German Essay Writing Checklist.

In order to get the highest marks, you must write complex

German sentences. Include all of the following points of style
and structure:

1. Use a range of vocabulary. Include interesting adjectives

and adverbs.

2. You must use a range of verb tenses (ie past, present,

future) and get the word order right!

Present: ich mache (I do, am

doing)
Perfect: ich habe…………..gemacht ( I have
done)
Imperfect: ich machte (I did, )
Pluperfect: ich hatte …………..gemacht (I had done)
Future ich werde…………machen (I will do)
Conditional: ich würde………..machen ( I would
do)

3. Use Um…..zu + infinitive clauses. (ie in order to…)

Eg ich bin in die Stadt gefahren, um ein Geschenk für meine

Mutter zu kaufen.
I went into town to buy a present for my mother.

4. Use a range of Subordinating Conjunctions. (Remember the

verb goes to the end!!)
Eg weil
daß
wenn
 bevor
nachdem
da
obwohl

eg Weil es sonnig war, sind wir zum Strand gegangen.

5. Use relative pronouns ie who, which etc (Remember in a

relative clause the verb goes to the end).

Eg Der Junge, der die Hausaufgaben nicht gemacht hat, ist

nicht so intelligent.

The boy who did not do the homework is not very

intelligent.

6. Use Prepositions with the appropriate case:

Followed by Accusative: bis, durch, entlang, für, gegen, ohne,

um

Followed by Dative: aus, außer, bei, entgegen, gegenüber, mit,

nach, seit, von, zu

Followed by Genitive: wegen, während, trotz, anstatt,

außerhalb