Parentheses, Bullet Points, Hyphens and dashes

1. Parentheses, Bullet Points, Hyphens and dashes

2. When should we use Parentheses? • To enclose words or numbers within a sentence which are used to clarify or as an aside. • I expect five hundred dollars ($500). • He finally answered (after taking five minutes to think) that he did not understand the question. • To enclose numbers or letters if they used for listed items. • We need an emergency room physician who can (1) think quickly, (2) treat patients respectfully, and (3) handle complaints from the public.

3. Parentheses and Other Punctuation • Full stops go inside parentheses only if an entire sentence is inside the parentheses. • Please read the analysis (I enclosed it as Attachment A.). • Please read the analysis (Attachment A).

4. Rewrite the following sentences with parentheses in the correct places. • Mia stepped onto the place her sister was right behind her and took a deep breath. • As the plane’s engine s roared a sound that inspires fear in many a traveller Mia gripped her sister’s hand. • “It’s OK”, said Mary feeling slightly anxious herself “it’s only a few moments and then we’re up!”

5. Bullet Points • A bullet point is a dot or other symbol/mark to highlight items in a printed list. • It is an effective way to: • Itemise points in a simple, visual manner • Avoid using letters or numbers • Use partial sentences to save time/space • Omit punctuation if sentences are incomplete

6. Hyphens (-) • A hyphen is used to link parts of a compound word.

7. Using Hyphens • Hyphens prevent confusion when a prefix ends with the same letter which the root word it is attached to begins with. Co-operate. Re-enter. • Links words to create new meanings. Governor-General. Son-in-Law • Links words to create new adjectives. Freshly-mown grass, squeaky-clean kitchen. • To divide words at the end of a line, to remind us that the rest of the word is com- ing. • Hyphenated surnames are popular now. • When writing fractions. Two-Thirds. • When writing compound numbers. Ninety-Nine.

8. Now you try! Insert the hyphens into the sentences below. • Catherine spoke to her sister in law on the phone. • The enormous ship was a man of war. • I caught the trans alpine train last year. • Jack is an anti nuclear protestor. • Jane is about to reenter the building.

9. Dashes- What are they and how do we use them? • The dash line is slightly longer than a hyphen. • They have a similar function to commas, colons and semicolons. • It separates parts of a sentence and forces us to pause. • I crept quietly to the door- it was locked! • A dash can: • Create a dramatic pause, leading to a climax or anti-climax. • Mark a sudden turn in the thought of a sentence. • Mark an unexpected ending. • Two dashes may enclose an aside of additional information.

10. These sentences require a dash (or Two). Rewrite them including the dash(es). • I rang up Steve he’s my best friend to ask for some advice. • Katie leapt from the windowsill she landed unhurt on the lawn below. • He waited; he waited a little longer and then left abruptly.