PUNCTUATION
MADE EASY
San Jose State University
Writing Center
Compare these sentences:


A woman, without her man, is
nothing.
A woman: without her, man is nothing.
Examples from Eats, Shoots and Leaves by
Lynn Truss
Read the passage below:
Dear Jack,
I want a man who knows what love is all
about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful.
People who are not like you admit to being
useless and inferior. You have ruined me for
other men. I yearn for you. I have no
feelings whatsoever when we’re apart. I
can be forever happy—will you let me be
yours?
Jill
Examples from Eats, Shoots and Leaves by
Lynn Truss
And now read this one:
Dear Jack,
I want a man who knows what love is. All
about you are generous, kind, thoughtful
people, who are not like you. Admit to
being useless and inferior. You have ruined
me. For other men I yearn! For you I have
no feelings whatsoever. When we’re apart I
can be forever happy. Will you let me be?
Yours,
Jill
Examples from Eats, Shoots and Leaves by
Lynn Truss
PUNCTUATION
IS IMPORTANT



Because it can radically alter the
meaning of a text
Because it helps readers to understand
what writers are trying to say
Because it helps writers to be clear in
what they are trying to communicate
Conquering
the Comma
A workshop brought to you by
the Purdue University
Writing Lab
What Is a Comma?


A comma is a
punctuation mark
that indicates a
pause is needed in
a sentence.
Commas help to
clarify meaning for
the reader.
Clauses and Phrases


A clause is a group of
words that contains both
a subject and a verb that
complement each other.
A phrase is a group of
words that does not
contain a subject or a
verb that complement
each other.
entence Structure:
ndependent Clause


A complete sentence has two
components, a subject and a
verb.
The subject and verb must
form a complete thought to
be considered an
independent clause.
The
The couple
couple dances.
dances.
subject (S) verb (V)
Sentence Structure:
Compound Sentence


A sentence that contains two
independent clauses joined
by a coordinating conjunction
is called a compound
sentence.
A conjunction joins words,
phrases, and clauses
together in a sentence.

Conjunctions
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
for
and
nor
but
or
yet
so
FAN BOYS
Sentence Structure:
Compound Sentence

The comma in a compound
sentence is placed before the
coordinating conjunction.
S
V
conj.
Andy
built
a
snowman,
and
Andy built a snowman, and
Jeff played with his dog.
Jeff played with his dog.
S
V
Sentence Structure:
Compound Sentence
Where would you
place the comma in
the following
sentence?
Dan
so his
his father
father helped
helped him.
him.
Dan struggled
struggled with
with his
his homework,
homework so
S
V
conj. S
V
Sentence Structure:
Dependent Clause


A dependent clause
contains a subject
and verb, but the
clause cannot stand
independently.
Dependent clauses
can often be
identified by the
use of dependent
clause markers.

Some dependent clause markers:
because
though
since
although
when
unless
while
after
until
before
if
once
as
whether
Sentence Structure:
Dependent Phrases and
Clauses


Dependent phrases
and clauses help to
clarify and add detail
to an independent
clause.
Dependent clauses
may appear at the
beginning, middle, or
end of a sentence.
Introductory clause=
dependent clause located at the
beginning of a sentence

When a dependent
clause is placed at the
beginning of a sentence,
place a comma between
the independent clause
and the dependent
clause.
When
911, the
When Elizabeth
Elizabeth called
called 911,
the firemen
firemen rushed
rushed to
to her
her rescue.
rescue.
DCM
S
V
S
V
Introductory Clause
Where would you place the comma in the
following examples?
Since ititwas
was raining
raining,we
wedecided
decidedtotogogototothe
themovies.
movies.
Since
DCM S V
S
V
Once
, I Ifell
Oncethe
themovie
moviebegan
began
fellasleep.
asleep.
DCM
S
V S V
After
we went
went out
out for
for coffee.
coffee.
Afterthe
themovie
movie ended
ended, we
DCM
S
V
S
V
Dependent Clauses
When a dependent clause is
located after an independent clause,
DO NOT place a comma between the two.
I went on the roller coaster because my brother dared me.
S V
DCM
S
V
I became very sick when the
S V
DCM
roller coaster zoomed upside down.
S
V
Sentence Structure:
Essential Phrases and
Clauses



An essential clause or
phrase is used to modify a
noun.
It also adds information
that is critical to the
meaning of the sentence.
Essential clauses are NOT
set off by commas.
Sentence Structure:
Essential Phrases and
Clauses
The people who work in my office are so uptight!
S
essential phrase
V
Without the essential phrase, this sentence does not
make complete sense : The people are so uptight!
Sentence Structure:
Essential Phrases and Clauses
The martini that I had at Joe’s was much better than this one!
S
essential
V
The word “that” is almost always an indicator of
an essential phrase or clause.
Sentence Structure: Nonessential
Phrases and Clauses



A nonessential phrase or clause adds
extra information to a sentence.
This information can be eliminated from
the sentence without jeopardizing the
meaning of the sentence.
Always place commas around
nonessential phrases and clauses.
Sentence Structure:
Nonessential
Phrases and Clauses
My brother, who lives across town, plans to throw a party!
S
non-essential
V
Even without the phrase the sentence still makes
sense : My brother plans to throw a party!
Sentence Structure:
Nonessential
Phrases and Clauses
S
V
Steve said that he would propose to me on
Valentine’s Day, which is my favorite holiday!
non-essential
Use commas to set off additional information
Would you place commas in the
following sentences? If so,
where?
II am
toto
Paris,
amplanning
planningaatrip
trip
which
is one is
ofone
the greatest
Paris which
of the
cities
in the
world.
greatest
cities
in the world.
The place that I would most
like to see is the Eiffel Tower.
No comma is needed. The sentence is correct.
Pierre
who is
is one
one of
of my
my
Pierre, who
business
will meet
meet
business contacts
contacts, will
me
me at
at the
the airport.
airport.
Sentence Structure:
Commas in a Series



Place commas in a sentence to
divide items in a list.
The commas will help the reader to
avoid confusion.
The comma before the conjunction
is generally required, but it can be
omitted if there is no possibility of
confusion.
Sentence Structure:
Commas in a Series
Consider the difference in the
following:
Last month, Alex dated Mary Ann Lee
and Kim.
Last month, Alex dated Mary, Ann,
Lee, and Kim.
Last month, Alex dated Mary Ann,
Lee, and Kim.
How many women did Alex date?
Sentence Structure:
Commas in a Series
Commas should be placed in series of words,
phrases, or clauses.
 Place commas in the following sentences:
Martina brushed her hair,put
puton
on
her pajamas,and
andwent
wentto
tobed.
bed.

She
She fell
fell asleep
asleep and
and dreamed
dreamed that
that she
she was
was
a princess,she
shekissed
kissedaafrog
frogand
, andshe
she
rescued her prince.
Commas with adjectives

Use commas to separate adjectives that
provide an equal description of a noun.
THE TEST:
Can you put “and” between the adjectives?
Can they be described in reverse order?
If so, use a comma.
big blue house three hungry kittens
a cranky, ungrateful man
A Common Comma Error:
The Comma Splice

A comma splice is an error in which two
independent clauses are joined by a comma.
We had a nice time, I hope we can meet again soon.
S
V
S V
The Internet has revolutionized the business world,
S
V
online sales have increased dramatically this year.
S
V
To Correct a Comma
Splice



Insert a conjunction between the two independent
clauses.
Start a new sentence.
Insert a semi-colon between the two independent
clauses (only in cases where the independent clauses
are closely related in topic).
•We had a nice time, and I hope we can meet again soon.
•We had a nice time. I hope we can meet again soon.
•The Internet has revolutionized the business world; online
sales have increased dramatically this year.
The Colon: a sentence
gateway
The colon comes at a point in the sentence
where the sentence could come to a complete
stop.
I’m going to tell you the names of my
favorite breakfast foods.
We could even put a period after
the word “foods,” couldn’t we? In
fact, we did.
The Colon: a sentence
gateway
We know, however, what’s going to come
after this period.
I’m going to tell you the names of my
favorite breakfast foods.
That’s right, a LIST of
breakfast foods.
The Colon: a sentence
gateway
I’m going to tell you the names of my
:
favorite breakfast foods meuslix,
cornflakes, oatmeal, grits and gravy,
and yogurt on toast.
And the proper punctuation mark to
set off this list from what precedes it
is a colon. The colon “announces”
that a list is about to follow; it is the
gateway to that list.
The Colon: a sentence
gateway
My favorite breakfast foods are
meuslix, cornflakes, oatmeal, grits and
gravy, and yogurt on toast.
Would I use a colon in the sentence
above?
No, because the sentence does not come
to a halt here.
Instead, the sentence flows right into the list.
A colon would not be appropriate here.
The Colon: a sentence
gateway
Examine this next sentence carefully.
Our math tutor wants just one thing
from us that we try our best.
Here, we have an independent
thought (ending with “us”).
followed by another kind of
completer (a noun clause).
The Colon: a sentence
gateway
To set off this completer, this
explanation, we can use a colon.
Our math tutor wants just one thing
:
from us that we try our best.
These are the two main uses of the colon:
to set off a list or an explanation that we
know is about to follow the main part of
the sentence.
The Colon: a sentence
gateway
We also use the colon to set
off a formal quotation.
My father was always using his
favorite quotation from Yogi
Berra: “It ain’t over till it’s over.”
The Colon: a sentence
gateway
Just remember that you usually know what
is going to follow a colon: a list, an
explanation, or a formal quotation.
You have now mastered the uses of the colon, a
very handy device in the punctuation of your
sentences.
This PowerPoint presentation was created by
Charles Darling, PhD
Professor of English and Webmaster
Capital Community College
Hartford, Connecticut
copyright November 1999
Our Friend, the Semicolon
Our Friend, the Semicolon
Let’s begin with a simple sentence:
Grandma stays up too late.
Our Friend, the Semicolon
Now let’s expand on that a bit:
Grandma stays up too late. She’s afraid she’s going
to miss something.
This is OK. Two independent ideas,
separated by a period.
Our Friend, the Semicolon
What if we try to combine the two ideas?
Grandma stays up too late, she’s afraid she’s going
to miss something.
Something’s wrong. We connected two independent clauses
with only a comma. The dreaded COMMA SPLICE!
Our Friend, the Semicolon
We could insert a coordinating conjunction:
Grandma is afraid she’ll miss something, so she
stays up too late.
This is better! Note the comma that accompanies
the coordinating conjunction.
Our Friend, the Semicolon
We could also try subordinating one of these ideas:
Grandma stays up too late because she’s afraid she’s
going to miss something.
Notice that the comma disappeared. One idea (the
second one) now depends on the other; it has
become a dependent clause.
Our Friend, the Semicolon
But let’s try something else.
Our Friend, the Semicolon
Let’s try using a semicolon in this sentence.
;
Grandma stays up too late she’s afraid she’s going
to miss something.
Notice there is no conjunction used with this
semicolon – either subordinating or coordinating.
Just the semicolon, all by itself.
Our Friend, the Semicolon
Sometimes semicolons are accompanied by
conjunctive adverbs – words such as however,
moreover, therefore, nevertheless, consequently,
as a result.
Grandma is afraid she’s going to miss something;
as a result, she stays up too late.
Our Friend, the Semicolon
Notice the pattern:
; as a result,
semicolon + conjunctive adverb + comma
This is a typical construction with semicolons.
Our Friend, the Semicolon
There is one other use of the semicolon: to help us
sort out monster lists, like this one:
The committee included Peter Wursthorn, Professor of
Mathematics, from Marlborough, Connecticut, Virginia
Villa, Professor of English, from Hartford, Connecticut, Paul
Creech, Director of Rad-Tech, from Essex, Connecticut, and
Joan Leach, Professor of Nursing, from Farmington,
Connecticut.
Our Friend, the Semicolon
Be careful where you insert semicolons in this
sentence.
The committee included Peter Wursthorn, Professor of
Mathematics, from Marlborough, Connecticut; Virginia
Villa, Professor of English, from Hartford, Connecticut ; Paul
Creech, Director of Rad-Tech, from Essex, Connecticut ; and
Joan Leach, Professor of Nursing, from Farmington,
Connecticut.
Our Friend, the Semicolon
Now you know everything you’ll ever need to know
about using semicolons!
This PowerPoint presentation was created by
Charles Darling, PhD
Professor of English and Webmaster
Capital Community College
Hartford, Connecticut
copyright November 1999
QUOTATION MARKS

are used around direct quotations of
someone’s words, whether spoken or
written:
“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,” wrote
Robert Frost.
QUOTATION MARKS


are used around the titles of short
works—articles, short stories, songs,
book chapters, and poems:
“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,”
wrote Robert Frost at the beginning of his
poem “The Road Not Taken.”
QUOTATION MARKS


are used to set off words used as
words:
The words “affect” and “effect” are
often confused with each other.
QUOTATION MARKS


follow a set pattern when they are
used for quotations within quotations.
Begin with double quotation marks,
then shift to single, and for quotations
within quotations within quotations,
shift back to double:
“Oh, no! I just heard Dr. Willoughby say, ‘And now I
shall recite Hamlet’s famous “To be or not to be”
soliloquy.’”
QUOTATION MARKS


Follow set patterns when used with
other marks of punctuation.
Commas and periods are always placed
inside end quotation marks:
“Hand over all your money,” said the mugger, “or I’ll
shoot.”
QUOTATION MARKS

Semicolons and colons are always placed
outside end quotation marks:
Senator Simpson wrote, “I regret that illness makes it
impossible for me to attend your fundraising banquet”; he
added, however, “I am enclosing a small check as a donation
to your most worthy cause.”
Some people think that writing personal ads for online dating
has become a new sort of “art form”: it takes just as much
craft and talent as painting a self-portrait, according to them.
QUOTATION MARKS

Question marks are placed either
outside or inside, depending on
whether the question or exclamation is
part of the quotation:
“Now that I’ve finished my homework, can I play
videogames?”
Have you heard the old saying that you should
“Look before you leap”?
QUOTATION MARKS

Exclamation points also go either
inside or outside, depending on
whether they’re part of the
exclamation:
“You never want me to play video games, even
though I’ve already finished my homework!”
“What a stupid thing to say—“Look before you
leap”!