・Start each paragraph with a single space.

 

・Use a comma （、） to pause within a sentence. In Japanese, there are no strict rules for where to place commas. You can insert them where meaning becomes unclear if the sentence continues, or where you naturally pause to take a breath when reading aloud. Study various sentences to see where commas are used.

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・End sentences with a period （。）.

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・For dialogue, break the line mid-sentence and enclose it with quotation marks (「　　」かぎかっこ）. Do not place a period (。) immediately before the quotation marks. 

　Quotation marks are not only for dialogue; they can also be used to emphasize words or for direct quotations.

　To nest quotation marks within quotation marks, use double quotation marks (『　　』二重かぎかっこ).

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・In narrative text, standard and polite forms are generally not mixed. If you start writing in standard form, maintain it throughout. If this changes, readers will assume a different character has begun speaking. Pay close attention to sentence endings.

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