1. Teacher Notes
This PowerPoint presentation has been designed to support teachers to deliver a series of lessons on correct usage of punctuation.
It specifically addresses the Australian Curriculum English Content Descriptors for Literacy: Creating Texts.
Supporting materials, including posters and worksheets, can be accessed on the Teach Starter website via the following links:
Punctuation Pressure Worksheet
Perfect Punctuation Worksheet
Punctuation Worksheets – Upper Grades
Spelling and Grammar – Editing Worksheets
Learning Apostrophes Poster and Worksheet Pack

3. Symbols
I do: my turn to talk. This is the explanation section of our lesson where you are required to listen. We do: this is where we discuss or work on the concepts together. You do: your turn to be involved. You may be working in a group or on an activity individually.

4. Using Punctuation Marks

5. What is Punctuation?
Punctuation is the use of marks and signs in writing.
It is used to separate words into clauses, phrases and sentences in order to make meaning clear.
Types of punctuation include the full stop, question mark, exclamation mark, comma, quotation marks, apostrophe, colon, semicolon, hyphen, dash and brackets.
We will be learning about when to use each of these punctuation marks, and how to use them correctly.

6. Full Stops Full stops are used at the end of a sentence.
e.g. We spent three hours at the park last Saturday.
e.g. Chris and John ate the whole cake in ten minutes.
e.g. Yesterday was the hottest day for the month of December.
They are also used in abbreviations.
e.g. My family and I are travelling to the U.K. next holidays.
e.g. The Harry Potter series was written by J.K. Rowling.
e.g. Imran’s little brother was born in 2007 C.E.

7. Question Marks
Question marks are used at the end of a sentence that asks a question.
e.g. Are you wearing your boots to the park today?
e.g. Do you think there might be a thunderstorm this afternoon?
e.g. What is the biggest planet in the solar system?
They are also used in direct speech when a question is asked.
e.g. “Why are you making so much noise?” Mr Jones asked.
e.g. “Are you coming with us?” Tia asked Rose.
e.g. Mum asked impatiently, “Are you going to eat your pasta or not?”

8. Exclamation Marks
Exclamation marks are used to show strong emotion, such as anger, surprise or excitement.
e.g. I can’t believe you went to the movies without me!
e.g. What a wonderful birthday present!
e.g. That is the best picture you have ever painted!
They are also used in direct speech to help identify emotions.
e.g. “That was a really mean thing to do!” Jessie yelled at her brother.
e.g. “Ouch, that really hurt!” exclaimed Freda, in shock.
e.g. The judge cried out to the crowd, “James is the winner!”

9. Review
Let’s review what we’ve learned about full stops, question marks and exclamation marks. Write out this passage, adding in the missing punctuation.
Bedtime can be a scary time for some children Why is that Some children think that there might be monsters hiding underneath their beds What a silly thing to think Children grow out of these fears as they grow older Thank goodness for that Did you ever think there were monsters hiding under your bed

10. Review Answers
Bedtime can be a scary time for some children. Why is that? Some children think that there might be monsters hiding underneath their beds. What a silly thing to think! Children grow out of these fears as they grow older. Thank goodness for that! Did you ever think there were monsters hiding under your bed?

11. Commas
Commas are used to separate items in a list. When and occurs before the last item there is no need to use a comma.
e.g. I ate sausages, bread, ice cream and chocolate at the party.
Commas are used before coordinating conjunctions in a compound sentence.
e.g. I don’t like eating pizza, but I love pasta.
Commas are also used in compound sentences which begin with a subordinating conjunction.
e.g. Until the drought breaks, it will continue to be dry and dusty.

12. Commas
Commas are used to separate beginning phrases or clauses from the rest of the sentence.
e.g. At first light, we began our ascent up the mountain.
Commas are used to separate extra information from a main idea in the middle of a sentence.
e.g. The troll, his eyes wild and blazing, raced towards the castle.
Commas are also used when two or more adjectives are used to describe a noun; or two or more adverbs are used to describe a verb.
e.g. It was the brightest, shiniest star Josie had ever seen.
e.g. The tide crept silently, gracefully towards the sand.

13. Review
Let’s review what we’ve learned about commas. Write out each sentence, adding in the missing commas.
Bradley has cousins named Isabelle Jason Michael and Katie.
I tried my best yet I didn’t win the race.
Unless we hurry up we are going to be late to the party.
Since it’s school holidays I’m going to wear my pyjamas all day.
My little brother his face covered in banana grinned up at me.
That was one rough bumpy terrifying plane trip!

14. Review Answers
Bradley has cousins named Isabelle, Jason, Michael and Katie.
I tried my best, yet I didn’t win the race.
Unless we hurry up, we are going to be late to the party.
Since it’s school holidays, I’m going to wear my pyjamas all day.
My little brother, his face covered in banana, grinned up at me.
That was one rough, bumpy, terrifying plane trip!

15. Quotation Marks
Quotation marks are used to indicate what someone has said. This is called direct speech.
Commas, question marks or exclamation marks are used at the end of the direct speech, before the closing speech marks. Which one is used depends on whether the direct speech is a statement, a question or an exclamation.
e.g. “I think we should watch a DVD tonight,” Hana said.
e.g. “Do you really think I can win?” Imran asked hopefully.
e.g. Elizabeth screamed, “Get out of my room right now!”

16. Quotation Marks Quotation marks are also used to indicate titles.
e.g. My dad’s favourite book of all time is “The Hobbit.”
Quotation marks should also be used when directly quoting a person, a written text or a famous saying.
e.g. My mum always says to me, “No pain, no gain.”
e.g. My favourite book quote is, “You’re mad, bonkers, completely off your head. But I’ll tell you a secret. All the best people are.”
e.g. I just have to remember, “Slow and steady wins the race.”

17. Review
Let’s review what we’ve learned about quotation marks. Write out each sentence, adding in the missing quotation marks.
Molly said to her teacher, It’s really hot outside.
Joshua asked, Do you think we can turn the fan on?
Mrs Fitzgerald looked pleased. Absolutely! she said.
It was time to read our class novel, Bridge to Terabithia.
Mrs Fitzgerald always says to us, Pay attention and read along.
Confucius said, You cannot open a book without learning something.

18. Review Answers Molly said to her teacher, “It’s really hot outside.”
Joshua asked, “Do you think we can turn the fan on?”
Mrs Fitzgerald looked pleased. “Absolutely!” she said.
It was time to read our class novel, “Bridge to Terabithia.”
Mrs Fitzgerald always says to us, “Pay attention and read along.”
Confucius said, “You cannot open a book without learning something.”

19. Apostrophes of Contraction
Apostrophes of contraction are used when two words have been joined together to make one, and some letters have been removed.
The apostrophe of contraction is placed wherever the letters have been removed to make the new word.
e.g. should not becomes shouldn’t
e.g. they are becomes they’re
e.g. we have becomes we’ve

20. Apostrophes of Possession
Apostrophes of possession are used to show that someone has ownership of something.
The apostrophe of possession is always placed after the last letter of the owner’s name.
e.g. Eli’s ball (the ball belongs to Eli)
e.g. my sister’s wedding (the wedding belongs to my sister)
e.g. Mr Hastings’ car (the car belongs to Mr Hastings)

21. Review
Let’s review what we’ve learned about apostrophes. Write out this passage, adding in the missing apostrophes of contraction and possession. Matthews snail is called Sammy. Sammys home is a plastic tank with plants inside it. Hes a special snail, because he loves Matthews guitar playing. When he hears a bit of rock music, Sammy cant stop sliding around his enclosure!

22. Review Answers
Matthew’s snail is called Sammy. Sammy’s home is a plastic tank with plants inside it. He’s a special snail, because he loves Matthew’s guitar playing. When he hears a bit of rock music, Sammy can’t stop sliding around his enclosure!

23. Colons Colons are used before an explanation or description.
e.g. Ballet is more than just a from of dancing: it is a creative and dynamic method of physical expression.
Colons are used before a list of items, with or without dot points.
e.g. On the excursion, you will need: a hat, sunscreen, a bottle of water and your lunch.
Colons are also used before dialogue in a script.
e.g. Mary Poppins: Now children, let’s clean up this room.

24. Semicolons
Semicolons are used to separate items in a list, if these contain a comma.
e.g. My teachers this year are Mr Chan, Maths; Mrs Mohan, English; Mrs Gordon, History and Mr Reynolds, Science.
Semicolons are used to connect two sentences or independent clauses which are related in meaning.
e.g. It was such a rainy day; I really didn’t feel like playing football.
Semicolons are also used before special connecting words, called conjunctive adverbs, in a sentence.
e.g. I really wanted to have a birthday party; however, my dad said no.

25. Hyphens and Dashes
Hyphens are used to link two or more words or word parts together.
e.g. father-in-law
e.g. up-to-date
e.g. part-time
Dashes are used in sentences to indicate an interruption, a change of thought or to provide more information.
e.g. Billie shouted, “Kye! Wait! You don’t under – “ but he was gone.
e.g. Grandpa smiled momentarily – then his solemn face returned.
e.g. The water felt incredible – cool, refreshing and invigorating.

26. Brackets or Parentheses
Brackets, also known as parentheses, are used when adding extra information about the topic of the sentence.
Brackets may include a partial sentence, or a complete sentence.
The main sentence should make sense on its own, even if the brackets were to be removed.
e.g. My mum was born in Wagga Wagga (in country NSW) in 1978.
e.g. Bring an old pair of shoes to camp (new ones might get ruined).
e.g. Chocolate chip ice cream (from Baskin Robbins) is my favourite.

27. information sentences link list thought clauses
Review
Let’s review what we’ve learned about colons, semicolons, hyphens, dashes and brackets. Write out each sentence, adding in the words from the box.
1) Colons are used before a __________ of items.
2) Semicolons connect two related __________ or __________.
3) Hyphens are used to __________ two or more words or word parts.
4) Dashes can be used in sentences to indicate a change of __________.
5) Brackets are used when adding extra __________ to a sentence.
information sentences link list thought clauses

28. Review Answers 1) Colons are used before a list of items.
2) Semicolons connect two related sentences or clauses.
3) Hyphens are used to link two or more words or word parts.
4) Dashes can be used in sentences to indicate a change of thought.
5) Brackets are used when adding extra information to a sentence.

29. Summary Punctuation is the use of marks and signs in writing.
It is used to separate words into clauses, phrases and sentences in order to make meaning clear.
Types of punctuation include the full stop, question mark, exclamation mark, comma, quotation marks, apostrophe, colon, semicolon, hyphen, dash and brackets.
Knowing when to use these punctuation marks, and how to use them correctly, helps improve the quality and sophistication of your writing.