English 114 Appendix 2 Using Punctuation

7/28/2019 English 114 Appendix 2 Using Punctuation

1/27

MTA/2010

English 114:BasicPrinciples of Reading and

Writing

Dr. Mercedes Torres Almodvar

Appendix II: The Mechanics of Writing


2/27

Objectives

Discuss the importance ofunderstanding the basic rules of

capitalization and punctuation Review the basic rules of capitalization

Review the basic rules of punctuation

Complete exercises to apply the rules Appreciate the importance of writing

clearlyMTA/2010


3/27

Capitalization

Gives clear distinctions in meaning

Provides signals that clarify sentence

emphasis

MTA/2010


4/27

Capitalization Rules

1. Capitalize the first word of a sentence

1. The dictionary is an important learning

tool.2. Capitalize the pronoun I

1. My brother and I study at Pontifical

Catholic University.

MTA/2010


5/27


3. Capitalize all proper nouns

1. Names of people (Prof. Julio Santiago)

2. Specific groups of people (races and ethnicgroups), nationalities, and languages (Most of thestudents are Puerto Ricans, and they speakSpanish and English.)

3. Names of deities and religions ( God, Islam)

4. Days, Months, special days, and special events

( Sunday, June, Easter Parade)

5. Seasons which are part of a proper noun ( Spring

Festival) MTA/2010


6/27


Capitalize all proper nouns6. Particular places such as countries, cities, mountains, streets

and oceans (She lives in Ponce at 405 Las Americas Avenue.)

7. Geographic areas ( Middle East, the East Coast)8. Names of stars and planets (Mars, Jupiter)

9. Specific structures (the White House)

10. Specific organizations and products ( Pen Club, Republican

party)11. Name of school subject that is a language or that includes acourse number ( English, Biology 117)

MTA/2010


7/27


4. Capitalize a title (civil, family, military, nobility,professional, and religious) that precedes apersons name, or is used in place of the name or

in direct address (Professor Torres, Pope JohnPaul, etc. )

5. Capitalize academic degrees B.S. (Bachelor of Science)

B.A. in Ed. (Bachelor of Arts in Education) M.A. (Master of Arts)

Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy)

Ed.D. (Doctor of Education)

MTA/2010


8/27


6. Important words in titles of compositions, stories,books, magazines, newspapers, plays, poems,movies, and paintings (The Daily Sun, Readers

Digest)

7. The first word and all important words in theagenda of a formal meeting.

I. Call to Order

II. Old BusinessA. Minutes of the Past Meeting

B. Treasurers Report

III. New Business

IV. Adjournment

MTA/2010


9/27

Practice

Do exercises pages 165-168

MTA/2010

Do the exercises firstand then check youranswers


10/27

Punctuation Period (.)

at the end of a declarative sentence The library is open on Sunday.

after a sentence to make a polite request

Please close the door.

after an imperative sentence

Come here.

for abbreviations Dr. Torres

with initials

Ponce, P.R.

MTA/2010


11/27

Punctuation

Question Mark (?)

at the end of an interrogative sentence Is the university library open on Sunday?

after a series of questions within aquestion

Why didnt the Governors speech coverhousing issues? Crime? Economy?

MTA/2010


12/27

Punctuation

Exclamation Point (!)

to express a surprise I didnt know she had gotten married!

to express a strong emotion I love you!

to make a forceful command Get out now!

after interjections Really!

Wow! MTA/2010


13/27

Practice


MTA/2010



14/27

Punctuation within

sentences Commas

clarify the meaning of a sentence

separate information signals a pause in reading

MTA/2010


15/27

Comma (,)

Uses

1. before coordinating conjunctions

(and, but, so, for, or, nor, yet) thatconnect two independent clauses of acompound sentence.

We can go to the movies, or we can stayat home.

MTA/2010


16/27

Comma (,) Uses2. after the words yes and no

No, I have not finished.

3. after a subordinate clause

Although the movie was interesting, I will not see itagain.

4. to separate words, phrases, or clauses in a series (agroup of three or more)

Jose went fishing, swimming, and water-skiing.

5. both before and after a word or phrase that interrupts asentence.

This room, for example, needs air-conditioning.MTA/2010


17/27

Comma (,) Uses6. set off a direct quotation

I completed the task, replied Luisa.

7. set off academic degree

Mercedes Torres, Ed.D.8. to set off abbreviations

Westinghouse, Inc.

9. separate the parts of an address, dates except before zip codes

She lives at 234 Hostos Avenue, Ponce, Puerto Rico 00717.

10. to separate coordinate adjectives (adjectives which modify the samething equally)

It was a funny, well-acted movie

11. after time-order expressions

First, complete the prewriting activityMTA/2010


18/27

Practice


MTA/2010



19/27

Semicolon(;)

used to separate elements within asentence

separate independent clauses

MTA/2010


20/27

Semicolon(;) Uses

to connect closely related independent clauses that are notjoined by a coordinating conjunction

Lisa and Miguel went to the party together; Maria saw themthere.

before connecting words such as consequently, however,therefore, accordingly, hence, and in fact, that come betweentwo independent clauses The students arrived early to class; therefore, they began the test

immediately.

to separate a series when the items in the series have internalcommas David has traveled to Orlando, Florida; Buffalo, New York; and Dallas, Texas.

MTA/2010


21/27

Practice

Do exercise page 179

MTA/2010



22/27

Colon(:)

Colon(:) indicates that essential information follows

Uses

to introduce a list after an independent clause

Harold is taking five courses this semester: math, science, social

science, political science, and philosophy. before an explanatory phrase or statement.

The administrator gave a good reason for canceling the order:lack of funds.

after the salutation in a business letter.

Dear Mr. Jones:

to separate the hours from the minutes

The class begins at 9:00.

MTA/2010


23/27

Practice

Do exercise page 183

MTA/2010



24/27

Quotation Marks

Highlight the words of a conversation

Indicate words used in a special sense

Set off the titles of short pieces ofwriting

MTA/2010


25/27

Quotation Marks

Indicates speakers exact words

The professor said, Please read the instructionsbefore writing the answer.

to set off a nickname Michael Air Jordan is a great basketball player.

to indicate disapproval of an offensive expression

to show disagreement with a phrase used in a special

sense by others to set off titles of short stories, articles, songs, short

poems, and chapters of a book. My favorite song is Because of You.

MTA/2010


26/27

Practice

Do exercises pages 187-188.

MTA/2010



27/27

MTA/2010

References

Ellis, J. et al. (2009). Write On: AGrammar-Composition Workbook.

Puerto Rico: Editorial PlazaMayor

Documents

English 114 Appendix 2 Using Punctuation