The essay on the B2 Polish exam: structure, arguments and linking phrases

At B1 Iryna wrote letters easily: greeting, request, "z poważaniem" — done. On a mock B2 exam she was asked to give her opinion on whether working from home is worth it, and wrote a page and a half of sincere reflections. The score was lower than she expected. The examiner's comment: "Brak struktury, argumenty niepoparte przykładami, powtórzenia" — no structure, arguments unsupported by examples, repetition.

A common belief is that at B2 what matters is a rich vocabulary and sophisticated words. In fact points are most often lost not on vocabulary but on structure. An argumentative text at B2 is a genre with clear rules: a thesis, arguments with examples, acknowledging the other view, and a conclusion. Master this pattern and you can write a strong text even in simpler language.

What the B2 writing part usually tests

At B2 you're expected not just to describe but to justify: state a position, give arguments, compare, draw a conclusion. Check the specific task types and word limits in the current sample tests on the official state exam website — the format may change. Below is a pattern that works for any argumentative text.

A five-paragraph plan

1. Introduction. One or two sentences introducing the topic, and your thesis: "Moim zdaniem praca zdalna ma więcej zalet niż wad" — In my view remote work has more advantages than disadvantages.
2. First argument. Claim + explanation + example.
3. Second argument. The same: claim, explanation, example.
4. Counter-argument. The other point of view and why it doesn't convince you (or only partly).
5. Conclusion. Your thesis restated in other words, and a summary.

This pattern isn't boring — it shows the examiner you can organise your thoughts. That's the essence of B2.

Phrases for the introduction and thesis

• "W ostatnich latach coraz częściej mówi się o…" — In recent years there's been more and more talk about…
• "Kwestia… budzi wiele kontrowersji" — The issue of… is highly controversial.
• "Moim zdaniem…", "Jestem przekonany / przekonana, że…" — In my opinion…, I'm convinced that…

Phrases for arguments

• Sequence: "Po pierwsze…", "Po drugie…", "Ponadto…", "Co więcej…" — Firstly, secondly, moreover, what's more.
• Emphasis: "Nie bez znaczenia jest też fakt, że…", "Należy podkreślić, że…" — Also significant is the fact that…, It should be stressed that…
• Cause: "ponieważ", "gdyż", "dlatego że" — because, since.
• Result: "w związku z tym", "w rezultacie", "dlatego" — consequently, as a result, therefore.
• Example: "Przykładem może być…", "Weźmy na przykład…" — An example is…, Take for instance…

Phrases for the counter-argument

• "Z jednej strony…, z drugiej strony…" — On the one hand…, on the other hand…
• "Przeciwnicy tego rozwiązania twierdzą, że…" — Opponents of this solution claim that…
• "Trzeba jednak przyznać, że…" — It must be admitted, however, that…
• "Mimo to uważam, że…" — Nevertheless, I believe that…

Phrases for the conclusion

• "Podsumowując…", "Reasumując…" — To sum up…
• "Biorąc pod uwagę powyższe argumenty…" — Taking the above arguments into account…
• "Dlatego jestem zdania, że…" — That's why I'm of the opinion that…

Mistakes that cost points

• No thesis. A text "about everything" with no clear position.
• Arguments without examples. "Praca zdalna jest wygodna" — and nothing more. Why? For whom?
• Colloquial style. "Fajnie", "super", "no i" — at B2 these lower your style score.
• Repetition. The same word in every sentence. Collect synonyms while preparing.
• Unbalanced paragraphs. A half-page introduction and a one-sentence conclusion.
• Ignoring the word limit. Going over can cost points just like falling short.

How to prepare

Make a list of 15–20 typical topics: working from home, city vs country life, social media, ecology, online learning, tourism. For each, write a plan with a thesis and three arguments — no full text, just bullet points. Once a week write a full essay against the clock and have a teacher or someone with good Polish check it. Keep a separate list of your typical mistakes — it will shrink faster than you think.

Checklist before the B2 writing part

• Thesis. State your position in the first paragraph.
• Arguments. At least two, each with an example.
• Counter-argument. Show you see the other side.
• Connectors. Po pierwsze, ponadto, z drugiej strony, podsumowując.
• Style. Neutral, no colloquialisms.
• Check. Word limit, repetition, endings.