Top tips on using punctuation to clarify meaning
The most effective ways of learning the meaning and use of punctuation are:
 NOTE the punctuation marks as you read. From now on, focus on
punctuation when reading magazines, newspapers, instructions and
novels.
 REMEMBER that authors choose their punctuation marks as carefully as
they choose their words.
 ASK the question – why has the author chosen this particular mark and
not some other?
 LEARN to look ahead and be aware of the punctuation that lies ahead.
 THINK about how the author is expecting you to read the word, phrase,
sentence that lies before the punctuation mark.
 STOP when you come to a mark that you have difficulty with and study
the way in which the author has used it and try to work out WHY.
 READ ALOUD - many students say that when they first began to read
aloud to children, they realised the DYNAMIC importance of
punctuation in carrying the meaning of the story, along with the words.