Advanced Japanese Writing: 起承転結, Letters and Style

Advanced writing: structure, letters and style

転 (ten), the turn, is what makes it different from Western essay structure: a shift of viewpoint, not an argument against.

Short answer: at the advanced level, writing well in Japanese is about structure and register. Personal essays and columns often follow 起承転結: set the scene, develop it, turn to a new angle, then conclude. Formal letters open with 拝啓 and a seasonal greeting and close with 敬具. And every text keeps one style throughout: です・ます or である, never both.

起承転結 in practice

A short column in four sentences, one per part.

毎朝まいあさmaiasaevery morning同じおなじonajithe same電車でんしゃdenshatrainにnion乗るのるnoruride

Maiasa onaji densha ni noru.“Every morning I take the same train.”Why: 起: the scene.

窓まどmadowindowのno’s外そとsotooutsideにniatはwa(topic)見慣れたみなれたminaretafamiliar景色けしきkeshikiviewがga(subject)続くつづくtsuzukucontinues

Mado no soto ni wa minareta keshiki ga tsuzuku.“Outside, the familiar view rolls past.”Why: 承: developing it.

あるaruone日ひhiday電車でんしゃdenshatrainがga(subject)止まりとまりtomaristopped and初めてはじめてhajimetefor the first time駅えきekistationまでmadeto歩いたあるいたaruitawalked

Aru hi densha ga tomari, hajimete eki made aruita.“One day the train stopped, and for the first time I walked to the station.”Why: 転: the turn. Stem 止まり links clauses in writing.

いつもitsumoalwaysのno’s道みちmichiroadにnionもmoeven知らないしらないshiranaiunknown景色けしきkeshikiviewsがga(subject)あるaruthere are

Itsumo no michi ni mo shiranai keshiki ga aru.“Even the usual road has views I had never seen.”Why: 結: the conclusion, a quiet insight.

Formal letters

Letters follow a fixed frame; email has relaxed it, but cards and official letters still use it.

Seasonal openings

時候の挨拶 (seasonal greetings) open formal letters with a line about the weather or season.

Argument essay structure

For opinion essays and exams, a Western-style structure is expected.

Polishing phrases

Phrases that make writing sound mature.

Check yourself

Try each one, then open the answer to check and hear it.

the four-part structure
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kishōtenketsu
formal letter opening
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haikei
formal letter closing
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keigu

Style and editing checklist

Five checks before you send or submit.

One style

Short sentences

Commas for meaning

Kanji balance

Read aloud