punctuation

English & Communication for CollegesEnglish & Communication for Colleges

Fourth Edition

English & Communication for Colleges© Thomson South-Western

MeansMeans

Slide 1

Developing the Mechanics of Writing

5.15.1 Periods, Question Marks, and Exclamation Points

5.25.2 Commas

5.35.3 Semicolons, Colons, Dashes, and Hyphens

5.45.4 Quotation Marks, Parentheses, Underscores, and Apostrophes

5

English & Communication for Colleges© Thomson South-Western Slide 2

Periods, Question Marks, and Exclamation PointsOBJECTIVES

Use punctuation correctly to help readers interpret your ideas and inquiries precisely as you intended.

Determine when to use periods, question marks, and exclamation points in your writing.

5.1

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Punctuation

EXTERNAL PUNCTUATIONEXTERNAL PUNCTUATION

period .question mark ?

exclamation point !

5.1INTERNAL PUNCTUATIONINTERNAL PUNCTUATION

comma ,semicolon ;

colon :quotation marks “ ”

parentheses ( )dash —

apostrophe ’hyphen -

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Periods

Periods at the ends of sentences Declarative sentence Mild command Indirect question Courteous request

Periods with abbreviations Periods in enumerations

5.1

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Question Marks

Question marks after direct questions Question marks in a series

5.1

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Exclamation Points

An exclamation point is a mark of punctuation that follows a word, a group of words, or a sentence that shows strong emotion.

5.1

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CommasOBJECTIVES Use commas correctly with introductory elements in

sentences and with independent clauses. Apply comma guidelines with nonessential elements, with

direct address, in a series, with a measurement or weight, between adjectives, with omission of words, and in numbers.

Use commas for clarity, with abbreviations, and between repeated words.

Avoid comma pitfalls in writing.

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Uses of the Comma

With introductory elements in sentences Introductory word Introductory phrase Introductory clause

With independent clauses in compound sentences

5.2

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Uses of the Comma

With nonessential elements Interrupting expression Nonrestrictive element Appositive

With direct address In a series

5.2(Continued from previous slide)

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Uses of the Comma

With parts of one measurement or weight Between adjectives With omission of words In numbers For clarity With abbreviations Between repeated words

5.2(Continued from previous slide)

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Pitfalls in Using Commas

With conjunctions in a series Between subjects and verbs With two words or phrases Between two independent clauses With dates With addresses

5.2

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Semicolons, Colons, Dashes, and HyphensOBJECTIVES

Use semicolons correctly in your writing. Apply the guidelines for using colons. Enliven sentences by using dashes where

appropriate. Use hyphens accurately.

5.3

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Semicolons

Between independent clauses Before conjunctive adverbs In a series In compound sentences In a series containing commas

5.3

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Colons

Before a series Before a list Before a long quotation Between special independent clauses After a salutation In time designations

5.3

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Dashes

With nonessential elements Before a summarizing statement With a sudden change of thought Before a detailed listing

5.3

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Hyphens

In word division After prefixes In compound words

5.3

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Quotation Marks, Parentheses, Underscores, and ApostrophesOBJECTIVES

Apply the guidelines for using quotation marks. Use parentheses correctly in your writing. Use underscores where appropriate. Use the apostrophe accurately in your

communications.

5.4

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Quotation Marks

With direct quotations Within quotations With other punctuation marks With special or unconventional words With titles

5.4

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5.4

Quotation Marks with Quotation Marks with Other Punctuation MarksOther Punctuation Marks

RULERULE EXAMPLEEXAMPLE

Place periods and commas within ending quotation marks.

“I concur,” said Mr. Remenaric, “with your suggestion.”

Place semicolons and colons outside ending quotation marks.

His best lecture is called “Orangutan Survival”; have you had an opportunity to hear it?

This is the “beauty of San Diego”: ideal temperatures and clear skies.

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5.4

Quotation Marks with Quotation Marks with Other Punctuation MarksOther Punctuation Marks

RULERULE EXAMPLEEXAMPLE

Place question marks and exclamation points inside the ending quotation marks when the quoted material is a question or an exclamation.

She shouted, “Watch out!”

He replied, “What’s happening?”

Place question marks and exclamation points outside the ending quotation marks when the sentence, but not the quoted material, is a question or an exclamation.

Did Lynda actually say, “I will attend the seminar”?

What a deplorable situation; he’s just “goofing off”!

(Continued from previous slide)

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Parentheses

With nonessential elements With monetary designations and

abbreviations With references and directions With numerals and letters accompanying

a list

5.4

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Underscores

With titles With foreign expressions

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Apostrophes

In contractions In possession In time and money In plurals

5.4