Punctuation

Punctuation

Definition
Punctuation is the system of symbols that writers use to make their writing clear and to add emphasis, intonation, and pause to a work.

Two reasons…
a. To provide order and structure to an otherwise dark and disorganized stream of words.
b. To add style to their writing.

History
- Derived from the Latin word; Punctus, meaning “a point”.
-The first use of punctuation appears on the Moonbite Stone, dating from 850B.C.
- Invented by Aristophanes of Byzantium around 194B.C.

1.0 The Period

Definition

To represent a strong pause or break.
- physical pause; between sentences.
- pause in meaning; between the different letters in an abbreviation.

The Period (usage)
-With imperative and declarative clauses.
-With Requests and Questions.
-With abbreviations.

With Imperative and Declarative Sentences
-Pass the salt. (imperative)
-The postman always rings twice. (declarative)

Note:
Imperative Sentence: a sentence that makes a request or gives a command.
Declarative Sentence: a sentence that is used to make a statement of fact or possibility

With Requests and Questions
-Would you please turn your stereo down. (request)
-He wonders who she is. (indirect question)
-May I make a suggestion. (rhetorical question)
-Would you stop tapping your foot. (imperative sentence phrased as question)

With Abbreviations
-A.D. anno Domini (Latin for “in the year of our Lord”)
-Feb. February
-B.C. Before Christ
-Mr. Mister
-A.M. Ante meridiem (Latin for before noon)

2.0 Ellipses (…)

Definition
A series of periods that indicate words missing in a sentence.

Usage
-Three periods indicate words missing at the beginning of the quote or within the quote.

Example
“Unless we can surmount the crises…all the plans for the rebuilding of backward countries in other continents will all be put on the shelf, because war interrupts everything like that.” – Walter Lippman.

Usage
-Four Periods at the end of a quote where words are missing. This series of periods includes the period that ends the sentence.

Example
“Give me a dozen health infants…and I’ll guarantee to take any one at random and train him to become any type of specialist I might select….” –J.B. Watson

3.0 The Coma (,)

Definition
- The comma is a mark of separation.



Do’s
- Do use commas to set off nouns in direct address.
Example: Mr. Grennan, assume the push-up position.

Do’s
- If a conjunctive adverb begins the sentence, place a single comma after it.
Example: Consequently, the freighter sank just three miles from its home port.

Don’ts
- Do not place a comma between two adjectives that modify the same noun.
Example: The brave young man rode into battle without fear.

Don’ts
- Do not place a comma before a coordinate conjunction that connects two subordinate clauses.
Example:

Because time is short, and because the matter is so urgent, we must act now. (incorrect)
Because time is short and because the matter is so urgent, we must act now. (correct)

5.0 The Semicolon (;)

Definition
- Indicates a stronger pause than the comma but a weaker pause than a period.

Usage
- With Compound Sentences
- With items in a series

With Compound Sentences
- The semicolon may separate main clauses in a compound sentence when no coordinate conjunction is used.

- The meanings of the two clauses should be closely related.
Example: I woke up; I got out of bed.

With Items in a Series
- May separate items when one or more of the items contain internal punctuation.
Example: The guest list includes Bill, my cousin; Susan, my best friend; and Arnold, my annoying brother.

6.0 The Apostrophe (‘)

Definition
- Is used to indicate plural and possessive forms of words
or
- To indicate missing letters and digits.

Possessive
- Dog – dog’s (singular)
- Geese – geese’s (plural)
- Boss – boss’s (singular)
- Jesus – Jesus’ (singular)
- Moses – Moses’ (singular)

Missing letters and digits
- Missing letters

Examples:
a. Old – ol’
b. Missing digits
c. 1981 – ‘81

7.0 Parentheses ()

Usage
- With explanation or commentary
Example: Jack acted surprised (as if he didn’t know) when Rachel told him that news.

Usage
- With numbers, letters, and symbols

Examples:
a. The price of this meal ($200.00) is outrageous.
b. We will use the ampersand (&) in place of the word and in the title.
c. I disagree with the 3rd item (c) on the agenda.

Usage
- With dividers and Subdividers
Example:

The rebels’ plan is to (1) take over the television station, (2) urge the citizens to revolution through hourly freedom broadcasts, and (3) topple the communist regime.

8.0 Brackets ([ ])

Usage
- With information inserted into quoted material
Example: The story read, “When it [the Crystal Park Hotel and Casino] opened last fall, it was a gambler’s dream.”

Usage
- With Parenthical Material within Parentheses
Example: He (the driver of the car [a Ferrari]) had the car going over one hundred miles per hour when he was stopped.