1. Examples of Punctuation
From: Eats, Shoots, and Leaves
By: Lynn Truss

2. In her book “Eats, Shoots, and Leaves” author Lynn Truss provides numerous examples of how small changes in punctuation can have important effects in the meaning of a text. Read the following.

3. Example no. 1 – A woman… A woman, without her man, is nothing.
(a fairly sexist world view)
A woman: without her, man is nothing.
(an equally sexist world view)

4. Example no. 2 – The ball boy…
Bring me the ball boy!
(a baseball manager gone mad?)
Bring me the ball, boy!
(not sure I would ever say this!)
Now compare these two passages…

5. Example no. 3 - Dear Jack Dear Jack,
I want a man who knows what love is all about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful. People who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me for other men. I yearn for you. I have no feelings whatsoever when we’re apart. I can be forever happy – will you let me be yours?
Jill
Dear Jack,
I want a man who knows what love is. All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people, who are not like you. Admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me. For other men I yearn! For you I have no feelings whatsoever. When we’re apart I can be forever happy. Will you let me be?
Yours,
Jill

8. What is the point??? The point is quite simply this:
In your 4U courses, spelling, grammar, and punctuation are all very important in helping you to clearly state your ideas. It is now time (if you haven’t been doing so) to pay particular attention to these elements.