Punctuation Junction

1
Punctuation Junction

• How To Use Punctuation Marks An Introduction

2
Punctuation

• The English language uses punctuation marks to
  separate words into phrases, clauses, and
  sentences. The most common are
• period .
• comma ,
• colon
• semi-colon
• question mark ?

3
Punctuation

• The exclamation point (!), which adds emphasis,
  is common in informal writing and in dialogue
• Thats too bad! she said.
• Great example!
• However, forms of formal writing, such as
  explanation, evaluation, and argument, very
  rarely use the exclamation point. Writers of
  formal essays rely on the strength of their
  points rather than on punctuation for emphasis.

4
Periods

• Periods (.) end independent clauses or sentences.
  As we have discussed before, a period at the end
  of a dependent clause that is not combined with
  an independent clause is a fragment.
• ? I wash my face with soap and water.
• ? Although my face rarely gets dirty.

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Comma and Introductory Phrases

• There are many rules for using commas. You
  should use a comma to set off an introductory
  phrase from the independent clause.
• ? Over the river and through the woods we drove
  to Grandmas house.
• ? To get to the store, we used the shortcut.

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Commas and Nonessential Clauses

• Use commas to set off nonessential clauses.
• ? My cat which was napping hissed at Jimmy.
• ? My mom, who has five children, works as a
  hospital volunteer.

7
Commas and Subordinate Clauses

• Use a comma to set off a subordinate clause that
  introduces an independent clause, but do not use
  a comma if the subordinate clause follows the
  independent clause.
• ? While I was napping, the Indians scored five
  runs.
• ? The gift basket was well-received because it
  contained macadamia nut cookies.

8
Commas and Independent Clauses

• Use a comma when joining two independent clauses
  with a coordinate conjunction. Do not use a
  comma without a conjunction to join two
  independent clauses, or you have a comma splice
  error, a type of run-on sentence.
• ? I went to movies, and I ate Junior Mints.
• ? I was happy last night, the Indians beat the
  Yankees.
• ? The Phillies lost the first games of the series
  but they still have a slim chance.

9
Commas and Lists

• Use commas between elements in the list. A list
  is three or more elements.
• ? Skydiving rock-climbing and canoeing will all
  be featured.
• ? I went to the game and had hot dogs, and
  nachos.
• ? Colleen likes puppies, cotton candy, and long
  walks on the beach.

10
Semi-Colons

• The semi-colon is like an industrial-strength
  comma. While joining two independent clauses
  with just a comma results in a comma splice, a
  semi-colon can join independent clauses without
  the conjunction.
• ? The dishwasher broke, I had to wash dishes by
  hand.
• ? I used to play basketball now I prefer
  softball.

11
Semi-Colons

• However is a special conjunction that cannot be
  used with a comma when it joins two independent
  clauses. It requires a semi-colon.
• ? I like dogs, however, I prefer cats.
• ? I asked Jim to lend me a pencil however, he
  had only a dry-erase marker.

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Colons

• A colon indicates to the reader that he should
  look ahead because something will be listed or
  explained.
• ? We accomplished our three goals we climbed
  Mount Everest, we flew in a hot-air balloon, and
  we crossed the Serengeti.
• ? Heres the deal you give me your lunch money
  or else.