Punctuation refers to symbols used in writing to help a reader better understand meaning. The clues offered by punctuation enable a reader to understand how to read a sentence, such as where to pause, where to stop, and what tone to use. Punctuation can also help a reader understand content, by indicating relationships between ideas contained in the sentences.
End Punctuation refers to symbols such as the period (.), question mark (?), and exclamation mark (!) that are used to end a sentence.
Internal Punctuation refers to symbols that appear inside the sentence, such as the comma (,), semi-colon (;), colon (:), and dashes (- — ).
Improper punctuation can cause confusion in the reader, and also make reading your work difficult or impossible. Reviewing the various types of punctuation, and where to properly deploy them, will make your writing fluid and easy to follow.