4.6.1 Structured writing

Why Structured Writing Matters at B2 Level

At B2 level you are expected to produce clear, logical, and convincing texts, especially for presentations, reports, and longer spoken contributions. Structured writing means that your ideas are easy to follow, your text has a clear beginning, middle, and end, and each part of your text has a clear function.

Good structure does not depend on complex grammar. It depends on planning, clear organization, and consistent use of connectors and phrases that guide the reader or listener.

In this chapter you focus on how to build this structure and which typical German phrases help you to signal it.

Planning the Structure Before Writing

Before you write, decide what your text must do. For a typical B2 text, you usually have one main task, for example:

Explaining a topic, comparing options, arguing for a position, or describing a process.

Then you plan your text around that task. A simple planning method is:

1. Define the main question or topic.
2. Decide your main message or position.
3. List 2 to 4 key points that support this message.
4. Think of one example or detail for each key point.
5. Plan a short introduction and a short conclusion.

You do not need to write full sentences in the plan. Short notes in English or German are enough. The important thing is that you know where each part goes later in the text.

Basic Text Structure: Introduction, Main Part, Conclusion

Almost every formal or semi formal text in German follows this basic pattern. You already know the idea from earlier levels, but at B2 you need to use it consciously and precisely.

Introduction

The introduction prepares the reader or listener. It does not give all the details. It usually has one or more of these functions:

Present the topic, give necessary background, explain the purpose of the text, and, in argumentative texts, present your position or main question.

Typical length: one short paragraph or one slide.

Useful introduction phrases in German:

Main Part

The main part is the core of your text. Here you present arguments, explanations, descriptions, or comparisons. The most important principle is that each paragraph has one central idea.

At B2 level, you should clearly mark the function of each paragraph. Common paragraph functions are:

Presenting an argument or aspect, giving an example, making a comparison or contrast, explaining a cause or consequence, and presenting advantages and disadvantages.

Typical length: two to five paragraphs, depending on the task.

Conclusion

The conclusion closes the text and gives the reader a final message. It does not introduce new arguments. Typical functions are:

Summarizing main points, repeating or reformulating your position, giving a recommendation, or pointing to future developments.

Useful conclusion phrases:

Paragraph Structure and Logical Progression

Inside the main part, each paragraph should follow a simple internal structure. This makes your argument easier to follow.

A Simple Paragraph Model

A useful model is:

1. Topic sentence, introduces the main idea of the paragraph.
2. Explanation or development, adds detail or reasoning.
3. Example or evidence.
4. Mini conclusion or transition to the next paragraph.

Example structure in German:

1. Topic: „Ein wichtiger Vorteil der Homeoffice-Arbeit ist die Zeitersparnis.“
2. Explanation: „Da der Arbeitsweg wegfällt, haben viele Beschäftigte mehr Zeit für Familie oder Hobbys.“
3. Example: „Zum Beispiel können Eltern ihre Kinder morgens in Ruhe in die Schule bringen.“
4. Transition: „Allerdings gibt es auch Nachteile, die man nicht ignorieren sollte.“

Typical topic sentence phrases:

Logical Order of Paragraphs

There are several typical ways to order your paragraphs. At B2 level you should be able to choose and use these patterns intentionally:

Chronological order: events or steps in time order.
From general to specific: first a general statement, then specific aspects.
From less important to most important: final argument is the strongest.
Problem solution: first describe the problem, then present solutions.

When you choose an order, keep it consistent. If you decide to go from general to specific, do not suddenly jump back to a very general point after several specific ones.

Signposting: Guiding the Reader

Signposting means that you actively show the reader or listener where they are in your text. German uses many fixed phrases for this, which are very useful for structured writing.

Introducing Parts of the Text

When you write a longer text or presentation, it helps to announce the structure at the beginning.

Typical “roadmap” phrases:

These phrases are especially important for spoken presentations, but they also make written texts clearer.

Moving from One Part to the Next

Between introduction, main part, and conclusion, and between large sections inside the main part, you can use transition phrases that show the function of the next part.

Using Connectors to Build Coherent Texts

At B2 level you already know many connectors, but structured writing requires that you use them systematically. You choose connectors according to the logical relation you want to express.

Adding Information and Ordering Points

For enumeration and adding points, you can use:

Use these especially at the beginning of sentences or paragraphs to show where a point stands in the overall structure.

Contrasting and Limiting

For contrast or limitation you need other connectors:

These connectors help you to create balanced and nuanced texts. They are central for structured argumentation.

Cause and Effect

To show reasons and results:

For structured writing, it is important that you match the connector to the function. „denn“ and „weil“ introduce reasons, „deshalb“ and similar words introduce results.

Summarizing and Concluding

At the end of sections or of the whole text you can summarize:

Argumentative and Expository Structures

In B2 presentations and written tasks you often need either an argumentative structure or an expository (explanatory) structure. Each type has its own typical pattern.

Argumentative Texts

In an argumentative text you discuss a question or problem and present your position. A common structure is:

1. Introduction with question and background.
2. Presentation of arguments for one side.
3. Presentation of arguments for the other side.
4. Your evaluation and conclusion.

Useful patterns:

Pro and contra:

„Einerseits …, andererseits …“
„Auf der einen Seite …, auf der anderen Seite …“

Evaluation:

„Wenn man die Argumente für und gegen … abwägt, wird deutlich, dass …“
„Meiner Ansicht nach überwiegen die Vorteile / Nachteile.“

You can also order arguments from weak to strong, so that the last argument is the most convincing.

Expository Texts

In expository texts you explain or describe without arguing strongly. You might:

Describe a process step by step, explain a system or structure, or present information on a topic.

Typical structure patterns:

From general to specific:

1. General definition or description.
2. Explanation of main parts or aspects.
3. Concrete examples.
4. Short summary.

Process description:

1. General statement of the process.
2. Step 1, step 2, step 3, etc.
3. Final state or result.

Useful phrases:

„Zunächst wird … beschrieben.“
„Anschließend folgt …“
„Zum Schluss wird gezeigt, wie …“

Cohesion and Avoiding Repetition

Structured writing is not only about order, but also about cohesion. Cohesion means that sentences and paragraphs are connected with each other. German uses several strategies to create cohesion.

Referring Back to Earlier Information

Instead of repeating the same nouns, you can use:

Pronouns, synonyms, or general expressions like „dies“, „diese Entwicklung“, „dieses Problem“.

Examples:

„Viele Menschen arbeiten heute im Homeoffice. Diese Form der Arbeit hat sowohl Vor- als auch Nachteile.“
„Die Digitalisierung verändert die Arbeitswelt. Diese Entwicklung betrifft fast alle Branchen.“

This creates a clear chain of ideas through your text.

Using Parallel Structures

Parallel structure means you repeat similar grammatical patterns. This makes the text more readable and gives it rhythm.

Example:

„Zum einen sparen Unternehmen Kosten, zum anderen erhöhen sie ihre Flexibilität.“
„Erstens verbessert sich die Kommunikation, zweitens steigt die Effizienz.“

At B2 you should start to use such patterns intentionally, especially in argumentative writing and presentations.

Paragraph Length and Sentence Length

Good structure also becomes visible in the length of your units. At B2 you should balance paragraph length and sentence complexity.

Paragraph length:

A paragraph that is too long becomes hard to read. Two to six sentences are often a good size for a paragraph at B2.

Sentence length:

German allows long sentences, but at B2 you should avoid very long and complicated ones. Use a mix of shorter and medium length sentences. If a sentence becomes too long, split it into two.

Practical tips:

One idea per sentence is a safe strategy in complex passages.
If you use several subordinate clauses, check if the logical relation is still clear.
In written texts, read your sentence again. If you cannot say it in one breath, it might be too long.

From Outline to Full Text: A Simple Example

To see structured writing in action, compare a simple outline and the corresponding structure.

Example task: Argue for or against more home office opportunities.

Outline:

Introduction: Topic, background, question.
Main part:

1. Advantage: time saving.
2. Advantage: flexibility.
3. Disadvantage: social isolation.
   Conclusion: Weigh arguments, give own opinion.

Possible structure with signposting:

Introduction:
„In den letzten Jahren hat die Arbeit im Homeoffice stark zugenommen. Viele Unternehmen bieten ihren Beschäftigten mittlerweile an, von zu Hause aus zu arbeiten. In diesem Text soll die Frage behandelt werden, ob mehr Homeoffice-Möglichkeiten sinnvoll sind.“

Main part, paragraph 1:
„Zunächst lässt sich festhalten, dass Homeoffice Zeit spart. Da der Arbeitsweg wegfällt, haben Arbeitnehmer mehr Zeit für Familie und Freizeit. Ein Beispiel dafür ist, dass Pendler täglich oft mehrere Stunden gewinnen.“

Main part, paragraph 2:
„Ein weiterer Vorteil besteht in der größeren Flexibilität. Beschäftigte können ihre Arbeit häufig besser mit privaten Terminen verbinden. Dadurch steigt für viele die Lebensqualität.“

Main part, paragraph 3:
„Auf der anderen Seite kann Homeoffice auch Nachteile haben. Viele Menschen fühlen sich zu Hause isoliert, weil der direkte Kontakt zu Kolleginnen und Kollegen fehlt. Dies kann die Teamarbeit und die Motivation beeinträchtigen.“

Conclusion:
„Alles in allem bietet Homeoffice sowohl Chancen als auch Risiken. Wenn Unternehmen klare Regeln schaffen und regelmäßige Treffen im Büro ermöglichen, überwiegen aus meiner Sicht die Vorteile. Daher halte ich mehr Homeoffice-Möglichkeiten grundsätzlich für sinnvoll.“

This example shows how introduction, ordered paragraphs and conclusion work together to create a clear structure.

Adapting Structure to Different Text Types

At B2 level you must adapt your structure to the specific text type. The basic principles remain the same, but details change.

Presentations:

You need a clear roadmap at the beginning and strong signposting during the talk. You may repeat the main structure in your conclusion.

Reports:

You often follow a fixed pattern, for example: introduction, method, results, discussion, conclusion. Headings and subheadings are important.

Opinion texts:

You focus on argumentation and on a clear position. You make the pro and contra structure very visible and end with a clear statement.

In all these text types you should always ask:

What is the purpose of this text?
Which structure supports this purpose best?
How can I make this structure visible through signposting and connectors?

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