The Writing Studio Punctuation Workshop

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

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

Example--End Punctuation PeriodBenjamin Franklin was a great inventor and American patriot. Exclamation PointI can’t believe you said that ! Question MarkWhat time is it ?

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.).

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

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.

Example--Internal Punctuation SemicolonAll students take English 1100; it is a university policy. ColonThere are three people in that car: Tom, Dick, and Harry. ParenthesesThanks to Henry Ford (inventor of the car) we are riding in style. Quotation MarksHe said, “I know that guy. I went to school with him.” BracketsThat show [Seinfeld] is one of the funniest I have ever seen.

Example--Internal Punctuation Ellipsis MarksI pledge allegiance to the flag...and to the Republic for which it stands... ApostropheI’ve tried to tell her, but she won’t listen. SlashWriter/Director Woody Allen is a very interesting person. HyphenTimothy is a well-deserving recipient of the prize.

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.