Punctuation Basics

Writing is like math.  If you don’t follow the right formula, you end up in a state of mass confusion.  Synonymously, punctuation is like following a map.  If you miss the street signs, you’ll end up completely lost.  The following is a list of common English punctuation marks and their most basic functions.  Contrary to popular belief, there are no exceptions to these rules.  Breaking them has never been in style.

The most common English punctuation marks include the following:

. = period
? = question mark
! = exclamation point
, = comma
“” = quotation marks
’ = apostrophe
; = semicolon
: = colon
- = hyphen
( ) = parentheses
— = dash
. . . = ellipse

Wow, that’s a lot of symbols!  So, how do you use them as you write?  Here's a quick and dirty list.

1) Every sentence must end in a period, question mark, or exclamation point.

2) A comma signifies a pause, distinguishes between objects in a list, sets off addresses and interruptions, separate adjectives, etc.

3) All dialog must be enclosed in “quotation marks.”

4) Contractions and possession are expressed with an apostrophe.

5) A semicolon combines two complete sentences without the aid of a conjunction such as and, but, or, so, etc.

6) A colon sets off a list or independent clause, but only if the introduction before the colon is, in itself, independent.  Examples:

List:</b> Sam brought the following things on his camping trip: fishing poles, tackle, minnows, his inflatable raft, and flippers.

Introduction:</b>  This is what Sam said upon arriving home: “I would've caught a huge fish if a snapping turtle hadn’t eaten it first!”

7) Hyphens combine two words into one often in order to create an adjective such as "bear-like."

8) Parentheses enclose additional information that is not imperative to the sentence's meaning (you know, like this).

9) A dash is used in a similar manner as parentheses but is not as disruptive to flow.  They can also set of a list and take the place of a comma, colon, or ellipse.  They may also symbolize an interruption or insertion of new information.

10) An ellipse shows a pause or passage of time:  

“James . . . are you there?”

It can also represent a lingering question:

Could he protect her from what he feared the most?  Only time would tell . . .

Oh, and one more thing.  Quotation marks contain their own punctuation and capitalization.  Parentheses do not.  Example:

Tyler asked, “Did you take my book?”

Of course I hadn’t (but I had seen it under the couch).