1. WHY PUNCTUATION MATTERS
Friday, 14 September 2018

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

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

4. 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?

5. 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?