End Punctuation and Semicolons Andrea Lunsford The Everyday Writer Andrea Lunsford The Everyday Writer

End Punctuation Periods—use a period to close sentences that make statements or give mild commands. Question marks—use question marks to close sentences that ask direct questions. Periods—use a period to close sentences that make statements or give mild commands. Question marks—use question marks to close sentences that ask direct questions. All books are either dreams or swords. Please close the door. How is the human mind like a computer, and how is it different?

End Punctuation Exclamation points—use an exclamation point to show surprise or strong emotion. Don’t use them often. In those few moments of geologic time will be the story of all that has happened since we became a nation. And what a story it will be!

Semicolons Use semicolons to link independent clauses (closely related ones). A semicolon should link independent clauses joined by therefore, however, and indeed or in fact, in addition, and for example. Use semicolons to link independent clauses (closely related ones). A semicolon should link independent clauses joined by therefore, however, and indeed or in fact, in addition, and for example. The test over punctuation covered many topics; we had studied for it all night, though, so we did very well. I have never considered myself a good writer; however, I can see real improvement in my writing this semester.

Semicolons Use semicolons to separate items in a series containing other punctuation. Anthropology encompasses archaeology, the study of ancient civilizations through artifacts; linguistics, the study of the structure and development of language; and cultural anthropology, the study of language, customs, and behavior.

Semicolons Revise misused semicolons. A comma, not a semicolon, should separate an independent clause from a dependent clause or phrase. The police found fingerprints; which they used to identify the thief.