Material-based writing FAQ
Disclaimer: Different schools may have different requirements. Check with your teacher if they agree with the answers below.
What is the structure of a material-based writing assignment?
Your text should always follow the same structure:
- Introduction, which leads up to and ends in a paraphrase of the essay question
- Main body, in which you present two to three arguments or views to answer the question
- Concluding paragraph, in which you sum up the main points and present your personal opinion or draw a conclusion
For more detailed help, follow the links below:
Should I reference the sources?
Do not reference the sources of the material in the material-based writing (MBW) assignment and do not quote the sources directly.
There is one exception to this rule: If one material is a short quotation, you may use it as a hook in your introduction. In this case, you should reference the person you quote and explain the quote briefly.
You may use general phrases to reference the material, such as:
- Studies have shown that …
- Surveys show that ….
How can I tell if I have used a material “enough”?
If a material contains several numbers, do not just pick out one. Make sure you use the material in a way that shows you have understood the relationships or developments it presents.
If a material presents several facts, make sure that you do not just focus on one piece of information. If the material is in English, paraphrase where possible.
How many arguments should I write?
E11 SA1
You will be provided with a single material and your task will be to use it to formulate one argument, so you will only write one body paragraph.
I advise against using the main idea of the material for your essay hook because you do not want to answer the essay question before you have asked it. However, it is sometimes possible to use part of a material for the essay hook if the material contains several pieces of information.
E11 SA2
You will receive two materials and you are required to present two arguments (i.e. write two body paragraphs).
As for E11 SA1 (see above), I do not recommend using the main idea of either material for the introduction. Typically, each material will give you the idea for one of your body paragraphs. It is sometimes possible to use part of a material for the essay hook if the material contains several pieces of information.
Fachabitur
I suggest using one of the three materials for the introduction and the remaining two for two body paragraphs.
You can also have three body paragraphs. You may, for example, feel more comfortable using each material in a body paragraph of its own. If you use one material in the introduction and the other two materials for two body paragraphs, you can also add a third body paragraph with an argument based on your own ideas. Just ensure that each body paragraph contains a clear a topic sentence and enough supporting sentences to explain the argument presented in the topic sentence.
What is the difference between “comment” and “discuss”?
Discuss means you have to argue for and against an argument, or write about the advantages and disadvantages of a given context. Comment often means you should argue in one direction. However, if the material lends itself more to presenting two different views on an issue, you can treat a comment task in the same way as a discussion task.
Sometimes, the task contains neither comment nor discuss and just says “write a composition”. The task is the same as if one of the instruction words were present: Write an essay to answer the question the essay prompt asks.
Pay attention to all parts of the essay prompt, not just the instruction word. Sometimes the prompt will tell you explicitly that you are expected to discuss “opportunities and downsides” or “benefits and drawbacks” of an issue or that you have to write about “possible solutions” to a problem. The use of the plural in “opportunities and downsides” and similar phrases does not mean, however, that you have to write about multiple opportunities and multiple drawbacks. One of each will be enough.
Will I lose credits for writing too much or too little?
If you write more than the required word count, this will not negatively affect your grade. However, you may lose credits if you go below the minimum word count.
Minimum word count:
- E11 SA1: 150 words
- E11 SA2: 180 words
- Fachabitur: 300 words
How long should each part of my text be?
If you have two body paragraphs, your second body paragraph should present the view you agree with more, if you write about two different views, or the stronger of your two arguments.
The word counts below are only recommendations:
| paragraph | E11 SA1 | E11 SA2 | Fachabitur |
|---|---|---|---|
| introduction | ~ 35 | ~ 25 | ~ 50 |
| first body paragraph | ~ 80 | ~ 60 | ~ 90 |
| second body paragraph | ~ 70 | ~ 110 | |
| conclusion | ~ 35 | ~ 25 | ~ 50 |
What register should I use?
You are expected to use a semi-formal to formal register. This means that you should:
- Avoid contractions (e.g. they’ve => they have; won’t => will not; isn’t => is not; it’s => it is)
- Avoid slang and colloquialisms (it’s gonna => it will / it is going to; kid => child, *guys => men)