Transcript Punctuation Junction

Punctuation Junction
How To Use Punctuation Marks:
An Introduction
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 ?
Punctuation
The exclamation point (!), which adds
emphasis, is common in informal writing
and in dialogue:
“That’s 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.
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.
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 Grandma’s house.
 To get to the store, we used the shortcut.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Semi-Colons
However is a special conjunction that cannot
be used with a comma when it joins two
independent clauses. It requires a semicolon.
 I like dogs, however, I prefer cats.
 I asked Jim to lend me a pencil; however,
he had only a dry-erase marker.
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 hotair balloon, and we crossed the Serengeti.
 Here’s the deal: you give me your lunch
money or else.