Punctuation

Punctuation

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Tutorial #1• Tutorial #1: Use punctuation to set off complex parenthetical

phrases

• Important Terms– Parenthetical phrase: extra information that adds detail but is not

necessary to the overall understanding and may be removed without harm.

– Nonessentials: same as above.

• The Rule: All nonessentials MUST be surrounded by punctuation.

Punctuating NonessentialsCOMMASHarry and Barbara, the two whacky neighbors who live three doors down, put their house

up for sale today.

PARENTHESESHarry and Barbara (boy, are they a whacky couple) put their house up for sale today.

DASHESHarry and Barbara—who live two doors down and are both whacky—put their house up for

sale today.

Special Note: When the nonessential comes at the end of a sentence, there are only two options: THE COMMA OR DASH

COMMA: Harry and Barbara put their house up for sale today—what a relief for us! DASH: Harry and Barbara put their house up for sale today, a relief to all of us.

How would you punctuate the following?

• Harry and Barbara the two whacky neighbors who live three doors down and whose kids are all away at college put their house up for sale.

• Harry and Barbara while planting their garden and cleaning out their garage one day never said a word to each other.

• Harry a good husband and father and Barbara a former actress and singer are the two whacky neighbors who live three doors down.


• Harry and Barbara, the two whacky neighbors who live three doors down and whose kids are all away at college, put their house up for sale.

• Harry and Barbara, while planting their garden and cleaning out their garage one day, never said a word to each other.

• Harry, a good husband and father, and Barbara, a former actress and singer, are the two whacky neighbors who live three doors down.


INSERT COMMAS• Thinking about her recent loss the woman sat quietly and rocked

in her chair for hours.• Bradley opened the door slowly hoping the dog wouldn’t bite him.

INSERT PARENTHESIS• My mother who nags me constantly about my driving let me take

her new BMW to prom.

INSERT DASHES• Deanna Bingham running scared thought she saw a ghost.


INSERT COMMAS• Thinking about her recent loss, the woman sat quietly and rocked

in her chair for hours.• Bradley opened the door slowly, hoping the dog wouldn’t bite him.

INSERT PARENTHESIS• My mother (who nags me constantly about my driving) let me take

her new BMW to prom.

INSERT DASHES• Deanna Bingham—running scared—thought she saw a ghost.

Tutorial 1 Writing Application

Write 6 sentences that have nonessentials.

Punctuate… • Sentences 1-2: dashes• Sentences 3-4: commas• Sentences 5-6: parenthesis

Example EXAMPLE 1:The rainstorm continued for four hours that day. The streets flooded,

the rivers overflowed, and many homes were damaged. Kevin decided not to attend the party. Kevin who never missed Jim’s birthday just couldn’t get out of his driveway that night.

What is the correct answer?

A. NO CHANGEB. Kevin, who never missed Jim’s birthday justC. Kevin (who never missed Jim’s birthday) justD. Kevin who never missed Jim’s birthday, just

Example EXAMPLE 1:The rainstorm continued for four hours that day. The streets flooded,

the rivers overflowed, and many homes were damaged. Kevin decided not to attend the party. Kevin who never missed Jim’s birthday just couldn’t get out of his driveway that night.


A. NO CHANGEB. Kevin, who never missed Jim’s birthday justC. Kevin (who never missed Jim’s birthday) just [CORRECT]D. Kevin who never missed Jim’s birthday, just

ExampleExample 2The election results were not reported when expected. The precincts all

experienced technical difficulties with their new touch screen voting. Luckily, Greg Roberts – a computer expert at one of the precincts was able to eventually fix the problem, and the results were finally tallied.


A. NO CHANGEB. , a computer expert at one of the precincts wasC. a computer expert at one of the precincts wasD. a computer expert at one of the precincts

ExampleExample 2The election results were not reported when expected. The precincts all

experienced technical difficulties with their new touch screen voting. Luckily, Greg Roberts – a computer expert at one of the precincts was able to eventually fix the problem, and the results were finally tallied.


A. NO CHANGEB. , a computer expert at one of the precincts wasC. a computer expert at one of the precincts wasD. a computer expert at one of the precincts – was [CORRECT]

Tutorial #2Tutorial 2: Recognize and delete unnecessary commas.

There are two types of unnecessary comma problems:

1) COMMA SPLICE: Use of a comma between two independent clauses (complete sentences)

Example: Samantha used her laptop, Mary used the computer lab.

2) UNNECESSARY COMMA: Use of a comma in a compound verb or subject

Example: Jill walked to the park, and ran to her mother’s house after work. (compound verb)The mayor, and the governor signed the proclamation. (compound subject)

Practice 1Example:Reid answered the phone, Larry ran the errands.

This is a comma splice. How would you correct this?

Reid answered the phone; Larry ran the errands. ORReid answered the phone; meanwhile, Larry ran the errands. ORReid answered the phone. Larry ran the errands. ORReid answered the phone, and Larry ran the errands.

Example 1Planning a wedding places a great amount of stress on both the bride-to-be

and the groom-to-be. In addition to the stress of planning, the couple is also faced with the financial pressures this brings. The cost of flowers, and dresses continue to rise annually. Banquet halls and honeymoons also cost quite a bit of money. While the couple will collect perhaps thousands of dollars in gift money, it will never be enough to cover this expensive day.


A. NO CHANGEB. of flowers, or C. of flowers; andD. of flowers and

Example 1Planning a wedding places a great amount of stress on both the bride-to-be

and the groom-to-be. In addition to the stress of planning, the couple is also faced with the financial pressures this brings. The cost of flowers, and dresses continue to rise annually. Banquet halls and honeymoons also cost quite a bit of money. While the couple will collect perhaps thousands of dollars in gift money, it will never be enough to cover this expensive day.


A. NO CHANGEB. of flowers, or C. of flowers; andD. of flowers and [CORRECT]

Example 2When the wedding day finally arrives, the stress levels don’t

dwindle. The bride and groom often grow anxious and nervous on the actual day. Last minute jitters kick in and last minute problems arise.


A. NO CHANGE B. in; andC. in, andD. in and then the sudden

Example 2When the wedding day finally arrives, the stress levels don’t

dwindle. The bride and groom often grow anxious and nervous on the actual day. Last minute jitters kick in and last minute problems arise.


A. NO CHANGE B. in; andC. in, and [CORRECT]D. in and then the sudden

Tutorial 2 Writing Application

• Write 3 sentences that have comma splices. • Correct them by following the directions

below: – Sentence #1: insert a semi-colon.– Sentence #2: split into 2 sentences.– Sentence #3: insert a comma and a conjunction.

Tutorial #3Tutorial #3: Using apostrophes

Explanation: An apostrophe is used to show possession. Apostrophes are NOT used to make an item plural except in the following special cases:– letters (I earned three A’s on my report card)– numbers (I mixed up my 2’s and 5’s when I was little)

Apostrophes for singular or collective nouns: use an apostrophe to show possession with ‘s– The group’s decision– Ken’s dog

Apostrophes for plural nouns: use an apostrophe to show possession with s’– The kings’ crowns– The kids’ birthdays

Example 1

There was no doubt that she would win the race. Helens’ car had a bigger engine, a better system, and more durable parts. Additionally, her crew was the best in the country.


A. NO CHANGEB. HelensC. Helen’sD. Helen

Example 2While there were many women who influenced rock in the 1980s,

Madonna certainly was the most influential. She changed dance floors and pop radio stations throughout the decade and beyond.


A. NO CHANGEB. 1980’sC. 1980s’D. 1980 - 1990

Tutorial #3 Writing Application

• Write 4 sentences:– Sentence 1-2: use a singular possessive noun.– Sentence 3-4: use a plural possessive noun.

Tutorial #4Tutorial #4: Using colons and semi-colons

COLONS (:)

When do you use a colon?

Colons cannot follow a verb.• INCORRECT: You need to bring: a salad, an appetizer, and bread.• CORRECT: You need to bring three items to the party: a salad, an appetizer, and bread.

SEMI-COLONS (;)

1) The semicolon is used to join two independent clauses – in other words, to join two complete sentences.EXAMPLE: Mary drives a Honda; James drives a Mercedes.

2) A SEMICOLON may also be used to join two independent clauses using a transition.EXAMPLE: Mary drives a Honda; however, James drives a Mercedes.

Practice 1

INCORRECT: Frank will require: assistance with the picnic, the carnival, the Christmas party, and the end of year celebration.

How should this sentence be changed? Write your answer on your dry erase sheet.

CORRECT: Frank will require assistance with four events: the picnic, the carnival, the Christmas party, and the end of year celebration.

Practice 2

Nancy grabbed the kids, her husband grabbed the car keys.


Nancy grabbed the kids; her husband grabbed the car keys.

Practice 3

Heather won the contest, in addition she won all of the prize money.


Heather won the contest; in addition, she won all of the prize money.

Example 1The bride and groom stepped into the limo. The driverhonked the horn as they took off for the airport. Theirhoneymoon will be spent in three fun-filled destinations:Aruba, St. Thomas, and St. Lucia. Both Kim and Greg lookedforward to getting away. What is the correct answer? Write the answer on your dry erase sheet.

A. NO CHANGEB. destinations; ArubaC. destinations, ArubaD. destinations. Aruba

Example 2There are certain dangers in being a workaholic. First of all, over

90% of workaholics do not get enough sleep, this could play havoc with their body functions. Another problem with being a workaholic is bad eating habits. Over 75% of workaholics tend to eat sporadically and unhealthily.


A. NO CHANGEB. sleep thisC. sleep; thisD. sleep, and, this

Tutorial #4 Writing Application

• Write 4 sentences: – Sentence 1-2: Write sentences that include a

colon.– Sentence 3-4: Write sentences that include a semi-

colon.

Punctuation

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