Slide 2 CCU Writing Center Slide 3 PART I Periods Question Marks
Semicolons PART II: Colons Quotation Marks Ellipsis Marks Slide 4
Appear at the end of a sentence. Easy? Yes. But be sure to avoid
comma splices: Not this: The governor signed the bill into law
yesterday, she claimed it would cut taxes for the middle class.
(Comma splice) But this: The governor signed the bill into law
yesterday. She claimed it would cut taxes for the middle class.
(Two sentences) Or this: The governor said she signed the bill into
law because It would cut taxes for the middle class. Slide 5 Appear
at the end of a question. Easy? Yes. But avoid these mistakes: Not
this: John asked her if she wanted to go? But this: John asked her
if she wanted to go. Not this: John asked her, Do you want to go?
But this: John asked her, Do you want to go? Not this: Did he say,
I hope you will join me? But this: Did he say, I hope you will join
me? Slide 6 Two uses: Connecting equal grammatical parts of a
sentence (usually independent clauses). Separating items in a list
that contain commas. Please note: Semicolons tend to be overused
and misused quite frequently. Only use a semicolon when you are
sure you need one. Slide 7 Acceptable: The president didnt promise
to end the war; he simply said that he would look for ways to end
the war. (But usually, a period is preferable.) Acceptable: No one
knows exactly why the Roman Empire fell apart; however, historians
generally agree on three contributing factors. NOT OK: No one knows
exactly why the Roman Empire fell apart, however, historians
generally agree on three contributing factors. Slide 8 OK: I will
bring matches, charcoal, and lighter fluid. Also OK: I will bring
matches, charcoal, and lighter fluid; chicken, hamburgers, and hot
dogs; and two folding chairs. Not OK: I will bring matches;
charcoal; and lighter fluid. Not OK: I will bring matches,
charcoal, and lighter fluid, chicken, hamburgers, and hot dogs, and
two folding chairs. Slide 9 Writing Center Prince 209 (843)
349-2937
