Punctuation

What is Punctuation?

Punctuation is a tool that allows writers to properly organize thoughts or ideas cohesively throughout an essay. Non-alphanumeric symbols increase the reader's ability to accurately understand the meaning of a written text. However, too often writers address content and details in an essay and forget to emphasize correct sentence structure, word diction, or avoiding zombie-like phrases. For advanced writers, spelling errors are less common, yet writers continue to struggle with commas, how to use an apostrophe, and understanding the difference between a dash and a hyphen. Particularly in academic writing, proper punctuation is essential for strengthening arguments within texts.

Every punctuation mark has a function, one that is physically seen but not always cognitively taken into consideration when writing. Proper punctuation provides precision and clarity within a writer’s work, allowing readers to clearly understand the message that is being conveyed. When punctuation is used correctly, writing is more compelling and personable. In academic writing, proper punctuation marks strengthen arguments and reasoning in text form. An author may be easily misunderstood when ambiguous sentences are used. Failure to use punctuation correctly may result in difficulty to understand writing by potentially changing the meaning of a sentence or phrase, ultimately affecting the author’s credibility.

Why is Punctuation Important?

Misuse of any type of punctuation undermines the credibility of the information being delivered. Mistakes of this kind severely decrease formality and are unacceptable in most academic and professional settings. After one or two passes through an essay most writers should be able to catch the majority of their punctuation errors. That means a writer that has left a significant number of mistakes in their piece did not reread their work enough times to see their errors. To a reader, that signals that the writer does not care much for their text, immediately causing the reader to turn away for a more professionally done text.

The three most common types of punctuation errors when writing essays include incorrect use of commas, apostrophes, and hyphens. All of these can be addressed by keeping in mind a few guiding rules that will be outlined later. Before then, understanding why these are the most common types of mistakes is the first step in correcting those cognitive habits. First, many were incorrectly taught to place commas in a sentence where they would naturally pause when speaking aloud. Rather than using this tool to separate clauses, commas are too often used to control the flow of a sentence. Next, apostrophes come before or after the letter “s” to show ownership, but sometimes get confused when the writer is simply making a noun plural. This is a mistake simply from not fully understanding the purpose of an apostrophe and can easily be addressed by reviewing its grammatical rules. Finally, hyphens can be used strategically to enhance the clarity of a phrase. While writing one may believe what has been written is easy to understand, however, the reader is an outside viewer, and proper hyphen usage can turn a jumble of words into a coherent sentence. Correct usage of all these tools is necessary to make a piece of text legible. Not only does mindful punctuation usage make a paper more professional and appealing, but this also ensures that the message is being delivered in a clear and straightforward way.

Dependent and Independent Clause:

Knowing the difference between dependent and independent clauses is essential to correct sentence structure. A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. This clause needs the independent clause to form a full sentence. An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. This clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.

Rules for Independent and Dependent Clauses:

Dependent Clause:

1. A dependent clause must include both a subject and a verb.

Example: “Although she was sick.” The subject here is “she” and the verb “was sick.”

2. A dependent clause does not form a complete thought.

3. A dependent clause must connect to an independent clause.

Independent Clauses:

1. An independent clause must include both a subject and a verb.

2. An independent clause forms a complete thought.

3. An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence.

4. An independent clause can be combined with other clauses to create more complex sentences. This clause can be combined with coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet.) This clause can also be combined with a semicolon.

Example:

Here is an example of a sentence containing both a dependent and independent clause:

“If the interview goes well, next Tuesday will be my first day at my new job.”

This is the independent clause in the sentence: “Next Tuesday will be my first day at my new job.” This sentence can stand alone as a complete thought and contains a subject and a verb.

This is the dependent clause in the sentence: “If the interview goes well.” This sentence cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and depends on the independent clause for meaning.

Parental Clause

A parental clause is a phrase or clause inserted into a sentence to provide more information. This is not essential to the sentence but can make the sentence more interesting.

Here is an example of a sentence containing a parental clause:

Parental Clause Example: “My brother, who recently graduated from college, just started his new job.” The parent clause in this sentence is, “Who recently graduated from college.” This clause provides additional information to the sentence.

Video Example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toY4YSZTEW4

Examples

Commas:

Commas can change the meaning of a sentence.

Comma Usage:

One common mistake made by students is the misuse of commas in run-on sentences. A run-on sentence is a sentence that joins two independent clauses without conjunction or punctuation, making the sentence difficult to understand. Comma splices occur when two independent clauses are joined by a comma alone. This can confuse readers and disrupt the flow of the writing. To avoid comma splices and run-on sentences, follow these instructions:

Step 1: Identify the Independent Clauses

The first step in correcting a run-on sentence is to identify the independent clauses. An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence. Look for two complete sentences joined together without any punctuation or conjunction.

Step 2: Add a Conjunction

If the two independent clauses are related, use a conjunction to join them. The most commonly used conjunctions are FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so). Place the conjunction after the first independent clause, followed by a comma.

Example: The advancement of technology has grown exponentially in recent years, and there has yet to be enough time to fully understand the potential negative consequences of electronics and media use at a young age.

Step 3: Use a Semicolon

If the two independent clauses are not related, use a semicolon to separate them. A semicolon indicates a stronger break than a comma but not as strong as a period.

Example: The importance of these critical years of brain development cannot be understated; children must develop executive functions to have a strong foundation for their adolescent years.

Step 4: Use a Period

Another option is to separate the two independent clauses into separate sentences by using a period.

Example: Media multitasking decreases many critical cognitive functions that are necessary for childhood development. Distress, behavioral, and attention problems will affect school learning speed.

Step 5: Use a Conjunctive Adverb

A conjunctive adverb (such as however, therefore, furthermore, or nonetheless) can also be used to join two independent clauses. Place a semicolon before the conjunctive adverb and a comma after it.

Example: Children are disproportionality affected by the cost of healthy foods; therefore, children have little control over the means to acquire healthy foods.

The Oxford Comma

The Oxford comma, also known as the serial comma, is the final comma placed before the conjunctions "and" or "or" in a list of three or more items. The use of the Oxford comma is often debated as standard English does not always require this punctuation mark. However, the Oxford comma is imperative in clarifying meaning and preventing ambiguity. For example, the sentence "I love my parents, Dwayne the Rock Johnson and Rihanna," implies that the narrator's parents are celebrities. By using the Oxford comma, the sentence becomes "I love my parents, Dwayne the Rock Johnson, and Rihanna". This correction makes all the difference in deterring ambiguity for the reader, and the narrator is clear in loving their parents and the two celebrities. The Oxford comma provides clarity to the list being provided and prevents confusion between a description or a list. Ultimately, the use of the Oxford comma is up to the author, but its use or lack thereof may be criticized.

The Colon vs. The Semicolon

Understanding the difference between colons and semicolons can be challenging and may lead to common errors in formal writing. A colon is typically used to introduce a list, an explanation, or emphasize an element. A semicolon connects closely related independent clauses or separates the items in a complex list.

Colon usage: Rules to Follow

There should be a full sentence preceding a colon (see exceptions below)
Use after salutations in a formal letter.
Use after expressions of time.
Use to introduce things.

a list

Example: "You will need three ingredients: nutella, eggs, and flour."

a long or formal quotation

Example: "As Ghandi once said: You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

any element that needs special emphasis

Example: "The answer is clear: we must work together to win the game."

Do not break up a sentence with a colon.

Do not place between subject and verb

Examples: Incorrect: "The reason: is that he did not study."
Correct: "The reason is that he did not study."

Do not place between verb and its object

Examples: Incorrect: "She bought: apples, oranges, and bananas."

Correct: "She bought apples, oranges, and bananas."

Do not use more than one colon in a single sentence unless one of the colons is in an expression of time

Unacceptable: "We needed to buy: a shirt, a skirt, and a tie as well as: pants, shoes, and socks."

Acceptable: "We needed to buy the following before 10:30 this morning: a shirt, a skirt, and a tie."

Semicolon Usage

Semicolons are a versatile punctuation mark that can add clarity and elegance to writing when used correctly. Below are detailed explanations of the different ways to use the semicolon and examples to illustrate proper semicolon usage.

1. Connecting Closely Related Independent Clauses: A semicolon can be used to link two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning. This is particularly effective when the second clause provides an alternate explanation, additional important information, or indicates cause and effect.

• Example: He loved chasing women, but did not like them; it was the chase that excited him.

• In this example, the semicolon emphasizes the connection between the two ideas. While these clauses could stand as separate sentences— “He loved chasing women but did not like them. It was the chase that excited him”—using a semicolon creates a smoother flow and highlights the relationship between the two thoughts, while the period can create a different meaning for some readers.

• Common mistake: Some writers might try to use a comma instead of a semicolon, which would result in a grammatical error known as a comma splice: “He loved chasing women, but did not like them, it was the chase that excited him.” The semicolon is the correct choice here.

• Example: The rain poured heavily; nevertheless, the game continued as scheduled.

• The semicolon connects independent clauses while maintaining their distinctness and adding coherence.

2. Separating Items in Complex Lists: Semicolons can also be used to separate items in a list when those items contain commas. This helps to avoid confusion by clearly delineating each list item.

• Example: Weeds may reach the lawn in various ways: as seeds blown by the wind; carried by birds; brought in on muddy footwear, machinery, or tools; or concealed in unsterilized soil or poorly made compost used for top-dressing.

• In this sentence, semicolons separate the items in the list, making it easier to understand.

• Example: The conference speakers included Dr. Susan Lee, a marine biologist; Professor John Adams, a climate change expert; and Maria Torres, a conservation activist.

• Here, the semicolons clarify that the descriptive phrases belong to specific individuals.

Using semicolons appropriately can greatly enhance readability and demonstrate a sophisticated knowledge of grammar.

While the colon and the semicolon seem very similar it is important to understand the differences between the two punctuation marks and to know the main uses of these punctuation marks.

Apostrophes:

Apostrophes can be used to show possession and contractions.

Apostrophe Usage:

Apostrophes are used to show possession or to indicate contractions. Here are some rules and examples for using apostrophes correctly that will help with sentence clarity and possession:

Option 1:

Identify if the possessive noun is plural or singular. Common mistakes include turning a singular noun into a plural noun with the wrong apostrophe placement.

Option 2:

To show possession of a singular noun, add the apostrophe and an “s” to show possession.

Example: While there are methods of keeping a user’s identity hidden in any layer of the Internet, there are similar ways to breach it.

A user is a singular noun. Therefore, the apostrophe goes before the “s” and after the noun.

Option 3:

To show possession of plural nouns that end in “s,” add only an apostrophe after the “s”

Example: The artists’ goal was to enjoy equal protection and the same benefits as the rest of the employees.

The noun “artists” in this sentence is plural.

Option 4:

To show possession of a plural noun that does not contain an “s”, follow the same rules as if the plural noun was singular.

Example: While these devices offer many benefits, such as accessing millions of websites full of information and instantaneous communication with others, they also raise concerns about children's cognitive development using these smart devices.

In this sentence, children are plural with no “s”. An apostrophe with an “s” was added.

Em Dashes, Hyphens, and En Dashes

The three main types of dashes utilized in writing are hyphens, en dashes, and em dashes. Each dash has a purpose and is used in specific scenarios.

Hyphens & En-Dashes

When typing in software such as Word and Google Docs, hyphens and en dashes are both typed with the hyphen key, but it is important to understand the different uses grammatically.

Hyphens:

Hyphenate compound adjectives before a noun: Use a hyphen when two or more words are used together to describe a noun.

Examples: well-known, fast-paced, open-minded

Hyphenate prefixes: When a prefix is attached to a word, oftentimes it becomes hyphenated.

Examples: re-examine, anti-inflammatory, non-negotiable

Hyphenate certain compound nouns: When two nouns are used together to form a single idea, a hyphen is often required.

Examples: mother-in-law, decision-making, double-decker, self-esteem

Use hyphens for some prefixes in compound nouns: Certain prefixes, such as "non-" or "post-," require a hyphen when used in compound nouns.

Examples: non-smoker, post-traumatic

En-Dashes:

En dashes are used to indicate ranges.

Examples: Ages 10-18, Pages 1-20

Note it is unnecessary to use words such as “from” when using en-dashes

En dashes replace “to” between capitalized names

Example: New York-London flight

En dashes signify connections such as boundaries and treaties, and conflicting viewpoints.

California-Tijuana border, Rush-Bagot Agreement, nationalist-separatist debate.

Em-Dashes

According to Meriam Webster, Em dashes are used in the place of commas, parentheses, or colons ("How to Use Em Dashes"). Em dashes are utilized to add additional information to or explain the preceding clause. To type an em dash, type two hyphens between the words separating the beginning and end of the content within the dashes, without spaces, as shown in the grammatical examples below.

Em dashes can indicate sudden changes in the content or structure of a sentence, as occurs in bold below.

Example: “But the threat of destruction of organized human life in any recognizable and tolerable form—that is entirely new” (Chomsky and Pollin 2).
Em dashes can also be used to replace commas and parentheses when a sentence contains additional information. The scenarios in which it is proper to use commas, parentheses, or em dashes vary depending on how the information is being emphasized. Commas are used when the additional information is strongly related to the surrounding parts of the sentence, and parentheses are used when the additional information is vaguely related to the other sentence content. Em-dashes are used when the additional information is moderately related to the rest of the sentence, not directly related to or weakly related, as the underlined portion is below.

Example: “What is it about humans that enables them to spend $1.8 trillion on the military—the US far int the lead—while not asking, ‘Who will defend the Earth’” (Chomsky and Pollin 9).

Em dashes can also separate a part of a sentence that defines the preceding information presented. In the example below, the portion underlined defines the portion in bolded, hence em-dashes are appropriate in the scenario.

Dr. Hamilton argues certain persuasive appeals—ethos, pathos, and logos—are more desirable than others in formal academic writing.

An em dash can be used to introduce descriptive information and examples (bolded) or a summarizing statement (underlined).

Example: San Luis Obispo is an excellent destination for tourists desiring recreation—for example hiking. Located on the Central Coast of California, San Luis Obispo is a wonderful place to hike, surf, kayak, rock climb and sightsee—a place to enjoy outdoor recreation.

Importance of Autocorrect

Original paragraph:

Autocorrect is a vital tool in modern communication, ensuring quick and efficient typing by automatically fixing common spelling and grammatical errors. It enhances clarity, professionalism, and readability in essays, emails, and documents, making it especially helpful for individuals working in fast-paced environments, such as a time crunch for a paper. However, when autocorrect fails to catch errors, or worse, introduces unintended ones, there can be confusion or miscommunication. For example, a single misplaced word in a professional email might convey the wrong tone or meaning, while a typo in a critical text message could result in misinterpretation. Therefore, while autocorrect is a powerful aid, it's essential to review text before sending to ensure accuracy and context alignment.

After autocorrect:

Autocorrect is vital in modern communication, ensuring quick and efficient typing by automatically fixing common spelling and grammatical errors. It enhances clarity, professionalism, and readability in essays, emails, and documents, making it especially helpful for individuals working in fast-paced environments, such as a time crunch for a paper. However, there can be confusion or miscommunication when autocorrect fails to catch errors or introduces unintended ones. For example, a single misplaced word in a professional email might convey the wrong tone or meaning, while a typo in a critical text message could result in misinterpretation. Therefore, while autocorrect is a powerful aid, reviewing text before sending is essential to ensure accuracy and context alignment.

Final paragraph:

Autocorrect is vital in modern communication, ensuring quick and efficient typing by automatically fixing common spelling and grammatical errors. Websites like Grammarly enhance clarity, professionalism, and readability in essays, emails, and documents. These are especially helpful for individuals working in fast-paced environments, such as a student under a time crunch for a paper. However, there can be confusion or miscommunication when autocorrect fails to catch errors or introduces unintended ones. For example, a single misplaced word in a professional email might convey the wrong tone or meaning, while a typo in a critical text message could result in misinterpretation. Therefore, while autocorrect is a powerful aid, reviewing text before sending it out is essential to ensure accuracy and context alignment.

Though Autocorrect or other grammar-checking websites can be helpful when reviewing work, the writer should always double and triple-check before finalizing because it may only sometimes be completely accurate—often misinterpreting context, substituting words incorrectly, or creating unintended phrases. Additionally, Autocorrect needs help with proper nouns, technical terms, or slang. Relying solely on this feature can result in mistakes that undermine the clarity and professionalism of writing. To ensure accuracy, constantly revisit work carefully, paying attention to the meaning and context of words. Proofreading remains an essential step in producing polished, error-free communication.

Periods

Periods are used to mark the end of a sentence.
- Examples: The cat fell into the bag.
To mark the end of a group words that is not a full sentence, but which is complete in itself.
- Example: Over and over.
After abbreviations that consist of the first part of a word.
- Example: Etc. Sept. Wed.
In email and website addresses:
- Example: www.grammarly.com

Periods are vital in written communication as the primary tool for ending sentences and clarifying thoughts and ideas. They help readers understand the separation between distinct statements, ensuring the writing flow is logical and easy to follow. Without periods, the text would become a continuous stream of words, creating a challenge to comprehend meaning or identify where one idea ends and another begins. Proper use of periods also enhances professionalism in writing, as they demonstrate attention to detail and respect for grammatical conventions. Periods are essential for delivering precise and effective communication in creative and formal contexts.

Works Cited

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Butler, Gemma. “How To Use Apostrophes: The 5 Examples of Apostrophes.” How 2 Become, 26 Apr. 2021, https://www.how2become.com/blog/how-to-use-apostrophes/.

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Chomsky, Noam, and Robert Pollin. Climate Crisis and the Green New Deal: The Political Economy of Saving the Planet. Verso, 2020.

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Gale Academic Onefile. Commas and Coordinating Conjunctions: Too Many Rules or No Rules at All? 2nd ed. vol. 12, Goeteborgs Universitet, Engelska Institutionen, 2013, go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=AONE&u=calpolyw_csu&id=GALE%7CA365456527&v=2.1&it=r.

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"How to Use Em-Dashes, En-Dashes, and Hyphens: Be Dashing--And do it Well." Meriam Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/grammar/em-dash-en-dash-how-to-use. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.

“Hyphen Use.” Purdue Online Writing Lab, Purdue University, 2022, https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/punctuation/hyphen_use.html.

Importance of Punctuation Mark in Academic Writing. (n.d). https://besteditproof.com/en/academy/punctuation-marks-in-academic-writing.

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