1. Punctuation By: Marianna Barbosa Nina Filippone Vanessa Hansen-Quarty

2. Punctuation The marks, such as period, comma, and parentheses, used in writing to separate sentences and their elements and to clarify meaning.

3. Commas Commas enclose, separate, and set off information Opener, Sentence “Yesterday at the press conference, the coach…” “Interrupter” Her hair, brown and flowing, was held back by a scrunchy. Always include a comma when the conjunction is F or, A nd, N or, B ut, O r, Y et, S o. Incorrect: He walked all the way home and he shut the door. Correct: He walked all the way home, and he shut the door

4. Apostrophes In plural possessive terms, place the apostrophe after the "s." In singular possessive terms, place the apostrophe before the "s.” Incorrect: Our schools' collection Correct: Our school's collection Plain plural words do not require the use of an apostrophe. Incorrect: The lawyers' could generally be found after hours Correct: The lawyers could generally be found after hours Pronouns don’t use them, unless it’s a contraction!

5. Quotation Marks Use “quotation” marks… Around what is said aloud, signaling dialogue Around direct quotations Around titles of short works (poems, short stories, etc.) Use ‘single’ quotation marks when a quote is within a quote

6. Italics and Underlining Used to distinguish certain from others within a text. Titles: U.S. News and World Reports Names of Vehicles: Titanic Foreign Words/Phrases: et cetera Words as Words: “The word basically is profound…” For Emphasis: “I really don’t care what you think.” Words as Sounds: “ Grr went the bear.”

7. Numbers Really simple…don’t write Arabic numerals over 10! 1,2,3-10 X, XI, XII, etc. Know your Roman Numerals!

8. Hyphens/Slashes Often, Hyphens distinguish between a noun and a verb form, but even so, you cannot be sure which form contains the hyphen. Has-been (noun) Has been (verb) Send-off (noun) Send off (verb)

9. Semi- Colons Connecting two clauses that do not necessarily correlate “Felicia balled up the napkin in her fist; she didn’t say anything.” When clauses are long or contain internal punctuation. “If you approach the colt slowly, talking in a calm voice, you can gain his confidence; but if you move abruptly or speak sharply, he will bolt.”

10. Colons Used to point ahead and to separate. Announces a list to follow Separates a title from a subtitle. The Masks of God: Creative Mythology

11. Exclamation Points Indicates extremes of anger or excitement Can act as a visual scream of an emphatic command Don’t overuse exclamation points!!! Please!!!! *irony*

12. Parentheses, Dashes, and Brackets Primarily enclose information, primarily separating it from the rest of the sentence. Dashes - Emphasize the elements they enclose. Parentheses - de-emphasize interrupters and non essential elements. Brackets - Usually enclose clarifications.

13. Ellipsis Indicates where parts or parts of the original statement have been deleted Before: “For the root of genius is in the unconscious, not the conscious, mind.” After: “ For the root of genius is in the unconscious … mind” Include the part of the quote needed to explain your point!