Punctuate It!

1. Punctuate It! Eng 050

2. End Punctuation • No, that is not a call to end all use of punctuation, but instead the term of punctuation that ends a sentence. • There’s essentially three ways to end a sentence • Period (.) • Question mark (?) • Exclamation point (!)

3. End Punctuation • Period—these are used with statements, mild commands, and indirect questions. • Mason took his golden retriever on a walk. (statement) • Take this leave with you. (command) • I forgot to ask him if he needed help (indirect question) • Periods are also used with abbreviations and numbers. • Dr. Finn vs. Doctor Finn • Mrs. Jones vs. Missus Jones • $4.35 • 0.033

4. End Punctuation • Question marks—These are used after a direct question. • Did you vote in the election today? • “Will Matthew turn his paper in on time?” her mother asked. • Exclamation point—These are used to indicate strong feeling. These are great to use, but you want to be sure you don’t use them too often, because they then lose their effectiveness. Also, use only one at a time. • No way! • I can’t believe it! • OMG! I love those shoes!

5. Commas • Commas, as we know, have given us trouble all semester long. Let’s go over these rules for proper usage. • Use commas to separate items in a series. • “I ordered a pizza with mushrooms, sausage, and green peppers.” In a newspaper or magazine, they would not use a comma after sausage. We, however, will always use it because that’s correct grammar.

6. Commas • Here’s one of those infuriating “it depends” occasions. Sometimes the serial comma rule applies to a series of adjective in front of a nouns…but sometimes it doesn’t. • Adjective with commas: “The cool, sweet plums were delicious.” • Adjectives without commas: “The loose top button fell off the TV.” • Both of those examples are correct. But how do you tell? There’s two ways. • One test is to insert the word “and” between the adjectives. If the sentence makes sense, use a comma. If it doesn’t, don’t use it. • Another way is the switch the order of the adjectives. If the sentence still reads clearly, use a comma between the two words.

7. Commas • Test 1: The cool and sweet plums were delicious. (Use a comma) • Test 2: The sweet, cool plums were delicious. (Use a comma) • Test 1: The loose and top button fell off the TV (Not okay, so no comma) • Test 2: The top loose button fell off the TV. (Not okay, so no comma)

8. Commas • Use a comma to set off an introductory word, phrase, or clause from the rest of the sentence. • Yes, that would be great. • Actually, the plane wasn’t as late as we through it might be. • In reality, she’s the best coach in town. • To make the best of a bad situation, we all went out for frozen yogurt. • When the band finished, everyone clapped. • As the lights dimmed, we all began screaming.

9. Commas • Use commas with independent clauses. • Use a comma before “and,” “but,” “for,” “nor,” “or,” “so,” and “yet” with independent clauses. • “Australia is a beautiful country, and it has a large tourist trade.” • “Norman went to Europe, but he enjoyed Australia more.” • Do NOT use a comma when a single subject has two verbs. • “Australia is a beautiful country and has a large tourist trade.” (see the second example for when you WOULD use a comma)

10. Commas • Use a comma before and after an interrupter (a word or phrase that interrupts the flow of a sentence). You do this to make it easier to recognize the main point. • She called her boyfriend, Ramon, to pick us up. • I didn’t hear the buzzer, however, because the radio was on. • My favorite dessert, banana cream pie, is on the menu. • The governor, running for a third term, is very popular.

11. Commas • Use commas with direct quotations. Commas set off the exact words from the rest of the sentence, making it easier to understand who said what. • My friends often say, “You are so lucky.” • “You are so lucky,” says my grandmother, “to have good friends.” • If you use a quotation and it ends with a question mark or an exclamation point, you don’t need to add a comma, because the question mark or exclamation point functions as the end punctuation. • “What did he say?” she asked.—This is correct. • “What did he say?,” she asked.—This is incorrect.

12. Commas • Other uses of commas • Numbers—comma separates numbers by the thousands. For example: 12,000 • The the comma is optional in numbers of four digits • 2000 or 2,000 • Dates—you need a comma before and after the year. • My grandmother was born June 9, 1904, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. • Addresses—You need a comma after the road abbreviation, and the city, but not between the state and the zip code. • Bruce’s new address is 2105 Peterson Rd., Arma, KS 66712.

13. Commas • Other uses of commas continued • States—Use a comma before and after a state • He lives in Monroe, Michigan, and she lives in Monroe, Louisiana. • Salutations and conclusions for letters—use after each greeting/conclusion • Dear John, • Sincerely yours,

14. Apostrophes • Here’s a list of common contractions • I am = I’m • I would = I’d • I will = I’ll • You have = You’ve • You will = You’ll • He is/She is = He’s/She’s • She will/He will = She’ll/He’ll • It is = It’s • We have = We’ve • We will = We’ll • They are = They’re • They have = They’ve • Do not = Don’t • Did not = Didn’t • Have not = Haven’t • Could not = Couldn’t

15. Apostrophes • Two words most frequently misused are it’s and its • It’s is a contraction of It is. • It’s a shame the Phillies didn’t make the World Series. • It’s a great class. • Its = This is a pronoun that demonstrates possession • The dog chased its tail. • The kitten drank its milk.

16. Apostrophes • Apostrophes also show possession. • Before you can even point it out, yes I know that’s the complete opposite of what we just learned about it’s vs. its • For a singular word, use apostrophe -s ( ’s) to indicate possession or ownership. • The dog’s collar • Everyone’s opinion • The boss’s office

17. Apostrophes • Apostrophes also show possession. • For plural nouns ending in -s, use only an apostrophe (’). • The dogs’ collars • The ladies’ pearls • The teachers’ friends • Note: in each of these cases, you are talking about possession for an already plural noun. So you aren’t talking about the collars of one dog, but the collars of several dogs. With the second example, there’s several ladies who own the pearls.

18. Apostrophes • Apostrophes also show possession. • For plural nouns that do not end with an –s, use an apostrophe -s ( ‘s). • The men’s shirts • The children’s teachers • The women’s savings

19. Apostrophes • Common apostrophe errors. • Do not use an apostrophe with a possessive pronoun, such as his, hers, its, yours, ours, and theirs. Using an apostrophe is redundant since these words already indicate possession. • His’ (incorrect); His (correct) • Her’s or Hers’ (incorrect); Hers (correct) • It’s or Its’ (incorrect); Its (correct) • Our’s or Ours’ (incorrect); Ours (correct)

20. Apostrophes • Common apostrophe errors. • Do not use an apostrophe with a plural noun (one that indicates there is more than one of something). • The shirts’ are on the hangers (incorrect) • The shirts are on the hangers (correct) • She went to get the groceries’ over an hour ago (incorrect) • She went to get the groceries over an hour ago (correct)

21. Quotation Marks • Quotation Marks • Use quotation marks to indicate a direct quotation. • “I am not leaving without you,” said the spy.—An example of a sentence leading off with a quote. • The spy said, “I am not leaving without you.”—An example of a sentence that comes after the speaker is named. • “I am not,” the spy said, “leaving without you.”—An example of a sentence in which the quoted words are interrupted, and the speaker is placed in the middle of the sentence for emphasis.

22. Quotation Marks • Indirect Quotation Marks • If you reference someone’s words, but don’t quote them directly, you don’t need to use quotation marks. Examples: • Direct quote: “I interviewed for a job at the Scott Corporation,” said Bob. • Indirect quote: Bob said that he interviewed for a job at the Scott Corporation. • Direct quote: “We walked for four miles,” said Kira. • Indirect quote: Kira said that they walked for four miles.

23. Quotation Marks • Capitalization and Use of Other Punctuation Marks In Quotations • When you are quoting someone’s complete sentences, begin with a capital letter and use appropriate end punctuation. • Capitalize the first letter of the first word being quoted • Put a period at the end of the sentence if it is a statement • Separate the spoken words from the rest of the sentence using a comma • “She doesn’t really love me,” he said. • She replied, “Tie your shoelaces.”

24. Quotation Marks • Capitalization and Use of Other Punctuation Marks In Quotations • If the quotation ends with an exclamation point or a question mark, use that punctuation instead of a comma or a period. • He yelled, “Turn off that music!” • “Why do you want to know?” she asked. • In a quotation that is interrupted, capitalize the first word being quoted, but do not capitalize words in the middle of the sentence. • Use a comma both before and after the interruption. • End with a period of it is a statement. • “No,” said the student, “this seat isn’t taken.”

25. Quotation Marks • Capitalization and Use of Other Punctuation Marks In Quotations • You do not need to capitalize the first word of a quotation that is only part of the sentence. • I don’t think that he will ever “find himself.” • Notice that all punctuation goes inside the quotation marks. • “Yes”, she said, “please sit here”. ---Incorrect • “Yes,” she said, “please sit here.”---Correct

26. Quotation Marks • Quotation Marks Around Titles • Place quotation marks around the titles of short works that are parts of larger works. • The titles of longer works go in italics • “The Black Cat” (a short story) • “Obama Elected President” (a newspaper article from The Philadelphia Inquirer) • “The One Where Ross Wears Leather Pants” (an episode of Friends) • “To Esme, with Love and Squalor” (a short story in J.D. Salinger’s Nine Stories).

27. Other Punctuation Marks • The Semicolon! (our favorite) • Semicolons are used to separate equal parts of the sentence, and are also used to avoid confusion when listing items in a series • Use semicolons to separate two closely related independent clauses • Henry never took a lunch break; he was too busy at his job. • Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses that are connected by such words as therefore, furthermore, moreover, for example, consequently, nevertheless, nonetheless. • Shrimp is expensive; nevertheless, it’s always worth the money.

28. Other Punctuation Marks • The Semicolon! (our favorite) • Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses that are connected by words like therefore, furthermore, moreover, for example, consequently, nevertheless, nonetheless. • Shrimp is expensive; nevertheless, it’s always worth the money. • Use a semicolon to separate items in a series when any of the items contain commas • At the party, Lily drank some tasty red punch, ate some delicious chicken with garlic, herbs, and lemon, and danced with several old boyfriends.—Incorrect • At the party, Lily drank some tasty red punch; ate some delicious chicken with garlic, herbs, and lemon; and danced with several old boyfriends.—Correct

29. Other Punctuation Marks • Colons (our second favorite) • Colons introduce a list or idea that follows them • The main use of the colon is to introduce a list or a thought • Bring the following supplies to class: sketch pad, India ink, pen tips, and a charcoal pencil. • The decision was easy: return the favor • Don’t use a colon after the words such as or including. A complete sentence must come before a colon • Use packing materials, such as: bubble wrap, styro pellets, and foam.---Incorrect • Use packing materials, such as: bubble wrap, styro pellets, and foam.---Correct

30. Other Punctuation Marks • Colons (our second favorite) • Don’t use a colon after a verb or after a preposition. A complete sentence must come before a colon. • The topics to be discussed are: memory, hard drive, and new software.—Incorrect • The topics to be discussed are memory, hard drive, and new software.—Correct • The program consisted of: a lecture, a PowerPoint presentation, and a lunch.—Incorrect • The program consisted of a lecture, a PowerPoint presentation, and a lunch.—Correct

31. Other Punctuation Marks • Dashes • Dashes emphasize or draws attention to a point • I know what I want out of life—happiness. • You can also use a dash when you have a sentence that begins with an idea, and the dash sets off the answer. • Peace, love, and good health—these are my words for the new year. • You can also use a dash in the middle of a sentence to emphasize a point. • I know what I want in a roommate—thoughtfulness—and I intend to get it.

32. Other Punctuation Marks • Parentheses • Parentheses do the opposite of dashes by adding information that isn’t as important, but is still helpful. Always use in pairs ( ) • Use parenthesis to set off information that is interesting or helpful but not necessary for understanding the sentence. • Their oldest son left his family at age 18 (never to return again). • The handbook put out by the MLA (Modern Language Association) is the best guideline.

33. Other Punctuation Marks • Parentheses • Parentheses are also used to mark a person’s lifespan and to number items in a sentence. • Emily Dickinson (1830-1866) is one of America’s great poets. • Follow these steps in writing a paragraph: (1) brainstorm for ideas, (2) choose a topic, and (3) formulate a topic sentence.