DTZ Writing: Letter Example and Revision Checklist

You have 30 minutes for DTZ writing. Choose one of two prompts and address its four content points in a semi-formal or formal message. A clear request with complete information is more useful than a memorized opening that does not fit the situation.

Plan four answers before drafting

Read both prompts, then choose the situation you can explain with familiar language. Under each point, write a few German keywords. Decide who receives the message and whether you need Sie or du. Use about five minutes to plan, twenty to write and five to check as a practice routine, adjusting this split when your handwriting or reading pace requires it.

Original task: report a broken heater

This is not an official exam task. Write to your property manager: explain the problem, say when it started, describe its effect and suggest a repair appointment. The following answer illustrates content coverage; it does not carry an official score.

Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, seit Montag funktioniert die Heizung in meinem Schlafzimmer nicht mehr. Ich habe den Regler geprüft, aber der Heizkörper bleibt kalt. Deshalb kann mein Kind dort abends nicht schlafen. Bitte schicken Sie jemanden zur Reparatur. Am Donnerstag bin ich ab 14 Uhr zu Hause. Falls dieser Termin nicht passt, können Sie mich am Vormittag anrufen. Bitte teilen Sie mir mit, wann die Reparatur möglich ist. Mit freundlichen Grüßen Anna

The first sentence identifies both problem and start date. The sentence beginning “Deshalb” explains a concrete consequence. The final part requests action and offers availability. You can change those details for another situation, but keep the purpose consistent. Adding an unrelated story about your apartment would not answer an extra content point.

Check content before small grammar details

• Tick each required point in the prompt and locate its answer in your message.
• Check the requested action: can the recipient tell what you want them to do?
• Keep the form of address consistent and include a greeting and closing.
• Check verb position after weil, capitalization of nouns and the spelling of dates or times you supplied.