DELE C1 Writing: Examples and Strategies

Updated: June 2025

The written expression test in the DELE C1 is part of Group 2 (integrated skills). Unlike other exams, you don't write "from scratch": you must first comprehend an input (audio or text) and then produce a text based on it. This makes it a demanding test that simultaneously evaluates your comprehension and written production.

Test Structure

The listening comprehension and written expression test lasts 80 minutes and consists of 2 tasks:

Task 1: Based on Audio

• You listen to a recording (lecture, interview, presentation) twice
• You take notes during listening
• You write a text of 220-250 words based on the audio information
• Text type: usually a report, summary, or formal letter

Task 2: Based on Written Text

• You read a text (article, graph, statistical data)
• You write a text of 220-250 words related to the topic
• Text type: opinion article, letter to the editor, blog post, report

Text Types You May Be Asked to Write

Formal Letter

Recommended structure:

1. Greeting: "Estimado/a Sr./Sra. + surname:" or "A quien corresponda:"
2. Opening paragraph: reason for writing
3. Body: arguments, data, requests
4. Closing: summary of request or thanks
5. Sign-off: "Atentamente," "Reciba un cordial saludo,"

Report

Recommended structure:

1. Descriptive title
2. Introduction: purpose of the report
3. Body: data, analysis, comparisons (use subheadings if needed)
4. Conclusions and/or recommendations

Opinion Article

Recommended structure:

1. Engaging title
2. Introduction: present the topic and your stance
3. Arguments supporting your position (2-3)
4. Counterargument and rebuttal
5. Conclusion: reaffirm your stance

Blog Post

Recommended structure:

1. Catchy title
2. Introduction close to the reader
3. Body with personal examples or anecdotes
4. Conclusion inviting reflection or debate

Essential Connectors for DELE C1 Writing

Introducing Ideas

• En primer lugar / En segundo lugar / Por último
• Por un lado... por otro (lado)...
• En lo que respecta a / En cuanto a / Con respecto a
• Cabe señalar que / Conviene destacar que

Adding Information

• Además / Asimismo / Del mismo modo
• No solo... sino también...
• Cabe añadir que / A esto se suma que

Contrasting

• Sin embargo / No obstante / Ahora bien
• A pesar de (que) / Pese a (que)
• Si bien es cierto que... no es menos cierto que...

Cause and Consequence

• Dado que / Puesto que / Ya que
• De ahí que (+subjunctive)
• Por consiguiente / En consecuencia / De modo que

Concluding

• En definitiva / En conclusión / En resumen
• A modo de conclusión / Para concluir
• Todo lo anterior nos lleva a concluir que...

Strategies for Task 1 (Audio-Based)

1. First listening: Capture main ideas and general structure. Don't try to note everything.
2. Second listening: Complete your notes with specific data, examples, and details.
3. Organize before writing: Spend 2-3 minutes planning your text structure.
4. Don't copy literally: Reformulate the information in your own words.
5. Respect the format: If they ask for a report, write a report, not an essay.

Strategies for Task 2 (Text-Based)

1. Read carefully: Identify the main thesis and arguments of the source text.
2. Identify what's asked: Summarize? Give your opinion? Propose solutions?
3. Plan: Make a quick outline before writing.
4. Integrate source information: Reference the source text without copying it.
5. Mind the register: Adapt your language to the requested text type.

Common Writing Mistakes

• Not respecting word count: Writing fewer than 220 or more than 250 words is penalized.
• Ignoring text type: If they ask for a formal letter and you write an essay, you lose points.
• Lack of cohesion: Paragraphs without connections, without connectors.
• Lexical repetition: Using the same words over and over instead of synonyms.
• Register mixing: Using colloquial expressions in a formal text.
• Not planning: Starting to write without an outline leads to disorganized texts.
• Not proofreading: Always reserve 3-5 minutes to reread and correct errors.

Assessment Criteria

Examiners evaluate:

• Adequacy: Do you fulfill what's asked? Do you respect the format and register?
• Coherence and cohesion: Is your text well-organized? Do you use appropriate connectors?
• Grammatical accuracy: Do you make serious grammar errors?
• Lexical range: Do you use varied and precise vocabulary?

Read also: How to Pass the DELE C1 in 4 Months