Presented by GROUP 1
16 TYPES OF
PUNCTUATION
MARKS
E 108 TECHNICAL WRITING
OBJECTIVES
1 Explain the purposes of punctuation marks.
2 Present the different types of punctuation marks.
3 Providing examples for each type of punctuation marks.
3
4 Basic usage of punctuation makes.
PURPOSE OF PUNCTUATION MARKS
Punctuation marks are used in writing to
separate different elements from each other or
to make writing more clear. They are a set of
signs and symbols used in written language to
clarify what, when, and how things are being
said.
TYPES OF
PUNCTUATION MARKS
1.) PERIOD ( . )
The . is called a period. The period actually serves two purposes in
grammar. When it appears at the end of a declarative sentence, it ends
the sentence. The period can also indicate that a word is an abbreviation.
EXAMPLE:
As a sentence ender - Jane and Jack went to the market.
After an abbreviation - John Jones Jr. was born on Dec. 6, 2008.
2.) QUESTION MARK ( ? )
The ? is called a question mark. Question marks ask direct questions,
which are also known as interrogative sentences. They can also
express confusion.
EXAMPLES:
Interrogative sentence - When did Jane leave for the market?
Expressing confusion - Why do we have so much homework?
3.) EXCLAMATION POINT ( ! )
The ! is called an exclamation point. Exclamation points are punctuation
marks that show a sudden outcry in writing.
They also emphasize a point more strongly than a period.
EXAMPLES:
Sudden outcry - "Holy cow!" screamed Jane.
To emphasize a point - My mother-in-law's rants make me furious!
4.) COMMA ( , )
The , is called a comma. Commas separate ideas or elements within the structure of a
sentence. They also appear in numbers, dates, and letter writing after the salutation and
closing.
EXAMPLES:
Direct address - Thanks for all your help, John.
Separating two complete sentences - We went to the movies, and then we went out
to lunch.
Separating elements in a list - Suzi wanted the black, green, and blue dress.
5.) SEMICOLONS ( ; )
The ; is called a semicolon.
Semicolons are punctuation marks that connect independent clauses to show a closer
relationship between the clauses than a period would. They can also separate items in a list
that already include commas.
EXAMPLES
Connecting independent clauses - John was hurt; he knew she only said it to upset him.
Items in a list - I’ve visited Cleveland, Ohio; Los Angeles, California; and St. Louis,
Missouri.
6.) COLONS ( : )
The : is called a colon. Colons introduce a quotation, an explanation, an example, or a
series. They can also clarify information or emphasize an important word or phrase.
EXAMPLES:
Introducing a series - He was planning to study four subjects: politics, philosophy,
sociology, and economics.
Clarifying information - I didn't have time to get changed: I was already late.
Emphasizing an important phrase - There was one thing she loved more than any
other: her dog.
7.) EM DASH ( — )
The — is called an em dash. Em dashes set off information from the rest of the
sentence. They can also show emphasis to a word or phrase.
You can add spaces to either side of an em dash, depending on your style guide.
EXAMPLES
Setting off information - My best friend — whom I’ve known since I was a
kid — is moving away.
Showing emphasis - The house was beautiful — but haunted.
8.) EN DASH ( – )
The – is called an en dash. En dashes are shorter than em dashes, and they
indicate a range or connection between numbers or words.
You don’t need to use spaces on either side of an en dash.
EXAMPLES:
Indicating range - The Civil War (1861–1865) made a lasting impact in the
United States.
Indicating connection - When does the Denver–Dallas flight arrive?
9.) HYPHEN ( - )
The - is called a hyphen. Hyphens are even shorter than en dashes. They join two
or more words together to make compound nouns, compound adjectives, and
compound numbers.
EXAMPLES:
Compound noun - My sister-in-law works as a pastry chef.
Compound adjective - The well-known author signed autographs for his fans.
Compound number - Cory can count all the way to ninety-nine.
10.) PARENTHESIS ( )
Parentheses add further thoughts or qualifying remarks to a sentence. They
separate these phrases from the rest of the sentence.
EXAMPLE:
Further thought - John and Jane (who are brother and sister) both have red
hair.
Qualifying remarks - Add any special skills (typing, organization, training, and
so on) to your resume.
11.) BRACKETS [ ]
The [ ] are called brackets. Brackets clarify meaning in a quote by adding words or the
phrase sic. They also form parenthetical statements inside larger parenthetical
statements (called nesting parentheses).
EXAMPLES:
Adding words to a quote - “He [Mr. Jones] was the last person seen at the
house,” reported the detective.
Adding sic to a quote - “Our team issues no further statments [sic] at this time.”
Nesting parentheses - We decided to go to the Grand Canyon (my [childhood]
dream) this summer.
12.) BRACES { }
The { } are called braces. Braces contain sets of numerical or specialized
information to show that they are considered as a unit.
You won’t often see braces in writing, but you’ll see them around groups of
numbers and mathematical expressions.
EXAMPLES:
Grouping numbers - The teacher wrote a set of numbers {6, 9, 12} on the
board.
Mathematical expression - (2{1+[23-3]}=x)
13.) APOSTROPHE ( ‘ )
Apostrophes are punctuation marks that indicate the omission of a letter or
letters from a word.
They form contractions, show the possessive case, or create plurals of
lowercase letters.
EXAMPLE:
Contractions - I've seen that movie several times.
Possessive case - Sara’s dog bit the neighbor.
Plural for lowercase letters - Mind your p's and q's.
14.) QUOTATION MARKS (“ ”)
The " " are called quotation marks (or double quotation marks). Quotation
marks indicate the beginning and end of a quoted passage. They can also
show dialogue in fiction.
EXAMPLES:
Quoted passage - Nathan Hale’s last words were, “I regret that I have
but one life to live for my country.”
Dialogue - "Don't go outside," Katie said.
15.) SINGLE QUOTATION MARKS (‘ ’)
The ' ' are called single quotation marks (or single quotes). Single quotation
marks show quotes within a quotation, and they set off quotes in headlines.
EXAMPLES:
Quotes within quotations - Marie told the teacher, "Marc said to me
'Bill started the fight,' and I believed him."
Quotes in headlines - President Declares, ‘War Is Over’
16.) ELLIPSIS (...)
The .... is called an ellipsis. An ellipsis indicates an omission of words or sentences.
Students writing research papers or newspapers quoting parts of speeches will
often employ ellipsis to avoid copying lengthy text that is not needed.
EXAMPLES:
Omission of words - She began to count, "One, two, three, four…" until she
got to 10, then went to find him.
Within a quotation - When Newton stated, "An object at rest stays at rest
and an object in motion stays in motion..." he developed the law of motion.
BASIC USAGE OF
PUNCTUATION MARK
POSTER
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MAIN SOURCE ( 16 PUNCTUATION MARKS)
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