How to Use Punctuation Marks

Just a reminder of what we should have learned in English.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 
    
   These can be used for actual writing, not just making faces.

   Parentheses. If you have a beginning one (, then you must have an end one ). The period goes OUTSIDE the parentheses. Parentheses are used to contain non-essential material within a sentence.

2. 
    
   Incorrect use may indicate something about the

   Quotation Marks. Again, if you have a beginning one, you must have an end one. However, the period goes INSIDE quotation marks. Quotation marks are used to enclose a direct quote. "I will not raise taxes!" said the politician during a campaign speech. Quotation marks are also used to indicate a word used ironically.

3. 
    
   Not just for eyes anymore!

   Colon. Not the part of your intestines, but the one used in writing (:). A colon is used after a complete sentence in order to introduce a series: lists, directions, or comments used to illustrate the sentence. Colons are also used in formal letters (To Whom it May Concern:), and in a numerical display of time (5:13 am).

4. 
    
   wink wink

   Semicolon. Semicolons are used to join independent clauses. If you do not know what an independent clause is, you probably should not use a semicolon. Semicolons can also be used to clarify a more complex list.
   
   Party attendees included Jill Waters, president; Tom Rich, council member; and Aaron Burgh, representative.

5. 
    
   How stupid are you going to look with this on your shirt?

   This one is not punctuation; it is just a pet peeve. It's is a contraction of the two words, it and is (It's my party). Its is a possessive form (The couch lost its leg).

Tips & Warnings

• Spell check and grammar check are not good substitutes for proofreading.
• Readers are distracted from the message when it's error-riddled.

[crazycatlady]

on 4/15/2009 If the parenthesis are part of the quoted text, then they should be included inside the quotation marks. If they are being used to contain a quote as a why to add information to the sentence, they should be outside the the quotation marks.

[ruamess]

on 4/14/2009 What about the use of parentheses with quotation marks, e.g., ("Passionfruit")?It seems like the abuse of punctuation.

[AlishaV]

on 2/8/2009 "Great information! Everyone has problems with; these occasionally, but I'm always surprised at: how awful people can be.) ;-)

[Kallicat]

on 12/26/2008 AWESOME! This should be a first read for evey eHow author. I can't believe some of the punctuation used. You should write one on the proper use of commas, etc. Thanks for the great read.

[wcs40110]

on 12/16/2008 Good tips everyone needs to adhere to.