Basic Punctuation

By: Jackson, Holly, Saiq, McKenzie

Definitions

• Comma- the sign is a mark of punctuation used for indicating a division in a sentence

• Semi colon- the punctuation mark (;) used to indicate a major division in a sentence where a more distinct separation is felt between clauses or items on a list

Using Comas

• Use commas after and introductory • Put a comma after the main clause when a

dependent clause follows it (except for cases of extreme contrast)

• Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series

• Use a comma near the end of a sentence to separate contrasted coordinate elements or to indicate a distinct pause or shift

Using Capital Letters

• The first letter in a sentence• The pronoun I• Proper nouns• Proper names• Religious figures• Titles• Days, months, holidays, NOT seasons• Members of groups• Periods and events, NOT centuries • Trade marks• Words and abbreviations

Use a capital letter for the following

Using End Marks

• Used to end a sentence• Use periods (.) most of the time• If the sentence ends with an abbreviation don’t add another

period. Ex: I live in the U.S.A.• If the sentence ends in a title that ends in a ? or a ! DON’T add

another period. Ex: I love the film, Whose Afraid of Virginia Wolf?

• Use a question mark (?) at the end of sentences that ask a question

• Use exclamation points (!) at the end of interjections or any other exclamatory expression

• Exclamation points are usually only used in dialogue

Using semi colons (;) and Colons (:)

The colon is often used to introduce a list of items

Example: You will need to bring three things to the party: some food, something to drink, and a small gift for the hostess.

A semi colon is often used to join together two independent clauses

Example: Mary drives a Mercedes; Joanne drives a Chevrolet.

Using Quotation Marks

• Don’t use them on indirect quotes• Use them to enclose titles of songs, short stories,

essays, poems, and articles• End quotes with a , or . Inside of the ending quotation

marks• Quotation marks always come in pairs• If a quote is interrupted don’t capitalize the second

part of the quote• Ex: “Come here,” he said “and bring your stuff with

you.”

websites

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