1. English Writing I Punctuation © Olga Predushchenko, Jiujiang University

2. Punctuation The Period (.)  1. The period (full stop) marks the end of a sentence.  2. Sentences marked with the period at the end: declarative, mildly imperative, indirect question.  Examples: Every student should learn to use punctuation marks. Learn punctuation marks. Students asked how the comma should be used. © Olga Predushchenko, Jiujiang University

3. Punctuation The Period (.)  3. Some abbreviations: Mr. Mrs. Ms. Dr. Ph.D. a.m.  4. Three spaced periods (the ellipsis mark): indicate the omission of one or more words or shoes a pause. “What do you mean?” “I mean… well, I mean nothing special.” © Olga Predushchenko, Jiujiang University

4. Punctuation The Question Mark (?)  1. After a direct question: Did you learn English Literature at school?  2. When a declarative or an imperative sentence is converted into a question: You cleaned the room this morning? © Olga Predushchenko, Jiujiang University

5. Punctuation The Question Mark (?)  3. May be used between the parts of series: Did she buy milk? butter? beef? eggs?  4. Within parentheses to indicate the writer’s uncertainty: The author of this strange book was born in 1078 (?) and died in 1135. © Olga Predushchenko, Jiujiang University

6. Punctuation The Exclamation Mark (!)  1. After an exclamatory sentence: Act now or never!  2. After an emphatic interjection: Wow! Oh!  3. A phrase that expresses strong emotion: What a beautiful day!  4. After a slogan that expresses a wish: Long live the People’s Republic of China! © Olga Predushchenko, Jiujiang University