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Conventions (grammar, spelling, and punctuation) help readers understand your ideas.
Grammar Reminder:
Grammar Reminder:
Simple Sentence: one complete thought → The dog barked.
Compound Sentence: two joined thoughts → The dog barked, and the cat hissed.
Complex Sentence: one main idea + dependent clause → When the dog barked, the cat ran away.
comma
comma
The comma is like a yellow light. It tells the reader to take a quick breath before moving on.
The List Rule: Use commas to separate three or more items in a list.
Example: I need to buy apples, bananas, and yogurt.
The FANBOYS Rule: Use a comma before words like for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so when they join two complete sentences.
Example: I wanted to go outside, but it started to rain.
The Introduction Rule: Use a comma after a starter phrase.
Example: After the movie, we all went for pizza.
apostrophe
apostrophe
The apostrophe has two main jobs: showing ownership and making shortcuts.
Possession: Shows that something belongs to someone.
Example: That is Leo's backpack.
Contractions: Takes the place of missing letters when two words smash together.
Example: Do not becomes don't (the apostrophe replaces the 'o').
Colon
Colon
The colon is like a drumroll. It announces that something important is coming up next.
The Reveal: Use it to introduce a list or a big idea. The part before the colon must be a complete sentence.
Example: You will need three things: a pencil, paper, and a sharp brain!
Time: Separates hours from minutes.
Example: The bell rings at 8:15.
quotation marks
quotation marks
These are like bookends for speech. They show exactly where a person's words start and stop.
Direct Speech: Put them around the words someone says out loud.
Example: "Don't forget your homework!" yelled Mr. Smith.
Titles: Use them for short titles like poems, songs, or chapter titles.
Example: My favourite song is "Happy Birthday."
See below for more rules about quotation marks!
semicolon
semicolon
The semicolon is stronger than a comma, but softer than a period. It connects two "best friend" sentences that are closely related.
The Connection: Use it to join two complete sentences without using a word like "and" or "but."
Example: My dog loves to bark; my cat prefers to sleep.
If you can replace a semicolon with a period and the sentences still make sense, you've used it correctly!
Quotation Rules
Quotation Rules
Mastering quotation marks is all about knowing where the "walls" are. Here is a quick guide on how to handle dialogue and speaker tags!
The Punctuation "Hug"
Commas, periods, and exclamation marks always go inside the quotation marks. They like to be hugged by the quote!
Correct: "I'm ready for the game," said Maya.
Incorrect: "I'm ready for the game", said Maya.
The Question Mark Shuffle
The question mark only goes inside if the quote itself is a question. If the whole sentence is a question but the quote is just a statement, the question mark goes outside.
Inside: He asked, "Are we there yet?"
Outside: Did he really say, "I am the king of the world"?
Capitalizing the Start
The first word of a quote should always be capitalized if it's the beginning of a complete sentence.
Example: Sarah whispered, "The floor is lava!"
Handling Speaker Tags
Speaker tags (like he said or they shouted) tell us who is talking. How you punctuate them depends on where they sit:
Tag at the Beginning: Use a comma before the opening quotation mark.
Example: Coach shouted, "Run faster!"
Tag at the End: Use a common inside the quotation mark instead of a period.
Example: "I forgot my lunch," groaned Sam.
Tag in the Middle (Interrupted): If the tag breaks a single sentence, use commas on both sides of the tag.
Example: "I want to go," she said, "but I have chores."
New Speaker, New Paragraph
This is the "Golden Rule" for stories! Every time a different person starts talking, you must start a new paragraph (hit the Enter key!). This helps the reader keep track of the conversation.
Example:
"Pass the ball!" yelled Jake.
"I'm trying!" Sarah shouted back.
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