Mark by mark
| Mark | Cells | Next cell |
|---|---|---|
| Period, comma | One, lower left of the cell | Keep writing, no gap (common practice) |
| Question mark, exclamation mark | One | Leave one empty |
| Opening quote | One, upper right | — |
| Closing quote | One, upper left | Shares a cell with a period: ." |
| Ellipsis | Two cells, three dots each | Often followed by a period |
| Middle dot (·) | One, centered | — |
| ○ | ○ | ? | ○ | ○ | . | ○ | ○ | ||
| " | ○ | ○ | ." | ○ | ○ | ○ |
○ = one Korean syllable. An empty cell after the question mark, none after the period, and period plus closing quote in one cell.
Marks at a line break
If a period, comma or closing quote would be the first thing on a new line, do not carry it over. Write it in the last cell of the previous line together with the letter, or in the right margin. An opening quote stuck alone in the last cell goes down to the next line instead.
A space that falls at a line break disappears: the next line starts in the first cell. Some teachers want a ∨ mark at the end of the line to show the space.
Where the app differs
The Android app Manuscript Paper moves a period, comma, question or exclamation mark, closing bracket, curly closing quote or ellipsis that would start a line into the previous cell, and drops a space at the start of a line. These are the spots where it differs from common practice:
| You type | App shows | When copying by hand |
|---|---|---|
| A space after a period | One empty cell after the period | Leave it out if your class writes periods with no gap |
| Period + closing quote | Two cells | One cell |
| Three dots ... | One cell per dot | Six dots in two cells |
| Opening quote in the last cell | Stays there | Move to the next line |
| Space at a line break | Dropped, no ∨ mark | Add ∨ if required |
Watch line ends in the preview
The preview under the text box updates as you type. Look for cells where a mark has been tucked in at the end of a line.
Type to match your class
If your class writes periods with no gap, skip the space after periods while typing and the preview will match. Keep the space after question and exclamation marks.
The app’s English screenshots show a Korean sample text, because the grid is meant for writing in Korean.
FAQ
Is it the same for commas?
Most textbooks treat commas like periods. Some leave a gap. Pick one and stay consistent.
Korean uses English-style punctuation?
Modern Korean uses the same period, comma, question and exclamation marks, and both straight and curly quotation marks appear in print.
Sources: EBS reading diagnostic, how to write on manuscript paper (Korean) · National Institute of Korean Language, online Q&A on writing numbers on wongoji, Oct 2025 (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.