Mr. McCloskey English I Punctuation

Punctuation helps make the meaning of a sentence clear to your reader.  Usually, the marks of punctuation indicate in writing the pauses and stops that the voice makes in speaking.   They let readers know where and for how long they should pause. Some punctuation, such as question marks and exclamation points, indicate the inflection that should be in the reader’s voice.

End Marks: The Period, The Question Mark, and The Exclamation Point

1.        A Simple Statement is followed by a period:  Spring Break begins in April.

2.       A question is followed by a question mark:  When is spring break?

3.       An exclamation is followed by an exclamation point:  Spring break starts tomorrow!

See if you can write an alike phrase in the form of a statement, question, and exclamation.

1.

2.

3.

Special Note:  Positioning End Marks with Quotation Marks      

                When you are using quotation marks place punctuation inside the quotation marks .

Ex:  “We have off on Thursday and Friday of next week!”

The Comma

The most frequently used mark of punctuation is the comma.  It is used mainly to group words that belong together and to separate those that do not.  The comma is also used in certain usual situations.

Use a comma to Separate Items in a Series (place a comma where needed)

She had worked in Paris Lisbon London and New York.

The room had been decorated with posters album covers original artwork and restaurant menus.

Special Note:  If the comma is not needed for clarity, you may omit it before the and joining the last two items of the series.

Use a Comma to Separate Two or More Adjectives Preceding a Noun.

She is a creative intelligent executive.

The evening’s schedule offered boring silly worthless programs.

Special Note – THIS CAME UP SEVERAL TIMES ON THE MAP.

If one of the words in the series modifies another word in the series, do not separate them by comma.  Why did he wear a bright red cap? (No comma needed)

Use a Comma when They Join Independent Clauses. (place a comma where it is needed)

Monday’s meeting had gone smoothly yet I felt a controversy brewing . 

The first chapter is slow-moving but the rest of the book is full of action.

I’ll go this way and you go that way.

Special Note: Notice the comma comes before the conjunction, not after it!

Special Note:  Be Careful when you are using and; it does not always connect independent clauses.

Use Commas to Set off Nonessential Clauses

A Nonessential (nonrestrictive) clause is a subordinate clause that is not essential to the meaning of the sentence, but merely adds information to it.

Ex: John Smith, who was offered three scholarships, will go to NJCU.  (Clause just adds information and is nonessential; therefore, set off by commas)

Ex.  Carla Harris is the only senior who won scholarships to three schools.  (Clause is essential to reader’s understanding of the sentence; therefore, no comma.

Use Commas After Certain Introductory Elements

1.        Use a comma after words such as well, yes, no, and why when they begin a sentence: 

a.       Well, what do you think?

b.       Yes, you may go.

2.        Use a comma after an introductory participle phrase:

a.       Giggling like a child, he wrapped the last present.

3.       Use a comma after a succession of introductory prepositional phrases:

a.       At the end of the block next to the old railroad station, my grandparents own a small house.