1. The when, how, and why of using punctuation in the English language

2. First of all…
What is punctuation? Punctuation marks are symbols that indicate structure and organization of a sentence, as well as intonation and pauses to be observed while reading aloud.

3. Periods “ . ”
Periods indicate a full stop. They are placed at the end of a sentence.
Examples:
I want to eat as soon as possible.
I order a grilled cheese sandwich every time I go to that restaurant.
Mr. Bailey likes chocolate almost as much as I do.

4. Exclamation Points “ ! ”
Exclamation points, or exclamation marks, are used after an interjection.
Exclamation marks are also used to indicate strong feeling or emphasis in a statement.
Exclamation points may also indicate a high volume (shouting).
Examples:
Hey!
I need that glass of water immediately!
Dillon! Come downstairs and clean the kitchen!

5. Question Marks “ ? ”
Questions marks, or interrogative marks, replace full stop periods at the end of direct questions.
Questions marks are not used for indirect questions.
Examples of direct questions:
Are you going to eat that last wing?
Examples of indirect questions:
She asked if I would like to get some candy with her.
He wanted to know if I am allergic to any food.

6. Commas “ , ”
Commas are punctuation marks used to indicate a separation of ideas or of elements, or a series of ideas and elements, within the structure of a sentence.
Example: I want milk, cookies, and a cup of hot tea.
Commas, with a coordinating conjunction, separate two independent clauses.
Example: I wanted to eat, but I felt really sick.
Commas set aside subordinating clauses or unnecessary elements of a sentence.
Example: Ms. Edwards, the best teacher of all time, went running after the student who stole her lunch.
Commas may also indicate a pause or separation in a spoken sentence; a caesura.

7. Colons “ : ”
A colon is a punctuation mark used to introduce a list, when introductory words like “that” or “namely” are not used.
After lists introduced by colons, you may separate items with a semicolon ( “ ; ” ).
The clause before a colon must be able to stand on its own; it must be a complete sentence, or independent clause.
Examples:
She wants to eat: chocolate and cheese.
I need you to buy these items at the grocery store: cheese; chocolate; and sugar.

8. Semicolons “ ; ”
A semicolon is a punctuation mark that is used to separate two complete and related sentences. It replaces a period.
Example: I wanted to eat everything in the bakery; the pastries and cupcakes looked especially good!
A semicolon is used to separate series of items that include commas.
Example: I have visited Boston, Massachusetts; San Diego, California; and Austin, Texas.
A semicolon is used before phrases such as namely, i.e., e.g., for example, therefore, however, that is, and for instance.
Example: You will want to bake many types of cookies; for example, chocolate chip, peanut butter, and coconut macaroons.

9. Dash vs. Hyphen
Em Dash- this is the long line “ — ”
En dash- looks like a hyphen , but is slightly Narrower “ – “
Hyphen- this is the short line “ – ” (The minus sign on your keyboard)
En dash expresses a range of values or distance.
Example: I am about to be a part of the 25 – 32 age range!
Em dash sets off a parenthetical element that is abrupt (parenthetical elements are not necessary for the sentence to make sense).
Example: The tea—with cardamum and spices—is delicious!
Em dash also can separate the end of a sentence that is not a logical part of the sentence.
Example: Many friends were present—Julia, Susie, and Melanie were among them.
Hyphens are used to join words in a compound adjective, adverb, or verb.
Examples
Man-eating shark (instead of man eating shark)
Man-eating indicates the shark eats man instead of a man eating a shark.
Cookie-monster monster (instead of cookie monster)
Cookie-monster indicates it is a monster made of cookies instead of a monster who eats cookies.

10. Parentheses “ ( ) ”
Use parentheses to enclose words or phrases that clarify or act as an aside.
Example: I want to eat a huge piece of cake (after eating cupcakes too).
Use parentheses to enclose numbers in a list.
Example: I want you to (1) go to the store, (2) buy a chocolate bar, and (3) drop it off at my house.
Only use a period in parentheses when an entire sentence is in the parentheses.
Example: Please eat all the food (I have left it for you in the refrigerator.).

11. Quotation Marks “ ” Quotation marks indicate spoken words or speech.
Examples:
I said, “Please get me some food.”
“I really would like some chocolate,” I said quietly after my stomach growled.
Quotation marks are also used to identify poems, songs, short stories, or essay titles.
“Experience” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
“The Lost Ingredient” (Anne Sexton)

12. Apostrophes “ ’ ”
An apostrophe is a punctuation mark used to indicate contractions. The apostrophe is always placed at the spot where the letter(s) has been removed.
Examples: don’t (do not), can’t (cannot), shouldn’t (should not), wouldn’t (would not), haven’t (have not),etc.
An apostrophe is also used to indicate possession or ownership.
Examples: Alyssa’s plate of sushi; Ms. Edwards’ favorite song.
Do not use an apostrophe before the “s” in a plural item!
Example: Items = correct; item’s = incorrect