By: KATIE AND RENEE WOOHOOO ♥♥

Declarative sentences end with a (.) period Interrogative sentences end with a (?) question mark Exclamatory sentences end with a (!) exclamation point Imperative sentences end with a (!) if it is yelled or (.) if it is spoken calmly.

Initials are punctuated [W.E.B. DuBois] Titles used with names [ Mr. Smith, Mrs. Tickle, Katie Jr.] Organizations or companies [ Co., Inc.] Addresses [ Ave., Rd.] Times [ A.M., P.M.]

Katie and renee

Commas separate items in a series, even before the coordinating conjunction. Example: The baby was happy, playful, and active. To pitch in a World Series game, to practice medicine, and to run for mayor are all things I would like to do someday. * Don’t use a comma when there are only two items in a list.

Use a comma to separate two or more equal adjectives that describe a noun. Example: A white dwarf is a tiny, dense star. A comma is used because both tiny and dense describe star

use commas before coordinating conjunctions in compound sentences. Examples: They had been working very hard, but they didn’t seem especially tired. * watch out for compound verbs; they do not need a comma with the coordinating conjunction joining them. Example: Usually we study in the morning and play basket ball in the afternoon.

Use commas to set off expressions that interrupt sentences. These expressions can be in the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence. Examples: Renee, our neighbor, is a fine student. Naturally, Katie expects to win. My answer is correct, I think.

Use commas to set off nonessential phrases and clauses. Nonessential means that the information in the phrase or clause is not needed to understand the basic meaning of the sentence. Example: Renee, thrilled by the applause, took a bow. The Wizard of Oz, which she saw again last week, is Katie’s favorite movie. My older sister, Renee, will be at basketball practice until 6:00 P.M.

Use commas to set off words used in direct address. Examples: Renee, please answer the door bell. Would you show me, ma’am, where the marshmallows are?

Use commas after introductory words, phrases, and subordinate clauses. Examples: Well, I think you’re wrong. Greeted with cheering from her fans, Renee took a bow. When you go to the store, could you please pick up a gallon of milk?

Use commas to separate items in dates and addresses Between date and year Comma after the year if the sentence continues Comma between city and state/ city and country Example: She was born January 26, 1988, in Cheshire, Connecticut.

Use a comma after the greeting of a personal letter and the closing of any letter Examples: Dear Renee, Yours Truly, Katie

A semicolon looks much like a combination of a period and a comma, and that is just what it is. A semicolon can separate thoughts much as a period does. A semicolon can also separate items within a sentence much as a comma does. This is a semicolon

Use semicolons between independent clauses if they are not joined by and, but, for, nor, or, so, or yet. Examples: Renee took my suitcase upstairs; she left her own travel bag in the car. After school, Sky went to band practice; then she studied at the library for an hour.

Use semicolons to link clauses only if the clauses are closely related in meaning. Incorrect: Uncle Ray likes potatoes; Aunt Janie prefers the beach. Correct: Uncle Ray likes potatoes; Aunt Janie prefers the peas and carrots.

Use a semicolon rather than a comma before a coordinating conjunction to join independent clauses that contain commas. Confusing: I wrote Ann, Jenny, and May, and Jean notified Jim, Sam, and Sue. Clear: I wrote Ann, Jenny, and May; and Jean notified Jim, Sam, and Sue.

Semicolons are also used between items in a series when items contain commas. Examples: They visited Phoenix, Arizona; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and San Antonio, Texas. Mr. Schultz, my science teacher; Ms. O’Hara, my English teacher; and Mrs. Gomez, my math teacher, attended the seventh-grade picnic.

Use a colon before a list of items, especially after expressions such as the following or as follows. You will need these items for map work: a ruler, colored pencils, and tracing paper. The primary colors are as follows: red, blue, and yellow. *****Do not use a colon after a verb or preposition. Omit the colon or re-word the sentence. Incorrect: Your heading should contain: your name, the date, and your period. Correct: Your heading should contain your name, the date, and your period.

Use a colon between the hour and minute in time. 8:30 a.m. 10:00 p.m. Use a colon after the salutation of a business letter. Dear Mrs. Tickle: Use a colon between chapter and verse in the Biblical references and between all titles and subtitles. I Chronicles 22: 6-19 “ Oral Storytelling: Making the Winter Shorter”

STUDY RULESSSSS