Download
1 / 41
E N D
Punctuation • if we listen very carefully when others speak we will notice that they sometimes pause or change their tone if such speeches were rendered in writing the pause and changes in tone would indicate various forms of punctuation certainly we cannot rely completely on our senses to discover the times we need to employ our punctuations for example no amount of good listening skills will allow any of us to determine when an apostrophe or a quotation mark is supposed to occur the kind of punctuation used
If we listen very carefully when others speak, we will notice that they sometimes pause or change their tone. If such speeches were rendered in writing, the pause and changes in tone would indicate various forms of punctuation. Certainly we cannot rely completely on our senses to discover the times we need to employ our punctuations; for example, no amount of good listening skills will allow any of us to determine when an apostrophe or a quotation mark is supposed to occur. The kind of punctuation used
The power of punctuation. • Maria wrote the following letter to a man with whom she had fallen madly in love. • Dear Tom, I want a man who knows what love is all about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful. People who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me for other men. I yearn for you. I’ve no feelings whatsoever when we are apart. I can be forever happy – will you let me be yours? Maria.
Julius, Maria’s ex-boyfriend, saw the letter in her handbag and changed the punctuation. The following is what Maria unknowingly sent to Thomas. • Dear Tom, • I want a man who knows what love is. All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people who are not like you. Admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me. For other men I yearn. For you I’ve no feelings whatsoever. When we are apart, I can be forever happy – will you let me be? Yours, Maria.
Some of the most common forms of punctuation • Comma (,) • Semi-colon (;) • Colon (:) • Quotation marks (“...” or ‘...’) • Apostrophe (’) • Parenthesis ( ( ) or [ ] ) • Question mark ? • Exclamation mark (!) • Full stop or period (.) • Ellipsis (...) • Slash (/)
The comma: most frequently used within the sentence –most frequently misused. • Usually used to separate three or more items in a series: • Sally, Beth, and Cathy were reading in the library. • The cat awoke, stretched , and leaped from the chair. • In the tro-tro were people, luggage, goats, fresh fish, and firewood. • The security asked us who we were, where we had come from, why we had entered a restricted zone, and what we planned to do there.
B. Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction linking two independent clauses (and, or, but, for, yet, so, nor): • You will have to pay the fine, and then we’ll think of what to do next. • Every available space on walls and lamp posts is covered with campaign posters, but glossy posters alone cannot convince the voter. • Many of the students had not completed their project work, nor were they ready for the start of the next session. • I came early, so I got a seat in the front row.
Note: Do not use a comma alone between independent clauses. (comma splice) • *I came early, I got a seat in the front row. • *The beams have rotted, they can no longer support the roof. • Revised: • I came early, so I got a seat in the front row • The beams have rotted, so they can no longer support the roof. • The beans have rotted; they can no longer support the roof.
If a conjunction links only a pair of words or phrases, no comma is needed: • *It was expensive, but necessary. Revised: It was expensive but necessary. • * I phoned the store, and asked to speak with the manager. Revised: I phoned the store and asked to speak with the manager.
However, when two items suggest contrast or choice, a comma is used to separate them: • I said up, not down. • She is speaking French, not Spanish.
C. Use a comma after direct quotations, and to set off tags like “he said” and other attributions. • “We are indeed lucky to have such a team leader,” remarked Abu. • Abu said, “We are indeed lucky to have such a team leader.” OR • Abu said: “We are indeed lucky to have such a team leader.” • “I’m leaving tomorrow,” said Nancy. “We can clean up when I get back.”
Some writers use comma to introduce quoted speech and colon to introduce quoted writing: • Abu said, “We are indeed lucky to have such a team leader.” • Abu wrote: “We are indeed lucky to have such a team leader.”
If a quoted sentence ends with a question mark or an exclamation mark, do not use a comma: • “What’s the evidence?” the scientist asks. • “Get out!” he screamed.
If only a word or phrase is quoted, you do not need a comma or a colon to introduce it: • The doctor described his condition as “stable.” • The speaker described his opponent as “an incompetent slob.”
A pair of commas can be used to set off a tag that interrupts a quoted sentence: • “I have noticed,” the manager declared, “that no one else arrives at work on time.”
D. Use a comma to separate names of places addresses and items in dates: • The Slave Castle at Elmina, Ghana, bears testimony to a terrible fact. • I live at 45 Kakum Close, University of Cape Coast. • She was born on July 1, 2012. • She was born on 1st July, 2012. (old fashioned?) Dates may also written as 1 July, 2012. DD/MM/YY- 01.06.12 • July 1, 2012 (American) MM/DD/YY -06. 01.12
D. Use a comma after an introductory clause, phrase or word. • Whenever it rains hard, the roof leaks. • When he comes, tell him I had to leave immediately. • To prepare for the entrance exam, Asana asked for a day off. • Encouraged by the applause, the musicians played an encore. • Sweating profusely, Dan rushed out for some fresh air. • Unfortunately, the man died before help could reach him.
E. Use a comma to set off elements in apposition. • I have an appointment with Dr. Lee, the dentist. • Give the results slip to Mary, the administrative secretary. • Michael TeyeNyaunu, MP for Lower ManyaKrobo, has fallen out with his party.
F. Use commas to set off non-restrictive modifiers. • A teacher, who is responsible for training our children, must be adequately compensated . [A teacher who is responsible for training our children must be adequately compensated.] b. The nun, who takes care of abandoned children, has been transferred.
G. Use commas to set off the name of someone directly addressed • A few weeks ago, Mr. Chairman, I met the same men in a hotel in Tamale. • Mr. Daniel, this is to remind you that the book you borrowed from our library is two weeks overdue. Also in writing letters: Dear Mary, ............................... Sincerely, Dear Prof. Sandow, ............... Yours truly,
2. The semi-colon (;) • A. Can be used to join two independent clauses. • *The beams have rotted, they can no longer support the roof. (comma splice) sn.#9 • Revised: The beams have rotted; they can no longer support the roof.
B. Use a semi-colon to link two independent clauses when the second amplifies or throws more light on the first: • The house was empty; everyone had gone. • Participating is good; winning is better./ • Participating is good, but winning is better. • Participating is good; however, winning is better. [*Participating is good, winning is better]Χ
B. Use semi-colon when you link independent clause with conjunctive adverbs like the following: • -furthermore, therefore, likewise, however, nevertheless, also, consequently, besides, yet, hence, for example, in fact, etc.: • The Iron Duke has complete confidence in his troops’ training and valor; furthermore, he considered his battle plan a work of genius. • The defendant brought up new evidence; consequently, he was set free at the new trial.
Some writers omit the comma after the conjunctive adverb: • He always arrives late at meetings; yet he is always the first to complain that the meetings take too long. • The defendant brought up new evidence; consequentlyhe was set free at the new trial.
Do not use a semicolon to introduce a list: • *The prophets denounced three types of wrongdoing; idolatry, injustice, and neglect of the needy. Revised: The prophets denounced three types of wrongdoing: idolatry, injustice, and neglect of the needy.
3. The colon (:) • Use the colon to introduce a list coming at the end of a sentence: Passengers may have one of four beverages: coffee, tea, milk or soda. B. Use the colon to introduce an example or an explanation related to something just mentioned: The animals have a good many of our practical skills: some insects make pretty good architects, and beavers know quite a lot about engineering.
C. Use a colon to introduce a long quotation, usually of more than one line: • The opening chapter of the Qur’an says: “In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. The Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.” These are the words that also mark the beginning of every Muslim prayer. OR...
The opening chapter of the Qur’an says: In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. The Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. These are the words that also mark the beginning of every Muslim prayer.
D. The colon is used when time is written in figures: • 6:00 am 6:00 pm • 7:40 am 7:40 pm • 01:00 13:00 hours • 08:00 hours 20:00 hours • 06:00 GMT 18:00 GMT
4. Quotation marks (“ ”) or (‘ ’) • To quote is to repeat the exact words spoken or written by another person. A) Use the double quotation marks (“ ”) to enclose any words, phrases sentence or short passages quoted from speech, writing or any printed matter: • In his confusion, Hamlet soliloquized: “To be or not to be, that is the question...”
“An agnostic,” writes Clarence Darrow, “is a doubter.” • At his press conference yesterday, the President said that his talks with his South African counterpart had been “fruitful.”
B) Use Double quotation marks to enclose the words of speakers engaged in conversation, and start a new paragraph each time the speaker changes:
“How did the interview go?” Bob asked. “Its hard to say,” said Helen. “At first I was nervous. Then I relaxed and spoke clearly. I even began to enjoy myself.” “Well, it sounds as if you might get the job. If you do, let’s celebrate.”
Do not use quotation marks when the quoted words are not exactly as the writer or speaker used them; e.g. in indirect statements: *The foreman said that “his team had finished ahead of schedule.” Revised: The foreman said that his team had finished ahead of schedule. The foreman said, “My team has finished ahead of schedule.”
When you quote written material, quote exactly what is written; do not correct what are obvious errors or may appear as errors: • There was a popular chop bar in Tamale with a sign board that said “Dont Mine Your Wife”.
If there is an error in the material that you quote, you can use the word (sic) after the quoted word or phrase to show that you are aware of the error: • The notice outside the office said “Closed on Wedensday” (sic).
C) Use the double quotation marks to set off a word or group of words under discussion: • “Nomenclature” is the word used to facilitate the naming of plants and animals. • In Ghanaian English the word “tea” may refer to actual tea, or coffee, or a chocolate drink or indeed to any kind of hot drink. • The word “love” means different things to different people.
D) Use quotation marks for unfamiliar terms, nicknames and epithets. • In music the climax of the composition is called the “bridge”. • At school his classmates called him “macho”. • “Boom Boom” Mancini died after a boxing bout.
Eth man • E) The title of an article, poem, short story or song is marked by the double quotation marks: • “No Sweetness Here” is the title of a short story by Ama Ata Aidoo. • Celine Dionne’s hit song “My Heart Will Go On” is the theme song of the film Titanic. • Boateng, Akwasi, “The uses of the Praise Song” in Voices of Ghana, EmefaAddo, ed., Accra, Ghana Publishing Corporation 1992.
F) The single quotation mark (‘ ’) • Used to set off a quotation within a quotation: • The teacher of religion said, “Today we need to start our discussion with the verse which begins ‘I was hungry, and you gave me no food.’”
