DTZ Ratgeber

DTZ Schreiben: The Brief – Structure, Example, Assessment Criteria

Von PreparaioAktualisiert am July 11, 2026

The writing part of the DTZ requires exactly one type of text: a coherent letter or email for a given everyday situation. You will receive a short description of the situation and usually three to four content points that you absolutely must address in your letter.

Anyone who masters the structure and the most important phrases can reliably achieve B1 in this part – even if grammar and vocabulary are not perfect. This article shows you how.

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What the Writing Section Requires

In about 30 minutes, you write a letter for an everyday occasion – typical occasions include a complaint, apology, request, appointment cancellation, inquiry, or a response to an invitation. The task explicitly states who you are writing to (e.g., the landlord, the boss, an authority, a friend) and which content points you should address.

What is expected is not a literary text, but a situation-appropriate, formally correct letter with a clear structure. Length: usually around 80 words; being significantly too short will cost points.

The Brief in Five Building Blocks

A DTZ Brief always consists of the same five building blocks. If one is missing, you lose points – even if the content is good:

Place and date (top right).
Salutation (formal or informal, appropriate to the situation).
Introduction (reason for writing, 1–2 sentences).
Main body (all given content points, logically connected).
Conclusion and closing formula (appropriate to the salutation) plus signature.

Choosing the Right Salutation and Closing Formula

The salutation determines the tone of the entire letter. Rule of thumb: Do you know the name? Then use it. Is the recipient someone you address informally (friend, family)? Then use informal.

Formal with name: “Sehr geehrte Frau Müller,” / “Sehr geehrter Herr Schmidt,” → Closing formula: “Mit freundlichen Grüßen”
Formal without name: “Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,” → Closing formula: “Mit freundlichen Grüßen”
Informal: “Liebe Anna,” / “Lieber Tom,” → Closing formula: “Viele Grüße” / “Liebe Grüße”

Phrases: Introduction

A good introduction immediately states the reason for writing, without lengthy preambles:

“ich schreibe Ihnen, weil …” (formal)
“vielen Dank für Ihre Nachricht / Ihren Brief vom …”
“leider muss ich Ihnen mitteilen, dass …”
“ich habe Ihre Anzeige im Internet gesehen und interessiere mich für …”
Informal: “danke für deine Einladung / deine Nachricht.”, “ich habe leider ein Problem …”

Phrases: Main Body – Addressing All Points

In the main body, you address each of the three to four task points in its own short paragraph or with a clear signal word. Important: Do not forget any point – a skipped point will lower assessment criteria.

Reason/Explanation: “Der Grund dafür ist, dass …”, “Das liegt daran, dass …”
Request: “Könnten Sie bitte …?”, “Ich wäre Ihnen sehr dankbar, wenn …”
Suggestion: “Ich schlage vor, dass …”, “Wäre es möglich, dass …”
Apology: “Es tut mir sehr leid, aber …”, “Bitte entschuldigen Sie, dass …”
Connecting words: “außerdem”, “deshalb”, “trotzdem”, “zuerst … dann … zum Schluss”.

Phrases: Conclusion

A concluding sentence rounds off the letter and signals to the recipient what you expect or wish:

“Ich freue mich auf Ihre Antwort.”
“Vielen Dank im Voraus für Ihre Mühe.”
“Bitte teilen Sie mir mit, ob das möglich ist.”
Informal: “Melde dich bald!”, “Ich freue mich, von dir zu hören.”

How the Brief is Assessed

Examiners assess your letter based on several criteria, not just “grammar correct / incorrect”. Roughly, four areas are combined:

Content/Task fulfillment: Are all given points addressed? Does the text fit the situation?
Text structure/Coherence: Are there a salutation, introduction, main body, conclusion, closing formula? Are the sentences logically connected?
Vocabulary: Is the vocabulary appropriate to the situation (formal/informal) and sufficiently varied?
Grammar/Structure: Are the sentences generally understandable? Small errors are allowed at B1.

Common Avoidable Mistakes

Forgetting the salutation or closing formula – directly costs points in the text structure area.
Mixing formal and informal (“Sehr geehrter Herr Müller … viele Grüße, Anna”).
Missing a task point – often because it was overlooked when reading the task.
Too short (significantly under 50 words) or unfinished due to poor time management.
Text is a list of words instead of a coherent sequence of sentences (no connecting words).

How to Practice Effectively

Simply reading sample letters is not very effective. What works: writing yourself, with a time limit, and getting honest feedback.

A realistic plan: Write at least five to eight letters for different occasions (complaint, request, apology, inquiry, cancellation). Always use the 30-minute timer. Have each letter corrected – by a teacher, a study partner, or with an AI-powered assessment tool that tells you exactly what stands between you and B1.

Häufige Fragen

How many words should the letter have?

Usually around 80 words. Significantly fewer makes it seem unfinished; significantly more is not necessary if all task points are covered.

Is every grammar mistake penalized?

No. At B1, minor grammar mistakes are allowed as long as the text remains understandable and the tasks are fulfilled.

What happens if I omit one of the given points?

That costs points in the task fulfillment area – often more than small grammar or spelling errors.

Do I have to write the letter by hand?

Yes, the DTZ writing section is written by hand with a blue or black ballpoint pen. Ensure your handwriting is legible.

Can I rewrite the letter during the exam?

You can correct and cross out words, but time is short – plan a maximum of 3–5 minutes for checking your final draft.