How to Use Punctuation Marks Correctly

Punctuation may be confusing to some students as there is such a lot to remember; however learning bite-sized nuggets of knowledge on a regular basis assures that the student retains what he has learned and has clarity of recall when the information is required.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. A period always comes after the end of a sentence. A period also comes after initials, such as J.K. as in J.K. Rowling. Abbreviations require a period, such as info., Rd., Dr., St. Periods are used within closing quotation marks, "You can quote me on that."A comma should always be in place to divide items in a list, such as the punctuation in the following sentence: They painted the shed green, purple and orange.

2. A colon used after a sentence elaborates on that sentence by interpreting or explaining in depth the sentence that precedes. Only capitalize after a colon if it is a proper noun or the beginning of a complete sentence.Colons are placed on the outside of quotation marks. The newspaper told of what the crisis, in an already destitute, poverty-stricken, third-world country meant, by reporting that Manila was suffering a "Rice Hike": Rice prices in Manila have been rising at an alarming rate, fast becoming out of financial reach of the starving masses in the slums with prices reaching 95 cents a kilo (2.2 pounds).Colons are also used for dialogue after the name of a character in a play.

3. A question mark is used after a question, such as, "Whose shirt are you wearing?" When a question is part statement and part question, "We're going to town, aren't we?"

4. An exclamation point is used to convey excitement and emotion, such as in the sentence that follows: "Watch out! The rope bridge won't hold all of us--it's breaking!"

Tips & Warnings

• Write down and practice punctuation when you have a spare minute or while waiting for a bus or riding the bus home.