When we are talking we pause, add
tidbits, come to abrupt stops, and sometimes interrupt someone else who is
talking. There are ways to convey these parts of our normal speech patterns
when we write, it’s called punctuation and we use more than periods, commas and
exclamation points.
The Ellipses (…)
demonstrates hesitation “Uh… I don’t know that answer.”
A Hyphen (-) is used
within words to separate compound words “up-to-date” [on the keyboard]
An EN Dash (–)
connects numbers and/or words “10 – 20 pages per chapter” [ctrl plus
the minus sign on the number pad]
An EM Dash (—)
shows an interruption in speech “What the—“ [ctrl plus alt plus minus]
A Semicolon (;)
connects independent clauses in a sentence where the two clauses are closely
related “The teacher came into the classroom and saw the children out of their
seats; she did not look happy.”
A Semicolon (;)
should also be used in lists where commas are used “Combine
cinnamon, nutmeg and salt; apples, raisins and pears; sugar and a teaspoon of
flour.”
A Colon (:) goes
before the contents of a list if the sentence before the listed items COULD end
with a period “The teacher chose five students to present the plaque to the Mayor:
Barbara, Lawrence, David, Jennifer and Marc.”
Use a Comma (,)
to introduce quoted speech The doctor added, “Surgery should be the
last resort.”
A handy online resource about
punctuation can be found at http://bit.ly/1lk7rBw (courtesy of the University of North
Georgia)
Writing Exercise: Since we are in the throes of the American presidential
campaign, write a full page of YOUR views. Include quotes and lists where
possible (this is just for your personal
exercise so feel free to be honest). Check your use of punctuation against
the list above or the online guide referenced.
Writing Prompt: 1) Write one sentence for each punctuation
listed above. 2) Write sentences using two to three forms of punctuation in
each.
Challenge Assignment: Using a magazine article (or two) try to edit
the punctuation used without changing the meaning of the article(s).
