Writing: Culture Guide

Objective
Create an informative “culture guide” that effectively conveys information about your topic in an
engaging manner. This will also entail the process of transitioning from “spoken” Japanese to
“written” (academic) Japanese.

Due date:
31 October, 11:59pm (15%)
Format:
The guide should include the following: (1) relevant information about the topic, (2) key
phrases/vocabulary words that help us understand the topic, as well as a (3) visual component
that helps further understanding of the topic. The “culture notes” in the Genki textbook provide a
good example of the expected format (although the culture guide should be written completely in
Japanese).
Requirements
1. At least 600 words (字 or characters; under 800 字) not including citations and references.
Must be written in your own words (i.e., not copied from elsewhere).
2. This is not an essay. It is a “guide” that should be visually engaging and include multiple
images (see below for general format).
3. Use at least 4 Japanese sources (online sources, articles, etc.), which are cited in Japanese.
Wikipedia and other reference sites (dictionaries, encyclopedias, etc.) will not be permitted
as sources. Here is a good place to start: https://unimelb.libguides.com/japanese-studies-
and-language
4. A title that reflects your chosen topic.
5. Key words/phrases highlighted in bold font.
6. Written in plain form (i.e., だ or である sentence endings). See below for further details.
7. Individual submission.
8. Use an appropriate Japanese font such as MS Mincho (not Unicode).
9. Submit in Microsoft Word or pdf format to LMS  please name your file using the following
format: “Student ID_Surname_first name.doc”
10. Document must contain readable text. Please use Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, or similar
application and convert to pdf. Pdf files converted from image files will not be accepted
by Turnitin.
Learning Outcomes
• Apply the grammar, vocabulary, and kanji studied in class to a practical format
• Improve ability to write Japanese in a cohesive, clear manner
• Deepen understanding of Japanese culture
• Develop the skill to effectively present information
Criteria (for details see rubric below)
1. Content: Are all aspects of the required format covered? Would someone somewhat familiar
with Japanese culture find this informative? Is there enough detail to understand the topic?
2. Japanese use: Is the guide written in proper “plain form” (常体、じょうたい) ? Are the
vocabulary, grammar patterns, and kanji covered in Japanese 3-4 being used effectively?
Are there complex sentences and do they vary in structure? Is the passive form used
extensively and properly?
3. Presentation: Would a reader find this engaging and easy to follow? Are references from
Japanese sources and in the correct format? Are the layout and design organised and
visually compelling?
Note: This is an individual assessment. All of the sentences should be in your own writing (i.e., no
copying of each other’s work). All quotations, including paraphrasing, must be cited properly.
Copying will result in a severe penalty, which could include failing this subject.

Rubric

0 10 20 30 40
Japanese Use Abundant Frequent Frequent Several minor Clear, concise,
mistakes and mistakes. No mistakes with mistakes with and correct use
language is use of kanji things covered grammar or of Japanese.
unintelligible. learned. in class such as misuse of kanji. Effective use of
Difficult to particles and Sentences lack kanji, vocabulary,
understand. basic grammar. complexity but grammar, covered
Little use of clearly written. in class. Complex
kanji. Simplistic sentences that
sentences. vary in structure.
0 7.5 15 22.5 30
Content Under 400 Under 600 600 words. 600 words or 600 words. Easy
words. words. Could use more over 800 words. to follow.
Necessary “relevant Contains the Detailed, very
content not information” or necessary informative for
covered (see “key phrases.” information but someone who
“Format” could be more knows little
above). informative. about the topic.

Presentation Unorganised. Confusing Complete Clearly Clear Layout.

No layout. Not references but presented but Visually
references.* engaging. improper could be more engaging. Easy to
References format. visually follow and
are not Some non- engaging. interesting to
Japanese. Japanese Japanese read. Japanese
Sources. Lacks references in the references in the
visual appeal. correct format. correct format.

さんこうぶんけん
*参考文献 (References)
See http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/nifongo/ron/ron_04.html for how to format your references. Pdf
version can be found in the “Assessment Overview” section of LMS.

Choose one of the following topics (you are welcome to choose something more specific as long
as it fits within one of the topics—e.g., New Year’s cards Shinto):

1. 手紙やはがきの慣習 (しゅうかん) Customs for writing letters and cards: お礼の手紙、カ

ード／葉書 (はがき) の表現 (p. 316-320)

2. 贈答 (ぞうとう) Gift-giving  Oseibo, Ochūgen, Omiyage, Temiyage (103)

3. Holidays and festivals  seminar slides: 正月(しょうがつ)、七夕 (たなばた)、節分 (せ

つぶん)

4. 和食 (わしょく)  seminar slides: 駅弁、地方料理

5. Japanese Writing System  outside readings:「日本の漢字」 、 「ひらがなとカタカ

ナ」); seminar slides: 英語由来でないカタカナ、はんこ

6. 尊敬語と謙譲語 (そんけいご、けんじょうご) Honorific and humble forms  outside

reading:「敬語システム」

7. 迷信 (めいしん) Superstition  厄年 (やくどし) Unlucky years (p.330-333); seminar

slides: 妖怪 (ようかい)、死神 (しにがみ)

8. 教育制度 (きょういくせいど) Education system  Japan’s Educational System (p.251);

seminar slides: 運動会、受験 (じゅけん)
 じょうたい
Plain Form (常体 )

Throughout the semester, we have been learning about various aspects of Japanese writing. The
next assessment, “Writing 1: Japanese Writing System” will give you the opportunity to put into
practice a particular type of Japanese writing: 常体 (じょうたい), which is most often translated as
“plain form” or sometimes as “direct form.” Though there are exceptions, plain form is the writing
style of choice for academic writing, newspaper articles, formal essays, etc. Sentences written in
plain form should end in either 「だ」or「である」instead of 「です」, the plain form of a verb
(e.g., 「食べる」instead of 「食べます」), or the plain form of an い-adjective (e.g., 早い). Plain
form is “neutral” and does not contain the hierarchy between speaker (writer) and listener (reader)
that we find in そんけいご and けんじょうご.

As a more formal style of writing, things written in plain form should refrain from using spoken
language. For example, sentence endings like or should be avoided. The following list should help
with using language appropriate (書き言葉) to this style of written Japanese.

話し言葉 書き言葉 話し言葉 書き言葉

だから、 したがって、 ～じゃない ではない
でも、だけど、 しかし、 ～しなくちゃならない しなくてはならない
～を書いて を書き ～しちゃった してしまった
～が高くて が高く (読)んでる （読)んでいる
～が安いし が安く ～けど、～んだけど、 ～が、～であるが、
～していて しており こんな このような
あんまり あまり みたい のような
いっぱい 多く（の） でしょう だろう/であろう
ちょっと 少し 一番 もっとも
なんで なぜ すごく ひじょうに