Read and analyze the passage

• the sun was setting over the horizon it painted the sky in shades of
orange and pink the birds flew across the sky chirping happily as they
returned to their nests everyone was outside enjoying the warm
evening air and laughter filled the park some people were playing
frisbee while others sat on benches reading books it was a perfect
end to a beautiful day
Discuss
• What is the importance of punctuation marks in a paragraph?
Edited passage
• The sun was setting over the horizon; it painted the sky in shades of
orange and pink. The birds flew across the sky, chirping happily as
they returned to their nests. Everyone was outside, enjoying the
warm evening air, and laughter filled the park. Some people were
playing frisbee while others sat on benches reading books. It was a
perfect end to a beautiful day.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the usage
of Comma, Semi-colon, Colon, Quotation
Apostrophe and Exclamation in writing.
PRE- ASSESSMENT

1. Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.

A. yesterday the was a lot of traffic.
B. Yesterday, there was a lot of traffic.
C. yesterday, There was a lot of traffic!
D. Yesterday, There was a lot of traffic

B. Yesterday, there was a lot of traffic.

PRE- ASSESSMENT

2. Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.

A. On Friday, June 4, 2015, I will be on my way to Honolulu, Hawaii.
B. On friday, june 4, 2015 I will be on my way to Honolulu, Hawaii.
C. On Friday June 4, 2015, I will be on my way to honolulu, hawaii.
D. On Friday June 4 2015, I will be on my way to Honolulu, Hawaii.

A. On Friday, June 4, 2015, I will be on my way to Honolulu, Hawaii.

PRE- ASSESSMENT
3. Which of these sentences uses commas correctly?
i. The students are required to bring, their textbooks, pencils and Zip disks to
class.
ii. The students are required to bring their textbooks, pencils, and Zip disks to
class.
iii. The students are required to bring their textbooks, pencils and Zip disks to
class.

A. Only i is correct
B. Both I and ii are correct
C. Both ii and iii are correct
D. Only iii is correct
C. Both ii and iii are correct
PRE- ASSESSMENT

4. Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.

A. It is mentioned in the notice, all of us should read it.
B. It is mentioned in the notice! all of us should read it.
C. It is mentioned in the notice? all of us should read it.
D.It is mentioned in the notice; all of us should read it.

D. It is mentioned in the notice; all of us should read it.

PRE- ASSESSMENT

5. Choose the correct sentence.

A. The sandals are available in four colors: red, blue, black,

and brown.
B. The available colors include: red, blue, black, and
brown.
C. Both are correct.

A. The sandals are available in four colors:

red, blue, black, and brown.
 The comma
Eight Basic Rules ,
Rule 1: Use comma before conjunctions FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but,
or, yet, so)
•You can go shopping with me, or you can go to a movie alone.

Rule 2: Use a comma after an introductory word (No, Yes, However) or group
of words beginning with After, Although, As, Because, If, Since, When, While
marking the introductory part of a sentence.
•No, pets are not allowed in the building.
•While I was eating, the cat scratched at the door.

Rule 3: Use commas to enclose parts not essential to the meaning of a sentence.
These nonessential parts may begin with a relative pronoun (such as who,
whom, whose, that, which).
E.g. Steven Strom, whose show you like, will host a party next week.
 The comma ,
Rule 4: Use a comma to separate each item in a series; a series is a group
of three or more items having the same function and form in a sentence.
•1. We bought apples, peaches and bananas today.
•2. Mary promised that she would be a good girl, that she would not bite
her brother, and that she would not climb onto the television.

Rule 5: Use a comma to set off appositives.

An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames a nearby noun.
Appositives offer nonessential information.
• Alexander Pope, the Restoration poet, is famous for his monologues. (appositive)
•The poet Pope is famous for his monologues. (no appositive)
 The comma
Rule 6: Use a comma to indicate direct address.
,
Direct address is indicated by the use of a comma or commas, depending upon
its placement within the sentence.
• 1. I think, John, you’re wrong.
• 2. John, I think you’re wrong.
• 3. I think you’re wrong, John.

Rule 7: Use commas to set off direct quotations.

• 1. Mary said, “I dislike concerts because the music is too loud.”
• 2. “I dislike concerts because the music is too loud,” she said.
• 3. “I dislike concerts,” proclaimed Mary, “because the music is too loud.”
 The comma
,
Rule 8: Use commas with dates, addresses, titles, and numbers.
Rules for dates: In dates, the year is set off from the rest of the sentence with a
pair of commas.
Ex: On December 12, 1890, orders were sent out for the arrest of Sitting Bull.

Rules for addresses: The elements of an address or place name are separated by
commas. A zip code, however, is not preceded by a comma.
Ex: John Lennon was born in Liverpool, England, in 1940.
 The comma
,
Rules for titles: If a title follows a name, separate the title from the
rest of the sentence with a pair of commas.
Ex: Sandra Belinsky, MD, has been appointed to the board.

Rules for numbers: In numbers more than four digits long, use
commas to separate the numbers into groups of three, starting from
the right. In numbers four digits long, a comma is optional.
Ex: 3,500 [or 3500]
Ex: 100,000
Exercise: Place commas where they belong in
the following sentences:
• 1. Are you attending my graduation or are you visiting your aunt in Chicago?
• 2. Marty ate four pancakes two bacon strips and a bowl of grits.
• 3. The movie although Susan enjoyed it immensely left her in tears.
• 4. Simon Blake a well-known lawyer may run for governor.
• 5. If you ever need a ride Judy just let me know.
• 6. “I’ll eat the eggs” said Jane “if you’ll eat the bacon.”
• 7. The winner of the contest will receive $1000000.
• 8. Although the sky was cloudy no rain was in the forecast.
Exercise: Place commas where they belong in
the following sentences (Answers)
• 1. Are you attending my graduation, or are you visiting your aunt in Chicago?
• 2. Marty ate four pancakes, two bacon strips, and a bowl of grits.
• 3. The movie, although Susan enjoyed it immensely, left her in tears.
• 4. Simon Blake, a well-known lawyer, may run for governor.
• 5. If you ever need a ride, Judy, just let me know.
• 6. “I’ll eat the eggs,” said Jane, “if you’ll eat the bacon.”
• 7. The winner of the contest will receive $1,000,000.
• 8. Although the sky was cloudy, no rain was in the forecast.
 The Semicolon ;
stronger than comma, but not as strong as a full stop
• It connects two independent sentences (complete sentences with subject +
verb/predicate) which are closely related.
E.g. I tell Alice everything; she is my best friend.
• When two closely related independent sentences are linked using a conjunctive
adverb (however, thus, therefore, nevertheless, however, moreover,
consequently, etc.), the conjunctive adverb will be preceded by a semi-colon.
E.g. Jan always scores higher on verbal sections of the test; however,
she prefers Math to English.
• To separate items in a complicated series that already contains comma.
E.g. Dr. Dunn’s favorite cities are Edinburgh, Scotland; San Francisco, California and
Venice, Italy.
Rewrite each pair replacing the conjunction with a
semi-colon.
1. Sara watched television after she had finished her homework.
2. The baby was crying because he was hungry.
3. Mum told him to clean his room as it was in a total mess.
4. She had worked very hard for the exam and she hoped it would be
enough.
5. The parcel had been badly wrapped and some of the contents were
showing.
Rewrite the sentences by inserting semi-colon where necessary.
1. He's traveling to Bangalore, India Manila, Philippines Tokyo, Japan.
2. My favorite cold dessert is not ice cream it's frozen yogurt.
3. I haven’t decided what I want to do this weekend I’d like to go to my friend’s
barbecue.
4. The shirts were red, white and blue aqua, yellow and white purple, yellow and black.
5. Three countries are involved in the discussions however, only Mexico and Canada will
sign the treaty immediately.
ANSWER KEY

Rewrite each pair replacing the conjunction with a semi-colon.

1. Sara watched television; she had finished her homework.
2. The baby was crying; he was hungry.
3. Mum told him to clean his room; it was in a total mess.
4. She had worked very hard for the exam; she hoped it would be enough.
5. The parcel had been badly wrapped; some of the contents were showing.
Rewrite the sentences by inserting semi-colon where necessary.
1. He's traveling to Bangalore, India; Manila, Philippines; Tokyo, Japan.
2. My favorite cold dessert is not ice cream; it's frozen yogurt.
3. I haven’t decided what I want to do this weekend; I’d like to go to my friend’s barbecue.
4. The shirts were red, white and blue; aqua, yellow and white; purple, yellow and black.
5. Three countries are involved in the discussions; however, only Mexico and Canada will sign the treaty
immediately.
The colon is made with two
periods.
It is used for time. 11 35 pm :
It comes before a list.
I will need the following items from the store:
bananas, grapes, watermelon and lemons.
Introduce a title or quotation
Alan’s motto was: “Try and try till you succeed.”
Separate contrasting parts of a sentence
The good are saved: the bad are damned.
Punctuate the following sentences, inserting colons where necessary.
1. We shall fight on the beaches we shall never surrender.
2. The boys ate some pizza pastries burger and sandwiches.
3. Bright is the day dark is the night.
4. Alan’s motto was “Try and try till you succeed.”
5. These students won a prize Rahul, Joe, Sayan.
6. I am allergic to three things mill, eggs and chocolate.
7. Johann set the alarm clock for 6 00.
8. There was only one way he could win he had to work hard.
9. Pour in the milk and water at a 3 1 ratio.
10. I gave you the spray bottles for one reason to clean the windows.
ANSWER KEY
Punctuate the following sentences, inserting colons where necessary.
1. We shall fight on the beaches: we shall never surrender.
2. The boys ate: some pizza, pastries, burger and sandwiches.
3. Bright is the day: dark is the night.
4. Alan’s motto was: “Try and try till you succeed.”
5. These students won a prize: Rahul, Joe, Sayan.
6. I am allergic to three things: milk, eggs and chocolate.
7. Johann set the alarm clock for 6: 00.
8. There was only one way he could win: he had to work hard.
9. Pour in the milk and water at a 3:1 ratio.
10. I gave you the spray bottles for one reason: to clean the windows.
In the following sentences, put quotation marks where they are necessary.

1. Jimmy said, I have to clean my room later.

2. When will you read Edgar Allan Poe's short story The Tell-Tale Heart?
3. According to Anderson Davis, Boys are more likely to be aggressive than
girls.
4. My uncle said Pain is weakness leaving the body, Greg said.
5. Clean your room, said my mom.
6. The word being is often used incorrectly.
7. Cynthia asked, Have you seen the new Sherlock Holmes movie?
8. While running down the street, the criminal shouted, Get in the van!
Answer Key

1. Jimmy said, "I have to clean my room later."

2. When will you read Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Tell-Tale Heart"?
3. According to Anderson Davis, "Boys are more likely to be aggressive
than girls".
4. "My uncle said 'Pain is weakness leaving the body,'" Greg said.
5. "Clean your room," said my mom.
6. The word "being" is often used incorrectly.
7. Cynthia asked, "Have you seen the new Sherlock Holmes movie?"
8. While running down the street, the criminal shouted, "Get in the van!"
Apostrophe
Apostrophes for omission
Contractions (to show missing letters)

Insert an apostrophe to show a letter or

letters, have been taken away.

It’s too hot

for me.

We have gone to town.

We’ve gone
It is too hot for me. to town.
 Apostrophes for possession.
To show something belongs to one
or more people

Can you see

Can you see
the dogs’
the dog’s
owner?
owner?
EXCLAMATION MARK
An exclamation point is used after a word group or sentence in order to
emphasize a point or to express strong emotion or surprise. Use of the
exclamation point is optional for the writer. It is one of the few ways
that a writer can indicate how words may sound when spoken.
• 1. Use an exclamation point for emphasis.
That box contains personal items. Do not open it!
• 2. Use an exclamation point to indicate strong emotion or surprise.
What a shock!
How careless can you be!
What an amazing life!
3. Using an Exclamation Mark at the End of an Interjection
•Wow! That is great news.
•Oh! I am so sorry.
•Alas! That is really bad. What are you going to do about it?

4. Using an Exclamation Mark in Direct Speech

Sam said, “I love this movie!”
What nerve she has to say, “You are rude”!
The team shouted together, “Whoa! We finally did it.”

5. Using an Exclamation Mark at the End of Phrases/Individual

Words
Careful! Will you?
What a day!
Get out! You have pulled the last straw.
6. An exclamation point replaces a period at the end of a sentence. It also
replaces a midsentence comma.
Incorrect: I'm truly shocked by your behavior!.
Correct: I'm truly shocked by your behavior!

Incorrect: "I'm truly shocked by your behavior!," I told her.

Correct: "I'm truly shocked by your behavior!" I told her.

7. In informal writing, multiple exclamation points are sometimes used to indicate

stronger emphasis or emotion. However, in formal writing only one is necessary.
I can hardly wait!!! (Informal use only)

*Avoid using an exclamation point in formal business writing.

** Overuse of exclamation points is a sign of undisciplined writing. The writer F. Scott
Fitzgerald once said, "An exclamation point is like laughing at your own joke." Do not
use even one of these marks unless you're convinced it is justified.
Insert exclamation marks wherever necessary and punctuate the
sentences accordingly.
1. Ouch that hurt badly.
2. What a pretty dress.
3. Sarah said, “Wow that is really great.”
4. Sit down.
5. We are fed up with you. Leave now.
6. Hurray. We finally did it.
7. Uh I am not sure I can help you with it.
8. Deepa said, “Ah now I understand.”
9. The teacher lost her temper and shouted, “No more activities for you.”
10. How wonderful.
ANSWER KEY

1. Ouch! That hurt badly.

2. What a pretty dress!
3. Sarah said, “Wow! That is really great.”
4. Sit down!
5. We are fed up with you. Leave now!
6. Hurray! We finally did it.
7. Uh! I am not sure I can help you with it.
8. Deepa said, “Ah! Now I understand.”
9. The teacher lost her temper and shouted, “No more activities for you!”
10. How wonderful!
POST-ASSESSMENT