ELLIPSIs …

~ An ellipsis is a handy device when you're quoting material and you want to omit some words. ~ The ellipsis consists of three evenly spaced dots (periods) with spaces between the ellipsis and surrounding letters or other marks. …

”The ceremony honored twelve brilliant athletes … visiting the U.S.” Let's take this sentence: "The ceremony honored twelve brilliant athletes from the Caribbean who were visiting the U.S." Now, let’s omit "from the Caribbean who were":

If the omission comes after the end of a sentence, the ellipsis will be placed after the period, making a total of four dots. … See how that works? Notice that there is no space between the period and the last character of the sentence. The ellipsis can also be used to indicate a pause in the flow of a sentence and is especially useful in quoted speech: Juan thought and thought … and then thought some more. "I'm wondering …" Juan said, bemused.

-DASH-

The dash is a handy device, informal and essentially playful, telling you that you're about to take off on a different track but still in some way connected with the present course — only you have to remember that the dash is there, and either put a second dash at the end of the notion to let the reader know that he's back on course, or else end the sentence, as here, with a period. __ Lewis Thomas

Use a dash [ — ] to set off parenthetical elements, especially when those elements contain internal forms of punctuation: Example: All four of them—Bob, Jeffrey, Jason, and Brett—did well in college. Do not use dashes to set apart material when commas would do the work for you.

In writing dialogue, the dash is used to show breaks in thought and shifts in tone: Below is a sample conversation: "How many times have I asked you not to —" Jason suddenly stopped talking and looked out the window. "Not to do what?" I prompted. "Not to — Oh, just forget about it!"

Now, you try writing a sample sentence using a dash or dashes. More examples: The table was decorated with a feast-pork tenderloin, dressing, green beans, rolls, sweet potatoes, and chocolate torte-for the family on Thanksgiving. We all gathered around the table-Wills, Katherine, Mom, Dad, and Elizabeth-for the meal.

Commas EQ: How does a writer use a comma correctly? Standard ELA CC8L2: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

Commas signal a pause or a separation… Rule: Use commas to separate 3 or items in a series. Examples: Jack needs to go to the mall, to the grocery, and to the game. The winners in the contest were Tom, Sally, and Sarah. Now, you write an example of a comma separating 3 or more items in a series.

Commas after introductory phrases: Rule: Use a comma to show a pause after an introductory work, a prepositional phrase, or a transitional phrase. Examples: After the party was over, I walked to Beth’s house. Slowly, he turned and trudged down the hall. Consequently, he fell and broke his knee cap. Yes, I would like to visit Massachusetts. Now, you write one.

Commas after conjunctive adverbs… Rule: use a comma after conjunctive adverbs such as however, moreover, furthermore, nevertheless, ergo, and therefore. Examples: Sally likes cake; therefore, she goes to the bakery often. Sally likes cake; however, she adores pie. Now, you write one.

Commas in a compound sentence… Rule: Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction to separate 2 independent clauses. The coordinating conjunctions are your FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so). Example: Jerry enjoys running, so he is trying out for the cross country team. Maddie loves track, and she placed third in the state. Now, you write an example.

Appositives & Sentence Interrupters Rule: Use commas to set off words that interrupt the flow of thought in a sentence and appositives that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. Examples: My brother, gulping his food, raced through his meal. The Smiths, our neighbors, have a cook out every weekend. Now, you write a sample of one.

Direct Address… Rule: Use commas to set off names used in direct address. Examples: Brad, do you have a pencil I can borrow? Sam, you have the highest score on the test.

Complex Sentences with a dependent clause as a sentence introducer… Rule: Use a comma to set off a dependent clause at the beginning of the sentence. Examples: Because she likes shopping, Beth goes to the mall every weekend. Since Nicholas is travelling, we will check his mail for him.

Comma Quiz…use your notes to take the following quiz. Write capital letters only. 1.Which sentence is correctly punctuated? A.At the grocery store, he will buy apples, caramel, and popsicle sticks. B.At the grocery store he will buy, apples, caramel, and popsicle sticks. C.At the grocery store, he will buy apples caramel and popsicle sticks.

2. Which sentence is correctly punctuated? A.On Tuesday, Mary needs to buy groceries pick up the dry cleaning and finish her paperwork. B. On Tuesday Mary needs to buy groceries, pick up the dry cleaning, and finish her paperwork. C. On Tuesday, Mary needs to buy groceries, pick up the dry cleaning, and finish her paperwork.

3. Which sentence is correctly punctuated? A. First, of all the cook must measure the flour. B. First of all the cook, must measure the flour. C. First of all, the cook must measure the flour.

4. Which sentence is correctly punctuated? A. Honestly, Jack always does his Saturday chores. B. Honestly Jack always does his Saturday chores. C. Honestly Jack, always does his Saturday chores.

5. Which sentence is correctly punctuated? A. Tara rides her bike often; moreover she races on the weekends. B. Tara rides her bike often; moreover, she races on the weekends. C. Tara rides her bike often; moreover she, races on the weekends.

6. Which sentence is correctly punctuated? A. Tommy, skateboarding down the sidewalk, saw his friends in the window of the ice cream shop. B. Tommy, skateboarding down the sidewalk saw his friends in the window of the ice cream shop. C. Tommy skateboarding down the sidewalk, saw his friends in the window of the ice cream shop.

7. Which sentence is correctly punctuated? A. Sally do you have your driver’s license? B. Sally do you have your,driver’s license? C. Sally, do you have your driver’s license?

8. Which sentence is correctly punctuated? A. Harold has a coloring book; yet he does not have any crayons. B. Harold has a coloring book, yet he does not have any crayons. C. Harold has a coloring book yet, he does not have any crayons.

9. Which sentence is correctly punctuated? A. Until we paint, the garage the cars must be parked in the driveway. B. Until, we paint the garage the cars must be parked in the driveway. C. Until we paint the garage, the cars must be parked in the driveway.

10. Which sentence is correctly punctuated? A. While, we wait in the lobby you can begin your homework. B. While we wait in the lobby, you can begin your homework. C. While we wait, in the lobby you can begin your homework.