Punctuation Reminders for Literary Essays

A collection of vocabulary flashcards based on punctuation rules and common errors in literary essays.

Comma (,)

Used to separate items in a list, after introductory elements, and before conjunctions when joining independent clauses.

Period (.)

Used to end complete thoughts and sentences.

Semicolon (;)

Used to connect closely related independent clauses without a conjunction.

Colon (:)

Used to introduce a list, explanation, or quotation.

Quotation Marks (" ")

Used to enclose direct quotes.

Parentheses ( )

Used to enclose extra information.

Brackets [ ]

Used to alter or clarify quotes.

Dash (—)

Used for emphasis or interruptions in a sentence.

Hyphen (-)

Used for compound adjectives.

Apostrophe (')

Used for possession and contractions.

Singular Possession

Add 's to show that something belongs to one person or thing.

Plural Possession

If a noun is plural and ends in s, just add '.

Irregular Plurals

If a plural noun doesn’t end in 's', add 's for possession.

Comma Splice

An error caused by joining two sentences with just a comma.

Run-on Sentence

Occurs when two complete thoughts are joined without appropriate punctuation.

Em Dash vs. En Dash

An em dash is longer and used for emphasis; an en dash is shorter and used for ranges of numbers.

Contractions

Shortened forms of words that should typically be avoided in formal writing.

Weak Thesis Statement

A thesis that is vague or not arguable enough.

Summarizing Instead of Analyzing

Mistake of recounting plot instead of explaining its significance.

First or Second Person

Using 'I' or 'you' in formal writing, which should be avoided.

MLA Format

A style guide for writing and citing sources in literary essays.

Punctuation for Citations

Specific rules for placing punctuation in MLA citations.

Comma Before Coordinating Conjunctions

Rule for using commas when joining two complete sentences.

Punctuation Placement

The rule that dictates where to place punctuation in relation to quotation marks and parentheses.

Active Voice

A grammatical structure that emphasizes the subject performing the action.

Wordiness

Excessive use of words that do not add value to the writing.

Clarification of Pronouns

Using an author's name instead of pronouns for clarity.

Pseudonym

A fictitious name used by an author that may disguise their gender.

Citations in Literary Essays

The practice of referencing sources according to MLA format.

Compound Adjective

Two or more words joined to modify a noun, requiring a hyphen.

Quotation Marks for Short Works

Used for titles of short stories, poems, and articles.

Italicization for Long Works

Used for titles of novels, plays, and other long works.

Common Mistakes

Frequent errors made in literary essays that can undermine clarity.

MLA Punctuation Checklist

A list to ensure proper punctuation and format in MLA style work.

Dashes for Emphasis

Used to create emphasis or indicate an interruption in thought.

Avoiding Contractions in Formal Writing

Rule to maintain a formal tone by not using contractions.

Common Errors in Literary Essays

Mistakes such as incorrect thesis statements, summarizing instead of analyzing, and punctuation errors.

Analyzing Themes

Discussing the deeper meanings and themes in literature.

Historical Context of Authors

Understanding an author’s background and societal influences on their work.

Final Checklist Before Submitting

A review list to ensure all aspects of the essay are correct and polished.

Using Singular 'They'

Employing a gender-neutral pronoun for individuals whose gender identity is unknown.