This document provides guidelines for using various punctuation marks correctly in writing, including quotation marks, commas, semicolons, colons, parentheses, brackets, and apostrophes. It explains that punctuation helps with organization, distinguishes speakers, indicates pauses or stops, and expresses emotion. Key rules are outlined, such as using quotation marks for direct quotes and titles, placing periods and commas inside quotation marks, and using semicolons to connect independent clauses or separate items in a list with internal commas.

1. Punctuation
FROM THE WRITING CENTER
@ THE A.R.C.

2. Why Use Punctuation?
Punctuation marks are used to give a sentence its proper meaning and can also do the following:
Help with organization
Distinguish speakers
Indicate pauses or complete stops
Express extreme emotion/feelings.

3. Quotation Marks
There are a few basic rules when it comes to using quotation marks in your paper.
 Rule 1: Use double quotation marks to set off a direct (word-for-word) quotation.
• For example:
Correct: "I hope you will be there," he said.
Incorrect: He said that he "hoped I would be there."
• (The quotation marks used in the second sentence are incorrect because “hoped I would be
there” does not state the speaker's exact words.)
 Rule 2: Quotation marks are used for components such as chapter titles in a book, individual
episodes of a TV series, songs from a Broadway show or a music album, titles of articles or essays in
print or online, and shorter works such as short stories and poems.
• Richard Burton performed the song "Camelot" in the 1960 Broadway musical Camelot.
 Rule 3:Periods and commas ALWAYS go inside of the quotation marks.
• The sign said, "Walk." Then it said, "Don't Walk," then, "Walk," all within thirty seconds.
He yelled, "Hurry up."

4. Quotation Marks Continued…
 Rule 4: Use single quotation marks for quotations within a quotation.
 Dan said: "In a town outside Brisbane, I saw 'Tourists go home' written on a wall. But then
someone told me, 'Pay it no mind, lad.’”
 Rule 5: Always capitalize the first word in a complete quotation, even if it is in the middle of the
sentence.
 Bill said, "That job we started last April is done."
 Rule 6: Quotation marks are often used with technical terms, terms used in an unusual way, or other
expressions that vary from standard usage.
 It's an oil-extraction method known as "fracking."

5. Commas
 Rule 1: Use a comma to separate the elements in a series (three or more things) including the last
two things.
 He hit the ball, dropped the bat, and ran to third base.
 Rule 2: Use a comma + a conjunction (and, but, for, nor, yet, so) to connect two independent
clauses
 He hit the ball hard, but fell when he started to run.
 Rule 3: Use a comma before you introduce a quote.
 Summing up this argument, Peter Coveney writes, “The purpose and strength of the romantic image of the
child had been above all to establish a relationship between childhood and adult consciousness.”

6. Semi-Colons
 A semi-colon can replace a period if the writer wishes to narrow the gap between two closely
linked sentences.
 Call me tomorrow; you can give me an answer then.
 We have paid our dues; we expect all the privileges listed in the contract
 Use a semicolon before words and terms like “namely,” “however,” “therefore,” “for example,”
“for instance,” and “etc.,” when they introduce a complete sentence. It is also preferable to use a
comma after these words and terms.
 Bring any two items; however, sleeping bags and tents are in short supply.
 Use a semicolon to separate units of a series when one or more of the units contain commas.
 The conference has people who have come from Moscow, Idaho; Springfield, California;
Alamo, Tennessee; and other places as well. (Note the final punctuation mark is a semicolon,
rather than a comma, after Tennessee.)

7. Colons
 Rule 1: Use a colon to introduce a series of items. Do not capitalize the first item after the colon
(unless it's a proper noun).
 Example: You may be required to bring many things: sleeping bags, pans, utensils, and warm
clothing.
 Rule 2: Use a colon rather than a comma to follow the salutation in a business letter, even when
addressing someone by his or her first name. (Never use a semicolon after a salutation.) A
comma is used after the salutation in more informal correspondence.
 Formal: Dear Ms. Rodriguez:
 Informal: Dear Dave,
 Avoid using a colon before a list when it directly follows a verb or preposition.
 Incorrect: I've seen the greats, including: Barrymore, Guinness, and Streep.
 Correct: I've seen the greats, including Barrymore, Guinness, and Streep

8. Parentheses
 Rule 1: Use parentheses to enclose information that clarifies, or is used as an aside.
 Example: He finally answered (after taking five minutes to think) that he did not understand
the question.
Rule 2: If material in parentheses ends a sentence, the period goes after the parentheses.
 Example: He gave me a nice bonus ($500).
 Rule 3: Commas are more likely to follow parentheses than precede them.
 Incorrect: When he got home, (it was already dark outside) he fixed dinner.
 Correct: When he got home (it was already dark outside), he fixed dinner
 Rule 4: Periods go inside parentheses only if an entire sentence is inside the parentheses.
 Example: Please read the analysis. (You'll be amazed.)
This is a rule with a lot of wiggle room. An entire sentence in parentheses is also acceptable
without an enclosed period:
 Example: Please read the analysis (you'll be amazed).

9. Brackets
 Brackets are interruptions. When we see them, we know they've been added by someone else,
and are used to explain or comment on the quotation.
 "Four score and seven [today we'd say eighty-seven] years ago..."
 "Bill shook hands with [his son] Al.“
 Rule 1: When quoting something that has a spelling or grammar mistake, or presents material in
a confusing way, insert the term “sic” (which is “thus” in Latin) in italics and enclose it in
brackets.
 Example: She wrote, "I would rather die then [sic] be seen wearing the same outfit as my
sister.“
The [sic] indicates that “then” was used instead of “than”.

10. Brackets Continued…
 Rule 2: In formal writing, brackets are often used to maintain the integrity of both a quotation
and the sentences others use it in.
 Example: "[T]he better angels of our nature" gave a powerful ending to Lincoln's first
inaugural address.
Lincoln's memorable phrase came midsentence, so the word the was not originally capitalized.

11. Apostrophes
Use an apostrophe plus “-s” to show the possessive form of a singular noun, even if that singular
noun already ends in -s.
 “The bus’s yellow paint began to chip off.
 Generally, you do not use an apostrophe to form a plural.
 Incorrect: The Wilson's are here.
 Correct: The Wilsons are here.
 You also do not use an apostrophe with possessive pronouns
 Incorrect: Who's glasses are these?
 Correct: Whose glasses are these?

12. In Conclusion
Punctuation marks can be used for various reasons and help the reader to understand:
 Who is speaking
 In what tone they may be speaking in
 The pauses in their speech
 Internal dialogue and side notes

13. Web Resources
http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/semicolons.asp