Transcript Grammar boot camp - Media and MisterC

Grammar boot camp
Pass in Review:
Punctuation
(click mouse to proceed)
Your Mission:
 To Study the Comma
 To Study the Semicolon
 To Study the Colon
 To Study the Dash
 To Study the Hyphen
 To Exercise your Writing Muscles
This presentation is enhanced with “Question and
Answer” slides. To access, simply click on the words
that are highlighted and underlined.
Comma
,
 Rule 1:
Separate Three or More Elements
(words, phrases, clauses) in a Series.
 Examples:



I ordered a ring, a necklace, and a scarf.
The dog ran down the stairs, through the living
room, and out the door.
He studied his notes, he read his textbook,
and he completed his homework assignments.
Comma
,
 Rule 2:
Set Off Most Introductory Elements
(transitions, phrases, dependent clauses).
 Examples:



Indeed, we all agreed with Tom’s decision.
After four years of intense training, the
gymnast was ready to compete internationally.
When Amy finished painting her room, she
returned the borrowed ladder.
Comma
,
 Rule 3:
Use Before a Coordinating
Conjunction to Join Independent Clauses.
 Example:
 Larry received an excellent job offer, but he
rejected it.
Comma
,
 Rule 4:
Set Off Nonessential Elements
(appositives, phrases, clauses).
 Examples:



Alice Jones, a waitress, won the contest.
Diane Ortega, living at 2401 Lakeview, placed second.
Philadelphia, which is my hometown, is located in
southern Pennsylvania.
Hint: An element is nonessential if the meaning of the
sentence is not changed when the element is removed.
Comma
,
 DO NOT Use Commas for Essential Elements
 Examples:
 All students who complete the assignment will get to
go.
 Children under five years old enter free.
Hint: An element is essential if the meaning of the
sentence is changed when the element is removed.
Comma
 Rule 5:
,
Set Off Transitional Words.
 Examples:
 Many people, consequently, have cell phones.
 The team, first of all, must pick a captain.
 Curling is a popular sport, nevertheless.
Comma
 Rule 6:
,
To Prevent Misreading.
 Examples:
 When the lightning struck, James Harvey
fainted.
 When the lightning struck James, Harvey
fainted.
Semicolon
;
 Rule 1:
Join Independent Clauses Not
Joined by a Comma and Coordinating
Conjunction.
 Example:
 The children enjoyed the circus; they liked the
clown act most of all.
Semicolon
;
 Rule 2:
Use Before a Conjunctive Adverb to
Join Two Independent Clauses.
 Example:
 Jessica likes to play the piano; however, she
prefers to play the violin.
NOTE: A comma follows the conjunctive adverb.
Semicolon
;
 Rule 3:
Use Before a Coordinating Conjunction to
Join Two Independent Clauses Only When the
Clauses Have Internal Commas.
 Example:
 Ray can travel by bus, car or plane; but, he would
rather travel by plane.
NOTE: A comma follows the coordinating conjunction.
Semicolon
;
 Rule 4:
Separate Items in a Series When
the Items Have Internal Commas.
 Example:
 I talked to James, my friend; Sarah, his sister;
and Sam, Sarah’s son.
colon
 Rule 1:
:
Introduce a List.
 Example:
 Bring the following: forks, knives, and spoons.
colon
:
 Rule 2:
Introduce a Second Main Clause
Which Explains the First.
 Example:
 Her excuse is valid: she does not have
transportation.
colon
 Rule 3:
:
Emphasize a Following Appositive.
 Example:
 He had only one motive: love.
Dash
 Rule 1:
-Set Off a Parenthetical Element.
 Example:
 He told her—believe it or not—to leave.
Dash
 Rule 2:
-Emphasize an Appositive.
 Example:
 English, history, and science—all are required.
Hyphen
-
 Rule 1:
Join Compound Words Functioning
as a Single Unit.
 Example:
 May I introduce my mother-in-law?
 Donny has a better-late-than-never disposition.
NOTE: The hyphen is shorter than the dash.
Hyphen
-
 Rule 2:
Join Fractions and Compound
Numbers from 21 to 99.
 Example:
 He gave me two-thirds of his pay check.
 Nathan is twenty-one years old today.
Hyphen
 Rule 3:
-
Use with Prefixes Ex- and Self-.
 Example:
 Mr. McCaslin is the ex-president of the
company.
 Self-denial builds character.
Exercise Your Muscles
Add the missing punctuation marks to the
following sentences:
1. Doris went to work but Janis stayed home.
2. Three guiding principles direct his life faith
hope and love.
3. They were equally fond of swimming
dancing and riding.
4. The host was generous he served caviar
and champagne.
Answer key:
Add the missing punctuation marks to the
following sentences:
1. Doris went to work, but Janis stayed home.
2. Three guiding principles direct his life: faith,
hope, and love.
3. They were equally fond of swimming,
dancing, and riding.
4. The host was generous; he served caviar
and champagne.
Congratulations!
You have successfully completed Pass in
Review: Punctuation of Grammar Boot
Camp.
Sign up for other sessions of Grammar Boot
Camp at the Stone Writing Center’s Website:
http://www.delmar.edu/engl/wrtctr .