Schreiben Aufgabe 2: The Opinion / Forum Post

Where Aufgabe 2 fits in

The Writing module (Schreiben) lasts 60 minutes and has 3 Aufgaben (tasks):

Aufgabe	Type	Length	Register
1	Informal message to a friend	~80 words	du-Form
2	Forum / discussion opinion post	~80 words	neutral / semi-formal
3	Short formal message	~40 words	Sie-Form

The whole module is worth a maximum of 100 points and the exam pass mark is 60% overall. Aufgabe 2 is the longest opinion piece, so budget roughly 25 minutes for it.

What the task asks

You are given a topic with a short stimulus (often someone's comment in an online forum) and usually some guiding questions. Your job is to write a contribution of about 80 words in which you give and justify your opinion. The graders look at content (did you address the prompt?), structure/coherence, vocabulary and grammar.

A reliable structure

1. Short intro to the topic — one sentence that picks up the question.
2. State your opinion clearly — leave no doubt where you stand.
3. 1–2 reasons with examples — this is where most points are won.
4. Short conclusion — round it off in one sentence.

Useful phrases

Introducing the topic - In dem Forum geht es um … (The forum is about …) - Viele Menschen fragen sich, ob … (Many people wonder whether …)

Giving your opinion - Meiner Meinung nach … (In my opinion …) - Ich finde / Ich glaube, dass … (I think / I believe that …)

Weighing arguments - Einerseits … andererseits … (On the one hand … on the other hand …) - Ein weiterer Grund ist … (Another reason is …)

Cause and conclusion - Aus diesem Grund … (For this reason …) - Zusammenfassend … (To sum up …)

Connectors to link sentences: deshalb (therefore), außerdem (besides), trotzdem (nevertheless).

Worked mini-example (topic: should shops open on Sundays?)

In dem Forum geht es um verkaufsoffene Sonntage. Meiner Meinung nach sollten Geschäfte sonntags geschlossen bleiben. Einerseits ist es praktisch, am Sonntag einzukaufen, andererseits brauchen die Angestellten einen freien Tag mit ihrer Familie. Außerdem ist der Sonntag wichtig für die Erholung. Aus diesem Grund finde ich, dass die Geschäfte geschlossen bleiben sollten.

(English gloss: The forum is about Sunday shopping. In my opinion shops should stay closed on Sundays. On the one hand it is convenient to shop on Sunday, on the other hand staff need a day off with their family. Besides, Sunday is important for rest. For this reason I think shops should stay closed.)

That is roughly 55–60 words; add one more reason to reach ~80.

Practical tips

• Pick the side that is easier to argue, not the one you "really" believe — you are graded on language, not honesty.
• Address the guiding questions in the prompt; ignoring them costs content points.
• Aim for about 80 words — significantly shorter loses points; rambling on wastes time and adds errors.
• Watch the register: a public forum is usually neutral/semi-formal. Avoid very casual slang, but you don't need Sie-Form either.
• Use connectors to show structure — a text with deshalb, außerdem, trotzdem reads far more B1.
• Leave 2–3 minutes to check verb position, articles and spelling.

Common mistakes

• No clear opinion — listing pros and cons but never deciding.
• Too short or way too long, missing the ~80-word target.
• Ignoring the guiding questions in the task.
• Wrong register — writing like a text to a close friend, or stiffly formal.
• Repeating the same connector (only und, aber) instead of varying them.
• No examples — reasons stated without any concrete support.

Structure plus a handful of reliable phrases is all you need — write a few timed posts in a full mock exam and the format will soon feel automatic.