Chapter 27

Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.


CHAPTER 27: PUNCTUATION


CHAPTER OUTLINE AND LEARNING OBJECTIVES

In this chapter, you will learn to: demonstrate proficiency in basic punctuation

skills, including (but not limited to) the proper use of commas, semicolons, colons, apostrophes, parentheses, numbers, capital letters, and abbreviations.


THE PERIOD Periods are used in two ways:

1. Use a period to mark the end of a sentence that makes a statement.

2. Use a period after abbreviations.


THE QUESTION MARK

Use a question mark after a direct question. If a question is not a direct question, it does

not get a question mark.


THE COMMA There are four main ways to use a comma: as

a lister, a linker, an introducer, or an inserter. Use a Comma as a Lister

Commas support items in a series. These items can be words, phrases, or

clauses. Use a Comma as a Linker

A comma and a coordinating conjunction link two independent clauses.

The comma is placed in front of the coordinating conjunction.


THE COMMA Use a Comma as an Introducer

Put a comma after introductory words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence.

Use a Comma as an Inserter When words or phrases that are not

necessary are inserted into a sentence, put a comma on both sides of the inserted material. Kim, an awesome person, is my teacher.

Other Ways to Use a Comma1. Use commas with quotations.


THE COMMA

2. Use commas with dates and addresses.3. Use commas in numbers.4. Use commas for clarity.


THE SEMICOLON

Two ways to use semicolons:1. Use a semicolon to join two independent

clauses.2. Use semicolons to separate the items on

a list that contains commas.


THE COLON

A colon is used at the end of a complete statement.

It introduces a list or an explanation. A colon may also introduce long quotations.


THE APOSTROPHE

Use the apostrophe in the following ways:1. Use an apostrophe in contractions to

show that letters or numbers have been omitted.

2. Use an apostrophe to show possession. If a word does not end in s, show ownership by adding an apostrophe and s.


THE EXCLAMATION MARK

The exclamation mark is used at the end of sentences that express strong emotion.

Use it sparingly.


THE DASH

Use a dash to interrupt a sentence. It usually indicates a dramatic shift in tone or

thought. Two dashes set off dramatic words that

interrupt a sentence. Use them sparingly.


PARENTHESES

Use parentheses to enclose extra material and afterthoughts.


THE HYPHEN

A hyphen joins two or more descriptive words that act as a single word.

Use a hyphen in the written form of compound numbers from twenty-one to ninety-nine.


QUOTATION MARKS

Use quotation marks for direct quotes, for the titles of short works, and for other special uses.1. Put quotation marks around direct quotes, a

speaker or writer’s exact words.2. Put quotation marks around the titles of short

works.3. Put quotation marks around words mentioned as

words in a sentence.


CAPITAL LETTERS

Ten main situations in which you capitalize:1. Capitalize the first word of every sentence.2. Capitalize the first word in a direct quotation

if the word begins a sentence.3. Capitalize the names of persons.4. Capitalize the titles of persons.5. Always capitalize countries, cities, languages,

nationalities, religions, races, months, days of the week, documents, organizations, holidays, and historical events or periods.

6. Capitalize the names of particular places.


CAPITAL LETTERS

7. Use capital letters for geographic locations.

8. Capitalize the names of specific products.9. Capitalize the names of specific school

courses.10. Capitalize the first and last words in the

titles of long or short works, and capitalize all other significant words in the titles.


NUMBERS

Spell out numbers that take one or two words Use the numbers themselves if it takes more

than two words to spell them out. Also, use numbers to write dates, times,

addresses, and parts of a book.


ABBREVIATIONS

Abbreviate Mr., Mrs., Ms., Jr., Sr., and Dr. when they are used with a proper name.

You should abbreviate references to time and to organizations widely known by initials.


WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS NOT ONE OF THE FOUR MAIN WAYS TO USE A COMMA?

A. Use comma as a listerB. Use comma as an introducerC. Use comma as a linkerD. Use comma as a listener


WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS NOT ONE OF THE FOUR MAIN WAYS TO USE A COMMA?

A. Use comma as a listerB. Use comma as an introducerC. Use comma as a linkerD. Use comma as a listener

Demonstrate proficiency in basic punctuation skills, including (but not limited to) the proper use of commas, semicolons, colons, apostrophes, parentheses, numbers, capital letters, and abbreviations.


WHICH PUNCTUATION MARK IS USED TO JOIN TWO INDEPENDENT CLAUSES?

A. commaB. colonC. parenthesesD. semicolon


WHICH PUNCTUATION MARK IS USED TO JOIN TWO INDEPENDENT CLAUSES?

A. commaB. colonC. parenthesesD. semicolon

Demonstrate proficiency in basic punctuation skills, including (but not limited to) the proper use of commas, semicolons, colons, apostrophes, parentheses, numbers, capital letters, and abbreviations.

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Chapter 27