Reading-Writing Connection

Lesson 4
MECHANICS

“Good mechanics makes a story easy to read, and attracts more readers.”

Mechanics- the term used to describe the technical aspects of writing, such as spelling, punctuation,
capitalization, etc.

Mechanics of Effective Writing

1. Commas

a. Use a comma to separate items in a series.

Series is made up of three or more nouns, verbs, modifiers, or phrases. If all items in the series are followed
by and or or, use a comma.
Example: Squirrel, rabbit, and venison are the three kinds of meat originally in a burgoo.
b. Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives.
Coordinate adjectives are two or more adjectives that equally modify the same noun.
Example: The weak, tottery patient fell in the hospital room.

Note: Omit the comma after numbers and after adjectives of size, shape, and age.
Example: Six strong attendants carried him to his bed.
c. Use a comma to separate two complete sentences joined by a conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so).
Example: The CD player runs constantly, so I’m not surprised that it needs cleaning.
d. Before you use comma in front of a conjunction, be sure that the conjunction joins two sentences, not two
other compound parts, such as two verbs.
Example: The internet sites included good links, and Carolyn followed each one (connecting two sentences; use
comma with conjunction).
The internet sites included good links and led to some superb information (connecting two verbs; use no
comma).
e. Set off introductory elements (words that introduce a sentence) with a comma.
Example: “Yes, we have no bananas,” the song goes. (Introductory single word)
Warning her master, the dog saved Gina from being caught by the fire. (Introductory verbal modifier,
present participial phrase)
After the darkness descended, the stars took on their brilliance. (Introductory adverb clause)
f. Use commas to set off dates and states

2. Semicolons- half colon and half comma.

- It separates independent clauses when there is no coordinating conjunction.
- It can separate items in a list when the items have a comma.
- It separate clauses joined with conjunction adverbs.
Three situation when you can use a semicolon:
a. Use semicolon to separate two sentences when there is no coordinating conjunction.
Example:
with coordinating conjunction:
Autumn leaves showered from the trees in multiple colors and it looked like snow with a
rainbow.
With semicolon:
Autumn leaves showered from the trees in multiple colors; it looked like snow with a rainbow.
b. Use a semicolon before the conjunctive adverb and a comma after it.
Example: Autumn leaves showered from the trees in multiple colors; consequently, we have a big job ahead
for us raking them into compost piles.
c. Use a semicolon to separate sentences joined with a coordinating conjunction when commas contained
within either in the sentences.
Example: Autumn leaves showered from the trees in red, gold, yellow, and brown; and it looked like snow
with a rainbow.
d. Use a semicolon to separate items in a series if there are commas within the items.
Example: Mr. Johnson, my neighbor; Mrs. Addison, my aunt; and Mrs. Ricardo, my music teacher all came to
the open house.

3. Colons- one of the most versatile of the punctuation marks.

- It can join clauses, introduce lists, separate minutes from hours, and denote a chapter and
verse number.