Modern Japanese: A Strategy Guide to "Reading Practical Texts"
Hello everyone! You may have noticed a new genre in your "Modern Japanese" class: "Practical Texts." Some of you might be surprised—is this even Japanese class? Unlike literature or critical essays, this genre deals with content that is directly linked to our daily lives.
It might feel a bit tricky at first, but don't worry. Once you grasp the techniques, it becomes a powerful tool that will help you not just on tests, but in your future life as well (like when reading contracts or preparing documents for work). Let’s learn together and have some fun with it!
1. What is a "Practical Text"?
Simply put, it is "text designed to convey information accurately for a specific purpose."
【Examples】
- Instruction manuals: Teaching how to use something
- Reports and news: Conveying facts
- Posters and flyers: Making appeals or advertising
- Laws and contracts: Establishing rules
- Charts and graphs: Presenting data clearly
【Think of it this way!】 If "literary texts" (like novels) are "music that touches your heart," then "practical texts" are "a map that guides you to your destination." When you read a map, you don't need to imagine the author's emotions, right? The goal is to accurately grasp "what is where."
★ Key Point: The Purpose of Practical Texts
The most important thing is that, after finishing the text, you clearly understand "what to do next" or "what the facts are."
2. Reading Strategy: "Scan" for Necessary Information
Trying to read every single word of a practical text from start to finish will just leave you exhausted. The key is to "efficiently locate the information you need."
(1) Keep the 5W1H in mind
For any text, check for the following elements:
・When: Deadlines, dates, and times
・Where: Locations, scope
・Who: Target audience, person in charge
・What: Content, items required
・Why: Reasons, purpose
・How: Methods, procedures
(2) Pay attention to headings and layout!
Practical texts always use "headings" or "bullet points."
・Large headings: The main point
・Parts in 【 】 or [ ]: Important keywords
・Notes (small text with ※ marks): Often-overlooked "exceptions" or "important warnings"
【Trivia】 On tests, questions are often derived from these "※ (notes)." For instance, if a text says, "This applies to everyone. ※However, preschool children are excluded," the test will check if you can identify that exception.
3. Making Charts and Graphs Your Allies
Practical texts often come with charts and graphs alongside the text.
Step 1: Check the title and units
First, identify "what the graph is about." Be careful not to overlook the units (%, thousands of people, billions of yen, etc.) on the axes, as missing them can completely change the meaning of the numbers!
Step 2: Find the "peaks" and "valleys" of change
・Where is the highest growth? (Peak)
・Where is the sudden drop? (Change point)
The author's message is usually hidden in these "extreme points."
Step 3: Compare with the main text
Check if the text and the data match. Ask yourself: "The text says 'XX has been on a downward trend in recent years'; does that align with the data from \(2020\) onward in the graph?"
★ Key Takeaway (Summary)
Charts and graphs are "evidence for the text." Get into the habit of using them to verify whether what the text claims is actually true.
4. Distinguish between "Fact" and "Opinion"
This is the most important—and slightly tricky—part.
・Fact: Things that remain the same regardless of who looks at them. Objective data.
(Example: Today's temperature is \(30\) degrees. This item costs \(1,000\) yen.)
・Opinion: The author's thoughts or impressions. Subjective judgment.
(Example: It is very hot today. This item is cheap.)
【Common Mistake】 If a sentence says, "This design is wonderful, so it will definitely sell well," don't assume that "it will sell well" is a fact. That is simply the author's "prediction (opinion)."
★ Key Point: Magic words for identifying opinions
Pay attention to the end of the sentences:
・"~da/dearu" (is/it is) or "~to natteiru" (is set up as) → Likely to be a fact
・"~subeki da" (should) or "~to kangaerareru/omowareru" (is thought to be) → Opinion
5. Practice! Verify the Reliability of Information
When reading information on the internet or in flyers, try these "three checks":
1. When is it from?: Old information may no longer be useful.
2. Who is the source?: An expert? An individual? A corporate advertisement?
3. Is there evidence?: Is it based on research results, or is it just a rumor?
【Summary】 Steps to Reading Practical Texts
- Check the purpose: Ask, "What is the goal of this text?"
- Scan the whole: Look at headings and images to grasp the general content.
- Pick up details: Search for the 5W1H and notes (※).
- Separate fact and opinion: Don't be swayed by the author's biases.
It might feel like a chore at first, but try practicing with things close to you, like your smartphone contract, game terms of service, or part-time job postings. As you start discovering "Oh, that's where the important part was hidden!", you'll become much better at reading.
I'm rooting for you! Let's take it one step at a time.