TOPIK Writing 원고지 Rules: Master the Squared Answer Sheet

Why 원고지 Rules Matter on TOPIK

The TOPIK II writing section (쓰기) uses a special squared manuscript paper called 원고지. Each small square holds one character. If you write beautifully but ignore 원고지 conventions, you will lose points. Graders check not only your grammar and logic but also whether you follow basic manuscript formatting rules.

This guide covers everything you need to know before test day.

Basic Principle: One Character Per Square

Every Korean character (syllable block) occupies exactly one square.

Square 1	Square 2	Square 3	Square 4	Square 5
한	국	어	를	(space)

Write each syllable block neatly in the center of the square. Do not squeeze two Korean characters into one square.

Spacing (띄어쓰기): One Blank Square

When you need a space between words, leave one square completely empty. This blank square counts toward your total character count.

Example: 나는 학교에 간다.

| 나 | 는 | (blank) | 학 | 교 | 에 | (blank) | 간 | 다 | . |

That sentence uses 10 squares (7 characters + 2 blank spacing squares + 1 punctuation square).

How Characters Are Counted

On TOPIK, your total character count includes:

Korean syllable blocks
Blank squares used for spacing
Punctuation marks

So if the task says 200~300자, every square you fill or intentionally leave blank counts. Keep this in mind when planning your essay length.

Starting a New Paragraph

When you begin a new paragraph, leave the first square of that line blank. Start writing from the second square.

| (blank) | 요 | 즘 | (blank) | 환 | 경 | ... |

This is the Korean equivalent of indentation. Every paragraph — including your very first one — should begin this way.

Punctuation Rules

Each Punctuation Mark Gets Its Own Square

Periods (.), commas (,), question marks (?), and exclamation marks (!) each occupy one square.

No Extra Blank After a Period or Comma

The square that holds a period or comma also counts as the space after it, so the next word starts in the very next square. After a question mark or exclamation mark, leave one blank square as usual.

Example: 네, 맞습니다.

| 네 | , | 맞 | 습 | 니 | 다 | . |

Never Start a Line With Punctuation

If the last character of a word falls on the final square of a line, the punctuation mark that follows it must share that last square — write the character in the upper-left area and the punctuation in the lower-right area of the same square. Do NOT let a period or comma appear as the first square of a new line.

This is one of the most commonly forgotten rules. Practice it before the exam.

Numbers and English Letters: Two Per Square

Arabic numbers and English (Latin) letters follow a special rule: you write two per square.

Numbers

Example: 2024년

| 20 | 24 | 년 |

The digits 2 and 0 share the first square; 2 and 4 share the second square.

If you have an odd number of digits, the last digit sits alone in its square (placed on the left side).

Example: 365일

| 36 | 5 | 일 |

English Letters

Example: TOPIK

| TO | PI | K |

Uppercase and lowercase follow the same two-per-square rule.

Example: email

| em | ai | l |

Common 띄어쓰기 Mistakes

Spacing errors are among the most frequent mistakes on TOPIK writing. Korean spacing rules can feel unpredictable, but a few patterns cover most problems.

1. Particles Attach to the Noun (No Space)

Particles (조사) like 은/는, 이/가, 을/를, 에서, 에게, 까지, 부터, 도, 만 are always written directly after the noun with NO space.

Correct: 학교에서 (학교 + 에서, no space)
Wrong: 학교 에서
Correct: 친구에게도 (친구 + 에게 + 도, no space)
Wrong: 친구 에게 도

Remember: even when particles stack, they all attach without spacing.

2. 의존 명사 (Dependent Nouns) Need a Space Before Them

Dependent nouns like 것, 수, 때, 줄, 리, 만큼, 데 look small but they are nouns, so they require a space before them.

것

Correct: 먹을 것이 없다.
Wrong: 먹을것이 없다.

수

Correct: 갈 수 있다.
Wrong: 갈수 있다.

This is probably the single most common spacing error. Memorize it: verb stem + ㄹ/을 (space) 수 (space) 있다/없다.

때

Correct: 어릴 때 부산에 살았다.
Wrong: 어릴때 부산에 살았다.

데

Correct: 공부하는 데 시간이 걸린다.
Wrong: 공부하는데 시간이 걸린다.

Note: When ~는데 is used as a connective ending (not the dependent noun 데), it is attached with no space: 비가 오는데 우산이 없다. Context determines which rule applies.

3. 하다 Compound Verbs vs. Noun + 하다

When a Sino-Korean noun and 하다 form a single dictionary verb, write them together:

공부하다 (one word — 공부하다 is in the dictionary)
운동하다
노력하다

Correct: 열심히 공부한다. Wrong: 열심히 공부 한다.

However, if an object particle or other element comes between the noun and 하다, they naturally separate:

공부를 하다 (공부 + 를 + 하다 — the particle forces separation)

4. Adverbs and Connectors

Words like 그리고, 하지만, 그러나, 그래서 are each single words. Do not break them up (그러 나 is wrong), and leave a space after them as normal word spacing.

Correct: 그러나 문제가 있다.
Wrong: 그러나문제가 있다.

On the answer sheet, a new sentence after a period starts in the very next square (see the punctuation rule above).

Quick Reference Checklist

Before submitting your TOPIK writing, mentally review:

Did I indent (one blank square) at the start of each paragraph?
Is every punctuation mark in its own square?
Did I avoid starting any line with punctuation?
Did I start the next word right after a period or comma, without an extra blank square?
Are numbers and English letters written two per square?
Did I put a space before 것, 수, 때, 데?
Are particles attached directly to their nouns?
Are 하다 verbs written as one word?
Did I count blank squares in my total character count?

Practice Tip

Download or print blank 원고지 paper (easily found by searching 원고지 양식) and practice writing full essays by hand. Time yourself to simulate test conditions. After writing, go back and circle every spacing decision you made — this builds the habit of conscious 띄어쓰기.

Mastering 원고지 rules will not only prevent unnecessary point deductions but also make your writing look polished and professional to TOPIK graders. A clean, correctly formatted essay signals that you understand Korean writing conventions at an advanced level.