How can I know how to punctuate?

1. How can I know how to punctuate? 1. Clauses

2. Understand Clauses • An independent clause can stand alone. • A dependent Clause needs an independent clause to be a sentence. • Dependent clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions • After, although, as, because, if, once, since, etc.

3. Which clause is dependent? • I traveled to Florida although I didn’t have much money. • What punctuation is needed? • Why?

4. What if there are two independent clauses? • I went to the store and I bought lots of groceries. What punctuation is needed? These two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction (and). Each independent clause can stand alone.

5. It is important to recognize a coordinating conjunction from a subordinating conjunction. The library book that I checked out is due soon. • The library book is due soon and I think I owe a fine. • Punctuation?

6. What do Relative Pronouns Have to do with punctuation? • They introduce dependent clauses and relate to a noun already named in the sentence. • (That, which, what, who, whoever, etc. • EX: Sometimes the classes that I want are full. • Is punctuation needed?

7. Remember-- • Subordinating conjunctions and relative pronouns make clauses dependent.

8. Punctuating Compound Sentences • How to determine a compound sentence • Ask: Is there a coordinating conjunction and does the sentence contain at least two independent clauses? • 1. Use a comma with a coordinating conjunction. • 2. You can substitute a semicolon for a coordinating conjunction sometimes.

9. Examples • How to Punctuate? • She created the program and she led the team. • I think that the issue is clear it also may have multiple outcomes.

10. Conjunctive adverbs in compound sentences • Clauses in compound sentences are often linked by the conjunctive adverb (consequently, however, moreover, besides, nevertheless, on the other hand, in fact, therefore, thus) If they are, you need a semicolon before the conjunctive adverb.

11. Example • The firm has had a change in management; therefore, we are not sure what we should do. • It is clear that we should fix the error; moreover, we are expected to do it.

12. Punctuating Complex Sentences • Complex sentences contain both an independent and dependent clause. • There may be no punctuation between the clauses, or they may be separated by a comma.

13. Examples EX: Although we don’t have to, we should correct the error. --An introductory clause with a subordinating conjunction is followed by a comma.

14. Restrictive Clauses • Restrictive clauses are essential; they restrict the meaning of the term they modify. No comma is needed. • EX: Schools that let out early are diminishing student opportunities for learning.

15. Non-Restrictive Clauses • Non-Restrictive clauses add additional information but do not restrict the meaning of the term it modifies. • EX: The detective, who was tall and handsome, took down my statement.

16. Punctuating phrases • Series Commas and Semicolons • Commas with a series of adjectives • If adjectives in a series both or all modify a noun, use a comma between them but not after the final one. • EX: The new, more important method will be implemented.

17. Punctuation and Parallelism • Parallelism means that related items share a grammatical structure. • EX: The responsibility of the cook is creating the recipe, cooking the food, and supervising the staff.

18. Introductory & Interrupting Phrases • Introductory Phrases—usually followed by a comma unless they are quite short. • EX: For those with permission statements, the rules are fairly easy.

19. What about hyphens? • A hyphen shows that two words function as a unit. • Often you need to consult a dictionary to see if the phrase uses a hyphen. • Also, consult a style manual.

20. Noun forms of hyphens • Noun forms of compound terms tend to be open or solid (no hyphen). • EX: problem solving, bookkeeping

21. More on hyphens • Noun forms that are formed by a noun and an adjective are more likely to be hyphenated or solid. • EX: self-service, one-half • EX: patient services

22. Hyphens and Adjective Forms • Compound adjectives are hyphenated if they precede the word modified and if they are formed in these ways: • Adjective or noun + past participle • EX: green-tinted glass • Noun + present participle • EX: interest-bearing account

23. Dashes • Can show a break in thought, • Or provide emphasis. • Dashes also signal to the reader additional information at the end of a sentence, helping the reader to interpret the significance of the primary information in a sentence.

24. Examples • The project will end January 15—unless the company provides additional funds. • The job will be done—after we are under contract. • Only one person—the president—can authorize such activity.

25. Continued • Compounds with “all,” “half,” “high,” or “low” • EX: all-around student • Compounds with “well” if they precede a noun • EX: well-connected people

26. Dashes • An em dash—the length of two hyphens without space around them-- can substitute for parentheses, a break in thought, or provide emphasis. • Above sentence –dash substitutes for parentheses.

27. More on Dashes • Dashes also signal additional information at the end of the sentence that helps a reader interpret the significance of the primary information in the sentence. • EX: Some state prison systems apply the policy of risk-group screening for AIDS only to pregnant women—a very small number of inmates.

28. Punctuating with hyphens • A hyphen shows that two words function as a unit. • EX:

29. Overview—What others see • Copymarks • Show where changes need to be made to make the document correct, consistent, accurate, and complete. • Marginal Notes • To author (au: Correct? • To typesetter/production specialist (comp: set rom)

30. Overview—what we look for • Are those groups of words punctuated as sentences actual sentences? • Is the punctuation complete? • Do subjects and verbs agree in number? • Do pronouns agree with referents? • Do modifiers attach logically to the word or phrase they modify?

31. More of what we look for • Are words spelled and capitalized correctly and consistently? • Are numbers spelled or in figures? • Is identifying information, such as running headers, in the same place on every page?

32. Accuracy • Check data including dates, numbers, etc • Check words including names, titles, terms, abbreviations, quotations • Check organizational information—table of contents, index, etc.

33. Focusing on Consistency • Look for consistency in the document. • Verbal (meanings and arrangements of words) • Semantics (meaning). Does the author use one term of something in one place and then a different term elsewhere? • Syntax (structure). Is there parallel structure where you see related terms, phrases of sentences?

34. Cont. • Syntax, cont. • Series of steps in a procedure should be worded alike. • Style (word choice, sentence patterns, writer’s voice) • No mixing of formal language with casual language • Shifts in person

35. Visual consistency • Typography consistency • Do parallel parts of a document use the same typeface and style? Are variations in headings consistent? • Layout • Is the amount of space below a heading the same throughout? • Is indentation used for all paragraphs?

36. Mechanical Consistency • Spelling • Capitalization • Hyphenation • Abbreviation • Numbers • Punctuation • Documentation