Note (Leaving Cert German): Revision Notes
Note
What is a note?
A note (die Notiz) is a brief, informal written message that provides essential information to someone. In the Leaving Cert German exam, you'll need to write short, friendly messages that communicate key details clearly and concisely. Notes are casual in tone and typically used between friends, family members, or acquaintances to share important information, make arrangements, or give instructions.
The purpose of note writing in your German exam is to demonstrate that you can communicate effectively in everyday situations using appropriate informal language and structure.
Guidelines for writing effective notes
When writing a German note, follow this simple structure to ensure you cover all necessary information:
Essential Note Structure:
- Opening: Start with a casual greeting like "Hallo" or "Hi" followed by the person's name
- Main content: Include all essential details using the 5 Ws approach - who (wer), what (was), where (wo), when (wann), and why (warum)
- Closing: End with an appropriate farewell phrase and your name
Tone and register: Always use informal language (du/ihr forms) rather than formal Sie. This creates the friendly, personal atmosphere expected in note writing.
Clarity over complexity: Focus on communicating your message clearly rather than using complicated grammar structures. Simple, correct sentences are more effective than lengthy, error-filled ones.
Phrase bank
Use this phrase bank as a reference when writing your notes. These expressions will help you create natural, fluent German messages.
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Liebe/Lieber + Name | Dear + Name |
| Hallo/Hi | Hello/Hi |
| Bis bald/Bis später | See you soon/See you later |
| Ich bin... | I am... |
| Wir sind... | We are... |
| Ich gehe... | I am going... |
| Komme zurück um... | Coming back at... |
| Treffen wir uns um... | Let's meet at... |
| Vergiss nicht... | Don't forget... |
| Ruf mich an | Call me |
| Danke | Thanks |
| Entschuldigung | Sorry |
| Kein Problem | No problem |
| Bitte | Please |
| Zeit/Datum/Ort | Time/Date/Place |
| Grund: weil... | Reason: because... |
| dann/später/früh/pünktlich | then/later/early/on time |
| sicher/dringend/wichtig/bald | sure/urgent/important/soon |
Common question types you might encounter
Location and time questions: You may be asked to specify where you are, when something will happen, or when you'll return.
Location and Time Examples: Use expressions like "Wo bist du?" (Where are you?) or "Wann kommst du zurück?" (When are you coming back?).
Reason-based questions: These ask you to explain why something is happening.
Reason-based Examples: Respond using "Warum gehst du?" (Why are you going?) with explanations starting with "weil" (because).
Instruction-based questions: You might need to tell someone what to do, such as "Was soll der Leser tun?" (What should the reader do?).
Meeting arrangements: Questions about when and where to meet someone, like "Wo und wann sollt ihr euch treffen?" (Where and when should you meet?).
Common mistakes and tips
Register confusion: The most frequent error is using formal Sie instead of informal du/ihr. Remember that notes are always casual, so stick to informal forms throughout your writing.
Missing essential information: Students often forget to include one of the 5 Ws. Create a mental checklist and tick off each element as you write: who you're writing to, what the situation is, where it's happening, when it's taking place, and why it's important.
Overthinking grammar: Many students attempt complex sentence structures and make errors. Instead, use simple, clear sentences that you're confident about. Short sentences are perfectly acceptable and often more effective.
Spelling and accents: Pay special attention to German spelling, particularly with umlauts (ä, ö, ü) and the ß character. Also double-check the spelling of names and places, as these are common error points.
Handwriting legibility: Since this is a written exam, ensure your handwriting is neat and easy to read. Poor handwriting can cost you marks even if your German is correct.
Word order errors: Even in short sentences, maintain proper German word order. Remember that the verb typically comes second in main clauses, and time expressions often come before place expressions.
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- Notes are informal messages that should use du/ihr forms and friendly language
- Always include the 5 Ws: who, what, where, when, and why
- Keep sentences short and simple rather than attempting complex grammar
- Start with a greeting, provide essential details, and end with an appropriate closing
- Check your spelling carefully, especially for names, places, and German special characters