Useful Phrases for Textproduktion
Academic German runs on fixed phrases — Redemittel. This is not about sounding robotic. It is about using the same tools native speakers use to signal structure, opinion, and transitions. Knowing these phrases saves time in the exam. Instead of building each sentence from scratch, you deploy rehearsed blocks — and focus on what actually matters: your argument.
Which categories matter most? Introduction and argumentation phrases dominate: you will use them in every single Textproduktion. Graphics/statistics phrases appear only when the stimulus includes a chart or data table, so learn them but prioritise the first two groups. Personal experience and conclusion phrases round out the text but carry less weight individually.
Introduction – Summarising the Stimulus
The introduction summarises the core content of the stimulus and sets up your text. Keep it short (2–3 sentences is enough). A long introduction wastes words you need for arguments.
- Im vorliegenden Text geht es um … (The present text is about …)
- The text deals with the question of whether/how/why …
- The central argument of the author is that …
- The article examines the topic of … from the perspective of …
Example in context:
Im vorliegenden Text geht es um die zunehmende Nutzung sozialer Medien unter Jugendlichen. The author argues that this development brings both opportunities and risks.
Argumentation – Taking a Position
State a clear position and support it with arguments. Do not open every sentence with I think that — it signals you only control one construction. Varying how you introduce arguments shows language competence.
Stating your view:
- In my opinion / In my view …
- I am convinced that …
- I share the view that …
Introducing arguments:
- First of all, I would like to point out that …
- A further argument in favour of/against this is …
- Moreover, one must consider that …
- On the one hand … on the other hand …
- Zwar … aber … (admittedly … but …)
Conceding counterarguments:
- Of course, one must admit that …
- Although …, I still believe that …
- While it is true that …, one must not forget that …
Example in context:
In my opinion, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. First of all, I would like to point out that digital media significantly ease access to knowledge. Of course, one must admit that risks are involved; however, I am convinced that responsible use is possible.
Personal Experience
Personal examples make your text more concrete and persuasive. One per argumentative unit is enough.
- From personal experience, I know that …
- I have personally witnessed how …
- In my environment, I observe that …
- A concrete example from my everyday life is …
Example in context:
From personal experience, I know that sport has a positive effect on concentration. In my environment, I observe that students who exercise regularly tend to perform better at school.
Phrases for Graphics and Statistics
If the stimulus includes a chart or statistics, describe the data neutrally first, then interpret it. Do not mix the two steps.
Describing data:
- The graph/diagram shows that …
- According to the statistics, … per cent of respondents …
- The data indicates that …
- Notably, the proportion of … has risen/fallen from … to …
Interpreting trends:
- This development can be explained by the fact that …
- The increase/decline is probably due to …
- It can be assumed that this trend will continue, because …
Making comparisons:
- Compared to …, … is significantly higher/lower.
- While … is increasing, … is declining.
- In contrast to …, … shows a different pattern.
Example in context:
The graph shows that the proportion of internet users under 18 has risen from 60% to 95% over the past decade. Notably, this increase is particularly visible in the use of social networks. This development can be explained by the fact that smartphones are becoming accessible to ever-younger children.
Proposing Measures
- One possible solution would be to …
- It would make sense if …
- I would suggest that …
- To solve this problem, one would need to …
- It would be desirable if … were given more support.
- An effective measure could be to …
- Both … and … are needed in order to improve …
Example in context:
To solve this problem, one would first need to raise awareness in society. I would suggest that schools introduce media literacy as a compulsory subject. Moreover, it would be desirable if the government were to launch appropriate funding programmes.
Conclusion
The conclusion is brief — 2–3 sentences. It wraps up your key points and states your final position. No new argument, no new example.
- In summary, it can be said that …
- In conclusion, I would like to emphasise that …
- All in all, I believe that … remains an important issue.
- I hope that … will receive more attention in the future.
Example in context:
In summary, it can be said that social media brings both opportunities and risks. In conclusion, I would like to emphasise that responsible use is the key factor. Therefore, I am convinced that this topic should be given greater attention in education.
Which phrase fits best in a conclusion?
Level Difference: B2 vs. C1
The same idea can be expressed at different language levels. EPD expects B2 — but a well-placed C1 phrase can elevate your text. Clarity always comes before complexity. The biggest mistake: building long C1 constructions that are grammatically wrong.
| Idea | B2 phrasing | C1 phrasing |
|---|---|---|
| Stating your opinion | Ich finde, dass … (I think that …) | Es ist nicht von der Hand zu weisen, dass … (It cannot be denied that …) |
| Agreement | Das stimmt, weil … (That's true, because …) | Diese Einschätzung teile ich, da … (I share this assessment, since …) |
| Counterargument | Aber man muss auch sagen, dass … | Dem ist jedoch entgegenzuhalten, dass … (However, it must be countered that …) |
| Proposing a solution | Man sollte … machen. | Eine zielführende Maßnahme wäre es, … zu … (A targeted measure would be to …) |
| Conclusion | Ich denke, das ist wichtig. | Daher bleibt festzuhalten, dass … einer dringenden gesellschaftlichen Diskussion bedarf. |
Which phrasing sounds more like C1 level?
Common Mistakes
❌ Using colloquial phrases instead of Redemittel: Ich find, das ist ein Problem. ❌ → use formal expressions: Meiner Meinung nach ist das problematisch. EPD expects written-language register. Colloquial language costs marks in the "vocabulary" category.
❌ Repeating the same expression: Three instances of I think that in a row reads as monotonous, and signals you only control one construction. Vary your sentence openings: In my view, I am convinced that, It can be argued that. Different introductory formulas are a direct sign of language competence.
❌ Monotonous sentence structure: Even with varied opening phrases, writing every sentence as "phrase + dass-clause" produces a flat rhythm. Alternate between main-clause arguments, subordinate clauses with weil/obwohl, infinitive constructions with um...zu, and occasional rhetorical questions. Structural variety signals control over the language just as much as vocabulary variety does.
❌ Inconsistent register within a paragraph: Mixing a casual B2 phrase like Ich finde, dass ... with a formal C1 construction like Dem ist entgegenzuhalten, dass ... in the same paragraph creates a jarring shift in tone. Pick a consistent register within each section of your essay. If you open a paragraph at C1 level, sustain that level throughout the paragraph. Jumping between registers signals uncertainty, not range.
❌ Not stating your own opinion: A text without a clearly expressed position loses marks in the "content" category. The task explicitly demands that you take a stance; failing to do so means not fulfilling the task.
Useful Connectors
| Function | Examples |
|---|---|
| Addition | furthermore, in addition, moreover |
| Contrast | however, nevertheless, in contrast |
| Consequence | therefore, as a result, consequently |
| Condition | if, provided that, on the condition that |
| Time | first, subsequently, finally |
Tips for the EPD Textproduktion
- Stick to the word count: The text must be 230–250 words. Count at the end.
- Make your structure visible: Introduction, main body (2–3 arguments), conclusion. Use paragraphs.
- Don't just list phrases: Every argument needs a reason or an example.
- Reference the stimulus: Refer directly to the text or graphic.
- State your opinion clearly: Take a clear position.
- Vary your sentence structures: Mix main and subordinate clauses.
- Manage your time: 5 min reading, 20 min writing, 5 min proofreading.
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