PUNCTUATION

Period or Full Stop ............................................................................................................................ 2

Question Mark .................................................................................................................................. 3

Exclamation Point ............................................................................................................................. 4

Comma ............................................................................................................................................. 5

Colon .............................................................................................................................................. 12

Semicolon ....................................................................................................................................... 16

Apostrophe ..................................................................................................................................... 19

Hyphen ........................................................................................................................................... 22

Dash ............................................................................................................................................... 25

Underlining...................................................................................................................................... 26

Quotation Marks.............................................................................................................................. 27

Parentheses.................................................................................................................................... 30

Square Brackets ............................................................................................................................. 32

Ellipsis ............................................................................................................................................ 34

Slash or Forward Slash ................................................................................................................... 37

1
PERIOD or FULL STOP .

a. Use a period at the end of a statement or command.

Examples: The pen and paper are on the table.

Go to the chalkboard and write your name.

b. Use a period at the end of an indirect question.

Examples: Tell me how I can get to Houston from here.

They didn't know where they put the schedule.

c. Use a period after an abbreviation or an initial.

Examples: Feb. (February) Mr. Brown (Mister Brown)

Dr. Smith (Doctor Smith) J. Jones (John Jones)
a.m. etc.

d. Use a period to separate dollars from cents and to indicate decimal numbers.

Examples: $24.95 $5.00 $.75

98.6 8.625 0.25

2
QUESTION MARK ?

a. Use a question mark after a question. Sometimes the question may be written like a statement.

Examples: How many children are in your family?

He's here today?

b. If using quotation marks, place the question mark before the last quotation mark.

Examples: Did she say, “May I go?”

3
EXCLAMATION POINT !

Use an exclamation point after words, sentences, or expressions that show excitement, surprise,
or emotion.

Any exclamation, even if not a sentence, will end with an exclamation point.

Examples: What a game! Look out! Do it!

Wow! Oh! Stop!

4
COMMA ,

Commas are used to separate the elements of sentences. They give the reader clues in how to
read sentences. When used appropriately, commas help provide clarity to the meaning of
sentences.

a. Use commas to separate three or more items in a series.

In some types of writing, such as in newspapers, the final (or serial) comma is dropped. For
academic writing it is proper to use the serial comma.

Examples: We ate sandwiches, potato chips, and fruit for lunch.

She looked behind the chairs, under the bed, and in the kitchen for her
notebook.

The deli served rolls, pork and beans.

(the last two items go together as one item; therefore, no comma is used)

b. Use a comma before the conjunctions and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so when they join two
independent clauses.

NOTE : An independent clause or main clause is a group of words that can stand alone as
a complete sentence.

Examples: I wanted to go. I didn’t have enough money.

I wanted to go, but I didn’t have enough money.

I feel tired today, so I'll go to bed early tonight.

I was hired for the job, and I start work Monday.

c. Do NOT use a comma before the conjunctions and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so when they join
two words, two phrases, or two dependent clauses.

Examples: They have neither the right nor the ability to enforce the ethic.

Freely, he went about his business but realized finally that he was developing a
slight, pale countenance.

5
 NOTE: The second sentence has no comma between business and but. If there were the
pronoun he before realized, then there would be a need for a comma between
business and but.

d. Among the coordinating conjunctions is the word so; it can cause punctuation problems. If
used alone, it becomes a coordinating conjunction. However, if it joins the word that, then so
that introduces a subordinate clause with no comma.

Examples: Sue would set the alarm on her watch for 10:45, so she would not forget she
had to be home by eleven.

Sue would set the alarm on her watch for 10:45 so that she would not forget
she had to be home by eleven

NOTE: The words so and so that are usually a matter of choice, but the punctuation mark
is not a matter of choice.

e. Use a comma after adverbial connectives such as however, therefore, in fact,

nevertheless, etc. when inserted between two clauses.

Examples: We get a raise every year to compensate for increased living expenses;
nevertheless, the amount we receive never truly covers all the increases.

Mr. Smith won second place in his division of the race; in fact, he was the only
person from our unit who placed in the race.

f. Adverbial connectives of more than one syllable such as however, therefore, in fact,
nevertheless, etc. that are imbedded within a sentence or a clause are set off with commas.

Examples: The exercise book, furthermore, shows youths how to use weights without
overstressing their bodies.

Charles was then appointed chairman of the Health Protection Advisory Board.

6
 g. When a sentence with two clauses begins with a word such as when, since, while, as,
because, even though, etc., a comma is needed after the first clause.

Examples: He was greeted with thunderous applause when he arose to give his speech.
When he arose to give his speech, he was greeted with thunderous applause.

As long as you do good work, you should get a decent grade.

Even though she likes cake and ice cream, she skipped dessert.

h. Use a comma after an introductory clause or phrase to separate it from the rest of the
sentence.

Examples: After we study this book, we want to take a break.

Because Mary was sick, she didn't take the test.
Looking up at the sky, the small boy suddenly ran home.
Above all, consider the consequences before making a decision.
Hesitantly, she handed Mr. Bah her school ID card.
Before noon, Michael only drinks coffee.

i. Use commas to mark off transitional and parenthetical expressions, especially when the
expressions appear in the middle of the sentence.

Commas after transitional words that occur in the initial position are optional, i.e., Then, he
got in his car and drove home.

A very general rule of thumb is to use a comma, if the sentence is long. (But the key is that
using a comma in this instance is optional.)

Examples: This house, by the way, was built over 100 years ago.
Students, it seems, will study more if motivated by their instructors.

j. Use a comma when directly addressing someone.

Examples: Bob, where will you go for your next course?

Gentlemen, please take your seats so we may begin.

7
k. Use commas to mark off appositives of two or more words.

Examples: I'll begin my new class, Introduction to Physics, next week.

My dentist, Dr. Davis, just opened up a new clinic on the northwest side of
town. (direct address)

l. Use commas to set off interrupters such as short tag questions.

Examples: You will try to do the work, won’t you?

m. Use a comma after words such as yes, no, and well when they begin a sentence.

Examples: Do you want to go to the library?

Yes, I do.

I didn't pass the test. Well, study more.

n. Use a comma to separate the words of a speaker or writer from the rest of the sentence.

Please note that the comma rests inside the quotation mark of the introductory dialogue.

Examples: "Listen to me," she said.

Jack asked, "Where's my lunch?"
"I don't know," Ed said, "the answer to the question."
“I think my calculus class is going to be difficult,” he wrote on Facebook.

o. Use commas to separate parts of dates and addresses.

A comma follows the last element of the date and/or address when it's in the middle of a
sentence. If any part of the date is omitted, leave out the comma.

Examples: There will be a meeting on Tuesday, July 25, 1991, to discuss the new budget.

He lived at 135 Apple Road, San Diego, California, prior to moving here.

They met in December 2003 in Mill Valley.

8
p. Use a comma in figures to separate thousands.

Examples: 5,000 (or 5000) 10,000 6,550,000

q. Use commas to set off nonrestrictive clauses. These consist of material that adds details to the
sentence but is not necessary to convey the main idea.

Examples: Jaws, which is about killer sharks, was written by Peter Benchley.

If the nonessential elements between the commas are omitted, the sentence
would read: Jaws was written by Peter Benchley.
The main idea of the original sentence still stands.

They sent Sgt Jones, who was ill, to the hospital.

Sam took his car, which has been giving him trouble lately, to the mechanic.

r. Do NOT use commas to set off essential elements because they are crucial to the meaning of
the sentence.

Examples: All students who come to the Writing Center receive help with their papers.
(correct)

All students, who come to the Writing Center, receive help with their papers.
(incorrect)

The second example is incorrect because the material inside the commas is
essential to the meaning of the sentence. If it was omitted, essential information
about the students would be missing.

s. Use a comma after interjections such as oh, wow, ah, or of other kind.

Examples: Oh, I hate to wake up so early in the morning.

Wow, that's a great looking car!
I tell you, man, it’s time to get this done!

9
t. Use commas to show contrast.

Examples: Mr. Reed, not Ms. Lane, is my new instructor.

I prefer to go fishing, not hunting.
Adam is a man of experience, not a theorist.

u. Use commas to separate parallel adjectives in a series when they modify the same noun.

Examples: a long, hot, humid day

a dirty, old, smelly rag

Use commas between a series of adjectives (describing words) that can be joined by and.

Test this by inserting and where you think the comma should go. If it makes sense, replace
the and with a comma; if it does not make sense, do NOT use a comma.

Examples: an expensive well-tailored suit

Test: an expensive and well-tailored suit (makes sense)
Insert comma: an expensive, well-tailored suit

a new tennis court

Test: a new and tennis court (does NOT make sense)
No comma needed: a new tennis court

v. Use commas to separate proper names from titles and degrees and titles from names of
organizations.

A comma follows the title or degree when it's in the middle of a sentence.

Examples: Larry Jones, Jr., will be presiding at the meeting.

I read an interesting book on American culture by Kay Ellis, Ph.D.

The invitation addressed to Gen D.J. Smith, USAF, Ret., came back marked
address unknown.

Shelly P. Kyle, Chief, Western Regional Communications, gave an exciting

lecture at the university last night.

10
w. Use commas to prevent confusion.

Examples: The band marched in, in perfect unison.

To Evan, John Lennon had been an idol.
Woman, without her, man is nothing.
Woman, without her man, is nothing.

x. A comma can be used to follow a salutation of a friendly letter or a social letter and the
complementary close of any letter.

Examples: Dear Sir,

Sincerely yours,

11
COLON :

a. Use a colon to indicate a series or list that follows a complete clause (sometimes confused
with semicolon).

Example: Hank needs to buy some things at the branch exchange: soap, razor blades,
writing paper, and a pen.

b. Use a colon before quotations, statements, and series which are introduced formally.

Example: His favorite poets are these: Milton, Donne, and Keats.

c. To indicate that something is to follow, especially a formal series, use a colon.

Example: Here are the facts: The money was there five minutes before he entered the
room; it was missing immediately after he left; the next day he bought a new
suit, although he had previously spent all of this month's allowance.

The slogan goes like this: Look sharp! Feel sharp! Be sharp!

d. Use a colon to separate complete clauses when the second clause further explains or re-
states the first clause.

Test: To test if you have used a colon properly, substitute the phrase “that is.” Usually if
that is makes sense, the colon has been used correctly.

Example: Loyalty is like trust: it must be earned.

Test: Loyalty is like trust, that is, is must be earned.

Some West African women’s attire may seem strange to Westerners: their
lower bodies are completely covered with long skirts while their upper bodies
remain bare.

His motives are clear: he intends to become a dictator.

(Second main clause explains first.)

12
 Use a colon before a clause which is intended to restate in different form the idea of the
preceding clause. In each of the following examples the clause following the colon says, in
another way, what was already said in the clause preceding the colon. The restatement,
however, is not needless repetition: it serves to illustrate or amplify the content of the
preceding clause.

Example: Henry V is one of the great experiences in the history of motion pictures. It is
not, to be sure, the greatest: the creation of new dramatic poetry is more
important than the recreation of the old.

Except for differences of subject matter, the rules of grammar are exactly like
the laws of physics and chemistry: they are scientific generalizations about the
facts.

e. Use a colon to indicate a direct quotation (long or formal).

Example: A famous line from Hamlet reads: "To be, or not to be, that is the question."

In that speech Bryan said: "You shall not press down upon the brow of labor a
crown of thorns; you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold."

However, the most common use of a colon is to link a complete clause with a quotation that
sums up or interprets the clause. The main clause must be able to stand alone as a sentence
without the quotation.

Example: American citizens considered the words of John F. Kennedy: “Ask not what
your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”

Perhaps Shakespeare indicated multiple meanings with Hamlet’s words: “To

be or not to be, that is the question.”

f. Use a colon before formal appositives, including those introduced by such expressions as
namely and that is.

Example: One characteristic that accounts for his success: complete honesty.

King Midas cared about only one thing: gold. (Appositive.)

For sale: mountain cabin. (Additional material.)

13
g. Use a colon to separate the hour and minute of time, after the salutation of a formal letter,
and between city and publisher in bibliographical entries.

Example: It's now 2:30 p.m. We're late for our appointment.

Dear Sir:

Indianapolis: BobbsMerrill

h. The word Resolved must be separated by a colon from the statement of resolution.

Example: Resolved: That this committee go on record as favoring new legislation.

i. The name of the speaker in a play should be separated by a colon from his lines.

Example: Macbeth: She should have died hereafter: There should have been a time for
such a word.

j. DO NOT use a colon between a verb and its object or complement. Remember, a colon must
be preceded by a complete sentence.

Example: Some basic courses to take are: Composition 1, Composition 2, College

Algebra, and Public Speaking. (incorrect)

Important components of your grade are: attendance, homework assignments,

papers, and exams. (incorrect)

k. DO NOT use a colon between a preposition and its object.

Example: Each candidate’s qualifications must consist of: integrity, diligence, and
experience. (incorrect)

The materials for the engineering project were supplied by: Boeing, Cessna,
and Lear. (incorrect)

14
l. DO NOT use a colon after such as, including, or for example.

Example: Of paramount importance in the divorce dilemma is the breakdown of

communication including: confict resolution, over-commitment, and fatigue.
(incorrect)

Several tools are available to improve communication in marriage such as:

counseling, classes, and good books. (incorrect)

Methods of good communication between spouses can be practiced, for

example: active listening, writing out feelings, and participating in mutually
enjoyable activities. (incorrect)

m. DO NOT use a colon before informal examples using such as or especially; use a comma.

Example: She enjoys outdoor sports, such as hiking and riding.

He likes all crafts, especially wood carving.

n. DO NOT use a colon after a linking verb or a preposition.

Example: His favorite poets are: Milton, Donne, and Keats.(incorrect)

15
SEMICOLON ;

The semicolon provides an emphatic separation between independent clauses; it affords an easier
transition than the period. A semicolon demonstrates a close relationship between paired
statements written in parallel construction.

a. Use a semicolon to link closely related complete clauses that are not joined by a
coordinating conjunction.

Example: The soldiers were ready; it was time to leave.

Effective communication is the key to success in the workplace, for people

need to communicate effectively to be productive at work.
(with a coordinating conjunction)

Effective communication is the key to success in the workplace; people

need to communicate effectively to be productive at work.
(with a semicolon)

b. Use a semicolon between complete clauses joined by adverbial connectives (transitional

expressions) such as however, therefore, in fact, as a result, etc. The transitional expression is
usually followed by a comma.

Examples: Construction has just begun on the new building; however, it will take three
years to complete it.

There was much damage to the dining facility from the storm last night; as a
result, meals will be served in Building 402 this week.

"He is sick," she said; "therefore, he will not come."

c. Use a semicolon to join two main ideas when the second main idea functions to explain the
first. Such sentences often use the words: that is, in other words, for example, or for instance.

Examples: Extra accessories are available; for example, a windshield-washer unit and
back-up lights are included.

The second part of this compound sentence could stand alone as a sentence by
itself.

16
d. Use semicolons to separate items in a series that already contain commas.

Example: During our summer vacation, we visited Santa Fe, New Mexico; Tucson,
Arizona; and San Diego, California.

The characters in the Star Trek TV series included Jim Kirk, the Captain; Mr.
Spock, the First Mate; Bones, the Doctor; and Scotty, the Chief Engineer.

e. In a situation where two main ideas are joined by and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet, while, and
whereas and when either or both of the two main ideas have internal commas, a semicolon
can be used in place of the comma before the coordinating conjunction in an effort to
strengthen and clarify the major and minor (or subordinate) parts of the concept.

Example: The contract is ready for our signatures; and if our terms are agreeable, we
will meet and exchange signatures.

f. DO NOT use a semicolon between elements of a sentence that have unequal weight such
as between an independent clause and a dependent clause.

Example: Every civilization has attributes of every other civilization present within it,
making it impossible to have authentic civilization clashes. (correct)

Every civilization has attributes of every other civilization present within it;
making it impossible to have authentic civilization clashes. (incorrect)

Misuse of the Semicolon

Do not use a semicolon as the equivalent of a colon. Although their names suggest a close
relationship, semicolons and colons have quite different uses and are not interchangeable. The
colon is used chiefly to indicate that something is to follow, usually a series of items; the semicolon
is never used between an independent clause and a subordinate construction. In the following
sentences the faulty semicolon is followed by the correct colon in parentheses.

My records show that the following students have not handed in the assignment; (:) Mr.
Andrews, Mr. Richardson, Mr. Smith, and Miss Wallace.

Dear Sir; (:) May I call your attention to an error....

17
Do not use a semicolon as the equivalent of a comma. A comma is internal punctuation and is
used only within a sentence; a semicolon is a stronger mark and, as we have seen, is used
between grammatically independent statements. A semicolon may be substituted for a comma
between main clauses joined by a conjunction when more emphatic punctuation is desired. (My old
job paid higher wages; but the new one offers a brighter future); but a semicolon cannot be
substituted for a comma between a main clause and a subordinate construction. In the following
examples the faulty semicolon is followed by the correct comma in parentheses.

Although I seldom have trouble with grammar or spelling; (,) I never seem to use the
right punctuation.

We stayed up until two o'clock in the morning; (,) hoping that they would arrive.

We could come to only one conclusion; (,) that his mother had changed her mind.

Avoid indiscriminate substitution of semicolons for periods. Using a semicolon for a period
will do less harm than using a semicolon for a colon or a comma. Yet the semicolon and the period
have different functions and should not be used interchangeably. The normal punctuation between
independent statements is the period. Between sentences this is the conventional mark to use; but
if a writer wishes to relate the two sentences more closely than a period would permit, he or she
may use a semicolon. This specialized substitution, however, does not abolish the distinction
between the two marks. In the following passage the parenthetical periods are preferable to
semicolons. (The first word following the period would, of course, be capitalized.)

Today it is easy to smile at such superstitions and to assume that they are the products of an
uncivilized age, but the close association of words and things which is the basis of word
magic is a subtle association which persists even in the thinking of highly civilized societies;
(.) some of the opposition to daylight-saving time illustrates this confusion of word and thing;
(.) people uneasily suspect that if they turn the hands of the clock ahead, they have dropped
an hour out of their lives; (.) often the best argument for such people is not to deny that they
will have "lost" an hour, but to promise that they will get it back in the fall; (.) the common
practice of skipping thirteen in numbering the floors and rooms of a hotel is another
illustration of the lingering belief in word magic.

18
APOSTROPHE ' or ‘

a. Use an apostrophe in contractions. In academic writing, the use of contractions is usually

avoided.

Examples: I'm she's they're Bob's you'll

isn't o'clock can't don't what's

Some phrases can be contracted by replacing letters or numbers with apostrophes.

Examples: rock and roll = rock 'n' roll class of 1982 = class of '82

b. Use an apostrophe to indicate possession or ownership.

Test: if you are unsure about using an apostrophe to show possession, try the “of the”
phrase. For example, the tree's branches = the branches of the tree. If this test makes
sense, then you know it is a possessive form of the noun and needs an apostrophe.

1) If the noun is singular, add 's.

Examples: Bill's book the girl's coat the cat's dish

2) If the noun is plural but does not end in -s, add 's.

Examples: the children's clothes the men's shirts

3) If the noun is plural and ends in -s, add only an apostrophe.

Examples: the boys' shoes the libraries' books

4) If a proper noun ends in -s, add only an apostrophe.

Examples: Charles' sweater Los Angeles' highways

19
 5) If two nouns joined and indicate “joint” ownership, the apostrophe is added to the last
noun.

Examples: my aunt and uncle's farm Kay and James' trip

6) If two or more nouns joined and indicate “separate” ownership, the apostrophe is added
to each noun.

Examples: Ron's, Jack's, and Lou's scores

Houston's, Dallas', and San Antonio's climate

7) If the noun is hyphenated, add 's to the last word.

Examples: father-in-law's house editor-in-chief's decision

8) If indefinite pronouns end with –body or –one (someone, anybody, etc.), add 's.

Examples: anybody's guess no one's loss somebody's lost dog

c. It is optional to use an apostrophe to show the plural of symbols, numbers, letters, and
words used by themselves.

NOTE: The numbers and letters are placed either in quotation marks or italicized.

Examples: Some people cross their “7's”. OR Some people cross their 7s.
She always forgets to dot her A's. OR She always forgets to dot her
“As”.
He uses too many okay's when he is speaking. OR He uses too many
okays* when he is
speaking.

* When referring to words or terms, they are often italicized.

For lower case letters, it is best to use apostrophes to avoid confusion.

Examples: She is learning how to write as and is in cursive handwriting. (confusing)

She is learning how to write a's and i's in cursive handwriting. (better)

20
d. It is optional to use an apostrophe to indicate plurals with abbreviations or acronyms. Either
is correct; however, whichever you choose, be consistent.

Examples: POWs YMCAs PhDs CEOs DVDs JPEGs URLs UFOs

POW's YMCA's PhD's CEO's DVD's JPEG's URL's UFO's

e. DO NOT use an apostrophe with the possessive pronouns its, hers, his, ours, theirs, ours,
whose, yours. The apostrophe is not needed because the meaning of the word (pronoun)
indicates possession.

Examples: The shiny new truck in the driveway is yours. (correct)

The shiny new truck in the driveway is your's. (incorrect)

She would like that cute, fluffy puppy to become hers. (correct)
She would like that cute, fluffy puppy to become her's. (incorrect)

f. Use an apostrophe in some time expressions.

Examples: I need a month's vacation after I finish this course.

Since he was absent, he has a week's worth of work to catch up on.

g. Use an apostrophe to indicate measurement in feet.

Examples: That building is 785' tall.

This room measures 11' x 14'.

21
HYPHEN -

No hyphen is used:

a. When the compound adjective follows the noun.

NOTE: A compound adjective is an adjective that contains two or more words.

Examples: The highway was well paved.

b. When the first word is an adverb ending in -ly.

Examples: The neatly cut lawn was much admired.

The hyphen is used:

a. To join compound words.

Examples: mother-in-law

b. To join words used as a single adjective before a noun.

Examples: It was a well-paved highway.

c. With compound numbers from 21 to 99 and with fractions.

Examples: twenty-two, fifty-first, three-fourths

(some authorities write three fourths – no Hyphen; although no recommended)

two hundred ten

d. With compound adjectives containing numbers.

Examples: a ten-year-old boy, a forty-hour week, the hundred-yard dash, a ten-dollar bill,
a two-room apartment, two- and three-story houses

22
e. To avoid ambiguity.

Examples: One sense: She recovered her pillow from the dog.
Other sense: She re-covered her pillow in red silk.

Misleading: Along came fifty foot soldiers.

Clear: Along came fifty-foot soldiers.

f. With prefixes ex-, self-, all-, and the suffix -elect.

Examples: ex-President Hoover

self-confidence
all-American
Senator-elect Smith

NOTE: Bi and tri are not hyphenated prefixes;

Semi- is hyphenated only when combined with words beginning with i

(semi-independence) or with a proper noun (semi- Russian);
otherwise, it is not hyphenated (semiannually, semiprofessional).

Un- is hyphenated in un-American.

g. To indicate hesitation or stuttering.

Examples: "I'm g-g-g-glad," she said.

h. To indicate that words are spelled out.

Examples: "She wants a d-o-l-l," her mother said.

i. For syllabication (use hyphens between syllables when a word is divided between lines).

NOTE: The hyphen is placed at the end of the first line, never at the beginning of the
second line. Consult a dictionary if you are uncertain where a word is divided.

23
Follow these rules for syllabication:

a. Never divide words of one syllable.

b. Never divide a word so that a single letter stands alone on a line.

c. When dividing a compound word that already contains a hyphen, make the break where
the hyphen occurs.

d. You may divide words between double consonants.

24
DASH -- or –

A dramatic mark of punctuation, the dash (longer than a hyphen) should not be used as a careless
substitute for commas, periods, or semicolons. Do not overuse it. It is created by placing two
hyphens in a row (on the computer) with no spaces before or after.

The dash is used:

a. To show a sudden break in thought.

Examples: I'll give--let's see, what can I give?

NOTE: Omit the period or the question mark when the expression ends with a dash.

Well, if that is how you feel--

He began, "May I ask--"

b. To set off a parenthetical element.

Examples: He arrived--would you believe it?--in five minutes.

I found--it's hard to believe, but it's true--ten dollars.

c. To emphasize an appositive.

NOTE: Appositive adjectives or movable adjectives, are adjectives that are placed and
punctuated so that they receive a different focus in a noun phrase from that of
regular adjectives.

Examples: He has only one interest--food.

Teas, dances, blind dates--all are a part of college.
The subjects--English, history, and science--are required.

NOTE: The dashes set off an appositive more emphatically than commas, which may also
be used. The colon, which is equally emphatic, has a more formal flavor than the
dash.

d. To precede the author's name after a direct quotation.

Examples: "True ease in writing comes from art, not chance."--Pope

25
UNDERLINING _____

Use underlining to indicate titles of long works such as books, magazines, newspapers, TV
shows, movies and videotapes, plays, operas, famous speeches, artworks, record albums,
cassettes, and compact discs.

NOTE: Italics may also be used instead of underlining for all of the above.

Examples: When I was in college, my favorite book was Moby Dick.

The scariest movie I've ever seen is Don't Turn Off the Lights.

The Wall Street Journal is a very popular newspaper all around the United
States.

However, if you have a two-for-one deal, DO NOT underline/italicize both varieties of titles; the
title of the smaller work should be in quotation marks.

Examples: My favourite Seinfeld episode is “The Soup Nazi.”

My favourite Seinfeld episode is “The Soup Nazi.”

Underline a word or phrase if you want to draw emphasis to it.

26
QUOTATION MARKS “ “ or " " or ' ' or ‘ ‘

a. Use quotation marks to show the words of a speaker.

They're always placed above the line and are used in pairs.

Examples: Ray said, "The commissary closes at 2100 hours today."

"Where are the children?" she asked.

When direct discourse is reported as indirect discourse, the quotation marks are not used.

Examples: She asked what was the matter.

b. When it is necessary to include one set of quotation marks within another, the internal
quotation is placed in single quotation marks, the longer quotation in double quotation
marks.

Examples: Here is an excerpt from my brother's letter: "Today in class Mr. Blair quoted
Wordsworth's line, 'A three month's darling of a pigmy size,' and said it
appeared in one edition as, 'A three month's darling of a pig my size.'"

Kirby asked, "Have you heard the song 'Follow the Drinking Gourd,' the
theme song of the festival?"

c. Use quotation marks around both parts of the words of a speaker if they are divided into
two parts.

Examples: "Do you," she asked, "go to the library after class?"

"I think," said Bob, "that this is a good idea."

27
 d. Use quotation marks around the titles of short works such as subdivisions or chapters of
books, articles, essays, poems, short stories and speeches, individual episodes of a
television series, and songs.

Examples: Last night I read the chapter "Grammar Is Easy" in our textbook.

Then I read the article "Learning English" in the newspaper.

Edgar Allan Poe is my favorite writer. I like his poem "The Raven" and
especially his short story "The Tell-Tale Heart."

I heard a nice song on the radio this morning. It's called "Once In Time" by Lee
Evans.

e. Use quotation marks around words or phrases used in a special sense.

Examples: Can you define the word "homogenous" for me?

You cannot take the expression "play it by ear" literally.

f. Use quotation marks to identify words which are being discussed as words.

Examples: "Buxom" originally came from the Old English verb meaning "to bend."

"To be" is the trickiest verb in the language.

g. If you are citing a page reference for a quotation, place the comma and the period after
the page citation and thus after the quotation marks.

Examples: When Livvie let go of old Solomon's watch, she released herself to life, and "all
at once there began outside the full song of a bird" (p. 77).

28
h. The semicolon and the colon are placed outside the quotation marks.

Examples: He read the instructions on the container labeled "Lunar Soil": "Open only in a
sterile environment."

Another container was labeled "Lunar Film"; it had to be decontaminated

before it could be passed to the press corps.

i. The dash, the question mark, and the exclamation point are placed inside the
quotation marks when they apply to the quoted matter, and outside the quotation
marks when they apply to the whole sentence.

Examples: "What's up?" the laboratory assistant questioned.

(The question mark applies to the quoted matter.)

Did you notice the container marked, "This side up"?

(The question mark applies to the whole sentence.)

Somebody yelled, "Why don't you go home?"

(What was yelled was a question.)

Well, how do you spell "eclectic"?

(The whole sentence is a question, not the word "eclectic.")

I did, too, say "Friday"!

(The whole sentence is an exclamation; "Friday" is not.)

j. Use quotation marks to indicate inches.

Examples: The paper measures 11" x 8 1/2".

Don is 5' 10" tall.

29
PARENTHESES ( )

Use parentheses to enclose parenthetical or explanatory information that is incidental or

unimportant to the main idea of the sentence. These can include incidental remarks, details,
examples, acronyms, and so on.

a. To set off incidental information or comment.

Examples: Senator Kennedy (Massachusetts) is a chairman of the committee.

The painting (probably the most original in the exhibition) at first received little
notice.

The fact that the body cells need more oxygen during and after exercise is
reflected by the increased rate of breathing (see chart 2).

b. To enclose.

1) Letters or figures in enumeration:

Examples: She is authorized to (1) sign checks, (2) pay bills, and (3) make purchases.

2) References and directions:

Examples: The map (see page 70) will help you.

3) Question mark to indicate uncertainty:

Examples: He was born in 1897 (?) in Billings, Montana.

c. For accuracy in business letters.

Examples: I enclose fifty dollars ($50).

30
d. In combination with other punctuation marks as follows:

1) The comma, semicolon, and period are placed after the second parenthesis when the
parentheses set off material in a sentence.

Examples: If we go (we are still not sure), you may go, too.

He deceived us (weren't we foolish?); he was very clever.

I believed her (though I can't imagine why).

2) The comma, semicolon, colon, and period may precede the first parenthesis in
enumerations.

Examples: She is authorized to do the following: (1) sign checks with a cosigner; (2)
pay bills, if not more than $50; (3) make purchases.

The resolution lauded him because

(1) he was decisive; he did not temporize.
(2) he was diligent; he did not merely stimulate industry.
(3) he was cooperative; he never stood on the letter of a rule.

3) The question mark and the exclamation point are placed inside the parentheses if the mark
belongs to the parenthetical element; otherwise, outside.

Examples: One of the translators was Aquila (died A.D. 138).

Have you read the translation of Tyndale (died 1536)?
He promised to write me from Millwalky (sic).

NOTE: sic = "thus"; in full: sic erat scriptum, "thus was it written")

DO NOT USE PARENTHESES:

• To indicate deletions. Instead draw a line through the deleted words.

• To enclose editorial comment. Use brackets for this purpose.

• Do not overuse parentheses.

31
SQUARE BRACKETS [ ]

Use square brackets whenever inserting words into an original source to clarify, simplify, or
identify. Consider the following guidelines:

MLA (Modern Language Association) style

APA (American Psychological Association) style

a. Place square brackets around ellipsis dots to show omission of words or phrases in a
quotation. Put a space before the first bracket and after the last bracket.

Examples: “In 1981, when President Benjamin Harrison proclaimed the first forest reserves
[. . .] his action was called undemocratic and un-American” (Smith 59).

b. Place square brackets when clarifying a pronoun in the quotation because the antecedent
is not in the quote that you are using.

Examples: “At that time he [Lindbergh] had not yet flown the Atlantic.”

c. Place square brackets when you need to clarify information in the quote you are using.

Examples: “The sampling records [from the mountain weather stations] were examined for
levels of the same atmospheric gasses.”

d. Place square brackets after obvious errors made by the original author and put the Latin
word sic [meaning thus it is] inside the brackets. In APA style the sic is underlined or italicized
but in MLA style it is not.

Examples: MLA style: “The general’s words, however, should be understood in the
contrext [sic] of the surrounding battle.”

APA style: The general’s words, however, should be understood in the contrext
[sic] of the surrounding battle.”

32
Other usages of the bracket:

e. Enclose stage directions:

Examples: Miranda [sipping her coffee]: Are you glad to see me?
Ernest [glaring at her]: Of course, not!

f. When enclosing parts within passages already enclosed in parentheses, use square
brackets.

Examples: Have you read this translation of the Bible (the one by Tyndale [died in 1536])?

33
ELLIPSIS ...

The ellipsis is a mark of punctuation that consists of three spaced periods. It has primarily two
usages:

a. The main usage of ellipsis dots is to indicate an omission within quoted material.
Ellipsis periods are usually not needed at the beginning of quotations because the reader
generally is aware that the quotation has come from a larger context. Writers use the ellipsis to
eliminate material from the quotation because the information is not needed for the current
context; however, care must be taken not to obscure or change the intended meaning of the
original author.

USE OF ELLIPSIS IN MLA

The Modern Language Association (MLA) style for documenting with ellipsis dots requires that
the writer place square brackets around the three periods to show that the ellipsis is the
writer’s ellipsis and not part of the original material. When the ellipsis is in the middle of the
sentence, a space must be placed before the first bracket and after the last bracket.
Proper punctuation from the original passage and with the added text is expected. If the
ellipsis falls at the end of the sentence, a space comes before the first bracket and a
period comes immediately after the last bracket. If the ellipsis is at the end of the quotation,
the closing quotation marks come immediately after the last bracket followed usually by
the parenthetical citation and then the final period.

Example:

Original passage

In the movie As Good As It Gets, the character played by Jack Nicholson suffers from
obsessive compulsive behavior as seen in the way he avoids cracks in the pavement and
locks and relocks his apartment door five times.

Ellipsis in the middle of the quote

Sometimes movies promote stereotypical attitudes about mental disorders such as the
obsessive compulsive behavior in As Good As It Gets when “Jack Nicholson [. . .] avoids
cracks in the pavement and locks and relocks his apartment door five times” (Mohr online).

34
Ellipsis at the end of the quote

Sometimes movies promote stereotypical attitudes about mental disorders by portraying

disorders such as obsessive compulsion in outlandish ways like “[i]n the movie As Good As It
Gets [. . .]” (Mohr online).

USE OF ELLIPSIS IN APA

Use three spaced ellipsis points (. . .) within a sentence to indicate that you have omitted
material from the original source.

Use four points to indicate any omission between two sentences. The first point indicates
the period at the end of the first sentence quoted, and the three spaced ellipsis points follow.

DO NOT use ellipsis points at the beginning or end of any quotation unless, to prevent
misinterpretation, you need to emphasize that the quotation begins or ends in midsentence.

Example:

Original passage

Use three spaced ellipsis points (. . .) within a sentence to indicate that you have omitted
material from the original source. Use four points to indicate any omission between two
sentences. The first point indicates the period at the end of the first sentence quoted, and the
three spaced ellipsis points follow. DO NOT use ellipsis points at the beginning or end of any
quotation unless, to prevent misinterpretation, you need to emphasize that the quotation
begins or ends in midsentence.

Example of ellipsis between two sentences:

Use three spaced ellipsis points (. . .) within a sentence to indicate that you have omitted
material from the original source. Use four points to indicate any omission between two
sentences. . . . DO NOT use ellipsis points at the beginning or end of any quotation unless, to
prevent misinterpretation, you need to emphasize that the quotation begins or ends in
midsentence.

Another APA example of ellipsis within a sentence:

Original passage

In the movie As Good As It Gets, the character played by Jack Nicholson suffers from
obsessive compulsive behavior as seen in the way he avoids cracks in the pavement and
locks and relocks his apartment door five times.

35
 Ellipsis in the middle of the quote

Sometimes movies promote stereotypical attitudes about mental disorders such as the
obsessive compulsive behavior in As Good As It Gets when “ Jack Nicholson . . . avoids
cracks in the pavement and locks and relocks his apartment door five times” (Mohr, 2001).

b. The one other usage for an ellipsis mark is to show a break or hesitation in dialog.

Examples: “She just doesn’t care . . . She just doesn’t care.”

“Watch out, Bill! If you do that we’ll. . . .”

36
SLASH or FORWARD SLASH /

a. The slash is most commonly used as the word substitute for "or" which indicates a choice
(often mutually-exclusive) is present.

It also allows taking a position of controversy.

There are usually no spaces either before or after a slash.

Examples: Male/Female he/she

b. Use the slash to replace the hyphen or en dash to make a clear, strong joint between
words or phrases.

Examples: the Hemingway/Faulkner generation

Some of the other uses of slashes:

• In abbreviations. The slash is often used to separate the letters in a two-letter initialism such
as R/C (short for "radio control").

• In proofreading. When highlighting corrections on a proof, a proofreader will write what he or

she thinks should be changed—or why it should be changed—in the margin. They separate
the comments with a slash called a separatrix. When marking an uppercase letter for
conversion to lowercase, a proofreader will put a slash through it and write lc or l/c in the
margin.

• In arithmetic. Used between numbers slash means division, and in this sense the symbol
may be read aloud as "over".

• In computing. On Unix-like systems the slash is the path component separator and also the
volume root directory: pictures/image.jpg
Slashes are used in URLs in a way similar to the separator in file systems:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slash_(punctuation)

37