Punctuation

PeriodsUse in a declarative sentence.

Declarative sentences are….Define….Example…

Use in an imperative sentence. Imperative sentences are…Define…Example…

Use in abbreviations….Examples…

Easy Stuff

Ends an interrogative sentence…Define…Example

Used in incomplete questions, where the rest of the question is understood…

“You are going to do what?”

NOT used in indirect questions…exampleShannon asked if she could go to the library.

Using the Question Mark

Use in the exclamatory sentence…Define…example

Use in an imperative sentence…if the command is forceful or urgent

Use after an interjection that expresses strong emotions… Define…examples…

Exclamation Marks

Some of you use too few marks of punctuation; some of you use too many (like pepper sprinkled on

the page)MY RULE:

Only Use a Mark of Punctuation when you KNOW

that you NEED one!

Commas, Semi-colons, Colons and DashesSome of this is a review!

Use a comma to create a compound sentence joining 2 independent clauses together with a FANBOYS

but NOTwhen joining compound subjects or compound verbs!Example…

Use a semi-colon to create a compound sentence joining 2 independent clauses together WITHOUT a FANBOYS; you may use conjunctive adverbs

Example….

Joining independent clauses—a review

Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clausesWords—Phrases—Clauses—

Use semicolons in a complex list (esp. when the list contains commas within the individual elements)

Example: I have lived in Savannah, Georgia; Austin, Texas; and Boston, Massachusetts.

Items in a Series

I like playing baseball, reading about sports, and tacos.

We’re studying equations, all about Europe, and to write well.

I invited my cousin, Parker Stevens; my friend, Ryan Hsu; and Marshall.

Rule: When using items in a series, the different elements of the list must have the same grammatical structure!

Special problems with words, phrases and clauses in a series

Under certain circumstances, use a colon to introduce a list of items:Use after an independent clauseUse only after a nounNEVER used after a preposition or verb

Example: In order to make dinner, I need a lot of ingredients: pasta, sausage, peppers, spinach, and cheese.BUT NOTI need: pasta, sausage, peppers, and spinach to make dinner.

A Dash can be used under the same circumstances as a colon here BUT is considered more informal

Colons and Dashes with Items in a Series

Use commas to separate adjectives of equal rankTests of ‘equality’

Put an “and” between the two adjectives, does it make sense?

Can you reverse the order of the adjectives? If you can, they are commas of equal rank.

I have two fluffy cats. I have two and fluffy cats?I have fluffy two cats? Vs.My normally sweet, loving cat bit me this morning.My normally sweet and loving cat? My normally loving and sweet cat?

Comma Use and Adjectives

When a sentence begins with a word, phrase, or clause, that introductory material needs to be set off from the rest of the sentence with a comma:Words

Phrases

Clauses

Commas After Introductory Material

Parenthetical expression— “by the way” phrases that are inserted in a sentence giving information or thoughts that are not essential to the meaning

Use commas to set off one or more words that interrupt the flow of thought in a sentence.

Helping sick people, I believe, is a very worthy profession. Most of Canada’s population, I might point out, lives very

close to the United States. My tennis racket, freshly strung and looking like new, will

surely bring me luck in the tournament. I reminded my mom, in case she had forgotten, that I

wanted the new iPhone for my birthday.

Commas with parenthetical expressions & interrupters

Commas with Direct Address

What is the difference between these two sentences…hint, they are both correctly punctuated as is!

Our principal, Mrs. Murphy, gave a wonderful speech.

Our teacher Mrs. Carlino gave a wonderful speech.

Commas and Appositives

An appositive is a noun or pronoun that identifies or renames another noun or pronoun.

Appositives that provide information that isn’t essential to understanding the sentence should be set off with commas

Non-essential phrases:Pita, a thin bread, was stacked on a platter.Everyone enjoyed the apple strudel, a German dessert.

Essential phrase:World-famous aardvark trainer Josh Zinn will be in town next week to demonstrate his great skills. (No commas because there may be more than one aardvark trainer).

Appositives

Parentheses—when added information is the least important in a sentence, low emphasis, barely worth a mention, use parentheses

Dashes—when added information is the most important in a sentence and you really want to turn on the neon lights to emphasize it, use dashes.

Informally—appositive information can be set off with ellipses…

COMMAS ARE THE NORM—USE THE ABOVE SPARINGLY!!!!!

Other punctuation with appositives

Punctuating Dialogue

There are two circumstances that require apostrophes:Contractions—a contraction shortens two

words; the apostrophe is used to show where letters have been omitted.

Examples: could not—couldn’tI am—I’mhave not—haven’tit is—it’s

Contractions always have an apostrophe.

Using Apostrophes

Use apostrophes to show possession or relationship. Examples:

the boat of Harold—Harold’s boatthe job of mother—Mother’s jobthe invitations of friends—friends’

invitationsProper Formation:Singular nouns—add an ‘s

the typewriter of Betty—Betty’s typewriter

Using Apostrophes

Proper formation, cont’dSingular nouns that end in –s:

may add just an apostrophe if adding an apostrophe –s would make pronunciation awkwardSOThe apostles of Jesus—Jesus’s apostlesBut The feats of Hercules—Hercules’ featsAsk yourself if you pronounce the s’s or not

Apostrophe, cont’d

Proper formation, cont’dThe leash of the dogThe tires of the carThe homework of DavidThe engine of the planeThe book of HenryThe hat of MotherThe house of Mr. Rogers

Apostrophes, cont’d

Proper formation, cont’dWhen a plural ends in –s, just add an apostrophe

the committee of the citizens—citizens’ committee

the records of the students—students’ recordsWhen a plural does not end in –s, add an apostrophe –s

the suits of the men—the men’s suitsthe voices of the children—the children’s voices

Do NOT use an apostrophe to form a plural! i.e. The car’s were on the freeway. WRONG!!!!

Apostrophes, cont’d

Proper formation, cont’d

Make possessive:The hats of the boysThe magazines of the womenThe toys of the childrenThe slums of the citiesThe friends of the girls

Apostrophes, cont’d

Proper formation, cont’d

Make four columns on your paper: singular, singular possessive, plural, plural possessive. Write these forms of the following words:House Baby BossEnemy Calf ValleyMouse Child CitizenStudent Wolf Goose

Apostrophes, cont’d