A period ( .

) is a punctuation mark indicating a full stop, placed at the end of declarative

sentences as well as after many abbreviations
"Joe works here."
U.S.

Exclamation marks
It is intended to indicate strong feelings and convey emotion, as well as to indicate shouting or
high volume.
What is wrong with you?! Stop writing on the walls!
I just want him to stop!

A question mark (?) is a punctuation symbol placed at the end of a sentence or phrase to
indicate a direct question,
She asked, "Are you happy to be home?

Did you go to school today?

Colon
A colon (:) is a type of punctuation that comes before an explanation, description, definition, or
list. In modern English writing, a colon follows an independent clause, and is then followed by
something that answers or explains that clause.

Sally plays three sports: softball, soccer, and tennis.

There was only one solution: I would have to go to summer school.

Comma
A comma (,) is a punctuation mark that is frequently used in sentences. Commas separate
ideas, add pauses, and help you to list things clearly. They also let us connect words, phrases,
and clauses together to make longer sentences.
The pet store has cats, dogs, hamsters, fish, and turtles.

Well, if you really want pancakes, I guess I can make them.

An apostrophe (’) is a type of punctuation used for two purposes: to create contractions, and to
create the possessive form of a noun. Truth be told, apostrophes cause a lot of problems for
writers—they are often misused, misplaced, and misunderstood!

Jane’s homework is not finished

Jane doesn’t want to do homework

Quotations marks (“”) are parts of punctuation that we use to identify quotations, direct speech,
and to highlight special words and phrases. We also use them for titles of certain things, and to
point out dialogue in works of fiction

“I love cookies,” said Sam

I think “selfies” are the most popular kind of photo.

Parenthesis is a stylistic device that comes from the Greek word meaning “to place,” or
“alongside.” Parenthesis is a qualifying or explanatory sentence, clause, or word that writers
insert into a paragraph or passage

Johnny is flying to New Orleans (he grew up there) next week.

We’re going to Monty’s (it’s a great place!) if you’d like to join us

a semicolon (;) is a type of punctuation used to combine full sentences and share complicated
lists. Semicolons let us clearly share two or more related ideas in one sentence, which keeps us
from writing a bunch of short, awkward sentences about the same topic or thing.

I love ice cream; it is my favorite food.

I like cake; however, ice cream is my favorite dessert.