Punctuation Group 5: Matt, Will, Tim

This presentation begins with the comma, the punctuation mark which usually causes writers the most trouble, before turning to other types of punctuation.

The comma is a valuable, useful punctuation device because it separates the structural elements of sentences into manageable segments.

Comma

1. Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet.

Example: The student explained her question, yet the instructor still didn't seem to understand.

2. Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c)

words that come before the main clause.a. Common starter words for introductory clauses that should be

followed by a comma include after, although, as, because, if, since, when, while.

Example: Because her alarm clock was broken, she was late for class.

Example: The sun radiating intense heat, we sought shelter in the cafe.

Example: However, you may not be satisfied with the results.

3. Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off clauses, phrases, and words that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. Use one comma before to indicate the beginning of the pause and one at the end to indicate the end of the pause.

Here are some clues to help you decide whether the sentence element is essential:

If you leave out the clause, phrase, or word, does the sentence still make sense?

Does the clause, phrase, or word interrupt the flow of words in the original sentence?

If you move the element to a different position in the sentence, does the sentence still make sense?

If you answer "yes" to one or more of these questions, then the element in question is nonessential and should be set off with commas.

Example: That Tuesday, which happens to be my birthday, is the only day when I am available to meet.

Example: This restaurant has an exciting atmosphere. The food, on the other hand, is rather bland.

4. Do not use commas to set off essential elements of the sentence, such as clauses beginning with that (relative clauses). That clauses after nouns are always essential. That clauses following a verb expressing mental action are always essential.

That clauses after nouns:Example: The book that I borrowed from you is excellent. That clauses following a verb expressing mental action:Example: She believes that she will be able to earn an A.

Examples of nonessential elements (set off by commas): The Green party candidate, who had the least money, lost the election. Apples, which are my favorite fruit, are the main ingredient in this recipe. Two hundred dollars, I think, is sufficient.

5. Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series.

Example: The candidate promised to lower taxes, protect the environment, reduce crime, and end unemployment.

Example: The Constitution establishes the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.

6. Use commas to separate two or more coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. Be sure never to add an extra comma between the final adjective and the noun itself or to use commas with non-coordinate adjectives. Coordinate adjectives are adjectives with equal ("co"-ordinate) status in describing the noun; neither adjective is subordinate to the other.

Example: He was a difficult, stubborn child. (coordinate) They lived in a white frame house. (non-coordinate)

7. Use a comma near the end of a sentence to separate contrasted coordinate elements or to indicate a distinct pause or shift.

Example: He was merely ignorant, not stupid. The chimpanzee seemed reflective, almost human.

8. Use commas to set off phrases towards the conclusion of a sentence, that refer to the start or middle of the sentence. Phrases like these are called “free modifiers” and can be put anywhere in the sentence without confusing the reader.

Example: She looked very sad at her grandmother's funeral, as she cried relentlessly. (Correct)

Luke stared at Mark, with angry eyes. (Incorrect)Why It was Incorrect:Did Luke stare at Mark in an angry manner? Or did Luke stare at ark, who has

angry eyes?

9. Use commas to set off all geographical names, items in dates (except the month and day), addresses (except the street number and name), and titles in names.

Example: Birmingham, Alabama, gets its name from Birmingham, England. July 22, 1959, was a momentous day in his life.

10. Use a comma to shift between the main discourse and a quotation.Example: John said without emotion, "I'll see you tomorrow.“

"I was able," she answered, "to complete the assignment.“

Period is a punctuation mark indicating the end of a sentence or phrase.

There are several rules: Use a period at the end of a sentence.Example: I enjoyed the movie. Use a period after an initial. Use a period after an abbreviation.  Use a period as a decimal point.  Use a period to separate dollars and cents.  Use a period after each number in a list printed vertically.

Period

An exclamation mark or exclamation point is a punctuation mark (!); it is usually used after an exclamation to indicate strong feelings or high volume, and often marks the end of a sentence.

1.Use an exclamation point at the end of sentence, phrase, or word to indicate strong emotion. (Never use more than one exclamation point.)

Example:“No!” he yelled. “Do it now!”

EXCLAMATION POINT

The question mark (?) is a punctuation mark that replaces the period at the end of an interrogative sentence

Use a question mark at the end of a questionExample: Did Steven go with you? Use a question mark at the end of a declarative statement that you want

to emphasize as not believing the statement.Example: She's our new teacher?

QUESTION MARK

A semicolon ( ; ) is a conventional punctuation mark with several uses, mainly for pauses in sentences.

Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses. (This eliminates the need for a comma and a conjunction.)

Example: Casey read a book; then he did a book report. 

Use a semicolon to separate items in a series when those items contain punctuation such as a comma.

Example: We went on field trips to Topeka, Kansas; Freedom, Oklahoma; and Amarillo, Texas.

SEMICOLON

The colon (:) is a punctuation mark, consisting of two equally sized dots centered on the same vertical line.

Use a colon between numerals indicating hours and minutes. Example: School starts at 8:05 a.m. Use a colon to introduce a list that appears after an independent clause. 

(Introductory words such as following go somewhere before the colon to help introduce the list.)

Example: You need the following items for class: pencil, pens, paper, ruler, and glue. 

When mentioning a volume number and page number, use a colon between the two items.

Example: You will find information about Mexico in Grolier Encyclopedia 17:245. Use a colon after the greeting of a business letter. Use a colon between the title and subtitle of a book. Use a colon between the chapter and verse numbers for parts of the Bible.

COLON

The apostrophe ( ’  or  ' ) is a punctuation mark, it has two main functions: it marks omissions, and it assists in marking the possessives of all nouns and many pronouns.

Use an apostrophe in a contraction to show where letters have been omitted, or left out.

Example: I don't think I can do this.   Use a n apostrophe when you leave out the first two numbers of a year.

For a singular noun that does not end in -s, add 's.Example: The lady's hands were trembling. For a one syllable singular noun that ends in possessive.Example: It is my boss's birthday today. If a singular noun has more than one syllable and ends in -s use an apostrophe

after the -s. Example: The metropolis' citizens were very friendly during our visit.   If a plural noun ends in -s, add an apostrophe after the -s.Example: The ladies' restroom was a mess.

APOSTROPHE

Use quotation marks before and after a direct quote.  If the speaker tag interrupts the quoted material, then two sets of quotation marks are needed. However, do not put quotation marks around the speaker tag.

Example: "I think my leg is broken," Jesse whimpered.

Quotation marks

Use an ellipsis to indicate a pause.Example: You mean ... I ... uh ... we have a test today?

Use an ellipsis to indicate omitted words in a quotationExample: "Then you'd blast off ... on screen, as if you were looking

out ... of a spaceship."

If the ellipses comes at the end of your sentence, you still need end punctuation, even it is a period.

Example: I listened carefully as the teacher read Lincoln's inaugural address.  "Four score and seven years ago ...."

ELLIPSIS

A hyphen ( - ) is a punctuation mark. It is used both to join words and also to separate syllables of a single word.

Use a hyphen in compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine.Example: The final score was seventy-eight to sixty-two.  Use a hyphen to form some compound words, especially compound

adjectives that appear for the nouns they modify.Example: The court took a ten-minute recess.

HYPHEN

A dash is a punctuation mark. It is longer than a hyphen and is used differently. The most common versions of the dash are the en dash (en dash is used in ranges, such as 6–10 years, read as "six to ten years“) and the em dash (often demarcates a parenthetical thought—like this one—or some similar interpolation).

Use a pair of dashes to indicate a sudden interruption in a sentence. (One handwritten dash is twice as long as a hyphen. One typewritten dash is one hyphen followed by another.)

Example: There is one thing--actually several things--that I need to tell you.

Use a dash to attach an afterthought to an already complete sentence.Example: Sarah bought a new pet yesterday--a boa constrictor.

Use a dash after a series of introductory elements.Example: Murder, armed robbery, assault--he has a long list of felonies on his

record.

Dash

Parenthesis are curved lines used to separate explanations or qualifying statements within a sentence (each one of the curved lines is called a parenthesis). The part in the parentheses is called a parenthetical remark.

Use a set of parenthesis around a word or phrase in a sentence that adds information or makes an idea more clear. (Punctuation is placed inside the parenthesis to mark the material in the parentheses. Punctuation is placed outside the parentheses to mark the entire sentence. When the material in parenthesis is longer than one sentence [such as this information], then the punctuation for the final sentence is placed inside the parenthesis.)  

Example: Your essay (all nine pages of it) is on my desk. Do not use parentheses within parenthesis.  Use brackets in place of the

inner parenthesis.Example:  Please refer to Julius Caesar (Act IV, scene i [page 72]).

Parenthesis

Use brackets around around words of your own that you add to the words of someone you are quoting.

Example: The news anchor announced, "It is my sad duty to inform our audience that we are now at war [with Iraq]."

Brackets

1. Yesterday was her brothers birthday so she took him out to dinner

2. If you are ill you ought to see a doctor3. John said We are going shopping4. Tom the captain of the team was injured in the game5. Your cousin has an easy happy smile6. Who lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington DC7. The daily newspaper contains four sections news sports

entertainment and classified ads8. The boys Jim, John, and Jeff left the party early9. Jane overslept by three hours she was going to be late for

work again

Quiz: Find the missing punctuation marks.

1. Yesterday was her brother's birthday, so she took him out to dinner.

2. If you are ill, you ought to see a doctor.3. John said, “We are going shopping.”4. Tom, the captain of the team, was injured in the game.5. Your cousin has an easy, happy smile. (coordinate)6. Who lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC?7. The daily newspaper contains four sections: news, sports,

entertainment, and classified ads.8. The boys–Jim, John, and Jeff–left the party early.9. Jane overslept by three hours; she was going to be late for work

again.

Answers: