The Writing Studio

1. The Writing Studio Punctuation Workshop

2. Punctuation • System of signals used by writers to communicate with readers • End Punctuation • Internal Punctuation

3. End Punctuation Punctuation marks that terminate one sentence or thought and separate it from the next. • Period ( . ) • Exclamation Point ( ! ) • Question Mark ( ? )

4. Example--End Punctuation Period Benjamin Franklin was a great inventor and American patriot. Exclamation Point I can’t believe you said that ! Question Mark What time is it ?

5. Internal Punctuation Punctuation marks that serve to combine, introduce, enclose, or indicate omission or grammatical function within a sentence. The period also serves as internal punctuation to indicate omission and create abbreviations (Jr., Sr., etc.).

6. Internal Punctuation Marks that separate and combine: comma, semicolon, slash, hyphen Marks that separate and introduce: comma, colon, dash Marks that separate and enclose: comma, dash, parentheses, quotation marks, brackets Marks that indicate omission: ellipsis marks, apostrophe

7. Example--Internal Punctuation Comma Separate and Combine Tom is sick, but he should be well in a few days. Separate and Introduce According to the weather report, it is going to snow this weekend. Separate and Enclose Marilyn Monroe, whose real name was Norma Jean, was an actress. Dash Separate and Introduce Most Americans have Thanksgiving dinner at thesame time--half time. Separate and Enclose Movies--science fiction movies-- express the creativity of the writer.

8. Example--Internal Punctuation Semicolon All students take English 1100; it is a university policy. Colon There are three people in that car: Tom, Dick, and Harry. Parentheses Thanks to Henry Ford (inventor of the car) we are riding in style. Quotation Marks He said, “I know that guy. I went to school with him.” Brackets That show [Seinfeld] is one of the funniest I have ever seen.

9. Example--Internal Punctuation Ellipsis Marks I pledge allegiance to the flag. . .and to the Republic for which it stands. . . Apostrophe I’ve tried to tell her, but she won’t listen. Slash Writer/Director Woody Allen is a very interesting person. Hyphen Timothy is a well-deserving recipient of the prize.

10. Punctuation • Further information and examples about punctuation marks can be found in the Concise English Handbook or the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. • Ask your professor specific questions about punctuation marks and their usage. • Visit the Writing Center and discuss punctuation problems you might have with a tutor.