Please return to: T.R.P. Ross, Dept of Biology
Medgar Evers College, Brooklyn
W.H. 9825.
RULES OF
PUNCTUATION*
Use Of The Period
The period (.) is used after a declarative or an
imperative sentence, after courteous requests,
and after abbreviations and initials.
The order was shipped yesterday.
Ship the order immediately: (imperative)
(directive).
Will you send me a copy of your latest bulletin.
Dr.
Mrs.
A.M.
Use Of Parentheses
Parentheses ( ) are used to set off words,
phrases, clauses, or sentences which are used
by way of explanation, translation, or comment.
Also use to enclose a number, letter, or symbol
when used as an appositive.
His appointment (which will be announced
next week) will be a surprise to many.
The ordered twelve (12) night stands for the
hotel.
Use Of The Dash
The dash (-) is used to indicate an abrupt
change of ideas, but should be used sparingly.
The dash may also be used to indicate a sum-
arizing thought or an afterthought added to
the end of the sentence, and to set off a word
or phrase repeated for emphasis.
Use Of The Question Mark
The question mark (?) is used after all inter-
rogative sentences that ask direct questions.
Your answer was hard to believe!
Hurry! Send your order now!
Use Of The Exclamation Mark
The exclamation mark (!) is used after all
exclamatory sentences—sentences that express
surprise, emotion, or deep feeling. Also use
after interjections or after statements which are
commands or which imply need for immediate
action.
Use Of The Comma
The comma (,) is used after an adverbial de-
pendent clause when the dependent clause
precedes the main clause. When the depend-
ent clause does not begin the sentence, the
comma is usually unnecessary.
After the director had read the minutes of the
meeting, he called for the financial report.
The director called for the minutes of the meeting,
after he had read the financial report.
The comma is also used after a participial
phrase or an absolute phrase at the beginning
of a sentence, after an introductory infinitive
phrase, and to set off parenthetical expres-
sions, whether words, phrases, or clauses.
Use Of The Semicolon
The semicolon (;) is used to show a stronger
separation between the parts of a sentence
than does a comma. In most writing, however,
because it is generally too stiff and formal,
the use of the semicolon should be avoided
if you are writing sentences that are too long,
or you are using them incorrectly. If you
use a great many semicolons, the chances
are that you either are using them incorrectly,
or you are writing sentences that are too long.
Semicolons produce rather involved sentence
patterns. Use them sparingly.
The sales staff meets every other Tues-
day; the production staff meets only
once a month.
Use Of The Colon
The colon (:) indicates the strongest possible
break within a sentence.
1. The semicolon is used to separate inde-
pendent co-ordinate clauses closely con-
nected in meaning when no co-ordinate
conjunction is used.
2. Quotation marks are used to enclose the
strongest emphasis or to set off a direct quotation.
3. The colon is used before a list of items,
before an appositive phrase or
details, and after the salutation of a busi-
ess letter.
Quotations
1. Quotation marks (" ") are used to enclose
a direct quotation. Each part of an interrupted
quotation begins and ends with quotation
marks.
The inspector said, "Well, your case is not
hopeless."
2. Quotation marks are used to enclose the
titles of magazine articles, chapters of books,
names of songs, titles of poems, and other
titles. In typing or writing, underline the titles
of books, magazines, opera, and any other
works of art long enough to appear in book
form. Underlining signifies italics for printing.
The New Yorker includes a section entitled
"The Talk Of The Town."
*Reprinted from the Instant Spelling Dictionary published by Career Institute, 30 East Adams, Chicago, Ill. 60603
Please send out the following items:
No. 378, No. 315, and No. 670.