I'm going to give you 10 useful, practical tips for Task 1 of the DELE C1 writing test, where you first have to listen to an excerpt from a lecture and then write a text in your own words presenting the ideas you understood. Keep these recommendations in mind to raise your score.

1. Go from the objective to the subjective

One of the keys to writing your text is to start with the most objective points of the lecture and then move, little by little, towards the most subjective ones.

In other words, end with your opinion, but don't start with it. Refer first to the main points the speaker has presented and leave your opinion for the very end — but don't forget to include it.

2. Make your text impersonal

Consider not using the first person the whole time. Instead, you can write the text using impersonal sentences and only turn to the “yo” (the first person), if necessary, in the final paragraph.

3. Divide the text into paragraphs

It's important that the text you write is divided into several separate paragraphs. Each of them should have a beginning, but also an ending.

How you organize your paragraphs is crucial. Keep in mind that the text should have a first paragraph containing the introduction, another one at the end with the conclusion and, in between, two or even three more paragraphs in which you explain and analyze the topic of the lecture in your own words.

4. A subtle introduction

The introduction of a text is extremely important, which is why it needs to be subtle: it's the reader's first point of contact. Don't begin by writing your opinion or the one expressed by the person speaking in the lecture; instead, try to give that introduction a delicate shape so that it does exactly what it should — draw the reader into the text and spark their interest from the very beginning.

5. The conclusion

Without a doubt, just as important as the introduction is the conclusion of the text, the final part, where now you should indeed bring in your opinion — and you could even close this paragraph with a striking sentence capable of dazzling the reader and leaving them reflecting on what you've written.

6. Use discourse markers

Don't forget to include a discourse marker every time you start a new paragraph. Use them within your paragraphs too, since this will help you relate and connect your ideas better, giving shape and meaning to the content of the text.

7. Justify opinions

In every case, you should always justify the opinions you give, whether they're your own or those of the person speaking in the lecture. Go ahead and develop that idea!

8. Use the present indicative

Even though the lecture is a recording, don't write about it as if it were something that happened in the distant past. Talk about the topics covered from the present — more precisely, using the present indicative, saying for example “El conferencista afirma que…”, and not “El conferencista afirmó que…”.

9. Include specific words

An interesting way to enrich the content of your text is to bring in certain technical terms or sophisticated words specific to the topic you're dealing with. Pay attention and improve your text by using some of those words!

10. Include set phrases, sayings or Latinisms

Another tool for improving your text can be to include a saying related to the topic, an idiom or a set phrase, which will undoubtedly enrich your writing. You can also include a Latinism (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yd2y6xzQAr0), something that will surely strengthen what you write and raise your score.

I hope these tips help you raise your score on the DELE C1 writing test.

If you want to prepare effectively and strategically and walk into the exam with all the confidence you need to get your APTO (pass), sign up for my course: https://c1.aporeldele.com