Advanced German Writing: Reports and Reviews

Advanced German writing: three text types and the glue that holds them

Each type has its own structure and level of personal opinion. Mixing them is the most common weakness in advanced writing.

Short answer: at C2 the grammar is assumed. What counts is cohesion (sentences that link back to each other), variety (not every sentence starting with the subject) and precision (the exact word, and hedging where you are not certain). Formal registers are covered in register and style.

Structure and phrases for each text type

1 Leadthe key facts in one sentence
2 Detailswho, how, with what result
3 Backgroundcauses and context
4 Outlookwhat happens next, without opinion

Cohesion with pronominal adverbs

German links a sentence back to the previous one with da- + preposition: dadurch (through that), dafür (for that), darüber (about that). They replace a whole idea and are the most elegant way to connect sentences in formal writing. For the English-language side of the same skills, see our guides to writing style and formal letters.

One word replaces a whole clause (durch den Bau der Radwege). Because it starts the sentence, the verb follows at once: Dadurch sinkt, not Dadurch der Verkehr sinkt.

Varying the first position

Because German puts the verb second, anything can come first. Starting with something other than the subject creates emphasis and variety. One sentence, five openings:

Hedging: saying exactly how sure you are

A model commentary: should cities be car-free?

A short Kommentar. Cohesive links are in red. Every word has its English meaning underneath.

Thesis

Autofreiecar-freeInnenstädtecity-centressindarelängstlongüberfällig.overdue

“Car-free city centres are long overdue.”OW-toh-fry-uh IN-un-shtet-uh zint LENKST Ü-buh-fel-ikh

Argument

Zumfor-theeinenonesinktfallsdietheBelastungpollutiondurchbyLärmnoiseundandAbgase.exhaust

“For one thing, noise and exhaust pollution fall.”tsoom INE-un ZINKT dee buh-LAS-toong doorkh LÄRM oont AP-gah-zuh

Argument

Dadurchas-a-resultgewinnengaindietheStädtecitiesaninLebensqualität.quality-of-life

“As a result, cities gain in quality of life.”dah-DOORKH guh-VIN-un dee SHTET-uh an LAY-buns-kvah-li-tayt

Counter

ZwaradmittedlybefürchtenfearHändlertradersEinbußen,lossesdochbutStudienstudiesbelegenshowdastheGegenteil.opposite

“Admittedly, traders fear losses, but studies show the opposite.”tsvar buh-FÜRKH-tun HENT-luh INE-boo-sun, dokh SHTOO-dee-un buh-LAY-gun das GAY-gun-tile

Conclusion

DiethePolitikpoliticianssollteshoulddaherthereforenichtnotlängerlongerzögern.hesitate

“Politicians should therefore hesitate no longer.”dee poh-lee-TEEK ZOL-tuh dah-HAIR nikht LENG-uh TSÖ-gurn