”

Practise these chains of three out loud. They help with Goethe B1 Speaking at the same time.

Useful language functions

Position: Meiner Ansicht nach …; Ich halte … für sinnvoll; Ich bin nur teilweise damit einverstanden.
Reason: Der wichtigste Grund ist …; Das liegt daran, dass …; Denn …
Example: Ein gutes Beispiel dafür ist …; In meinem Alltag habe ich erlebt, dass …
Other side: Natürlich stimmt es, dass …; Einerseits …, andererseits …
Conclusion: Deshalb bin ich dafür, dass …; Insgesamt wäre … die bessere Lösung.

Choose a small number of phrases that you really command. A post with five artificial Redemittel sounds mechanical and increases the risk of mistakes.

What often goes wrong

The position shifts unnoticed

The text starts with „Ich bin gegen Homeoffice“, then names three advantages, and ends without clarifying anything. Write your position down as the very first keyword and check in the last sentence whether it is still the same one.

Only personal preference, no argument

„Ich mag Autos nicht“ — I do not like cars — is an opinion, but it is poorly justified. „Weniger Verkehr reduziert Lärm vor Wohnungen“ is an argument someone can follow.

Abstract sentences without an example

„Die Gesellschaft entwickelt sich und jeder Mensch ist anders“ could be written about almost any topic. Delete interchangeable sentences and replace them with an observable situation.

Too many arguments

Four reasons in 80 words stay superficial. One strong reason plus an example and one qualification are usually easier to read.

A memorised all-purpose template

If your text sounds the same no matter what the topic is, it only fulfils the actual task by accident. Learn functions, not finished paragraphs.

The seven-minute revision

1. Content: mark the position, the reason, the example and the conclusion.
2. Logic: check whether deshalb, allerdings and zum Beispiel really fit.
3. Language: check verbs in subordinate clauses, articles and your most frequent personal mistakes.
4. Delete: remove one empty general sentence.
5. Make it concrete: replace an imprecise word such as gut with the exact effect.

You will find the general assessment logic in Writing: structure and assessment. For missing topic vocabulary, use the method described in Vocabulary as a system, not a random list on the evening before.

A 25-minute drill

• 3 minutes: note down position, reason, example and qualification.
• 15 minutes: write the complete post.
• 5 minutes: check in the fixed order.
• 2 minutes: mark the strongest and the weakest sentence.

In your next training session, deliberately replace the weakest sentence type. You will find new topics under Goethe B1 Writing. The aim is not to win every debate. The aim is that a stranger understands your position, your reason and your example without having to ask.