Punctuation Practice Paragraph
Guide
A Punctuation Practice Paragraph is a paragraph in which many different types of punctuation are used
correctly. A rough draft paragraph is written and then the paragraph is modified to assure diverse
and correct punctuation use.
Rationale: Clean writing is the most fundamental skill (besides literacy and arithmetic) that
students must leave school with. More than anything else, it will determine your qualifications
for college and future employment. Students who cannot write clearly are often limited in the
opportunities available to them. Unfortunately, many students graduate high school without this
skill.
Instructions: Write a rough draft paragraph to get the topics down. Revise the paragraph to
include the at least the following punctuation:
3 commas
1 semicolon
1 colon
1 dash
1 set of parenthesis
1 set of quotes
1 set of ellipsis points
1 apostrophe
1 hyphen
General Guidelines
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Use diverse punctuation marks correctly.
Introduce all subjects in an eloquent topic sentence
Assure all sentences flow together in a logical sequence
Stay relevant
Use vocabulary and supporting information
Quote primary sources and use statistics if possible
Punctuation Practice Paragraph Rubric
#
possible
points
1.
2
Clarity
2.
1
Organization
3.
2
Accuracy
4.
N/A
Completeness
5
Expectations
Coherent topic sentence.
Underlines appropriate terms.
Good sentence structure.
First sentence identifies each topic within
paragraph.
Logical flow from idea to idea.
Correct use of punctuation.
Correct information in text.
Uses appropriate terms and names.
Uses minimum punctuation requirements.
total
1
points
earned
Punctuation Practice Paragraph Example
Conditions for Europe allowed for WWI to break out in a large fashion. After the
war started expectations for a quick war dissolved when confronted with the new
technology that had emerged. The new technology fueled both sides to a stalemate. After
provocation, the United State entered the war and changed the fortunes of the Allied
powers. The effect of the war on the United States included a changed economy that
allowed for women and minorities to contribute and increased volunteerism but came
with wartime practices of propaganda and censorship. The entry of the United States
broke the stalemate of the war and the United States then helped form the Peace of Paris.
The war had a costly effect on Europe and set up World War II.
Conditions for Europe, such as the “powder keg of Europe” and the use of alliances,
allowed for WWI to break out in a large fashion. After the war started, expectations for a
quick war dissolved when confronted with the new technology—including both tanks and
airplanes— that had emerged; the new technology fueled both sides to a stalemate. The
stalemate did not last after the United States entered the war (due to provocation) and had
a great affect not only on the war but the United States as well. The effect of the war on
the United States included: a changed economy that allowed for women and minorities to
contribute, increased volunteerism, wartime practices of propaganda and censorship. The
entry of the United States also broke the stalemate of the war and the United States then
helped form the Peace of Paris. The end results of the war had a costly effect on Europe’s
economy and lead to yet another deadly global conflict…World War II.
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