WHY PUNCTUATION MATTERS Friday, 14 September 2018

Let’s start with maths… Please attempt to sort out these simple equations: 22=x 3(x-4=24 3x3-1=6 2+57

What is the problem? When we remove the symbols instructing us, the sum becomes nonsense. Equally, if we get the symbol wrong: 2-2=4, then the sum makes no sense. The symbols are the grammar and punctuation of a mathematical “sentence”.

So in English… A misplaced apostrophe can alter the meaning of a sentence: Parent’s evening : how many parents are being invited here? A comma can be vital: A rabbit eats, shoots and leaves. OK ,but where does it keep its gun?

Now a poem to help recognise the importance of punctuation: “Had he and I but met  By some old ancient inn,  We should have set us down to wet  Right many a nipperkin!  But ranged as infantry,  And staring face to face,  I shot at him as he at me,  And killed him in his place.  I shot him dead because--  Because he was my foe,  Just so: my foe of course he was;  That's clear enough; although  He thought he'd 'list, perhaps,  Off-hand like--just as I--  Was out of work--had sold his traps--  No other reason why.  Yes; quaint and curious war is!  You shoot a fellow down  You'd treat, if met where any bar is,  Or help to half a crown”. THE MAN HE KILLED: THOMAS HARDY Direct speech Ballad form –simple rhyme pattern and 4 line stanzas. Tells a story Caesura interrupts flow of line Enjambement leading to stanza full of caesurae. WHY? Futility?