Hiragana is used for native words, particles, and verb endings. Katakana is used for foreign words and names, and for emphasis. Here is a quick summary of the kana, in modern order. Surely take note how many you read well. The first letter of each word gives the order of the first main consonant lines.
All syllables end with a vowel except for syllabic 'n'.
Between the main consonant lines are lines with softer, voiced sounds, made by adding marks to main characters. Many dictionaries list a softened consonant in the same section with its main consonant. There is an interactive Javascript program to translate kana to Romanized form and back at this address . Many people have asked about how to write their names in Japanese. Many common names are on this page from Eri Takase Artworks .