Tips on how to use punctuation
Last week we looked at paragraphing. Today let us dwell on punctuation rules in writing a great essay.
Last week we looked at paragraphing. Today let us dwell on punctuation rules in writing a great essay.
One of the most important aspects to take into consideration when you write is punctuation.
It will tell your reader when to stop or when to change the interpretation of your paper.
Speakers use intonation and writers use punctuation. Some of the most common marks in English are the following:
Period
- Use a period after a statement or command
- Turn on the television.
- We are studying English
- Use a period of after most abbreviations
Mr.
Ms.
Dr.
Rev.
Fr.
Prof.
Bro.
Question Mark
Use a question mark in an interrogative statement. In a direct quotation, the question mark goes before the quotation mark.
Comma
- Use a comma before a conjunction (and, or, so, but) that separates two independent clauses. For example: She wanted to learn to cook, so she decided to buy herself a book
- Don’t use a comma before a conjunction that separates two incomplete sentences.
She worded in the library and studied at night.
- Use a comma to separate interrupting expressions from the rest of the sentence.
- Do you know, by the way, what time it is?
- Use a comma after yes and no in answers.
Yes, my father is a doctor.
-Use a comma to separate an opposite form the rest of the sentence.
For example
a) Mr. Smith, the new teacher, really knows how to teach.
b) Would you like to try a taco, a traditional Mexican dish?
Quotation marks
-Use quotation marks at the beginning and at the end of exact quotations. For example
a) He said, “I’m going to get married.â€
-Use quotation marks before and after titles of stories, articles, songs, and TV show. For instance
a) Do you want to watch “Friends†on TV?
b) My favourite song is “Disappear†by INXS.
Write to Lifeskills,
C/o P.O Box 9815,
Kampala.
075655187
One of the most important aspects to take into consideration when you write is punctuation.
It will tell your reader when to stop or when to change the interpretation of your paper.
Speakers use intonation and writers use punctuation. Some of the most common marks in English are the following:
Period
- Use a period after a statement or command
- Turn on the television.
- We are studying English
- Use a period of after most abbreviations
Mr.
Ms.
Dr.
Rev.
Fr.
Prof.
Bro.
Question Mark
Use a question mark in an interrogative statement. In a direct quotation, the question mark goes before the quotation mark.
Comma
- Use a comma before a conjunction (and, or, so, but) that separates two independent clauses. For example: She wanted to learn to cook, so she decided to buy herself a book
- Don’t use a comma before a conjunction that separates two incomplete sentences.
She worded in the library and studied at night.
- Use a comma to separate interrupting expressions from the rest of the sentence.
- Do you know, by the way, what time it is?
- Use a comma after yes and no in answers.
Yes, my father is a doctor.
-Use a comma to separate an opposite form the rest of the sentence.
For example
a) Mr. Smith, the new teacher, really knows how to teach.
b) Would you like to try a taco, a traditional Mexican dish?
Quotation marks
-Use quotation marks at the beginning and at the end of exact quotations. For example
a) He said, “I’m going to get married.â€
-Use quotation marks before and after titles of stories, articles, songs, and TV show. For instance
a) Do you want to watch “Friends†on TV?
b) My favourite song is “Disappear†by INXS.
Write to Lifeskills,
C/o P.O Box 9815,
Kampala.
075655187