V. Pitfalls in Grammar and Rhetoric – Part IV
This last part on grammar and rhetoric is focused on punctuation and the proper
style to use in academic works.
Punctuation marks are signals that help the reader gain the correct interpretation of
the sentence, clause, or phrase. Punctuation need not be unique. That is, there
may be more than one way to successfully punctuate a sentence. Generally
speaking, informal writing uses less punctuation while formal writing uses more
punctuation.
Period:
The use of the period is quite simple. Most students understand the use of the
period, so we will not go over this part of punctuation. However, students should
be careful to avoid “run-on sentences”. This is when two or more sentences have
been wrongly put together in a single sentence. This is an especially bad problem
for Chinese writers, since written Chinese can go on and on without the use of a
period. Sentences should not be too long and should avoid introducing too many
new ideas.
Wikipedia provides us this on run-on sentences.
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A run-on sentence, with no punctuation or conjunction between "five" and "we":
o It is nearly half past five we cannot reach town before dark.
A comma splice, which is considered a run-on sentence by some grammarians:
o It is nearly half past five, we cannot reach town before dark.
Both the run-on sentence and the comma splice are examples of poor English.
Often in an academic work, a portion of a quote from another source is given, but
is not complete. It may begin mid-sentence and end mid-sentence, as well. When
this happens we use three periods at the beginning
“…as well as what may seem to be the focus of the controversy, which is how we
may best avoid business cycles….”
Note how we end the sentence by using four periods. Use three periods to indicate
omission of words within a passage.
Comma:
The comma is the most complicated form of punctuation in English. It is often
difficult to determine whether or not to use the comma within a sentence. Over
twenty different rules can be given regarding the use of the comma. Here are some
of these.
(1) Adverbial dependent clause preceding the main clause –
After I saw him, I went to school. (use comma)
I went to school after I saw him. (do not use comma)
(2) Participial phrase at beginning of sentence –
Seeing how bad it was raining, the boy returned to the house for an umbrella.
(3) Introductory infinitive phrase (when not the subject) –
To be successful, you must work hard. (use comma)
To offer help to others shows compassion for your fellow man. (no comma)
(4) Transitional words such as however, therefore, moreover, besides, and
consequently should be set off with commas.
However, there was no need to rewrite the passage.
Moreover, we seldom had a need to introduce such assumptions into the analysis.
Phrases may at times require the use of commas –
In addition, we collected data from foreign sources.
It is, so to speak, a common attribute of people everywhere.
(5) Use the comma after an introductory word –
Yes, I completely agree with your comment.
And, there may well be a need for us to expand our analysis in the future.
(6) Use the comma after a nonrestrictive clause –
We have discussed this previously when we looked at relative pronouns (who,
which, that, what).
The girl who lives next door came to see me. (restrictive)
James Franklin, who lives several houses down from me, came
to see me today. (nonrestrictive)
(7) The comma sets of items in a list.
Keynes wrote The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money.
However, do not separate items that combine to form one unit.
We gave the books to Bill, Mary, and John and Robert.
Note that John and Robert form a single unit.
(8) Coordinate adjectives (adjectives that modify the same noun) are
separated by a comma if the comma can be substituted with the conjunction
“and”
The young, courteous secretary showed us to his office.
Each of the five strong fingers of his hand bore a ring. (Note: You would not use
five and strong here)
(9) Compound sentence with independent clauses separated by a coordinate
conjunction (and, but, nor, for, while)
He made a valiant effort, but it was all in vain.
(10) If the sentence has an independent clause with internal punctuation such
as commas, an additional clause can be set off by using a semicolon.
Quietly efficient, John continued to work at his job; but he never received a raise
in salary.
(11) Commas are used to show contrast.
I told you to do that, not this.
(12) The comma is used to set off a quotation.
The professor said, “The Greeks had a unique perspective on Life”.
(13) Use the comma in numbers
1,234 1,234,567 etc.
(14) Use a comma when a phrase is being used in inverted order.
Like you, I expect to graduate during the spring semester.
Semicolon:
(1) Use a semicolon to separate closely related clauses in a sentence.
The sales staff meets every Tuesday; the production staff meets
only once a month.
(2) Use a semicolon when clauses are separated by transition words like –
therefore, thus, hence, accordingly, indeed, as a result, meanwhile, consequently,
etc.
The weather was cold and icy; therefore we didn’t go.
(3) Use a semicolon between two independent clauses when one or both
contain punctuation.
I ordered the book, which we used in the class, from a local bookstore; but the
owner called and told me they were out of stock.
(4) Use the semicolon before words such as for example, for instance, that is,
and namely.
The book addresses the most important subjects in politics; namely how China will
transform its economy to one with greater private involvement.
(5) Use a semicolon to separate items that are too lengthy for a comma to be
used.
The attendees included James Angle, president of the fan club; Martha Stuart, a
local reporter; and Phillip Newton, the host of the event.
Colon:
The colon represents the strongest possible break in a sentence.
Use a colon before a list –
We were told to bring the following items: shoes, socks, underwear, shirt, pants,
and a belt.
The colon is used before an appositive phrase or clause –
Our company has always had this motto: The customer is always right.
Note the use of the capital above in The.