English 121 - Chap. 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53

106) Like commas, dashes can set off non-essential material. Unlike commas, however, dashes can call attention to the material they set off. Indicate a dash with two unspaced hyphens (which your word-processing program will automatically convert to a dash). For emphasis, you may use dashes to set off explanations, qualifications, examples, definitions, and appositives. Indicating an interruption In dialogue, a dash may indicate a hesitation or an unfinished thought.

"I think-no, I know-that this is the worst day of my life," Julie sighed.

89) Using Quotation Marks Identifying tag in the middle of a quoted Passage Use a pair of commas to set off and identify and tag that interrupts a quoted Passage.

"In the future," (pop artist Andy Warhol once said,) "everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes." If the identifying tag follows a complete sentence but the quoted passage continues, use a period after the tag. Begin the new sentence with a capital letter, and enclose it in quotation marks. "Be careful," Erin warned. "Reptiles can be tricky."

91) Using Quotation Marks Identifying tag at the end of a quoted Passage Use a comma to set off a quotation from and identifying tag that follows it. "Be careful out there," (the sergeant warned.) It's the quotation ends with a question mark or an exclamation point, use that punctuation mark instead of the comma. (In this situation, the identifying tag begins with a lowercase letter even though it follows end punctuation.)

"Is Ankara the capital of Turkey?" She asked "Oh boy! He cried.

33) Using Exclamation Points An exclamation point is used to signal the end of an emotional or emphatic statement, an emphatic interjection, or a forceful command.

"No! Don't leave!" he cried

13) Setting off Examples, Explanations, or Summaries with a Dash.

"Study hard," "Respect your elders," "Don't talk with your mouth full"-Sharon had often heard her parents say these things.

105) Like commas, dashes can set off non-essential material. Unlike commas, however, dashes can call attention to the material they set off. Indicate a dash with two unspaced hyphens (which your word-processing program will automatically convert to a dash). For emphasis, you may use dashes to set off explanations, qualifications, examples, definitions, and appositives. Introducing a summary Use a dash to introduce a statement that summarizes a list or series before it.

"Study hard," "Respect your elders," "Don't talk with your mouth full,-Sharon had often heard her parents say these things.

61) Using Commas in Other Convential Contexts With Direct Quotations In most cases, use commas to set off a direction from the identifying tag -- the phrase that identifies the speaker (he said, she answered, and so on). When the identifying tag comes between two completed sentences, however, the tag is introduced by a comma but followed by a period.

"Winning isn't everything," Coach Vince Lombardi once said. It's the only thing." If the first sentence of an interrupted quotation ends with a question mark or an exclamation point, do notnuse commas "Should we hold the front page(?)" she asked. "It's a slwo news day." "Hold the front page (!)" he cried. "There's breaking news!"

47) An introductory Prepositional phrase is also usually set off by a comma.

(During the Depression,) movie attendance rose. However is a Prepositional phrase is short and no ambiguity is possible, you may omit the comma. (After lunch,) I took a four-hour nap.

58) Absolute Phrases Which includes a noun or pronoun and a participle and modifies and entire independent clause, is always set off by a comma from the clause it modifies.

(His fear increasing,) he waited to enter the haunted house. Many soldiers were lost in Southeast Asia, (their bodies never recovered.)

46) A Verbal Phrase that serves as a subject is not set off by a comma

(Laughing out loud)can release tension - gerund phrase to know him is to love him - infinitive phrase.

90) Using Quotation Marks - Chapter 52 Identifying tag at the beginning of a quoted Passage Use a comma after and identifying tag that introduces quoted speech or writing.

(The Raven repeated,) "Nevermore." Use a colon instead of a comma before a quotation if the identifying tag is a complete sentence. (She gave her final answer:) "no."

18) Ending a sentence. Use a period to signal the end of a statement, a mild command or polite request, or an indirect question. 1. Statement 2. Mild Command 3. Polite request 4. Indirect question

1. Something is rotten in Denmark. 2. Be sure to have the oil checked before you start out. 3. When the bell rings, please exit in an orderly fashion. 4. They wondered whether the water was safe to drink.

35) Chapter 49 Using Commas. - Setting off Independant CLauses use a comma when you form a compound sentence by linking two independant clauses with a coordinating conjunction or with a pair of cooralative conjunctions.

36) The House approved the bill, but the Senate rejected it. Either the hard drive is full- or the modem is too slow.

97) Quotations Within Quotations Use single quotation marks to enclose a quotation within a quotation. Clair noted, "Liberace always said, 'I cried all the way to the bank.'"

Also use single quotation marks within a quotation to indicate a title that would normally be enclosed in double quotation marks. I think what she said was, "play it, Sam. Play 'As Time Goes By.'" Use double quotation marks around quotations or titles with a long prose Passage.

81) Indicating Omissions in Contractions Omitted Letters a

Apostrophes replace omitted letters in contradictions that combine a pronoun and a verb (he + will = he'll) or the elements of a verb phrase (do + not = don't).

29) Using Question Marks Marking questionable Dates and Numbers. Use a question mark in parentheses to indicate uncertainty about a date or a number.

Aristophanes, the Greek playwright, was born in 447 (?) BC and died in 380 (?) BC.

65) Editing Misused Commas Do not use commas in the following situations To Join Two Independent Clauses A comma alone cannot join two independent clauses; it must be followed by a coordinating conjunction. Using just a comma to connect two independent clauses creates a comma splice.

But.... The season was unusually cool, (but) the orange crop was not seriously harmed.

10) Seperating items in a series with Commas

Chipmunk, raccoon, Mugwump are Native American words.

38) Using Commas - Setting off items in a series Coordinate Elements Use commas between items in a series of three or more coordinate elements (words, phrases, or clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction).

Chipmunk, raccoon, Mugwump are Native American words. You may pay by check, with a credit or debit card, or in cash Brazillians speak Portugese, Colombians speak Spanish, and Hatians speak French and Creole.

77) Singular nouns and Idefinite Pronouns Singular nouns ending in -s To form the most possessive case of singular nouns that end in -s, add -'s in most cases.

Chris's goal was to become a surgeon. Reading Henry Jame's The Ambassadors was not Maria's idea if fun. The class's time was changed to 8 a.m. Note: with some do him at nouns that end in -s, pronouncing the possessive ending as a separate syllable can sound awkward. In such cases, it is acceptable to use just an apostrophe: Crispus Attuks' death, Aristophanes' Lysistrata, Achilles' left heal.

92) Setting off long prose passages in poetry Long prose passages Do not enclose a long prose passage (a passage of more than four lines) in quotation marks. Instead, Set It Off by indenting the entire passage 1 inch from the left-hand margin. Treat the quoted passage like regular text: double-space above and below it, and double-space between Lines within it. Introduce the passage with a colon, and place parenthetical documentation one space after the end punctuation.

Close up: Quoting long prose passages When you quote a long prose passage that is a single paragraph, do not indent the first line. When quoting two or more paragraphs, however indent the first line of each paragraph (including the first) an additional 1/4 inch. If the first sentence of the quoted passage does not begin a paragraph in a source, do not indent it-but do indent the first line of each subsequent paragraph. If the passage you are quoting includes material set in quotation marks, keep those quotation marks.

102) Using colons The colon is a strong punctuation mark that points readers ahead to the material that follows it. When it colon introduces a list or series, explanatory material, or a quotation, it must be preceded by a complete sentence. Introducing quotations When you quote a long post passage, always introduce it with a colon. Also use a colon before a short quotation when it is introduced by a complete sentence. With dignity, Bartleby repeated the familiar words: "I prefer not to."

Colon's are also used in the following situations: To Seperate Titles from Subtitles Family installments: Memories of Growing up Hispanic To separate minutes from hours 6:15 a.m. After Salutations in Business Letters Dear Dr. Evans: To Separate Place of Publication from the Name of the Publisher in an MLA works-cited list. Boston: Cengage 2017.

67) Editing Misused Commas Do not use commas in the following situations. To set off Restrictive Modifiers

Commas are not used to set off restrictive modifiers. (Commas are only used to set off Non restrictive modifiers.) People buy bottled water because it is pure and fashionable.

83) Indicating Omissions in Contractions Using Apostrophes Be careful not to confuse contractions (which always include of apostrophes with the possessive forms of personal pronouns which never include apostrophes).

Contractions: Who's on first? They're Playing Our Song. It's raining. You're a real pal. Possessive forms: Whose book is this? Their team is winning. Its paws were muddy. Your resume is impressive.

99) To Set off Slang or Technical Terms Do not use quotation marks to set off slang or technical terms. (Note that flying is not appropriate in college writing.)

Dawn is into running. Biofeedback is sometimes used to treat migraine headaches. Note: Do not use quotation marks (or italics) to set off titles of your own of your own essays.

86) Indicating Omissions in Contractions Editing Misused Apostrophes Do not use apostrophes with plural nouns that are not possessive. The Thompsons are not at home. Down vest are very warm. The Philadelphia 76ers Sixers have had good years and bad.

Do not use apostrophes to form the possessive case of personal pronouns. This ticket must be yours or hers. The next turn is therekkuls. Her doll had lost its right eye. The next great moment in history is hours.

50) Nonrestrictive Modifiers Use commas to set off Nonrestrictive modifiers, which supply information that is not essential to the meaning of the words they modify.

Do not use commas to set off restrictive modifiers, which supply information that is essential to the words they modify. Nonrestrictive: (commas required): Actors, who have inflated egos, are often insecure. (All actors - not just those with inflated egos - are insecure). Restrictive (no comma) (Actors who have inflated egos) are often insecure. (Only those actors with inflated egos - not all actors - are insecure.) To determine whether a modifier is restrictive or nonrestrctive, ask yourself these questions: 1. is the modifier essential to the meaning of the word it modifies ( The man with the gun, not just any man)? If so, it is restrictive. 2. Is the modifier introduced by that (something that most people fear)? If so, it is restrictive. That cannot introduce a Non restrictive clause. 3. Can you delete the relative pronoun without causing ambiguity or confusion (something (that) most people fear) If so, the clause is restrictive. 4..Is the appositive more specific that the noun that preceeds it (the film Citizen Kane)? If so, it is restrictive.

22) Abbreviations without periods. Clipped forms (commonly accepted shortened forms of words, such as gym, dorm, math, and fax).

Do not use periods

24) Making Divisions in Dramatic, Poetic, and Biblical References. Use periods to separate act, scene, and line numbers in plays; book and line numbers in long poems; and chapter and verse numbers in biblical references. (Do not space between periods and the elements they desperate.)

Dramatic Reference: Hamlet 2.2.1-5 Poetic Reference: Paradise Lost 7.163-67 Biblical Reference: Judges: 4.14

20) Abbreviations without periods. Abbreviations composed of all capital letters do not actually require periods unless they stand for initials of people's names.

E. B. White Familiar abbrev. of names of corporations or government agencies and abbreviations of scientific and technical terms do not require periods. TMZ CD-ROM DNA EPA HBO NFL NYPD

60) Using Commas in Other Convential Contexts With Direct Quotations In most cases, use commas to set off a direction from the identifying tag -- the phrase that identifies the speaker (he said, she answered, and so on).

Emerson said, "I greet you at the beginning of a great career." "I greet you at the beginning of a great career," Emerson said. "I greet you," Emerson said, "at the beginning of a great career."

80) Singular nouns and Idefinite Pronouns Two or more items To indicate individual ownership of two or more items, add -'s to each item.

Ernest Hemingway's In Gertrude Stein's writing styles have some similarities. To indicate joint ownership, add -'s only to the last item. We studied Lewis and Clark's expedition

98) Editing Misused Quotation Marks. Do not use quotation marks in the following situations. To Set Off Indirect Quotations Do not use quotation marks to set off indirect quotations (someone else's written or spoken words that are not quoted exactly).

Freud wondered what women wanted.

25) Note: In MLA parenthetical references, titles of classic literary works and books of the Bible are often abbreviated.

Ham. 2.2.1-5 Judg. 4.14

62) Using Commas in Other Conventional Contexts With Titles or Degrees Following a name

Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, is Shakespear's most famous character. Michael Crichton, MD, wrote Jurrasic Park.

39) Using Commas - Setting off items in a series Coordinate Elements Note: To avoid ambiguity, use a comma before the and (or other coordinating conjunction) that separates the last two items in a series of three or more items:

He was inspired by his parents, the Dalai Lana, and Mother Teresa.

14) Setting off Nonessential Material with a single Comma.

His fear increasing, he waited to enter the haunted house.

48) Transitional words and phrases When a transitional word or phrase begins a sentence, it is usually set off with a comma.

However, any plan that is enacted. must be fair. In other words, we cannot enact hastily.

71) Using Semicolons A semicolon is used only between items of equal grammatical rank: two independent clauses, two phrases, and so on. Seperating Items in a Series Use a semicolon between items in a series when one or more of the items already include commas.

I have visited Laramie, Wyoming; Wyoming, Delaware; and Delaware, Ohio.

96) Using Quotation Marks with Other Punctuation At the end of a quotation, punctuation is sometimes place before the quotation marks and sometimes placed after the quotation marks. Place a comma or period before the closing quotation marks. Many, like the poet Robert Frost, think about "The road not taken," but not many have taken "The one Less traveled by." Place a semicolon or colon after the closing quotation marks. Students who did not pass the test received "certificates of completion"; those who pass are awarded diplomas. Taxpayers were pleased with the first of the candidate's promised "sweeping new reforms"; a balanced budget.

If a question mark, exclamation point, or dash is part of the quotation, place the punctuation mark before the closing quotation marks. "Who's there?" she demanded. "Stop!" he cried. "Should we leave now, or-" Vicky paused, unable to continue. If a question mark, exclamation point, or dash is not part of the quotation, place the punctuation mark after the closing quotation marks. Did you finish reading "The Black Cat"? Whatever you do, don't yell "Uncle"! The first story-Updike's "A&P" -provoked discussion.

84) Indicating Omissions in Contractions Omitted Numbers

In informal writing an apostrophe may also be used to replace the century in a year: Class of '03 the '60s in college writing, however, write out the number in full: 2003, 1960s.

17) Setting off Nonessential Material with a with Parentheses.

In some European countries (notably Sweden and France), high-quality day care is offered at little or no cost to parents.

72) Using Semicolons A semicolon is used only between items of equal grammatical rank: two independent clauses, two phrases, and so on. Editing Misused Semicolons Do not use semicolons in the following situations. Between a Phrase and a Clause Use a comma , not a Semicolon, between a phrase and a clause.

Increasing rapidly computer crime poses a challenge for business and government.

100) Using other Punctuation Marks - Chapter 53 Using colons The colon is a strong punctuation mark that points readers ahead to the material that follows it. When it colon introduces a list or series, explanatory material, or a quotation, it must be preceded by a complete sentence.

Introductory Lists or Series Use colons to set off list or series, including those introduced by phrases such as - the following or as follows. Waiting tables requires three skills: memory, speed, and balance.

95) Setting off Words used in Special Ways Enclose a word used in a special or unusual way enclosed in quotation marks. (If you use so-called before the word, do not use quotation marks as well.)

It was clear that adults approved of children who were "readers" but it was not clear why this was so. (Annie Dillard)

68) Editing Misused Commas Do not use commas in the following situations. Before a Dependent Clause at the end of a Sentence Do not use a comma before a dependent clause that falls at the end of a sentence.

Jane Addams founded Hull House in 1ii9 because she wanted to help Chicago's poor.

15) Setting off Nonessential Material with a with a pair of Commas

Jonas Salk, not Albert Sabin, developed the first polio vaccine.

78) Singular nouns and Idefinite Pronouns Plural Nouns To form the possessive case of regular plural nouns (those that end in -s or -es), add only an apostrophe

Laid-off employees received two week's severance pay and three month's medical benefits. The Lopezes' three children are triplets. To form a possessive case of nouns that have irregular plurals, add -'s. The children's Hour is a play by Lillian Hellman.

11) Seperating items in a series with Semicolons.

Laramie, Wyoming; Deleware; and Delaware, Ohio were three of the places they visited.

75) Editing Misused Semicolons Do not use semicolons in the following situations. Between Dependent and Independent Clause.

Marie Antoinette may not have said, "Let them eat cake."

19) 1. Something is rotten in Denmark. 2. Be sure to have the oil checked before you start out. 3. When the bell rings, please exit in an orderly fashion. 4. They wondered whether the water was safe to drink.

Marking an Abbreviation. Use periods in most abbreviations. If an Abbreviation ends the sentence, do not add another period. He promised to be there at 6 a.m./ However, do add a question mark if the sentence is a question. Did he arrive at 6 p.m.? If the abbreviation falls within a sentence, use normal punctuation after the period. He promised to be there at 6 p.m., but he forgot. Mr. Spock ect. 9 p.m. Aug. Dr. Doolittle 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

104) Using dashes Setting off Nonessential Material Like commas, dashes can set off non-essential material. Unlike commas, however, dashes can call attention to the material they set off. Indicate a dash with two unspaced hyphens (which your word-processing program will automatically convert to a dash). For emphasis, you may use dashes to set off explanations, qualifications, examples, definitions, and appositives.

Neither of the boys-both nine-year-olds had any history of violence. Too many parents learn the dangers of swimming pools the hard way-after a toddler has drowned.

16) Setting off Nonessential Material with a with Dashes.

Neither of the boys-both nine-year-olds- had any history of violence.

51) Nonrestrictive Modifiers In the following examples commas set off only nonrestrictive modifiers - those that supply nonessential information. Commas do not set off restrictive modifiers which supply essential information. Adjective Clauses

Non Restrictuve: He ran for the bus, (which was late as usual) Restrictive: He ran for the bus (that was pulling away from the bus stop.) To determine whether a modifier is restrictive or nonrestrctive, ask yourself these questions: 1. is the modifier essential to the meaning of the word it modifies ( The man with the gun, not just any man)? If so, it is restrictive. 2. Is the modifier introduced by that (something that most people fear)? If so, it is restrictive. That cannot introduce a Non restrictive clause. 3. Can you delete the relative pronoun without causing ambiguity or confusion (something (that) most people fear) If so, the clause is restrictive. 4..Is the appositive more specific that the noun that pelreceeds it (the film Citizen Kane)? If so, it is restrictive.

52) In the following examples commas set off only nonrestrictive modifiers - those that supply nonessential information. Commas do not set off restrictive modifiers which supply essential information Prepositional Phrases

Nonresteictive: The clerk, (with a nod), dismissed me. Restrictive: The candidates (running for mayor) have agreed to a debate. To determine whether a modifier is restrictive or nonrestrctive, ask yourself these questions: 1. is the modifier essential to the meaning of the word it modifies ( The man with the gun, not just any man)? If so, it is restrictive. 2. Is the modifier introduced by that (something that most people fear)? If so, it is restrictive. That cannot introduce a Non restrictive clause. 3. Can you delete the relative pronoun without causing ambiguity or confusion (something (that) most people fear) If so, the clause is restrictive. 4..Is the appositive more specific that the noun that pelreceeds it (the film Citizen Kane)? If so, it is restrictive.

53) In the following examples commas set off only nonrestrictive modifiers - those that supply nonessential information. Commas do not set off restrictive modifiers which supply essential information Aposotives

Nonrestrictive: Citizen Kane, (Orson Welle's first film,) made him famous. Restrictive: The film (Citizen Kane) made Orson Welles famous. To determine whether a modifier is restrictive or nonrestrctive, ask yourself these questions: 1. is the modifier essential to the meaning of the word it modifies ( The man with the gun, not just any man)? If so, it is restrictive. 2. Is the modifier introduced by that (something that most people fear)? If so, it is restrictive. That cannot introduce a Non restrictive clause. 3. Can you delete the relative pronoun without causing ambiguity or confusion (something (that) most people fear) If so, the clause is restrictive. 4..Is the appositive more specific that the noun that pelreceeds it (the film Citizen Kane)? If so, it is restrictive.

37) Using Commas - Setting off Independant Clauses

Note: You may omit the comma if the two independant clauses are very short: Love it or Leave it.

63) Using Commas in Other Conventional Contexts In Addresses and Dates When a date or an address falls within a sentence, use a comma after the last element.

On August 30, 1983, the space shuttle Challenger exploded. Her address is 600 West End Avenue, New York, NY 10024. When only the month and year are are given, do not use a comma to separate the month from year.: August 1983. Do not use a comma to separate the street number from the street or the state from the Zip code.

59) Miscellaneous Nonessential Elements Other nonessential elements usually set off by commas include tag questions, names in direct address, mild intersections, and yes and no.

This is your first day on the job, (isn't it?) I wonder, (Mr. Honeywell,) whether Mr. Albright deserves a raise. (Well,) it's about time. (Yes,) that's what I brought.

70) Using Semicolons A semicolon is used only between items of equal grammatical rank: two independent clauses, two phrases, and so on. Seperating Independent Clauses Use a semicolon between closely related independent clauses that convey parallel or contrasting information but are not joined by a coordinating conjunction.

Paul Revere's The Boston Massacre is an early example of American protest art; Edward Hicks's later "primitive" paintings are socially conscious are with a religious strain. Using only a comma or no punctuation at all between independant clauses (the transitional element is followed by a comma). Thomas Jefferson brought two hundred vanilla beans and a recipe for vanilla ice cream back from France; thus, he gave America its all-time favorite ice cream flavor.

7) Seperating Independant Clauses with a Semicolon.

Paul Revere's The Boston Massacre is traditional American protest art; Edward Buck's paintings are socially conscious art with a religious strain.

85) Indicating Omissions in Contractions Formal Plurals In a few special situations, add -s to form plurals.

Plurals of Letters The Italian language has no J's, K's, or W's Plurals of words refer to as words The supervisor would accept no if's, and's, or but's. Elements spoken of as themselves (Letters, numerals, or words) are set in italic type, the plural ending, however, is not. Apostrophes are not used in plurals of abbreviations (including acronyms) or numbers. DVDs PACs 1960s

93) Note: APA guidelines differ from those summarized here, which conform to MLA style.

Poetry Treat one line of poetry like a short prose Passage: enclosed in quotation marks, and run it into the text. One of John Donne's best-known poems begins with the line "Go and catch a falling star." If you quote two or three lines of poetry, separate the lines with slashes, and run the quotation into the text. (Leave one space before and one space after the slash.) Alexander Pope writes, "True Ease in Writing comes from Art, not chance, / As those move easiest who have learned to dance. " If you quote more than 3 lines of poetry, set them off like a long prose Passage. (For special emphasis, you may set off fewer lines in this manner.) Be sure to reproduce punctuation, spelling, capitalization and indentation of the quoted lines exactly as they appear in the poem. Wilfred Owen, a poet who was killed in action in World War I, Express the horrors of war with Vivid imaginary: Bent double, like old Beggars under sacks. Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge. Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs And towards our distant rest begin to trudge. (lines 1-4)

106) Like commas, dashes can set off non-essential material. Unlike commas, however, dashes can call attention to the material they set off. Indicate a dash with two unspaced hyphens (which your word-processing program will automatically convert to a dash). For emphasis, you may use dashes to set off explanations, qualifications, examples, definitions, and appositives. Editing Overused Dashes Too many dashes can make your writing seem disorganized and out of control, so be careful not to overuse them.

Registration was a nightmare. Most of the courses I wanted to take-geology and controversial Spanish, for instance- met at inconvenient times or were closed by the time I tried to sign up for them.

32) Using Question Marks. Editing Misused Question Marks. Do not use question marks along with other punctuation marks (except for closing quotation marks).

Remember the Maine! "Can it be true?" he asked. Never use more than one question mark to end a sentence.

40) Using Commas - Setting off items in a series Coordinate Elements If phrases or clauses in a series already contain commas, desperate the items with:

Semicolons

41) Setting off items in a Series Coordinating Adjectives Use a comma between items in a series of two or more Coordinate Adjectives - Adjectives that modify the same word or word group - unless they are joined by a conjunction.

She brushed her long hair, shining hair The baby was tired and cranky and wet. (no commas required)

42) Punctuating Adjectives in a Series If you can reverse the order of the adjectives or insert (and) between the adjectives without changing the meaning, the adjectives are coordinate, and you should use a comma.

She brushed her long, shining hair. She brushed her shining, long hair. She brushed her long (and) shining hair.

12) Setting off Examples, Explanations, or Summaries with a Colon.

She had one dream: to play professional basketball.

76) Using Apostrophes - Chapter 51 Use an apostrophe to form the possessive case, to indicate omissions in contractions, and to form certain plurals. Forming the Possesive Case The possessive case indicates ownership. In English, the possessive case of nouns and indefinite pronouns is indicated either with a phrase that includes the word of (the hands of the clock) or with an apostrophe and, in most cases, an s (the clock's hands).

Singular nouns and Idefinite Pronouns To form the possessive case of singular nouns and indefinite pronouns, add apostrophe - 's. "The Monk's Tale" is one of Chauncer's Canterbury Tales When we would arrive was anyone's guess.

101) Using other punctuation marks using colons. The colon is a strong punctuation mark that points readers ahead to the material that follows it. When it colon introduces a list or series, explanatory material, or a quotation, it must be preceded by a complete sentence. Introducing explanatory material Use a colon to introduce material that explains, exemplifies, or summarizes. Frequently, such material is presented as an appositive, the word group that identifies or renames and adjacent noun or pronoun. Painter Diego Rivera was well known for a controversial mural: the one commissioned for Rockefeller Center in the 1930s. She had one dream: to play professional basketball.

Sometimes a colon separates two independent clauses, with the second illustrating or clarifying the first. The survey presents an interesting finding: Americans do not trust the news media. Note: When a complete sentence follows a colon, the sentence may begin with either a capital or a lowercase letter. However, if the sentence is quotation the first word is always capitalized (unless it is not capitalized in the source).

23) Abbreviations without periods. Postal abbrev. do not include periods.

TX CA MS PA FL NY

43) Punctuating Adjectives in a Series If you cannot reverse the order of the adjectives or insert and, the adjectives are not coordinate, and you should not use the comma.

Ten red balloons fell from the ceiling. Red ten balloons fell.from the ceiling. Ten (and) red balloons fell from the ceiling. Numbers - such as ten - are not coordinate with other adjectives. Setting off Introductory Elements

55) Using Commas with that and which

That - introduce a only restrictive clauses, which are not set off by commas. I bought a user car (that) cost $2000 Which generally introduces only restrictive clause, which are set off by commas. The car I bought, (which) cost $2000. broke down after a week.

103) Using colons The colon is a strong punctuation mark that points readers ahead to the material that follows it. When it colon introduces a list or series, explanatory material, or a quotation, it must be preceded by a complete sentence. Editing Misused Colons Do not use colons after namely, for example, such as, or that is.

The Eye Institute treats patients with a wide variety of conditions, such as myopia, glaucoma, and cataracts. Do not place colons between verbs and their objects or complements or between prepositions in their objects. James Michener wrote Hawaii, Centennial, Space, and Poland. Hitler's armies marched through the Netherlands, Belgium, and France.

Seperating Independant Clauses with a Comma and a Coordinating Conjunction.

The House approved the bill, but the Senate rejected it.

56) Transitional Words and Phrases Which include conjubctive adverbs such as: however, therfore, thus, and nevertheless as well as expressions such as: for example and: on the other hand - qualify, clarify, and make connections. However, they are not essential to a sentence's meaning. For this reason, they are always set off by commas when they interrupt a clause or when they begin or end of a sentence.

The Outward Bound program, (for example), is extremely safe. (In fact,) Outward Bound has an excellent has an excellent reputation. Other programs are not so safe, (however.) Note: When a transitional word or phrase joins two independent clauses, it must be preceded by a Semicolon and followed by a comma: Laughter is the best medicine; of course, penicillin also comes in handy sometimes.

30) Using Question Marks Editing Misused Question Marks Use a period, not a question mark, with an indirect question (a question that is not quoted directly.

The personnel officer asked whether he knew how to type.

79) Singular nouns and Idefinite Pronouns Compound nouns or groups of words To form the possessive case of compound nouns (nouns formed from two or more words) or award groups, at -'s to the last word.

The president accepted the Secretary of State's resignation. This is someone else's responsibility.

9) Seperating Independant Clauses with a Colon.

The survey presents an interesting finding: Americans do not trust the news media.

45) Setting off Introductory Elements Verbal and Prepositional Phrases An Introductory verbal phrase is generally set off by a comma.

Thinking that this might be his last chance, Leary struggled toward the North Pole. (Participial phrase) To write well, one must read a lot. ( infinitive phrase).

57) Contradictory Phrases A phrase that expresses a contradiction is usually set off by commas.

This medicine is taken after meals, (never on an empty stomach). Jonas Salk, (not Albert Sabin), developed the first polio vaccine.

8) Seperating Independant Clauses with a Semicolon and a Transitional Word or Phrase.

Thomas Jefferson brought two hundred vanilla beans and a recipe for vanilla ice cream back from France; thus, he gave America its all-time favorite ice-cream flavor.

64) Using Commas to Prevent Misreading In some cases, you need a comma to avoid ambiguity, For example: consider the following sentence.

Those who can, sprint the final lap. Without the comma, can appears to be an auxiliary verb ("Those who can sprint..."), and the sentence seems incomplete. The comma tells readers to pause and thus prevents confusion. Also use a comma to acknowledge the omission of a repeated word, usually a verb, and to separate words repeated consecutively. Pam carried the box; Tim, the suitcase. Everything bad that could have happened, happened.

69) Editing Misused Commas Do not use commas in the following situations. Before or After a Series Do not use a comma to introduce or to close a series.

Three important criteria are fat content, salt content, and taste. The provinces Quebec, Ontario, and Alberta are in Canada.

94) APA guidelines differ from those summarized here, which conform to MLA style. Setting off Titles

Titles of short works and titles of parts of long works are enclosed in quotation marks. Other titles are italicized. Articles in Magazines, Newspapers, and Professional Journals. "Why can't Johnny write" Essays, short stories, short poems, and songs. "Fenimore Cooper's Literary Offenses" "Flying home" "The Road Not Taken" "The Star-Spangled Banner" Chapters or Sections of Books "Miss Sharp Begins to Make Friends" (Chapter 10 of Vanity Fair) Episodes of Radio or Television Series "Lucy Goes to the Hospital" (I Love Lucy)

54) Nonrestrictive Modifiers In the following examples commas set off only nonrestrictive modifiers - those that supply nonessential information. Commas do not set off restrictive modifiers which supply essential information Verbal Phrases

To determine whether a modifier is restrictive or nonrestrctive, ask yourself these questions: 1. is the modifier essential to the meaning of the word it modifies ( The man with the gun, not just any man)? If so, it is restrictive. 2. Is the modifier introduced by that (something that most people fear)? If so, it is restrictive. That cannot introduce a Non restrictive clause. 3. Can you delete the relative pronoun without causing ambiguity or confusion (something (that) most people fear) If so, the clause is restrictive. 4..Is the appositive more specific that the noun that pelreceeds it (the film Citizen Kane)? If so, it is restrictive.

74) Using Semicolons A semicolon is used only between items of equal grammatical rank: two independent clauses, two phrases, and so on. Editing Misused Semicolons Do not use semicolons in the following situations To Introduce a List

Use a colon, not a Semicolon, to introduce a list. Millions of people spend time every day on four of the most popular social networking sites: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Pinterest. Note: always introduce a list with a complete a sentence followed by a colon.

73) Using Semicolons A semicolon is used only between items of equal grammatical rank: two independent clauses, two phrases, and so on. Editing Misused Semicolons Do not use semicolons in the following situations. Between Dependent and Independent Clause

Use a comma, not a Semicolon, between a dependent and an independent clause. Because drugs can now suppress the body's immune reaction fewer organ transplants are rejected.

49) Setting off Nonessential Material Sometimes words, phrases or clauses contribute to the meaning of a sentence but are not essential for conveying the sentence's main point.

Use commas to set off such nonessential materials whether it appears at the beginning, in the middle, or the end of a sentence.

44) Dependant clauses An introductory dependant clause is generally set off from the rest of the sentence by a comma.

When war came to Bagdad, many victims were children. If an introductory dependant clause is short and designates time, you may omit the comma-provided the sentence will be clear without it. When I exercise I drink plenty of water. Do not use a comma to set off a dependent clause at the end of a sentence: I drink plenty of water(,) when I exercise

88) Close up: Using Quotation Marks with Dialogue When you record dialogue (conversation between two or more people), enclose the quoted words in quotation marks. Begin a new paragraph each time a new speaker is introduced.

When you are quoting several paragraphs of dialogue by one speaker, begin each new paragraph with quotation marks. However, use closing quotation marks only at the end of the entire quoted pack Passage, not at the end of the paragraph. Special rules govern the punctuation of a quotation when it is used within identifying tag, a phrase such as he said) that identifies the speaker or writer.

87) Using Quotation Marks Use quotation marks to set off brief passages of quoted speech or writing to set off titles and to set off words used in special ways. Do not use quotation marks when quoting long passages of prose or poetry. Setting off quoted speech or writing

When you quote a word, phrase, or brief passage of someone's speech or writing, and close the quoted material in a pair of quotation marks. Gloria Steinem said, "We are Becoming the men we hoped to marry." Galsworthy writes the Aunt Julie his "prostate hit by the blow" (329) Note: that in this example from a student essay, the end of punctuation follows a parenthetical documentation.

28) Using Question Marks Use a question mark to signal the end of a direct question.

Who was at the door?

27) Marking divisions in Electronic Addresses. Note: when you type a URL, do not end it with a period, and do not -

add.spaces after periods within the address.

82) Indicating Omissions in Contractions Frequently used Contractions

couldn't -could not don't - do not he's - he is, he has I'm - I am Isn't - is not it's - it is, it has let's - let us she's - she is, she has they'd - they had they're - they are we'd - we would we'll - we will we're - we are we've - we have who's - who is, who has won't - will not wouldn't - would not you'd - you would Contractions are very informal. Do not use contractions in college writing unless you are quoting a source that includes them

26) Marking divisions in Electronic Addresses. Periods, along with other punctuation marks (such as slashes and colons), are also used in electronic addresses (URLs).

http://academic.engage.com

21) Abbreviations without periods. Acronyms - new words formed from the initial letters or first few letters of a series of words - do not include periods.

modern op-ed scubra radar OSHA AIDS NAFTA C-SPAN

34) Using Exclamation Points Note: except for recording dialogue, points are almost never appropriate in college writing, use exclamation points sparingly --- and never

two or more in a row.