Punctuation and Spelling
✅ SLIDE 1: Title Slide
Title:
Punctuation and Spelling
Subtitle: BS 4th Semester – Functional English
Presented by: [Your Name]
✅ SLIDE 2: Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
Understand key punctuation marks and their usage.
Apply correct punctuation in academic and technical writing.
Recognize and correct spelling errors.
PUNCTUATION MARKS SECTION
✅ SLIDE 3: Full Stop (.)
Definition: Used to indicate the end of a declarative sentence.
Rules & Usage:
Ends a complete thought or statement.
Used in abbreviations (e.g., Dr., etc.) Examples:
She submitted the assignment on time.
I live in Islamabad.
✅ SLIDE 4: Comma (,)
Definition: Separates elements in a sentence for clarity.
Rules & Usage:
Between items in a list
After introductory words or clauses
Before coordinating conjunctions in compound sentences
Examples:
I bought apples, bananas, and oranges.
After dinner, we went for a walk.
He was tired, but he continued working.
✅ SLIDE 5: Question Mark (?)
Definition: Used at the end of a direct question.
Rules & Usage:
Only used for direct questions, not indirect.
Examples:
What time is the meeting?
She asked if I was coming. ✅ (No question mark here)
✅ SLIDE 6: Exclamation Mark (!)
Definition: Shows strong emotion or emphasis.
Rules & Usage:
Use sparingly in formal writing.
After interjections or commands.
Examples:
Wow! That was amazing.
Stop right now!
✅ SLIDE 7: Quotation Marks (“ ”)
Definition: Encloses direct speech or quotations.
Rules & Usage:
Use double quotes for exact words.
Punctuation goes inside the closing quotation.
Examples:
She said, “I will finish it today.”
“Honesty is the best policy,” he replied.
✅ SLIDE 8: Apostrophe (’)
Definition: Shows possession or omission of letters.
Rules & Usage:
Possession: Sara’s book
Contractions: don’t, it’s
Plural possession: students’ assignments
Examples:
It’s raining outside.
The teacher’s explanation was clear.
Semicolon ( ; )
✅ Definition:
A semicolon links two independent clauses (complete sentences) that are closely related
in meaning, without using a conjunction.
✅ Uses:
➤ To connect two related complete sentences:
Instead of using a conjunction like "and" or "but".
Example:
I have a meeting in the morning; I can't go out tonight.
(Both sides can stand alone as sentences.)
➤ To separate items in a list that already contains commas:
Example:
We visited Lahore, Pakistan; Dubai, UAE; and Istanbul, Turkey.
✅ Bonus Tip:
Semicolons are stronger than commas but not as final as full stops.
2. Colon ( : )
✅ Definition:
A colon is used to introduce something—like a list, a quote, an explanation, or an
example.
✅ Uses:
➤ To introduce a list:
Example:
You need to bring the following: a pen, a notebook, and your ID.
➤ To introduce a quotation:
Example:
The teacher said: “Always proofread your writing.”
➤ To give further explanation or emphasize a point:
Example:
She had only one goal: to win the competition.
✅ Bonus Tip:
Only use a colon after a complete sentence, not a phrase.
SPELLING SECTION
✅ SLIDE 9: Spelling Rules Overview
i before e, except after c: believe, receive
Drop the final -e before -ing: make → making
Double the final consonant: run → running
Change -y to -i before adding suffix: happy → happier
✅ SLIDE 10: Common Spelling Errors in Academic English
Their / There / They’re
Affect / Effect
Loose / Lose
Its / It’s
ACTIVITIES SECTION
✅ SLIDE 11: Punctuation Exercise
Insert the correct punctuation:
1. Did you finish your homework
2. The server crashed however the data was recovered
3. She shouted Watch out
4. He said I am working on the project
5. The manager office is on the second floor
✅ Answer Key:
1. Did you finish your homework?
2. The server crashed; however, the data was recovered.
3. She shouted, “Watch out!”
4. He said, “I am working on the project.”
5. The manager’s office is on the second floor.
✅ SLIDE 12: Spelling Activity
Correct the spelling mistakes:
1. The resarch report was very detailled.
2. She recieved the notifcation late.
3. The programing language is versitile.
✅ Corrected:
1. The research report was very detailed.
2. She received the notification late.
3. The programming language is versatile.
✅ SLIDE 13: Wrap-up
Review key punctuation marks and spelling patterns.
Importance of clarity and accuracy in academic writing.
Encourage students to proofread all written work.
✅ SLIDE 14: Homework
Task: Write a short paragraph (5-7 lines) describing your favorite technology using at least:
3 punctuation marks correctly
1 contraction
1 direct quote
No spelling mistakes!
Punctuation Practice Exercise
Part A: Insert the correct punctuation mark
Instructions: Rewrite the sentences by inserting appropriate punctuation marks.
1. Wait I can explain everything
2. She brought a notebook a pen and a calculator
3. I had planned to study however my friends invited me out
4. He asked Who is responsible for this
5. Its a beautiful day isnt it
6. The professor said Time is the most valuable resource
7. The files are saved in the following folders Documents Reports and Presentations
8. I dont know where it is
9. Yes I will be attending the workshop
10. She said Im reading an article about Artificial Intelligence
Part B: Identify the punctuation mark
Instructions: Name the punctuation mark used in the underlined part of each sentence.
1. She always says: "Do your best and forget the rest."
2. Wow! That was an amazing project presentation.
3. The final decision is his, not yours.
4. I bought apples, oranges, and bananas.
5. The report is complete; it just needs formatting.
✅ Answer Key
Part A:
1. Wait, I can explain everything.
2. She brought a notebook, a pen, and a calculator.
3. I had planned to study; however, my friends invited me out.
4. He asked, "Who is responsible for this?"
5. It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?
6. The professor said: "Time is the most valuable resource."
7. The files are saved in the following folders: Documents, Reports, and Presentations.
8. I don’t know where it is.
9. Yes, I will be attending the workshop.
10. She said, "I’m reading an article about Artificial Intelligence."
Part B:
1. Quotation marks
2. Exclamation mark
3. Apostrophe
4. Comma
5. Semicolon
Paragraph 1 – With Errors:
last summer our department organized a workshop on artificial intelligence it was attended by
students teachers and professionals from different fields the guest speaker who was an expert
from google shared valuable insights participants asked many questions but due to time
constraints not all queries were addressed everyone however appreciated the effort and
requested more sessions like this
✅ Corrected Paragraph:
Last summer, our department organized a workshop on Artificial Intelligence. It was attended by
students, teachers, and professionals from different fields. The guest speaker, who was an
expert from Google, shared valuable insights. Participants asked many questions, but due to
time constraints, not all queries were addressed. Everyone, however, appreciated the effort and
requested more sessions like this.
💡 Explanation:
Capitalization at the beginning of sentences and for proper nouns ("Last," "Artificial
Intelligence," "Google").
Commas used to separate items in a list ("students, teachers, and professionals").
Commas around non-essential clauses ("The guest speaker, who was an expert from
Google,").
Conjunctions and transitions like "but," "however" need commas before/after for
proper flow.
Full stops added to separate ideas into complete sentences.
🌐 Paragraph 2 – With Errors:
when the new policy was announced several employees were confused many had questions
about its implementation and others were worried about deadlines the hr department released
a document but it lacked clarity fortunately after some meetings the management addressed
the issues now everyone feels more confident
✅ Corrected Paragraph:
When the new policy was announced, several employees were confused. Many had questions
about its implementation, and others were worried about deadlines. The HR department
released a document, but it lacked clarity. Fortunately, after some meetings, the management
addressed the issues. Now, everyone feels more confident.
💡 Explanation:
Capital letters for proper nouns and sentence beginnings ("When," "HR," "Fortunately,"
"Now").
Commas after introductory phrases ("When the new policy was announced,"
"Fortunately,").
Conjunctions ("but," "and") placed with commas to join independent clauses properly.
Periods separate independent ideas into clearer, manageable sentences.
