LESSON 2:

PUNCTUATION MARKS
PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION

Prepared by: Maybhel C. Hernandez, LPT

Punctuation marks
▪ are symbols that are used to aid the
clarity and comprehension of written
language.

▪ punctuation is how you tell the reader

to take a breath.
 1. USES OF PERIOD ( . )

1. End of a sentence

The period is used to indicate the end of a sentence not otherwise ended by a question mark,
exclamation point or the period following an abbreviation. It also be used to indicate the end of an
incomplete thought injected into a narrative.

Examples:

The car turned the corner.

Kelly twirled in circles.

 1. USES OF PERIOD ( . )

2. Abbreviations

The period is used to indicate an abbreviation, although it is optional for some.

Example:

e.g. meaning example

Noun

In English, the abbreviation e.g. would be used to replace the phrase “for example.”
 1. USES OF PERIOD ( . )

3. Outlines

In outlines, the period is used optionally after letters or numbers designating sections and
sub-sections.

Example:

I. Introduction

II. Background of the study

1. USES OF PERIOD ( . )

4. Numerical

Period is used in a numerical form such as representing a decimal point within a

sentence.

Example:

17.90

10.26
 2. THE QUESTION MARK ( ? )

1. To mark the end of an interrogative

The question mark is used to mark the end of any sentence that asks a question (no kidding?), including in a
quotation,
Example:
“Is it time to leave? She asked.”
Or a declarative sentence from as a question.
“It’s time to leave?”
An imperative sentence which makes a request will take either question mark or a period.
“Will you please leave?”
2. THE QUESTION MARK ( ? )

2. Within a sentence

The question mark is used optionally within a sentence to add emphasis to a multiple
queries.

Example:

Do you want to do this in three easy lessons, one hard one or not at all?

Do you want to do this in three easy lessons? One hard one? Or not all?
3. THE EXCLAMATION POINT ( ! )

1. The exclamation point is used to mark the end of an exclamatory sentence.

Example:

Watch out for that tree!

Will you please leave!

3. THE EXCLAMATION POINT ( ! )

2. The exclamation point is used after an interjection or after my word used as an

interjection.

Example:

Hey!

Excellent!

Very good!
3. THE EXCLAMATION POINT ( ! )

3. The exclamation point adds emphasis to imply a sense of urgency and to capture the
reader’s attention.

Example:

Look! Good grief! Get out here!

4. THE INTERROBANG ( ?! )

The interrobang is a combination of question mark and exclamation point to emphasize those
statement which engender both wonderment and a strong emotional response: not quite a
question, but certainly questionable.
Example:
She did what?!
A recent study financed by the government reached the conclusion that people don’t like to go
to the, dentist because they fear pain?!
5. THE USES OF COMMA ( , )

A. The comma is used to separate elements within a sentence, follow the opening of an
informal letter, follow the closing of any letter, separate the elements in a date,
separate the elements in an address, separate a person’s name from his or her title
and to section off large numbers.

▪ Separating elements within a sentence

Example:

Like mother said, it’s for your own good.

5. THE USES OF COMMA ( , )

Rule #1: Use a comma only when it is necessary to assure that the message will not be
misunderstood.

Rule #2: Don’t use a comma it is not necessary and especially if might obscure the
meaning of sentence.

Rule #3: Never forget Rule #2.

5. THE USES OF COMMA ( , )

▪ Separate dependent clauses and phrases which are incidental to the main body of the
sentence.

Example:

It’s difficult to discuss politics, even local politics, without getting emotional.

After the party, an elegant affair, they went to the theatre.

5. THE USES OF COMMA ( , )

▪ Separate independent clauses in a compound sentence, particularly if they are long

and divergent.

Example:

The meeting lasted most of the afternoon, and they had to face the long drive home.

He learned his craft in the small theatres scattered throughout the country, but now he
was playing Broadway.
5. THE USES OF COMMA ( , )

▪ Use a comma to separate a word that interrupts the flow of a sentence such a mind
interjection or a connective that modifies a clause even it is at the beginning of a sentence.
See conjunctions for a list of the modifiers.
Example:
The team fought hard to keep up to pace and, consequently, they won.
Furthermore, the movie was lousy.
I can’t believe you mean that, Susan.
5. THE USES OF COMMA ( , )

The team fought hard to keep up to pace and, consequently, they won. (correct)

▪ Do not interrupt the flow of thought or split a clause by placing a comma between the
subject and its verb or between the verb and its object.

The team fought hard, to keep up the pace and … (wrong)

5. THE USES OF COMMA ( , )

The team fought hard to keep up to pace and, consequently, they won. (correct)

▪ Do not use a comma to replace conjunction.

The team fought hard to keep up the pace, consequently they won. (Wrong)
5. THE USES OF COMMA ( , )

The team fought hard to keep up to pace and, consequently, they won. (correct)

▪ Do use a comma to follow the connective when a semicolon is used as the

conjunction.

The team fought hard to keep up the pace; consequently, they won.
5. THE USES OF COMMA ( , )

▪ Elements in a series

For the sake of clarity, words and clauses in a series need to be separated.

Example:

The dress comes in four colours; aqua, pink, orange or black.

He set out to streamline the office, trim the budget, and increase the output.
5. THE USES OF COMMA ( , )

▪ Independent modifiers

Independent modifiers are those modifiers that are not dependent on or directly associated with
any other modifiers; two or more which modify the same member should be separated by a
comma.

Example:

The long, black station wagon drove down the dusty, winding, dirt road.

The long, black hair of Maria is dancing in the win.

5. THE USES OF COMMA ( , )

B. Comma in Quotations

Use a comma to separate a direct quotation from its source unless it is superseded by
other punctuation.

Example:

She said, “I want to see the play.”

“I want to see the play,” she said.

5. THE USES OF COMMA ( , )

C. Opening and closing of a letter

Traditionally, the opening of an informal letter is followed by a comma,

Dear John, Dear Susan,

and the closing of any letter is followed by a comma.

Very truly yours, Sincerely yours,

5. THE USES OF COMMA ( , )

D. Dates and addresses

The parts of dates and addresses are separated by commas.

Examples:

January 27, 1993 27 January, 1993

Memorial Day, 1992 the fourteenth of April, 1992

2030 Belle Vue Way, #81 118 East 28th Street, suite #408

Tallahassee, Fl 32304 New York, NY 10016

5. THE USES OF COMMA ( , )

E. Name and titles

Titles after a name are commonly separated by a comma, as are the elements of a name
when they are reversed.

Examples:

John M. Chavin , M.D. James Mahoney, Esq.

Chavin, John M. Mahone, James

5. THE USES OF COMMA ( , )

F. Numbers

Commas are used to separate the thousands in large numbers.

Examples:

81,548 7,071, 639 346,931

6. THE COLON ( : )

The colon is used at the end of a clause to indicate that word, a list, a phrase or another
clause is to follow. It is used after the opening of a business letter and it used after a
division of time or literary reference to indicate that a subdivision follows.
6. THE COLON ( : )

▪ The colon is used to end a clause introducing a slit of items.

Example:

The parts of speech are as follows: Nouns, Pronouns, Verbs, Adjectives, Adverbs,
Prepositions, Conjunction and Interjections.
6. THE COLON ( : )

▪ The colon is also used to highlight a clause to follow.

Example:

As you go through life, remember one thing: The most humiliating criticism is
indifference.
6. THE COLON ( : )

▪ Traditionally, the colon has followed the salutation in openning of business letter.

Examples:

Dear Sir:

To whom it may concern:

Dear Madam:
6. THE COLON ( : )

▪ The colon is used after a division of time, literature, etc. to indicate a subdivision
follows.

Examples:

3:45 P.M 15:45:17

Isaiah 65:17 Psalms 23:1

7. THE SEMICOLON ( ; )

▪ The semicolon is used to join two independent clauses with or without a modifying
connective.

Example:

Sharon has a managerial position; she enjoys the rights and privileges which go with the
responsibility.
7. THE SEMICOLON ( ; )

▪ In place of a comma

There are situations that call for commas where the use of a semicolon is preferred in
the interest of clarity. Think of it as two-tier punctuation with the semicolon as the
stronger element two.
7. THE SEMICOLON ( ; )

Example:

We carefully planned the trip, packed the car and were ready to set out for the
campground; but our plans went awry when the car, an old Buick with failing brakes,
refused to start.

A comma could be used before but; however, the semicolon is a stronger indicator in
contrast to the commas, and further serves notice to your reader to take a well-earned
breath.
7. THE SEMICOLON ( ; )

A list of phrases or clauses is best separated by semicolons, particularly if the clauses

are punctuated by commas.

Example:

Among the things we packed for the trip was the small, green teen; two sleeping bags; a
selection of fresh and freeze-dried foods; the lantern, with fuel for two nights; an
assortment of pots, pans and eating utensils; and a change of clothes.
 8. THE APOSTROPHE ( ‘ )

The apostrophe is used to show possession, to show plurals for symbols and indicate missing
letters in a contraction.

▪ Showing possession

The apostrophe is used with s to show the possessive form of nouns which do not end in s.

Examples:

One man’s hat many men’s hats that woman’s hat

8. THE APOSTROPHE ( ‘ )

The apostrophe is used alone show the possessive form of nouns which end s.

Example:

The pliers’ jaws the scissors’ edge Mr. Jones’ car

Singular nouns ending in s, such as Jones may also take an apostrophe s ending. It’s the
writer’s choice.
 8. THE APOSTROPHE ( ‘ )

The possessive of more than one taken together as a unit is shown by making the last member
possessive.

Examples:

Joan and Bob’s house is on the outskirts of the city

The restaurant and bar’s Oriental dental décor is striking.

To indicate individual ownership, make each member possessive.

Example:

Joan’s and Bob’s houses are outside the city.

8. THE APOSTROPHE ( ‘ )

▪ Plurals for symbols

The plural for individual letters, numbers, and signs are indicated by apostrophe s.

Examples:

Mind your p’s and q’s.

They are 6’s and 7’s.

Can we use #’s to indicate pounds?

8. THE APOSTROPHE ( ‘ )

▪ Contractions

The apostrophe is used to indicate the position of missing elements in contractions.

Examples:

don’t aren’t won’t haven’t

the summer of ’42 in November ’86

9. ABOUT QUOTATION MARKS ( “ “ )

Quotation marks are used to set off direct quotations; titles of articles poems works of
art and such; and special words or phrases such as slang, technical terms, and
nicknames.

Example:

"If you set your goals ridiculously high and it's a failure, you will fail above everyone
else's success." James Cameron
9. ABOUT QUOTATION MARKS ( “ “ )

▪ Direct quotations

Only the exact words of the speaker or writer are enclosed in quotation marks.

Examples:

She said, “I want to go, but only if we leave by dawn.”

“There is nothing to fear, but fear itself.”

 9. ABOUT QUOTATION MARKS ( “ “ )

Quotation marks are omitted for any quotation or portion thereof which is quoted indirectly

Examples:

She said that she wants to go, but “only if we leave by dawn.”

She said that she wants to go, but only if we leave by dawn.

Either of the above two examples is correct, only the first part of the sentence may be enclosed in
quotation marks because they quote the speaker’s exact words.
9. ABOUT QUOTATION MARKS ( “ “ )

▪ Punctuation within quotations

A period or comma is always placed before the closing quotation marks.

Examples:

John said, “the report is due this week.”

“The report is due this week,” said John.

9. ABOUT QUOTATION MARKS ( “ “ )

John said, “the report is due this week.”

“The report is due this week,” said John.

The speaker is always separated from the quotation by a comma whether at the beginning of the
sentence as in the first example above, or ringed by the quote as in the following examples.

“The report is due next week,” said Joan, “and it must be delivered on time.”
9. ABOUT QUOTATION MARKS ( “ “ )

Note that the quotation starts with a capital letter, but the second part of split quotation
does not, unless it is a new sentence.

“The report is due next week,” said Joan. “It must be delivered on time.”
 9. ABOUT QUOTATION MARKS ( “ “ )

The question mark or exclamation point is enclosed with the quotation marks when it applies only to the
quote and outside and outside the quotation marks when it applies to the entire sentence. Punctuation is
not required within the quotation marks when punctuation is placed after the closing quotation mark.

“When do you need to leave?” he asked.

Who said, “I think, therefore I am”?

Any other punctuation in the sentences remains the same as it would be without a direct quotation.
 9. ABOUT QUOTATION MARKS ( “ “ )

▪ Titles

Titles of short works such as magazine articles, essays, songs, poems, paintings and sculptures are set
of quotation marks. Examples:

“The ant and the Grasshopper”

“Malaya” by Moira

“Monalisa” by Leonardo da Vinci

 9. ABOUT QUOTATION MARKS ( “ “ )

▪ Extraneous material in quotes

Quotation marks are used to direct attention to special words in a sentence such as slang, technical
terms, colloquialisms, nicknames, and material referred to elsewhere in the sentence.

Example:

The “Kapampangan word” for plate is “pinggan or palatunn”.

Note that such highlighting may also be achieved by underlining, or printing in italics or boldface.
9. ABOUT QUOTATION MARKS ( “ “ )

▪ Single quotation marks

Single quotation marks are used in the same manner as double quotes to set off material
already contained in double quotes-in effect, to set off a quotation within a quotation.

Example:

“I think she said, ‘be ready by noon,”’ Tom reported.

 10. THE HYPHEN ( - )

▪ The hyphen is used to join the parts of certain compound words.

mother-in-law pre-Columbian weak-heated

▪ It may also be used to create an expression comprised of several words which are to be taken as unit.
Cock-of-the-walk holier-than-thou

A hyphen is placed after the syllables of a word divided at end of line to indicate that the balance of the word
follows on the next line.
 10. THE HYPHEN ( - )

▪ The dash

A dash indicates a break in the flow of a sentence, usually to insert a parenthetical remark or for
emphasis.

Example:

When I passed the house – the one at the end of block – it was empty.

There’s only one thing that can save us – Superchicken.

11. PARENTHESES ( ) AND BRACKETS [ ]

▪ Parentheses are used to separate incidental information which would otherwise

interrupt the flow of the sentence.

Example:

We set put on July 27, (Susan’s birthday) to tour the area.

11. PARENTHESES ( ) AND BRACKETS [ ]

▪ Parentheses set off letters or numbers which are used in a sentence to enumerate
items in a list.

▪ Example:

Our goal is to see that you (a) understand the proper use of English and (b) use your
knowledge to communicate effectively in the language.
11. PARENTHESES ( ) AND BRACKETS [ ]

▪ Parentheses may be used to indicate lower level subdivision in an outline.

▪ For example, first, second, third, etc. levels might be, in order, I (Roman numerals), A,
1, a, (1), (a).

Incidentally, parentheses is plural; one (parentheses?) is a parenthesis.

11. PARENTHESES ( ) AND BRACKETS [ ]

▪ Brackets are used to insert editorial commentary; that is to indicate that the material
inserted is not a part of the original material.

Example:

He said that they (the Jones family) have only lived in this area for six months.
11. PARENTHESES ( ) AND BRACKETS [ ]

Example:

The letter mentioned, “there [sic] inability to cope.”

The word sic, for thus, is used in the context to show that the preceding word or phrase
has been quoted verbatim and in the opinion of the one making the insertion is incorrect
or at least questionable.
11. PARENTHESES ( ) AND BRACKETS [ ]

▪ Indicating omissions – the ellipsis

The ellipsis (plural ellipses) is a series of three dots (or periods) used to indicate the
omission of a word or words. When used at the end of a sentence, it is followed by the
ending punctuation.

She said, “The report… is unacceptable.” The missing material is descriptive information
which is not germane to the writer’s point; that the report is unacceptable.
ACTIVITY 2

Instruction: Write 2 examples of sentences

using the 11 punctuation marks.