1. Punctuation
FAITH Tutorial
Language Arts
Mrs. Amy Vaughan

2. Punctuation are symbols that we use to organize
written language and to
indicate its structure.
Punctuation are symbols that we use to organize written language and to indicate its structure.

3. Periods .
Use a period at the end of a sentence or statement (declarative sentence) Example: Today is a beautiful day.
Use a period at the end of an indirect question Example: I wonder if there will be a surprise quiz today.
Use a period at the end of a mild command or request. (imperative sentence)
Example: Please hand me that book.

4. Periods .
Use a period after an initial. Example: J.K. Rowling is a popular author.
Use a period after an abbreviation. Example: Mrs. Smith is a great coach.
***See page 275
6. Use a period to separate dollars and cents. Example: The book cost $4.95.

5. Question Marks ?
Use a question mark at the end of a sentence that asks a question. (interrogative sentence) Example: What are you going to do after school today?
Use a question mark at the end of a statement that you want to emphasize as not believing the statement Example: We don’t have any homework?
Use a question mark with parentheses to indicate that you are not sure of a spelling or other fact. Example: I have to visit an orthopeadic (?) doctor next week.

6. Exclamation Points !
Use an exclamation point at the end of a sentence or word (interjection) to indicate strong emotion. Never use more than one exclamation point. (exclamatory sentence)
Example: Wow! You did a wonderful job! Not: Wow!!! You did a wonderful job!
2. Use an exclamation point at the end of a sentence that gives a strong command. (imperative sentence) Example: Get out of the way!

7. Commas ,
Use a comma to separate three or more items in a series. (It is acceptable to omit the comma before the conjunction in a series. However, it is important to remain consistent.) Example: I still need to take a test, write an essay, and check out a book. Acceptable: I need a pencil, easer and paper for this class.
Use a comma to separate introductory material from the rest of the sentence. (ie, participial phrases, prepositional phrases, numbering words, etc.)
Example: After the rain stopped, we saw a rainbow.
Use a comma to separate two complete thoughts that are connected by a coordination conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, or so). You do not need to use a comma just because a sentence has an and, but, etc. A comma is only needed when each thought has its own subject and verb Example: We had a lot of fun, so I'll have another party soon. We played many games and laughed a lot.

8. Commas ,
Use commas around a non-essential word or a group of words that interrupt the main thought of a sentence. Example: English class, as you know, requires a lot of reading and writing *Other common interrupters include: after all, in my opinion, on the other hand, for example, by the way etc. If you remove the non-essential word(s) the meaning or idea of the sentence stays the same.
Use a comma to separate additional information from the rest of the sentence. Example: Canada’s coastline, which stretches 243,797 kilometres, is one of the longest.

9. Commas ,
Use a comma to separate two or more words that describe a person, place or thing. (between adjectives that describe a noun) *If you aren't sure whether to use a comma to separate the adjectives or not, say the sentence with the word and in place of the comma.  If it makes sense, then use the comma. Example: The babysitter was having problems with the unruly, disruptive children.
Use commas after the street address and city in an address. Example: The address is 1234 Apple Street, Saint John, New Brunswick.
8. Use a comma after the day and the year in a date Example: On January 13, 1958, my mother was born.

10. Commas ,
When quoting, use a comma to set off the speaker from the quotation. Example: The ecstatic boy said, “I knew we would win the contest.” “Well you did a great job,” replied his teacher.
Use a comma after a mild interjection, such as oh, ok or well. Example: Oh, the test was not that difficult.
Use a comma after directly addressing a person, place or thing (noun) Example: Kim, your report was very interesting.

11. Commas ,
12.Use a comma to clarify large numbers. Counting from right to left, a comma is needed after every 3 digits. This rule does not apply to years, where no commas are used at all. Example: In 2010 the population of Canada was about 34,000,000.
13. Use a comma after the greeting in a personal letter Example:  Dear Aunt Sheila,
14. Use a comma after the closing of a letter Example: Sincerely, your friend, etc.
***Wrong commas: page 291

12. Semicolons ;
Use a semicolon to join two complete sentences or independent clauses that are related. (This eliminates the need for a comma and a conjunction.) Example: Casey read a book; then he did a book report.
Use a semicolon between two complete sentences that are connected by a transition word. Example: Our vacation was terrific; however, it was nice to come home * Other transition words include: consequently, instead, otherwise, furthermore, moreover, therefore, nevertheless.
Use a semicolon to separate items in a series when commas are already used. Example: On our trip we went to London, England; Paris, France; Barcelona, Spain; Florence, Italy; and Athens, Greece.

13. Colons :
Use a colon to introduce a list. (Introductory words such as following or these go somewhere before the colon to help introduce the list.) Example: You need the following items for class: pencil, pens, paper, ruler, and glue.
Use a colon to introduce an explanation Example: Kraft Dinner is easy to make: first, bring a pot of water to a boil. Next, add the pasta and cook until it is tender. Then, drain the water. After, add the cheese mix and milk. Finally, still it all together.
Use a colon after the greeting of a business letter Example: Dear Sir:

14. Colons :
Use a colon to introduce a long or formal quote Example: Shakespeare said in As You Like It: All the world’s a stage,/And all the men and women merely players.”
Use a colon between the title and subtitle of a book Example: Reading Strategies That Work: Teaching Your Students to Become Better Readers is an excellent resource.
Use a colon between numerals indicating hours and minutes. Example: School starts at 8:35 a.m.

15. Apostrophes ’
Use an apostrophe in a contraction to show where letters have been omitted, or left out. Example: I don't think that this is too hard.
Use an apostrophe to show possession (something belongs to someone or something) Example: John’s book was left at school. *Never add an apostrophe to the words his, hers, its, ours, theirs or yours; they already indicate possession.
Use an apostrophe when you leave out the first two numbers of a year. Example: She was in the class of '99.
If a singular noun ends in -s it is acceptable to use 's OR to use only an apostrophe after the -s. (It is important to remain consistent.) Example: The metropolis's citizens were very friendly during our visit. Acceptable: The metropolis' citizens were very friendly during our visit.

16. Apostrophes ’
5. To form the possessive of a noun ending in -s, it is acceptable to add 's OR to add only an apostrophe. (stay consistent) Example: Mr. Jones’s classroom is very inviting. Acceptable: Mr. Jones' classroom is very inviting.
6. If a plural noun ends in -s, add an apostrophe after the -s. Example: The athletes’ new uniforms are amazing.
7. If a plural noun does not end with an -s, form the possessive by using an apostrophe before an -s. Example: The children’s grades were improving.
8. Use an apostrophe to form the plural of a number, letter, sign, or word used as a word. Example: Everyone got A’s or B’s on the assignment.

17. - Hyphens -
* Hyphens are used within a word or between two words. If you are not sure whether to use a hyphen check your dictionary.
Use a hyphen to join two words that describe a noun Example: The blue-eyed, brown-haired girl is strong-willed and free-spirited.
Use a hyphen to show a family relationship, except “grand” and “half.” Example: My sister-in-law helps take care of my great-aunt, while my half sister looks after my grandfather.
Use a hyphen in compound nouns with certain prefixes and suffixes. Example: ex-boyfriend, non-fiction, self-control.

18. - Hyphens -
Use a hyphen to divide a word at the end of a sentence Example: I still have many things that I needed to accom-
plish before the end of the day.
Use a hyphen in compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine. Example: Test marks ranged from seventy-eight to ninety-two.
Use a hyphen between the numbers in a fraction. Example: I only used three-fourths of the paper you gave me.

19. Dashes - Well-known Well – known _
*Dashes are used between parts of sentences. A dash is twice as long as a hyphen. Dashes add drama!
A pair of dashes may be used to indicate or emphasize an interruption in the flow of a sentence. Example: Everyone in the family – including the children – loves the game of hockey.
Use a dash after a series or list of introductory elements. Example: Dedication, hard work, and confidence – this is how John got his scholarship.
A dash may be used to introduce a summary or a final element in a sentence Example: Reading can broaden vocabulary, expand imagination, and entertain – in other words, it’s good for you. -
Well-known
Well – known _

20. (Parentheses)
Use a set of parentheses around a word or phrase in a sentence that adds information or makes an idea more clear Example: Your essay (all nine pages of it) is on my desk.
Do not use parentheses within parentheses.  Use brackets in place of the inner parentheses. Example:  Please refer to Julius Caesar (Act IV, scene I [page 72]).

21. Ellipsis…
Use an ellipsis to indicate a pause. Example: You mean ... I ... uh ... we have a test today?
Use an ellipsis to indicate omitted words in a quotation. Example: “ You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes… you are the guy who'll decide where to go”.
If the ellipses comes at the end of your sentence, you still need end punctuation, even if it is a period Example: I listened carefully as the teacher read the story. “Once upon a time….”

22. “Quotation Marks”
Use quotation marks before and after a direct quote.  If the speaker information interrupts the quoted material, then two sets of quotation marks are needed. However, do not put quotation marks around the speaker information. Example: “I think today was a great day,” exclaimed the boy, “But tomorrow will be better.”
Put quotation marks around the titles of short works, such as articles, songs, short stories, or poems. Example: Have you heard the song “Love Me Tender,” by Elvis Presley?

23. “Quotation Marks”
Place quotation marks around words, letters, or symbols that are slang or being discussed or used in a special way. Example: I have a hard time spelling “miscellaneous.”
Use single quotation marks for quotation marks within quotations. Example: “Have your read the poem, ‘The Raven,’ by Edgar Alan Poe?” I asked.

24. Underlining & Italics
Use italics or underline titles of long works such as books, magazines, albums, movies, etc. (Do not underline end punctuation.)  Example: We use The Language Handbook to study grammar. Or: We use The Language Handbook to study grammar.
Underline foreign words which are not commonly used in everyday English Example: If you look closely, you'll see e pluribus on most U.S. currency. Or: If you look closely, you'll see e pluribus on most U.S. currency.
* It is more acceptable to use italics when available.