Punctuation

Introduction•The punctuation marks studied will be:

•Periods•Question Marks•Exclamation Points•Quotations•commas

The Period• A period is used after statements,

commands and requests: These are fresh apples. Close the door. Please, look at this report.• After initials:• George W. Bush, Harry S. Truman• After abbreviations:• Mr. Mrs. Ms. Dr. Ph.D. • As a decimal point: 99.9% $3.56

Question Marks

• It is used after direct questions:• Are you sure?• When is the party?• Did they play last night?• and after intonation questions:• He is the best player?• That is the new car?• Today is April Fool’s Day?

• It expresses strong feelings, surprise, anger and other emotions.

• It may be placed after a word:• No! Oh! Help! Yes! • After a phrase:• Happy birthday! No way! My God!• After a sentence:• I can’t wait for Christmas!• I’m so happy for you!

The Exclamation Point

• They include the exact words that someone says. There are direct quotes:

• Mike said,”I will be late.”• and indirect quotes. Don’t use

quotation marks with indirect quotes.

• Mike said he will be late.• Periods and commas are placed

inside the quotation marks unless they punctuate the main sentence.

Quotation Marks

Quotation Marks• Examples:

• “I answered all the questions correctly,” said Peter.

• Kate asked, “Who can give me a ride to the mall?”

• “What is today’s date?” inquired Mary.• Mary wondered, "I hope Billy wins the

competition,” all afternoon.• Milly screamed,”Don’t go in there!”

Commas• They indicate a pause. They

can separate items in a series:• I’ll have fish, salad, and broccoli.• They can separate phrases in a

series:• I bought a puzzle for me, a book for

my mother, and clothes for my sister.• Word used in pairs are treated

as one item in a series:• We ate macaroni and cheese, bread

and butter, and orange juice.

Commas• In dates and addresses:• Our next meeting is on July 4, 2005, at the

Flamingo Room.• His new address is 3344 South Welling

Street, Atlanta, GA 30200.• In numbers:• $3,456,786.06 (but not in years: 2005)• In dialogues:• As Oscar the Grouch said, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”• Separating adjectives:• He wears depressing, black, severe clothes.

Punctuation Review:Add the missing

punctuation• Karen said to Mike Tell me how you

feel• When is the next test review• I can’t believe I won the Lottery• Are you going to watch the movie• We want to order fried chicken

french fries and apple pie• We ordered eggs and ham bread

and butter and juice

Punctuation Review: Correct your work

• Karen said to Mike,”Tell me how you • feel.”• When is the next test review?• I can’t believe I won the Lottery!• Are you going to watch the movie?• We want to order fried chicken, French

fries, and apple pie.• We ordered eggs and ham, bread and

butter, and juice.

Punctuation Review:Add the missing

punctuation• What is your big problem asked Kim• He is tall handsome interesting and

young• They live at 3443 W Smith St since

June 20 2002• What do you want: red wine white

wine or a wine cooler• Send the gift to Suite 201A 788 Lee St

Chicago Illinois 60622 for arrival Tuesday

Punctuation Review: Check your work.

• “What is your big problem?” asked Kim.• He is tall, handsome, interesting, and

young.• They live at 3443 W. Smith St. since June

20, 2002.• What do you want… red wine, white wine,

or a wine cooler?• Send the gift to Suite 201A, 788 Lee St.,

Chicago, Illinois 60622 for arrival Tuesday.

Extra Practice

•Work on your practice sheet and learn to punctuate correctly. Whenever you produce a written document, proofread it and check the punctuation. You’re on your way to be a good writer!