Puntuation Rules

Puntuation Rules

1. Conveys meaning just as words do.

2. COMMAS

   • Tag Commas
     • Used when adding certain elements to the end of a sentence.
   • Inserter Commas
     • Used before and after any element that is inserted into the middle of an independent clause.
   • Coordinator Commas
     • Together with a coordinating conjunction, a comma links coordinate elements in a sentence.
   • Introducer Commas
     • Follows any element that comes in front of the first independent cause in a sentence.

3. COLONS

   • Using a colon at the end of an independent clause focuses attention on the words following the colon.
     • After a colon, we often write lists, appositives, and direct quotations.
   • Expressions of Time or Day
     • Used between the numbers for hours and minutes when indicating the time of day. Karla entered the class at 11:30
   • After Formal Salutations
     • Used after the salutation of a formal letter. Dear Professor Flores:
   • Before Subtitles
     • Used between the main title and the subtitle of a book, article, or play.
   • Before Long Quotations
     • Used to introduce a quotation longer than three lines. This type of quote is intended on both sides, and no quotation marks are used.
   • Before Lists
     • Used to introduce a list.
   • Before Appositives
     • Use a colon after an independent clause to direct attention to an appositive

4. QUOTATION MARKS

   • Direct Quotation
     • Used around a direct quotation that is shorter than three lines. It states the exact words of a speaker.
       • Separate a quoted sentences from a reporting phrase with a comma.
       • Periods and commas go inside the second quotation mark of a pair.
       • Colons and semicolons go outside quotation marks.
       • Exclamation points and questions marks go inside quotation marks.
       • Begins each quoted sentence with a capital letter. When a quoted sentence is divided into two parts, the second part begins with a lowercase letter unless it is a new sentence.
       • Use single quotation marks to enclose a quotation within a quotation.
   • Unusual Word
     • Used around words with and unusual, especially ironic, meanings.
   • Titles of Short Works
     • Used around the titles of articles from periodical journals, magazines, and newspapers; chapters of books; short stories; poems; and songs.

5. SEMI COLONS

   • It is more like a period than a comma,
   • Used in 3 places:
     • Between Sentences
       • Used at the end of a sentence when the following sentences is closely connected in meaning. Semi colons indicate connection.
     • Before Connectors
       • Used before conjunctive adverbs such as however; therefore, nevertheless, moreover, and furthermore. Also used before transition phrases such as for example, as a result, that is, or in fact when they are followed by an independent clause
     • Between Items in a Series
       • Used to separate items in a series when some of the items already contain commas.