Punctuation is the system of signs or symbols given to a reader to show how a sentence is constructed and how it should be read. Show Sentences are the building blocks used to construct written accounts. They are complete statements. Punctuation shows how the sentence should be read and makes the meaning clear. Every sentence should include at least a capital letter at the start, and a full stop, exclamation mark or question mark at the end. This basic system indicates that the sentence is complete. The Basic Signs of Punctuation
The Comma (,)The comma is useful in a sentence when the writer wishes to:
For example, in the following sentence the phrase or clause between the commas gives us more information behind the actions of the boy, the subject of the sentence:
Note that if the phrase or clause were to be removed, the sentence would still make sense although there would be a loss of information. Alternatively, two sentences could be used:
Commas are also used to separate items in a list.For example:
Note that in a list, the final two items are linked by the word ‘and’ rather than by a comma. Commas are used to separate adjectives.For example:
As commas represent a pause, it is good practice to read your writing out loud and listen to where you make natural pauses as you read it. More often than not, you will indicate where a comma should be placed by a natural pause. Although, the ‘rules’ of where a comma needs to be placed should also be followed. For example:
Full Stop (.)A full stop should always be used to end a sentence. The full stop indicates that a point has been made and that you are about to move on to further explanations or a related point. Less frequently, a series of three full stops (an ellipsis) can be used to indicate where a section of a quotation has been omitted when it is not relevant to the text, for example:
A single full stop may also be used to indicate the abbreviation of commonly used words as in the following examples:
Exclamation Mark (!)An exclamation mark indicates strong feeling within a sentence, such as fear, anger or love. It is also used to accentuate feeling within the written spoken word. For example:
In this way, it can also be used to indicate a sharp instruction or to indicate humour The exclamation mark at the end of a sentence means that you do not need a full stop. Exclamation marks are a poor way of emphasising what you think are important points in your written assignments; the importance of the point will emphasise itself without a sequence of !!! in the text. An exclamation mark should only be used when absolutely essential, or when taken from a direct quote. The exclamation mark should be used sparingly in formal and semi-formal writing. Question Mark (?)The question mark simply indicates that a sentence is asking a question. It always comes at the end of a sentence: For example:
Note that the question mark also serves as a full stop. Semi-colon (;)The semi-colon is perhaps the most difficult sign of punctuation to use accurately. If in doubt, avoid using it and convert the added material into a new sentence. As a general rule, the semi-colon is used in the following ways: When joining two connected sentences. For example:
or
The semi-colon can also be used to assemble detailed lists. For example:
Colon (:)The colon within a sentence makes a very pointed pause between two phrases. There are two main uses of the colon: It is most commonly used when listing. For example:
Or it can be used within a heading, or descriptive title. For example:
Apostrophe (’)The apostrophe, sometimes called an inverted comma has two main uses. The apostrophe indicates possession or ownership. For example:
This shows the reader that the hat belongs to the girl.
This indicates that the hats belong to the girls. Another use of the apostrophe is to indicate where a letter is omitted: For example:
Note that a common mistake is to confuse its with it’s. It’s indicates to the reader that a letter has been omitted. For example:
Note that in most formal writing, the practice of using abbreviated words is inappropriate. See also: Common Mistakes in Writing for more on using apostrophes correctly. Quotation or Speech Marks (“….”)Quotation or speech marks are used to:
For example:
It is worth noting that to report an event back does not require speech or quotation marks. For example:
Hyphen (-)The hyphen is used to link words together. For example:
The hyphen is also used when a word is split between two lines. The hyphen should be placed between syllables at the end of the upper line and indicates to the reader that the word will be completed on the next line. Computer applications such as Word Processors can be set to automatically hyphenate words for you, although it is more common to use extra spacing to avoid hyphenation. Brackets ( )Brackets always come in pairs ( ) and are used to make an aside, or a point which is not part of the main flow of a sentence. If you remove the words between the brackets, the sentence should still make sense. For example:
Another example is as follows:
Square Brackets […]A different set of square brackets [ ] can be used:
To abbreviate lengthy quotations in an essay or report
To adjust a quotation to suit your own sentenceFor example, if you were writing about class structure, you might use the following:
Note, that when using square brackets, only the occasional letter as in the above example or the occasional word (for example when changing the tense of the sentence) would be placed in square brackets in this way. Slash (/)Many people use the slash instead of or, and etc., but this is not always helpful to the reader. There is, however, a modern convention in gender-neutral writing to use ‘s/he’. What are spoken words punctuation?Speech punctuation for direct speech
The main rules for punctuating direct speech are: 1)The spoken words should be surrounded by speech marks/inverted commas. 2)Each section of direct speech should end with a punctuation mark that is inside the speech marks.
What punctuation mark is used to signify a spoken phrase?In English writing, quotation marks or inverted commas, also known informally as quotes, talking marks, speech marks, quote marks, quotemarks or speechmarks, are punctuation marks placed on either side of a word or phrase in order to identify it as a quotation, direct speech or a literal title or name.
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