Grammar Presentation: Punctuation

1. Grammar Presentation:Punctuation • GradWRITE! Initiative • Writing Support Centre • Student Development Services

2. Outline • The comma • The semicolon • The colon • The apostrophe

3. Punctuation • Verbal English has many pauses • Punctuation indicates when to pause in written text • Errors in grammar can obscure meaning • The panda eats, shoots, and leaves. • The panda eats shoots and leaves.

4. The Comma ( , ) • Short pause • I err on the side of taking commas out

5. Comma: 1 • Joining independent clauses with coordinating conjunctions (and, or, but...) • Example: • The feedback improved, and the module had a stronger output.

6. Comma: 2 • Joining an independent clause and a dependent clause • Example: • Although I had difficulty, I still prevailed.

7. Comma: 3 • Separating items in a series • Example: • I have the most trouble with spelling, grammar and punctuation.

8. Comma: 3 • Comma before ‘and’ is optional, unless needed for clarity • Example: • Snakes and ladders, hide and seek, and tag are Jim’s favourite games.

9. Comma: 4 • Setting off non-restrictive elements • Example: • The sample, which contained sulfur, did not react. • To begin, the fundamental argument of Freud... • Exception for short sentences: • Then it started.

10. The Semicolon ( ; ) • A longer pause • Rule of thumb, only use when a period would also suffice

11. The Semicolon: 1 • Joining independent clauses, with or without a subordinating conjunction (‘however, although, on the other hand...’) • Example: • The sample was tainted; it had no effect. • We completed the circuit; however, the light would not turn on.

12. The Semicolon: 2 • Separating items in a series that contain commas • Example: • Henry's mother believes three things: that every situation, no matter how grim, will be happily resolved; that no one knows more about human nature than she; and that Henry, who is thirty-five years old, will never be able to do his own laundry.

13. The Colon ( : ) • Big pause • Completely different than the semicolon

14. The Colon: 1 • Introduce a list or phrase after an independent clause • Example: • Henry's mother believes three things: that every situation, no matter how grim, will be happily resolved; that no one knows more about human nature than she; and that Henry, who is thirty-five years old, will never be able to do his own laundry.

15. The Colon: 1 • If what follows the colon is a complete sentence, you may capitalize the first letter • Examples: • Also note that some people like to capitalize the first letter of the first word after the colon: They believe it is more stylistically appropriate.

16. The Colon: 2 • Displayed equations must be introduced with an independent clause followed by a colon • Then, double space, write out equation, double space, start new paragraph

17. The Colon: 2 • Example: • The following equation details the expression: • (1) • a = bc + 2d • The application of this...

18. The Colon: 2 • Equations within a text do not require a colon • Example: • “The equation 2a = b + c showed...”

19. The Apostrophe: 1 • Used in contractions • Generally, contractions are inappropriate in academic writing • Example: • Temperature didn’t affect the reaction. • Temperature did not affect the reaction.

20. The Apostrophe: 2 • Indicates possession • Example: Freud’s argument states that...

21. Apostrophe: 2 • Rule of thumb: • If you pronounce the s add ’s • If not, add ’ • Examples: • The boy’s room (one boy) • The boys’ room (two boys) • Jess’s dog used to be Rex’s