Japanese Genkouyoushi and Rehearsal Tips

It is a type of paper used in all Japanese writing manuscripts. Vertical writing generally starts from right to left and from top to bottom. Horizontal writing starts from left to right and from top to bottom. Here are some tips.

upright writing

1. Title: Write the title on the first line. The first word begins in the fourth square. If the title begins with numbers, write them in Kanji.
2. Name: The writer’s name is on the second line. The last name goes before the first name. Leave 1 square between the last name and first name. Leave 1 square below the first name as well.
3. The First Sentence of the Essay or Paragraph: Start from the 3rd line in the 2nd square. Each new paragraph starts from the second square.
4. Punctuation marks: they usually occupy their own squares. Exception: when they will appear at the top of the next line, we will write them in the lower right quarter next to the last word of the current line.
5. Small characters: each one occupies 1 square and we place it in the upper right quarter of the square.
6. The Subtitle (if applicable): has 1 empty line before and after. Start from the third square of a new line. If there are no subheadings, just start the next paragraph on a new line after the previous one.
7. Elongation mark: When writing from top to bottom, the elongation mark should also be written from top to bottom in the middle of the square.
8. Writing numbers: use kanji instead of Arabic numerals. A number occupies 1 square.

horizontal writing

1. All the rules (1-8) of vertical writing would normally apply to horizontal writing.
2. Small characters occupy the lower left quarter of 1 square.
3. When we write a conversation script, we use Japanese quotation marks.

essay tips

• Always try to write around 90% of the required words. Between 90-100% is great. Below 80% will not give you good grades.
• Always write Kanji if you can. Too many Hiragana won’t help you get good grades.
• Be consistent. Stick to the form you choose to use for sentences throughout the essay. To include everything you wanted to write without exceeding the word limits, we recommend that you use the simple form. The simple form also gives the feeling of friendliness to the readers.
• Avoid using jargon or colloquial words/expressions in the formal writing of the essay.
• Avoid repeating the same words or the same content too often.
• Avoid writing a sentence that is longer than 2 lines of the Genkouyoushi.
• Make sure the logic of the sentence flows.
• Make sure there are no typographical or writing errors. For example, you are thinking of 1 word but you spelled it differently.
• If you need to write in pencil, make sure you choose the right one for clarity of reading and ease of writing.

‘H’ indicates hardness. for example, 3H is harder than H.

‘B’ indicates black. for example, 3B is softer than B.

‘F’ indicates that you sharpen the pencil with a fine point.