The Basics

Punctuation  Punctuation marks are symbols that organize, separate, emphasize and indicate pauses in language.  Common punctuation marks include:  The comma,  The period.  The question mark ?  The exclamation mark !  Quotation marks “ “  The apostrophe ‘  The semicolon ;

The Comma,  The comma is used to set apart introductory and non-restrictive phrases, to separate list items, to separate clauses (in tandem with a conjunction) and to set off dialogue. Before you leave, please take a business card. My sister wore a pink shirt, yellow pants and red shoes. Robert threw the ball, and Nina caught it. “But I don’t like cantaloupe,” she said. He yelled, “I caught a huge fish!”

The Comma  If you’ll remember from your previous lesson, commas should never be used on their own to separate independent clauses.  Commas are used, however, to separate nonessential (also known as nonrestrictive) phrases.  In the sentence “My friend, the one with the blue hat, wants to play with us”, the phrase “with the blue hat” could be removed without damaging the core meaning of the sentence. Thus, it is a nonessential phrase and can be set apart with commas.

The Period.  The period is used to indicate the end of a sentence (provided that the sentence does not ask or end with a direct question or is not exclamatory).  The period is also used in abbreviations. This is a sentence. Dr. Johnson is from D.C.

The Period  A period should never separate two dependent clauses or a dependent clause from an independent clause.  This leads to sentence fragments, and you already know that sentence fragments are a no-no.  No-no: Jasmine wants to go to town. Because she needs to buy flowers.  Yes: Jasmine wants to go to town because she needs to buy flowers.

The Question Mark  The question mark is used to indicate a direct question. When will the guests arrive? “Did you call Harriet?” Matthew asked.  The question mark can also be used when a sentence that began as a statement ends in a question. You brought your skates, didn’t you?

The Exclamation Mark  Like the period and question mark, the exclamation mark indicates the end of a sentence.  The exclamation mark is used to end exclamatory sentences, sentences that display strong emotion. I’ll never join the Red Team! You can’t make me clean my room! The PLC is the very best ever!

The Exclamation Mark  The exclamation mark can also be used following an interjection (remember those?). Hey! I know who you are. No! I don’t want to go to Bangkok! Darn! I can’t find my contact lense. Awesome! I’ll see you at the fair.

Quotation Marks  Quotations marks can be used to indicate dialogue, to set apart the title of a short work of literature and to indicate a quote. “Marry me tomorrow,” he said. The poem “The Pool” is an interesting one. She called it a “cute little bunny,” but I didn’t find it cute.

Quotation Marks  Dialogue is often the most-incorrectly punctuated part of a student’s writing.  The following sentences contain common mistakes students make when writing dialogue: “Carry the flag to the front” he said. “I would like to order a cheeseburger”, said Marjorie. Does that shop sell stickers?” I asked. “This song is my favorite, Franklin told me. “I can hardly wait for the movie to start,” she said “It’s going to be a good one.”  Were you able to pick out the errors? No comma after “front” Comma incorrectly placed after quotation mark No beginning quotation mark No ending quotation mark No period after “said”

Quotation Marks  Basic Rules  When you are directly quoting someone, everything they say should be bracketed by quotation marks; this means a quotation mark at the beginning and end of a quote.  A comma (used to separate the quote from “he said,” “she said,” etc.) is always placed before the quotation mark. If the “she said/he said” is placed before the quote, the comma is placed before the quotation mark. If the “she said/he said” is placed after the quote, the comma is, again, placed before the quotation mark. Angela said, “I would rather ride my bicycle.” “I would rather ride my bicycle,” Angela said.

Quotation Marks  The following sentences are examples of properly punctuated dialogue. Pay close attention to the placement of quotation marks, commas, periods, exclamation points and quotation marks.  “Mark and April are coming over for dinner,” Mother said.  “Do you prefer the blue or the yellow shirt?” she asked.  I told her, “I will come back tomorrow.”  “Everyone is excited about the new park,” Lewis said.  “Jack! It’s time to go home now!” Nina yelled.  “Please don’t wait up for me,” said Megan. “I’ll probably read this book all night.”

Quotation Marks  Quotation marks are also used to indicate the title of a short work of writing or art.  These short works include poems, songs, short stories, short plays, essays, articles, episodes and scenes. “The bee is not afraid of me” “Hills Like White Elephants”  Longer works should be italicized or underlined.  These longer works include books/novels, plays, albums, anthologies, newspapers, magazines, TV shows and movies. My Antonia The Taming of the Shrew

Apostrophes ‘  The apostrophe is a useful little mark that is used in two primary ways.  1. With a contraction Don’t, didn’t, wouldn’t, couldn’t, it’s, can’t, won’t, shouldn’t, you’re, I’m, etc.  2. To show possession Martha’s house George’s jacket The school’s computers

Apostrophes: Rules  To show possession by a plural noun, place the apostrophe after the “s”. The boys’ toys were all rusted by the rain. The cars’ interiors were cleaned.  Never use an apostrophe to indicate a plural proper name. NO: The Sanchez’s live down the street. YES: The Sanchezes live down the street.  Never use an apostrophe with possessive pronouns. NO: Their’s is my favorite dance. YES: Theirs is my favorite dance.

Apostrophes: Rules  An apostrophe is used in the word “it’s” only to indicate the contraction of “it is” or “it has.” “Its” as in “belonging to it” never, ever, ever gets an apostrophe. NO, NO, NO: The tree needs it’s roots watered. YES: The tree needs its roots watered. NO, NO, NO: Its time for breakfast. YES: It’s time for breakfast.  When capital letters and numbers are used as plural nouns, they do not receive an apostrophe. NO: These are some writers from the 1800’s. YES: These are some writers from the 1800s.

The Semicolon ;  Semicolons are used when a period is too strong and a comma is not strong enough.  They are only used to connect/separate independent clauses. WRONG: Joseph enjoys reading; because it is relaxing. WRONG: Joseph enjoys reading, he finds it relaxing. RIGHT: Joseph enjoys reading; he finds it relaxing. RIGHT: Joseph enjoys reading because he finds it relaxing.  Semicolons are an excellent solution to the comma splice problem.

You have reached the end of your journey with punctuation marks. But is it the end? Or is it just the beginning? Congratulations ! (Hint: It’s just the beginning.) See Mrs. Shankle when you are ready for your punctuation quiz!