【Japanese】1st Grade: Writing (Compositions and Rules of Writing)
Hello, everyone! Let's have fun learning about "writing" in Japanese class together.
Sharing your thoughts or things that have happened to you with others is a very exciting experience. You might think it's "difficult" at first, but once you learn the rules, anyone can become a great writer. Let's take it one step at a time together!
1. Preparation: Posture and Pencil Grip
First, let’s prepare so you can write beautifully without getting tired. These are basics, but they are very important.
Tips for Good Posture
- Keep your back straight.
- Keep a "fist-width" space between your stomach and the desk.
- Keep your feet planted firmly on the floor.
How to Hold a Pencil
Holding your pencil correctly will help you write beautiful letters. Use your thumb, index finger, and middle finger to hold it gently, as if you are cradling it. The secret is not to press too hard.
Tip: It might feel difficult at first, but don't worry! By being conscious of it a little bit every day, you will be able to do it naturally.
2. Rules of Sentences (Punctuation)
To make your writing easier to read, we use symbols like "。" (kutouten) and "、" (touten).
① Period (Kutouten) "。"
Use this at the end of a sentence. It is a signal that says, "The sentence ends here."
Example: Today I went to school。
② Comma (Touten) "、"
Use this in the middle of a sentence to make it easier to read. It is a signal that says, "Take a little breath here."
Example: I、 love apples.
[Did you know?] Where do you place them in the square?
The rule is to write "。" and "、" in the "upper right" of the square. Be careful not to write them in the middle!
3. Subject and Predicate: Who and What happened
To write sentences that are easy to understand, it is important to clearly state "who (or what)" and "what happened (or what it is like)."
- Who/What: The main character of the sentence.
(Example: A cat, I, the flower) - What happened/What it is like: Describes movement or a state.
(Example: runs, happy, red)
Common mistake: If you leave out the "who," the reader will wonder, "Who are you talking about?" Always make sure to include both parts.
4. How to Use Genkou Youshi (Manuscript Paper)
There are special rules when writing compositions. If you know these, your writing will look very professional!
① Indent the first square
When you start a new story or paragraph, leave the first square blank. Start writing from the second square.
② Writing "っ" or "ゃ"
Small characters like "っ" (sokuon) or "ゃ・ゅ・ょ" (youon) also take up one square each. Position them in the "right side" of the square.
③ How to use Quotation Marks " "
Use " " when writing down words that someone said.
Example: "Good morning."
Summary Tip: There are many rules, but just focus on "indenting one square" for now. Just doing that will make your writing look much better!
5. Let's Try Writing a Diary or Composition
If you're not sure what to write about, try remembering these four points:
- When: (This morning, yesterday, on Sunday)
- Where/With whom: (At the park with my dad, at school with my friends)
- What I did: (Played soccer, read a book)
- How I felt: (It was fun, I was surprised, I want to do it again)
Advice: Instead of just saying "It was fun," adding a reason why it was fun makes your writing even better.
Example: It was fun because I ate ice cream.
★ Final Summary ★
Let's review the key points for "writing":
- Straighten your back and hold your pencil correctly!
- Don't forget the "。" at the end of your sentence!
- Clearly state "who" and "what happened"!
- Indent one square at the beginning of your writing!
Reading over what you've written and sharing it with your family or teacher is a wonderful experience. Don't be afraid of making mistakes—just keep writing! I'm cheering for you!