Punctuation

What Are Punctuation Marks and Why Are They Important? Punctuation marks are symbols that are used to structure and organize writing to help emphasize a certain tone of voice or meaning. Without punctuation marks, it would be difficult to understand what one person is trying to say. The meaning would be misinterpreted

Punctuation Marks Include: Apostrophes Capitalization Colons and semicolons Commas Exclamation points Hyphens Parentheses and brackets Question marks Quotation marks

Most Common Punctuation Mistakes Comma Splices Two sentences joined only with a comma when a semi-colon would be best fit instead Ex: It’s hot today, the beach sounds fun. Misuse of Apostrophes Using apostrophes at the wrong time or displaying the improper meaning Ex: Its his turn! Ex: I like his’ smile. Misuse of Quotation Punctuation Putting the ending punctuation mark after the ending quotation mark or not using the proper punctuation mark before beginning a quote Ex: He said “I miss you”. Ex: He said, “I miss you”.

Commas Commas are one of the most important parts of punctuation. A comma makes sure that… There is no confusion on your sentence The point or meaning of the sentence is emphasized Most importantly, that the blocks of thought and logical groupings are organized and understandable Having a sentence with no commas can be very confusing, hard to read and understand, and can even change the meaning of a sentence.

Semicolons Semicolons help you connect closely related ideas when a mark stronger than a comma is needed.

When should you use a semi colon? A semicolon is most commonly used to link (in a single sentence) two independent clauses that are closely related in thought. Use a semicolon between two independent clauses that are connected by conjunctive adverbs or transitional phrases. Use a semicolon between independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction if the clauses are already punctuated with commas or if the clauses are lengthy. Use a semicolon between items in a list or series if any of the items contain commas.

Examples of Semicolons "Happiness isn't something you experience; it's something you remember." (Oscar Levant) "With educated people, I suppose, punctuation is a matter of rule; with me it is a matter of feeling. But I must say I have a great respect for the semi-colon; it's a useful little chap." (Abraham Lincoln)

Colons Colons are used to mark a major division in a sentence, to indicate that what follows is an elaboration, summation, implication, etc., of what precedes.

When should you use a colon? Use a colon to signal the reader that a series of words, phrases, or clauses follows a complete sentence. Use a colon to signal the reader that a second complete sentence explains a closely related preceding sentence. Use a colon to signal the reader that a name or description follows a complete sentence when you want to put a lot of emphasis on that item. Use a colon to introduce a long quotation after a complete sentence.

Examples of Colons "There are three choices in this life: be good, get good, or give up." (Dr. House, House, M.D.) "The four most beautiful words in our common language: I told you so." (Gore Vidal)

Quotation Marks Quotation marks are used to indicate your reader that you are borrowing “quoted” words from someone else and that they are not coming from you They are important because indicate exactly which words or sentences are being borrowed Example: According to the textbook New Dimensions on Women’s Health, “for women between the ages of 15 and 24, accidents, assault, and suicide are the three top causes of death.” (48) The quotation marks show exactly where the information is no longer coming from the writer's ideas or own words. Quotation marks are important when it comes to avoiding plagiarism.

Quotation marks are also used to.. To indicate that a word is “special” or that it does not actually mean what it pretends to mean Example: Women achieved “equality” when they were granted the right to vote in 1920. When women were granted the right to vote, they had somehow achieved equality, although women still faced discrimination. The quotation marks surrounding the word equality indicate that the word is special somehow. To show dialogue Example: When I arrived home, my mom yelled, “Where is your jacket?” The quotation marks indicate whom exactly is talking and what is being stated.

Quotation Punctuation When using quotation marks, ending punctuation marks should be within the quotation marks. Ex: “Jane was never fond of watching baseball.” Ex: “Are you listening?” Depending on the content of the sentence, commas should either be used before or within the quotation mark. Ex: He said, “I told you so.” Ex: “My mother,” said Mary, “was always supportive of my dreams.”

Apostrophes Apostrophes are used mainly to show possession, whether singular or plural, and to fill in omitted letters in contractions.

Special Rules When Using Apostrophes to Show Possession Add ’s to the singular form of the word (even if it ends in –s) Ex: James’s hat Add ’s to the plural forms that do not end in –s Ex: the mice’s tails Add ’ to the end of plural nouns that end in –s Ex: her parents’ house Add ’s to the last noun to show joint possession of an object Ex: Ben and Jerry’s ice cream parlor

Works Cited "Colon." Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com. Web. 13 Mar. 2012. <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/colon>. “Commas." Google images. Web. 15 Mar. 2012. Fogarty, Mignon. "Single Quotation Marks Versus Double Quotation Marks." Grammar Girl. 18 Aug. 2011. Web. 15 Mar. 2012. <http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/single-quotes-versus-double-quotes.aspx>. "LEO: Colon Rules." Welcome to LEO: Literacy Education Online. Web. 13 Mar. 2012. <http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/punct/colon.html>. “Punctuation." Google images. Web. 11 Mar. 2012. "Punctuating Dialogue." Most Common Punctuation Mistakes. Web. 15 Mar. 2012. <http://webs.ashlandctc.org/jnapora/WritersWeb/most_common_mistakes.htm>. "Purdue OWL: The Apostrophe." Purdue Online Writing Lab. Web. 11 Mar. 2012. <http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/621/01/>. "Semicolon." About.com Grammar & Composition. Web. 13 Mar. 2012. <http://grammar.about.com/od/rs/g/semicolonterm.htm>. "The Comma, The Colon." Punctuation:. Web. 15 Mar. 2012. <http://www.edufind.com/english/punctuation/comma.ph>. "Using Semicolons." Grammar and Punctuation. Web. 12 Mar. 2012. <http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/Semicolons.html>.