Punctuation Review.

Used properly, and sparingly, punctuation marks give meaning to sentences. The most misused marks in the English language are the comma and the semi-colon. There are specific rules to their usage. They are not inserted after the natural pauses that would occur in speech, as many novice writers believe. Be sure to pay special attention to the "rules" of comma and semi-colon usage in this section and to follow them as precisely as possible when writing your essays.

The major, and most used, punctuation marks are as follows:

. /Period. A period is used to end a statement.
EXAMPLE: That was a great show.

? /Question mark. A question mark is used to end a question.
EXAMPLE: Did you enjoy the show?

! /Exclamation mark. The exclamation mark is used to signal an exclamation.
EXAMPLE: I loved that show!

: /Colon. Used when introducing a list, an example, or an explanation.
EXAMPLE: Some of the acts at the show were: Mary and Todd, The Flying French Brothers, and The Magnificent Magic Man.
EXAMPLE: The curfew laws in this town are very strict: kids under the age of 18 must be indoors by 9:00 in the evening.

; /Semi-colon. Used to link to complete sentences that do not have a conjunction such as and or but to join them.
EXAMPLE: I went to the store; I purchased grapes.

( ) /Parentheses. Used to enclose numerals or words for clarification or as a side note. Used to enclose numbered or lettered list items.
EXAMPLE: The rent was one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) per month.
EXAMPLE: The rules were (1) no loud music after midnight, (2) the place must be cleaned and left the way it was found, and (3) no smoking in the house.

, /Comma. There are specific rules for the use of commas. They are not necessarily used to show what would be a pause in everyday speech. While this course does not include a comprehensive list of comma rules, it covers the most important below.

• Use a comma to separate items in a series of three or more.
  EXAMPLE: For my trip I packed a comb, soap, shampoo, clothing, pajamas, and an alarm clock.


• Use a comma after an introductory word such as well, now, or yes.
  EXAMPLE: Well, I did not pack a swimsuit.


• Use a comma when writing dates.
  EXAMPLE: I'll be arriving in Europe on July 4, 2009.


• Use a comma to set off words added for identification.
  EXAMPLE: I will either fly into Paris, France or Rome, Italy on the 4th.


• Use a comma with nouns of address to identify a person being spoken to directly in a sentence or when a person is being identified.
  EXAMPLE: Richard, are you sure the plane leaves at nine?
  EXAMPLE: My brother, Christopher, visited Ireland this year.


• Use a comma on either side of a noun when it names or identifies the noun next to it.
  EXAMPLE: The airline we are using, Air Europe, has flights to Europe every day.


• Use a comma to set off parenthetical remarks.
  EXAMPLE: Air Europe, so I've heard, is one of the safest airlines in the business.


• Use a comma to set off greetings and closings.
  EXAMPLE: Dear Sir, I hope all is well with you.
  EXAMPLE: Kind regards, John.


• Use a comma to separate two adjectives when the word and is not used between them.
  EXAMPLE: She is a sweet, kind girl.


• Use a comma to separate a question from a statement.
  EXAMPLE: I want to go to Europe, do you?


• Use a comma to set off the words therefore and however when they interrupt the sentence.
  EXAMPLE: I am going soon, however, it is not soon enough.