1. Punctuation Starter: how would using commas save this writer’s family?
Learning Objective: to understand and be able to explain the impact of punctuation used in poetry.

2. ! Full stops Full stops are used to signal the end of a sentence.
Remember that each new sentence will have a subject (noun) and a verb.

3. Full stops
Full stops must always be used where sentences can stand alone.
e.g.
I love maths, it’s my favourite subject. NO, NO, NO!
I love maths. It’s my favourite subject. That’s better!
The girl stood on the deck of the pirate ship. Fearing for her life. NO, NO, NO!
The girl stood on the deck of the pirate ship, fearing for her life. That’s better!

4. Commas
Commas are used to mark the parts of sentences which can’t stand by themselves.
You can also use them to mark off one-word items in a list.
I arrived very late this morning, but only because my brother stole my iPad, and I had to chase him around the house until he gave it back.
I bring my pencil case, iPad, trainers, ruler, books and snacks into school.

5. Exclamation marks
Exclamation marks are used at the end of a sentence of piece of dialogue to signal that something is particularly exciting or should be spoken in an excited or angry way,
However, you must be careful not to overuse them...

6. Question marks Question marks are used at the end of direct questions.
Like exclamation marks, they can be used at the end of a sentence like a full stop, or at the end of a piece of dialogue.

7. Apostrophes Are used to show that a letter is missing:
That’s my brother. = That is my brother.
I couldn’t believe it! = I could not believe it!
Are used to show possession:
The dog’s bone.
The children’s sweets.
The parents’ evening.
BE CAREFUL with its and it’s.
The cat licked its paw.
It’s a beautiful sunny day.
IF TIME

8. Checking your understanding

9. Punctuation is very important in poetry...
Caesura = punctuation in the middle of a line
Enjambement = when a line breaks part way through a sentence
Endstopping = when a sentence ends at the end of a line

10. The smell of icing sugar wafted through the house
I could feel it on my tongue and up my nose
Like freshly falling snow it silently swept through up the stairs
So that we all knew that Mums biscuits were ready
But then there was a less pleasant smell
We could tell that the baking had gone wrong
I cant remember what had happened
All I remember is the icing sugar
Isnt that what memory is
The icing sugars scent masks the mistakes
Thank goodness
How would you punctuate this poem?
- What mistakes have been made?
Could you use punctuation marks to create different effects?
Could you use enjambement or caesura by changing where the lines break?

11. Pick three stanzas of Emily Brontë’s poem ‘Remembrance’.
In pairs, explore the way in which Brontë has used punctuation for impact.
Use these questions to help you:
Which punctuation marks has Brontë used and why? (Hint: swap them for others and see what changes.)
Has Brontë used enjambement, caesura or endstopping in your stanza? What impact does it have? (Hint: try reading the poem aloud.)
IF TIME/depending on class’ ability

12. Self-assessment Read over the initial draft of your ‘Remember’ poem.
How could you adapt they way you have used punctuation in your poem, based on what you’ve learnt this lesson?