module 7
Overview of Punctuation
Presentation and pacing are crucial for clarity in speech.
Punctuation marks guide readers on how to read sentences, indicating pauses, lists, and sentence types.
Commas
Commas are used to separate elements in lists and coordinate adjectives describing nouns.
Coordinating Adjectives:
Defined as adjectives that have equal status in describing a noun.
They should be separated by commas, e.g., "a bright, windy, clear day".
The conjunction "and" is not always needed before the last adjective.
Tests for Coordinate Adjectives:
Reverse order test: If the order can be changed without changing meaning, they are coordinate.
Conjunction test: If adding "and" between them makes sense, they are coordinate.
Non-Coordinate Adjectives:
Cannot be separated by commas, e.g., "a white frame house".
Certain adjectives are subordinate and need to stay together.
Semicolons
Used to combine closely related independent clauses:
Example: "Be sure to wear clean, well-pressed clothes to the interview; appearances are important."
Semicolons enhance fluidity and avoid choppy writing.
Used in lists when items contain commas for clarity.
Example: "We can choose from black, white, and gray; green, brown, and black; or red, green, and brown."
Key Takeaway: Semicolons join independent clauses without coordinating conjunctions (and, or, but).
Colons
Colons indicate a full stop and introduce lists, quotes, and explanations.
Must follow an independent clause:
Example: "The team will tour three states: New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland."
Use colons for quotes:
Example: Mark Twain said it best: "When in doubt, tell the truth."
Capitalization after Colons: Capitalize first letters after a colon if it's a complete sentence, quote, or proper noun.
Dashes
Dashes emphasize information in a sentence and can set off text.
Example: "Arrive at the interview early - but not too early."
They indicate pauses and can substitute for parentheses.
Hyphens
Hyphens connect words into a single idea, particularly in compound adjectives:
Example: "The 55-year-old athlete..."
Used to break words at the end of lines and in specific numeral contexts.
Follow AP Style:
Use them to avoid ambiguity or to clarify meaning, e.g., "small-business owner" but not "health care center".
Between vs. Among
Between: Used for two items or one-to-one relationships:
Example: "The race is now between Jenny and Jill."
Among: Used for multiple undefined relationships:
Example: "Keeping peace among the regions is imperative."
Key Rule: Use 'between' for distinct items and 'among' for collective or undefined groups.
Pronouns: Must be in the objective case after these prepositions, e.g., "between him and her".
Final Reminders
Always ensure clarity with punctuation to guide the reader and facilitate smooth communication.