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1. WEEK 1
   1. Descriptive writing
   2. Punctuation

WEEK 1

Punctuation

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Before-Class Quiz (10 minutes)

Fun Question 💭

Try saying this: In the next two years, I’m going to marry, have my child and be a lovely mother! I just can’t wait.

If writing is to speaking, then punctuation in writing is to __________ in speaking? (Time limit: 1 minute)

Preamble

Utilizing correct punctuation won’t help you make friends or boost your business, but using punctuation incorrectly will make your book, magazine or catalog copy stand out like a sore thumb. Even if people can’t pinpoint your mistake, something will look off about your message, making people less likely to trust what you’re trying to say.

Full Lesson (20 minutes)

• What is punctuation?

Punctuation is the system of symbols, such as periods, commas, and question marks, used in writing to separate sentences and their elements and to clarify meaning. Punctuation helps to make written language clear and understandable by indicating how words should be read and understood in relation to each other. Different punctuation marks serve different functions, such as indicating the end of a sentence, separating clauses within a sentence, or indicating possession. Proper punctuation is important for effective written communication as it helps the reader to understand the meaning and structure of a text.

• How punctuation makes a difference

See how.

• What are the different types of punctuation and their uses?

Here are the different types of punctuation and their uses:

Period: used to mark the end of a declarative sentence or an imperative sentence. It is also used to mark the end of an abbreviation.

Comma: used to separate clauses in a sentence, to separate items in a list, and to indicate a pause in a sentence.

Semicolon: used to separate clauses in a sentence, typically when the clauses are already separated by commas or when the clauses are complex and contain commas themselves.

Colon: used to introduce a list or to separate clauses in a sentence when the second clause explains or illustrates the first clause.

Question mark: used to indicate a question.

Exclamation point: used to indicate strong emotions or an imperative sentence.

Apostrophe: used to indicate possession or to form contractions.

Quotation marks: used to indicate direct quotations or to indicate that a term is being used in a special sense.

Hyphen: used to separate words in a compound adjective or to indicate a range.

Em dash: used to indicate a break in a sentence or to set off a phrase.

En dash: used to indicate a range or to connect words that are related.

Ellipsis: used to indicate a pause, an interruption, or a trailing off in a quotation.

Parentheses: used to set off non-essential information or to indicate that something is an aside.

Brackets: used to add clarifying information or to indicate that something is an editorial insertion.

• What poorly punctuated paragraphs look like.

Here are two paragraphs that are poorly punctuated:

Paragraph 1:

jane went to the store she bought milk bread and eggs she also bought some fruit and vegetables she was planning on making a nice dinner tonight.

Paragraph 2: “i’m going to the store do you want to come with me?” jane asked her friend “no i’m good” her friend replied “okay well i’ll see you later” jane said as she walked out the door.

In these paragraphs, there are several punctuation errors. In the first paragraph, there are no commas to separate the clauses in the sentence, which makes the paragraph difficult to read and understand. In the second paragraph, the quotation marks are not used correctly, as they are not placed around the entire dialogue. Additionally, there are no commas to separate the clauses in the sentences, which makes the paragraph difficult to follow. Proper punctuation is important for effective written communication as it helps the reader to understand the structure and meaning of a text.

Here are the correct versions of the two paragraphs:

Paragraph 1:

Jane went to the store. She bought milk, bread, and eggs. She also bought some fruit and vegetables. She was planning on making a nice dinner tonight.

Paragraph 2:

“I’m going to the store,” Jane asked her friend. “Do you want to come with me?” “No, I’m good,” her friend replied. “Okay, well I’ll see you later,” Jane said as she walked out the door.

In these revised paragraphs, the punctuation has been corrected to accurately reflect the structure and meaning of the sentences. Commas are used to separate clauses and quotation marks are used correctly to indicate dialogue. Proper punctuation helps to make written language clear and understandable, and is important for effective communication.

Summary/final words:

Good punctuation is important for effective communication in written language. It helps to clarify the meaning of sentences by indicating the structure and relationships between words and phrases. Without proper punctuation, written language can become confusing and difficult to understand, which can lead to misunderstandings and miscommunication. Proper punctuation also helps to improve the readability and flow of a text, making it more enjoyable for the reader. In addition, good punctuation is a sign of professionalism and attention to detail, and is essential for producing high-quality written work. Therefore, it is important to take care to use punctuation correctly in all forms of written communication.

End