[Basics of Writing] Recommended for High School Students! 5 Representative Books to Master Writing Skills [For Statement of Purpose and Short Essay Preparation]

Last updated: 2025/04/15

This series, [Basics of Writing], introduces the fundamental aspects of writing that I, Shineno, a short essay and composition instructor, teach during my regular correction and grading sessions.

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(You can see Shineno's self-introduction here.)

5 representative books where you can learn the "writing skills" necessary for writing a statement of purpose or a short essay

Such an important thing, I can't believe I haven't written an article about this until now... I recently realized that I hadn't written an article about the content that is the very core main content of my account...

Needless to say, if you haven't firmly mastered the "writing skills" that serve as the foundation for writing a statement of purpose or a short essay, there is nothing you can do. This is a book guide article that introduces 5 representative books where you can learn those "writing skills." You can learn the points, tips, and mindset for how to write "easy-to-understand sentences." From these books, you can learn where and what to pay attention to in order to create "easy-to-convey sentences."

Having said that, these kinds of books are ultimately "almost all saying the same thing". Because of my job, I have read many books on "writing skills," but this type of book is not much different from any other. Whether it's "summarize one sentence into one message" or "the correct way to use particles," they are saying almost the same thing. Incidentally, it is almost the same content as the articles I write in the "Basics of Writing" series on this account.

This is not to criticize this type of book at all. When it comes to basic topics regarding writing skills, this is extremely basic, fundamental content, so it is inevitable that the content will be the same, and in fact, it would be strange if it weren't (if there were any novel topics, they would not be basic at all, but extremely rare applied topics).

Therefore, I will introduce 5 representative books, but since they all ultimately say the same thing, I think any book is fine as a base. Moreover, since they are representative books in this genre that have been bestsellers for many years, the content of all of them is "guaranteed" and very excellent. Therefore, there is no difference in quality regarding the basic content. However, the way of speaking, the way of expression, and the way of perceiving things change depending on the author. Therefore, all books of this type are the same and any one is fine, but it is best to "choose one that is easy for you to read and use". If possible, I think it is good to take a look inside and "choose one book that you feel comfortable with".

Now, I will enter the main subject from here on.

"The representative book that comes to mind when you say writing skills!" "<New Edition> Japanese Writing Skills" by Katsuichi Honda

"If you want to know the basics of writing skills, start with this" is a representative book. It is a masterpiece of writing skills that has been read for a long time. The author is Katsuichi Honda, a newspaper reporter, journalist, writer, and former Asahi Shimbun reporter. This book was published in 1976, made into a paperback in 1982, and became his biggest bestseller. It is still being reprinted and lined up in bookstores today. How to grasp modification relationships, how to use punctuation marks, the balance between kanji and kana, how to use particles, how to create paragraphs, etc., "The Basics of Writing" is summarized in one book. It is a book written based on the author's simple yet essential "writing philosophy": "The goal is only one, to write sentences that are easy for the reader to understand, that is all.". In addition, derived from this, many "writing skill books" have been published.

"A bestseller for many years" familiar writing skill book for writing papers and reports! "Writing Skills for Science" by Koreo Kinoshita

This is a writing skill book that high school and university students are first recommended to read when they say, "If you are going to write a paper or report, read this." I also remember being recommended to read this by a university lecturer when I became a university student, saying, "Read this first because you'll be writing reports and such" (laughs). The author is physicist Koreo Kinoshita. Although it has "Science" in the title, there is no problem for liberal arts students to read it as well. However, since it is a writing skill book aimed at creating academic papers, reports, and practical writing, it is good to read it with that in mind. Of course, it is written about basic writing skills such as paragraph structure, but the latter half also describes how to write letters when submitting and how to make presentations at academic conferences. Therefore, it might be suitable for high school students who are doing inquiry-based learning. However, since it is an old book published in 1981, and perhaps because of the academic content, it is sometimes considered "difficult to read" by young people. It has been reprinted since then and is still in bookstores, so it is definitely a masterpiece. Because of that (?), it seems to have been made into a manga (I will introduce it just in case, but I haven't read the manga version, so please check it yourself when purchasing). Also, "How to Assemble a Report" (Chikuma Gakugei Bunko), which changed the example sentences and expressions for general university students and working adults, has almost the same content, so you can read this one too. This can also be recommended as a measure for short essays.

A book to pursue "concise and clear sentences" to the end! "Japanese Writing Technique: To Write Sentences That Convey" by Ryozo Nouchi

A book that is thoroughly focused on how to write "easy-to-understand," "easy-to-convey," and "persuasive" sentences. As the author himself states in the beginning, it is nothing but a "technical and practical introductory book". The author is French literature scholar and rhetorician Ryozo Nouchi. This book was published by Chuko Shinsho in 2010. He presents a "thoroughly waste-free writing method" that says if you understand and master the "fixed expressions" in sentences, you can write "concise and clear sentences". People who tend to overthink (or try to be eccentric) and mess up their sentences, making them harder to understand, might be able to correct themselves with this book. Also, you can learn the points for proofreading in this book. As the subtitle "To Write Sentences That Convey" suggests, it is a writing skill book that places importance on "ease of conveyance".

A book that is easy to use because the tips for writing good sentences are organized by point! "Zero-based Mastery: Conveying Writing Technique Look-only Notebook" supervised by Takuo Yamaguchi

Writing technique books often have the author's "dedication to writing" or "writing philosophy" running through them. However, this can sometimes become noise, making the writing feel "pretentious," and you might find yourself wanting to say, "Make your points clearer!" In that regard, you don't have to worry about that with this book. Like a test prep book, it clearly presents the points for writing easy-to-understand text and organizes them neatly. The table of contents is detailed, allowing you to quickly search for "what you want to know or need right now," and each topic is condensed into a two-page spread, explained clearly with illustrations. I have been using it myself in recent years and have the impression that it is "very easy to use." Also, since it was published in 2021, it covers techniques and phrases you can use on SNS like LINE, as well as writing styles for web articles. It is a writing technique book updated for the modern era.

The perfect writing technique book for those who write novels and essays! "Encyclopedia of Writing Styles" by Akira Nakamura

Finally, here is a slightly "curveball" book recommendation. "When I try to write text that is easy to understand and convey, it ends up being dry and boring. While clarity is certainly important and fine for papers, reports, and company documents, as someone who writes novels and essays, I want to write more interesting text." This is a book I would recommend to you. The author is Japanese linguist Akira Nakamura. The first half covers basic writing techniques found in other books, but the second half is mainly about narrative structure. Also, since most of the example sentences are quotes from novels, it might be a bit difficult to use as a writing technique book for creating essays or statements of purpose. However, it seems useful for people who say, "I write novels and essays on note." Also, it might be useful for Nichigei (Nihon University College of Art) essay exam preparation (the essays required at the Nihon University College of Art are closer to "essays" or "novels" than "academic essays").

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(Paperback Edition)

Summary: Choose a book that suits your purpose, usage, and "readability"

Many other books on writing techniques have been published, but I have listed 5 that I consider to be representative. I hope this helps you improve your writing skills.

The basics are essentially the same in every book, but each author has their own personality. Whether that suits you is important. If you feel, "I find this person's explanation hard to get into," then that writing technique book might not be right for you.

Also, it depends on "what you are reading it for." If it's for "writing a paper" versus "writing a novel," the basics are certainly the same "how to write Japanese text," but the techniques you use will change depending on what you are ultimately writing.

With that in mind, try choosing a writing technique book that suits you and apply it to creating your statement of purpose or essay.