Basic layout
- Start dialogue on a new line, leave the first cell empty and put the opening quote in the second cell.
- Opening quotes sit in the upper right of a cell, closing quotes in the upper left.
- The final period and closing quote share one cell.
When speech runs over
If the speech continues onto the next line, leave the first cell empty on that line too, until the quote closes. The empty column shows at a glance where the speech begins and ends. The EBS guide to manuscript paper describes this rule.
| " | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | |||
| ○ | . | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ||||
| ○ | ." | ||||||||
| ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | ○ | . |
○ = one Korean syllable. Lines two and three keep the first cell empty. The narration starts at the first cell of a new line.
Narration after dialogue
- Narration usually starts on a new line. Textbooks differ on whether a continuing sentence ("…she said.") starts in cell 1 or is indented like a paragraph.
- A short quote inside a sentence stays inline, without a line break.
- Start a new line whenever the speaker changes.
Using the app for dialogue
When you put dialogue on its own line with Enter, the Android app Manuscript Paper indents it like a paragraph and the quote lands in the second cell. It does not keep the first cell empty on continuation lines, and it splits the period and closing quote into two cells. Use the preview to find line ends, and fix these two points when copying by hand. Keeping the first cell empty pushes each line end by one cell, so expect slightly more lines.
One line of dialogue per paragraph
Separate speech and narration with Enter so the preview breaks lines the same way.
Find speech that runs over
On the View tab, look for a line after an opening quote that starts in cell 1, and leave that cell empty on paper.
The app’s English screenshots show a Korean sample text, because the grid is meant for writing in Korean.
FAQ
What about inner thoughts in single quotes?
They are written either on their own line like speech or inline. Choose one and stay consistent.
Do I start a new line for every reply?
Yes, a new line for each change of speaker is standard.
Sources: EBS reading diagnostic, how to write on manuscript paper (Korean)
Manuscript Paper: Writing Pad
Type the normal way and see it laid out on Korean manuscript paper instantly. No sign-up, works offline, and your writing stays on your phone. Free on Android, in English and Korean.