SIMPLIFIED PUNCTUATION Punctuation marks provide direction for proceeding clearly and effectively through a piece of writing. The first rule of thumb is to use punctuation marks only when necessary. Below is guidance concerning the effective use of commas, semi-colons, colons, and dashes and examples of their use.

THE COMMA1. Use the comma between two independent clauses--clauses which could stand alone as sentences--joined by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, so, yet, or, nor).

Example: The art of war is constantly developing, but recent technology has greatly accelerated the change.

2. Use the comma to set off an introductory word or phrase.Example: Because I jumped late, I missed the middle of the drop zone.Example: In any case, personnel should not smoke.Example: Yes, I am leaving today.

3. Use a comma between items in a series.Example: Be sure to bring a tent, a sleeping bag, food for four days, and an extra pair

of boots.

4. Use a comma to set off an interrupting element.Example: The speaker, an Army officer, paused for questions.Example: I have been assigned to C Company, 2d Battalion, 11th Infantry Regiment.Example: I completed Airborne School on January 12, 1995, at Fort Benning,

Georgia, and proceeded to my next assignment.

THE SEMI-COLON1. Use the semi-colon to separate two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.

Example: The road to excellence is long and hard; only those with dedication will succeed.

2. Use the semi-colon to separate items in a series if you have other punctuation marks within an item of the series.

Example: I have served at Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Lewis, Washington; and Fort Drum, New York.

THE COLON AND THE DASHUse the colon to set off a list or an explanation. You can use the dash instead of a colon or to signal an abrupt change of thought.

Example: These soldiers scored 300 on the last APFT: 1LT Jones, SSG Smith, and PFC White.

Example: These soldiers scored 300 on the last APFT--Smith, Jones, and White. Example: No one--and I mean no one--is at fault here.