Writing on Korean manuscript paper, known as 원고지, is an essential skill for anyone preparing for the TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) exams. This traditional format, though systematic and structured, can be challenging for learners.
To help you practice and prepare, I am offering free PDF writing manuscript paper for 300-word and 700-word essays, essential for the TOPIK exam sections 53 and 54. This comprehensive guide provides detailed instructions and practical examples to help you use 원고지 effectively.
Understanding 원고지: The Basics
1. One Character Per Square
Each square on the 원고지 is designated for a single character, which includes Hangul (Korean alphabet), Hanja (Chinese characters), punctuation marks, and spaces. This method ensures that the text is neat and organized.
2. Paragraph Indentation
When beginning a new paragraph, the first square of the line should be left blank. Start writing from the second square. This visual cue indicates the start of a new paragraph and helps in organizing your thoughts clearly.
3. Consistency within Paragraphs
Within a paragraph, do not leave the first square of each new line blank. The indentation is only for the beginning of the paragraph. If a line ends and the next sentence begins on the new line within the same paragraph, continue writing without leaving a space.
4. Writing Numbers
Arabic numerals are written two digits per square. This rule helps in maintaining the structure and flow of the text without causing disruption.
5. Punctuation Rules
One Character Per Square: Most punctuation marks occupy a single square.
Special Punctuation: Hyphens (―) and ellipses (……) use two squares.
Spacing After Punctuation: After a question mark (?) or an exclamation mark (!), leave one square blank. However, periods (.), commas (,), and colons (:) do not require a space afterward.
6. End-of-line Punctuation
If a punctuation mark falls at the end of a line and there is no room for it, place it in the same square as the last character.
Practical Examples
To better understand these rules, let's look at some examples of properly formatted text on 원고지.
Example 1: Simple Text Formatting
In this example, notice how each new paragraph begins after leaving the first square blank, numbers are written two digits per square, and punctuation rules are strictly followed.
Example 2: Handling Complex Sentences
This example shows how to handle complex sentences and maintain the structure of the text within a paragraph.
Writing Korean Letters and Punctuation Marks Together in the Last Blank
It is a rule to write one letter per square and two numbers per square. However, when you reach the last square of a line, if a punctuation mark such as a comma (,), period (.), or percent symbol (%) follows a letter, you must write the punctuation mark in the same square as the letter. This is because punctuation marks cannot start a new line.
In this example, the period (.) is placed in the same square as the last character of the line.
Practical Tips for Effective Writing
Practice Regularly
Regular practice on 원고지 will help you become comfortable with the format and improve your writing speed and accuracy.
*You do not need to write anything yourself, just find an article and rewrite it.
Review and Revise
After writing, review your work to ensure that you have followed all formatting rules and that your writing is clear and coherent.
Study Examples
Look at examples of well-written 원고지 text to understand how to effectively structure your writing.
Free PDF Writing Manuscript Paper
As a special offer, I am providing free PDF writing manuscript paper for 300-word and 700-word essays to help you practice for the TOPIK exam sections 53 and 54. Use the following promotion code to download your free PDF.
Promotion Code: FREEPDF
Mastering the use of 원고지 is essential for excelling in the TOPIK writing section. By understanding and following the rules outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your writing is neat, organized, and meets the standards required for the exam. Practice regularly and review your work to continuously improve your skills.
Good luck with your studies and your TOPIK exams! 화이팅!
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