Technical Style: Technical Style: PunctuationPunctuation

Unlocking the Unlocking the mysteries!mysteries!

Technical Style: PunctuationTechnical Style: Punctuation

The punctuation you The punctuation you use most:use most:commascommas ,,semi-colonssemi-colons ;;colonscolons ::

The supporting players:The supporting players:hyphenshyphens --dashesdashes ----quotation marksquotation marks ““xx””parenthesesparentheses ( )( )

Commas Commas separateseparate certain words. certain words. items in a series:items in a series:

• I bought onions, peppers, celery, and beans.I bought onions, peppers, celery, and beans.• Do you have to put a comma before the final “and” Do you have to put a comma before the final “and”

in a series?in a series? main clauses joined with a coordinating conjunction:main clauses joined with a coordinating conjunction:

• The data were conclusive, and the results were The data were conclusive, and the results were correct.correct.

The coordinating conjunctions areThe coordinating conjunctions are these:these: and, and, yet, so, for, but.yet, so, for, but.

coordinate adjectives:coordinate adjectives:• The sparkling,valuable, antique crystalThe sparkling,valuable, antique crystal . . . . . .

Commas mark modifying phrases.Commas mark modifying phrases.

modifying phrases and clauses (non-restrictive modifying phrases and clauses (non-restrictive information):information):

• The table in the cornerThe table in the corner, , which had just been which had just been overturnedoverturned,, was set upright again. was set upright again.

introductory phrases:introductory phrases:• Having searched the literatureHaving searched the literature, , we then set we then set

about synthesizing our material.about synthesizing our material.

Commas indicate whether information is Commas indicate whether information is restrictive (essential to meaning) or not.restrictive (essential to meaning) or not.

Non-restrictive clauses are surrounded by commas (or Non-restrictive clauses are surrounded by commas (or dashes). Think of the commas as little hinges: if the dashes). Think of the commas as little hinges: if the enclosed phrase is cut from the sentence, would the enclosed phrase is cut from the sentence, would the meaning really change? meaning really change? The three model runsThe three model runs,, all performed on Saturday all performed on Saturday,,

produced varying results.produced varying results. RestrictiveRestrictive information should have information should have nono surrounding surrounding

commas because this info. is vital to the meaning of the commas because this info. is vital to the meaning of the sentence.sentence. The three model runs performed on Saturday produced The three model runs performed on Saturday produced

varying results.varying results.

Why do we need commas to tell us Why do we need commas to tell us whether a word/phrase is restrictive?whether a word/phrase is restrictive?

Under what circumstances should the name Under what circumstances should the name “Margaret” be enclosed in commas?“Margaret” be enclosed in commas? Lynn’s sisterLynn’s sister,, MargaretMargaret,, was impressedwas impressed.. TThis is correct ONLY if Lynn has only one sister.his is correct ONLY if Lynn has only one sister. The meaning does not change if the name Margaret The meaning does not change if the name Margaret

is taken out of the sentence (the name is non-is taken out of the sentence (the name is non-restrictive).restrictive).

The commas tell us Lynn has only one sister and her The commas tell us Lynn has only one sister and her name is Margaret. name is Margaret.

What’s the difference between Which What’s the difference between Which and That?and That?

He buried the evidence that was incriminating.He buried the evidence that was incriminating. He buried the evidenceHe buried the evidence,, which was incriminating. which was incriminating.

The presidential candidate gave an acceptance The presidential candidate gave an acceptance address that was a sure sign he would run an address that was a sure sign he would run an aggressive campaign. aggressive campaign.

The presidential candidate gave an acceptance The presidential candidate gave an acceptance addressaddress,, which was a sure sign he would run an which was a sure sign he would run an aggressive campaign. aggressive campaign.

Generally, use a comma before “which.” Generally, use a comma before “which.”

Do not do this!Do not do this! Don’t use a comma alone to join two Don’t use a comma alone to join two

independent clauses:independent clauses: The equipment was brokenThe equipment was broken,, the students were the students were

refusing to come to class.refusing to come to class. Don’t let one comma chop a subject off from Don’t let one comma chop a subject off from

its verb or verbs:its verb or verbs: The final criterionThe final criterion,, acceptability addresses the acceptability addresses the

approval of the public.approval of the public. ,,

and

Punctuate these!Punctuate these!

1.1. John who should have known better erased John who should have known better erased all the disks on the computerall the disks on the computer

2.2. Any employee who works overtime this Any employee who works overtime this week may have Friday off.week may have Friday off.

Semi-ColonsSemi-Colons: Their most important role: Their most important role

Link two Link two independentindependent clauses clauses The evidence was convincingThe evidence was convincing;; neverthelessnevertheless,, the jury the jury

found him innocent.found him innocent. In this use, semi-colon may always be replaced In this use, semi-colon may always be replaced

by a period. Use this test!by a period. Use this test!

Semi-colons . . .Semi-colons . . . Join independent clauses that either Join independent clauses that either dodo notnot have a have a

conjoining word conjoining word oror dodo have a conjunctive adverb have a conjunctive adverb (transitional word).(transitional word). Without a conjoining word:Without a conjoining word:

• The evidence was convincingThe evidence was convincing;; the jury found him the jury found him innocent.innocent.

• Use this form only when the conceptual link is strong Use this form only when the conceptual link is strong enough between the two independent clauses that you enough between the two independent clauses that you need no linking word. need no linking word.

With a conjunctive adverb:With a conjunctive adverb:• The evidence was convincingThe evidence was convincing;; neverthelessnevertheless,, the jury the jury

found him innocent.found him innocent.

That’s two That’s two independentindependent clauses . . . clauses . . .

Semi-colon comes Semi-colon comes beforebefore the conjunctive adverb. the conjunctive adverb. Comma comes after the adverb.Comma comes after the adverb. Examples of these adverbs: Examples of these adverbs: finally, however, finally, however,

moreover, similarly, therefore, thus, neverthelessmoreover, similarly, therefore, thus, nevertheless• incorrect: incorrect: The manager was late to the meetingThe manager was late to the meeting,,

howeverhowever the assistant was on time. the assistant was on time.• correct: correct: The manager was late to the meetingThe manager was late to the meeting;;

howeverhowever,, the assistant was on time. the assistant was on time.

This is a comma splice.This is a comma splice.

The doctor prescribed a different medicationThe doctor prescribed a different medication,, however it’s not helping.however it’s not helping.

How do we correct it?How do we correct it?

;

Semi-colons also . . . Semi-colons also . . .

Separate elements that contain interior Separate elements that contain interior commas or some visual complexity (e.g., commas or some visual complexity (e.g., formulae):formulae): I bought celeryI bought celery,, carrots carrots,, and beans and beans;; fish fish,, chicken chicken, ,

and beefand beef;; and rice and potatoes. and rice and potatoes.

Colons: one Colons: one mainmain role role Colons introduce listsColons introduce lists::

• Item a Item a • Item bItem b

Colons can also link two main clauses if the Colons can also link two main clauses if the second restates, defines, or illustrates the second restates, defines, or illustrates the first:first: No one was surprised by her promotionNo one was surprised by her promotion: : she she

was by far the best candidate.was by far the best candidate.

ListsLists Introduce most lists with a colon. Do not Introduce most lists with a colon. Do not

use a colon between a verb or use a colon between a verb or preposition and its object:preposition and its object: Wrong:Wrong: The criteria wereThe criteria were:: cost, cost,

quality, quality, and service.and service. Right:Right: We used the following criteriaWe used the following criteria::

cost, quality, and service.cost, quality, and service. Use a complete sentence to introduce a Use a complete sentence to introduce a

list.list.

Punctuate these.Punctuate these.

1.1. Before the close of business please order the Before the close of business please order the following two boxes of staples a desk blotter following two boxes of staples a desk blotter and a ream of copier paper.and a ream of copier paper.

2.2. We can consider competing for that project but We can consider competing for that project but we already have too much work.we already have too much work.

3.3. No one was surprised by her promotion she No one was surprised by her promotion she was by far the best candidate.was by far the best candidate.

4.4. Cash flow is our most pressing problem Cash flow is our most pressing problem consequently Mr. Edwards will make it the consequently Mr. Edwards will make it the focus of his speech.focus of his speech.

Vertical ListsVertical Lists Use bullets carefully – don’t overuse.Use bullets carefully – don’t overuse.

Use when all elements in list are equally Use when all elements in list are equally important and have no special rank, sequence, important and have no special rank, sequence, or significance.or significance.

Consider using when listed items are long Consider using when listed items are long (more than one line) but are not prioritized.(more than one line) but are not prioritized.

Make a vertical list of one or two-word Make a vertical list of one or two-word items items onlyonly on rare occasions. on rare occasions.

Vertical Lists (non-bulleted)Vertical Lists (non-bulleted)

Use numbers or lowercase letters, followed by a Use numbers or lowercase letters, followed by a period.period.

If each item is complete sentence, you may use If each item is complete sentence, you may use period after each; otherwise, use no ending period after each; otherwise, use no ending punctuation:punctuation:

The hydroponic system included the following The hydroponic system included the following components:components:

1. a sealed reservoir1. a sealed reservoir 2. an aquarium vibrator air pump2. an aquarium vibrator air pump 3. an automatic household timer3. an automatic household timer

Lists Within a SentenceLists Within a Sentence Do not introduce list with a colon when the list is short (three or fewer items,

or one-word items): correct: The elements in the test included zinc, lead, and tin.

You may use numbering to separate items within the list: The sequence of testing proceeded according to published standards:

1) take soil borings, 2) dry in oven, 3) analyze chemical composition. Lists within sentences are not as emphatic as vertical lists. But be careful of

overusing vertical lists.

Hyphens . . . Hyphens . . .

Join compound words Join compound words used as modifier before used as modifier before a noun:a noun: blueblue--green seagreen sea

Join a prefix to a word:Join a prefix to a word: selfself--consciousconscious

Join confusing units:Join confusing units: sixsix--foot lockersfoot lockers six footsix foot--lockerslockers

Usually join written Usually join written out fractions and out fractions and numbers between numbers between twentytwenty--one and one and ninetyninety--ninenine

Dashes . . . Dashes . . .

Set off interruptions, long appositives, strong Set off interruptions, long appositives, strong reversals:reversals: The work of three researchersThe work of three researchers –– Zhang, Barnett, and Zhang, Barnett, and

LiuLiu –– was particularly influential. was particularly influential. Use Use two hyphenstwo hyphens to make an em dash (to to make an em dash (to

distinguish it from a hyphen).distinguish it from a hyphen).

Quotation MarksQuotation Marks

Set off direct quotations and titles of sections or Set off direct quotations and titles of sections or parts of a longer work:parts of a longer work: He said, He said, ““I can no longer remain here.I can no longer remain here.”” His last article, His last article, ““The Influence of Uncertainty in Risk The Influence of Uncertainty in Risk

Calculations,Calculations,”” was published in Risk Analysis. was published in Risk Analysis. Generally, commas and periods go inside Generally, commas and periods go inside

ending quotation marks; semicolons and colons ending quotation marks; semicolons and colons go outside.go outside.

Punctuate this . . .Punctuate this . . .

He stated in his speech we will attempt to revise He stated in his speech we will attempt to revise our quality processes.our quality processes.

ParenthesesParentheses(the shy notation)(the shy notation)

Try not to use them (they only invite skipping Try not to use them (they only invite skipping over).over).

((Certainly, don’t put any useful information Certainly, don’t put any useful information inside them.inside them.)) And never put a whole And never put a whole sentence inside them!sentence inside them!

Before Wed. the 22Before Wed. the 22ndnd . . . . . . Read the scenario under the Challenge cycle of Read the scenario under the Challenge cycle of

the PRiME lesson, What to Report? the PRiME lesson, What to Report? http://www.engr.utexas.edu/ethics/creditSources/lesson2/index.cfmhttp://www.engr.utexas.edu/ethics/creditSources/lesson2/index.cfm

Answer the questions under Generate Ideas:Answer the questions under Generate Ideas: http://www.engr.utexas.edu/ethics/creditSources/lesson2/ideas.cfmhttp://www.engr.utexas.edu/ethics/creditSources/lesson2/ideas.cfm E-mail answers to E-mail answers to yourself onlyyourself only: put in your own email : put in your own email

address under “Instructor’s email.”address under “Instructor’s email.” Bring answers to class on Wednesday, March 22.Bring answers to class on Wednesday, March 22.

PRPRiiMEME = = PProfessional rofessional RResponsibility esponsibility MModules in odules in EEngineeringngineering

PRiME is a series of web-based lessons on PRiME is a series of web-based lessons on professional responsibility, funded by the UT professional responsibility, funded by the UT Chair of Free Enterprise and developed by UT Chair of Free Enterprise and developed by UT Engineering faculty. Engineering faculty.

There are modules and lessons on several There are modules and lessons on several different topics: different topics: http://http://www.engr.utexas.edu/ethics/primeModules.cfmwww.engr.utexas.edu/ethics/primeModules.cfm

Conjunctive adverbs and semi-colons . .Conjunctive adverbs and semi-colons . .

These adverbs link These adverbs link mainmain clauses, not clauses, not dependent clauses:dependent clauses: After much thought, he worried about only one After much thought, he worried about only one

aspect of the experimentaspect of the experiment; finally; finally, the reagent., the reagent.INCORRECT!INCORRECT!

After much thought, he worried about only one After much thought, he worried about only one aspect of the experimentaspect of the experiment: : the reagent.the reagent.

OROR After much thought, he worried about only one After much thought, he worried about only one

aspect of the experimentaspect of the experiment; finally; finally, he asked his , he asked his advisor which reagent to use .advisor which reagent to use .