Some Punctuation Basics

1. Some Punctuation Basics Adapted from Eric Stephenson’s Presentation

2. Punctuating Titles Parts of works, such as short stories, articles, poems, songs which appear within collections (journals, magazines, newspapers or books) get quotation marks: • “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” is a famous poem by Robert Frost. • “Survey of the Attitudes of First-Year College Students toward Smoking Tobacco” appeared in a journal last year.

3. Treating Other Titles Differently • Other titles (of complete works) are underlined or italicized • Books • Plays • Websites • Computer software—Microsoft Internet Explorer • Periodicals (journals, magazines, newspapers) • Movies • Databases • Works of visual art

4. Capitalization in Titles • Generally, the only parts of speech NOT given an initial capital in a title are articles, prepositions, and conjunctions. Note that the entire title is NOT placed in capitals. • The Spanish Inquisition: Was It as Appalling as the English Protestant Writers Claimed? • Reading between the Lines • “On the Rainy River”

5. Comma Usage • Commas set off nonessential elements • The store, which is located in Redding, has a fine array of clothing. • Toni Morrison, a Nobel Prize winner, wrote Beloved. • Many construction owners, their profits still growing, continue to invest in new equipment.

6. Comma Usage Continued • Parenthetical and transitional expressions get commas, as in introductions to a main clause. • Slowly, a few people began arriving at the fair. • Clearly, this is an idea in need of review. • In the end, we managed to get through. • Americans, for example, tend to work longer hours than their European counterparts. • Dogs and cats, for instance, can be domesticated fairly easily.

7. Comma Usage Continued • A comma and coordinating conjunction are used to separate independent clauses • Coordinating conjunctions—FANBOYS • He was popular, for he had won the game. • She understood the question, and she responded quickly. • He did not care, nor did he do anything about it. • The group used a map, but they still got lost. • He should review the material, or else he will make mistakes. • He ate, yet he was still hungry. • He was hungry, so he ate waffles.

8. Comma Usage Continued • Use commas after subordinating clauses: • Although the field was long, he traversed it anyway. • When students work hard, they usually succeed. • After the show, they went to dinner. • Once she decided to leave, he could not stop her.

9. Semicolons • Semicolons can be used between two INDEPENDENT clauses, especially if they have parallel structure or show cause and effect. • The Tempest is an examination of perception as it relates to reality; each character perceives the storm and its consequences differently. • Mr. Johnson often receives annual paid vacations; however, he works, on average, six days a week. • Incorrect (creates a fragment) • She was thirsty; because she had eaten potato chips.

10. Note the Differences • Than is a comparative conjunction; then is an adverb that indicates time. • Which is a relative pronoun (not witch) . These are homophones—spelled differently but sound the same. • To is a preposition; too is an adverb meaning “also” or “excessively”; two is the number. • Whether-weather • It’s-its • There-their-they’re

11. Possession • Write out the word, then add apostrophe “s” or just an apostrophe. Think before you apostrophe! • The dog’s house is air conditioned. (one dog) • The dogs’ house is air conditioned. (two dogs) • The parents’ car (both parents) • The parent’s car (one parent) • Tess’ poems are lovely. (poems by Tess) • Tess’s poems are lovely. (older form)

12. Possession Continued • Since the people’s decision is final, we might as well accept it. • We sealed all the boxes’ lids. • One box’s top was damaged. • In some languages, possession is shown by the preposition equivalent to of. “The house of Mary” would be, in idiomatic English, “Mary’s house.”