Grammar 101 Spring 2012 National Taipei University Instructor: Jully Yin Meeting Room: Room 209
Dec 27, 2015
Meeting Five: PUNCTUATION & BASIC
MECHANICSOpen discussion:
What is punctuation?How many different kind of punctuation are there in Modern English?Can you name at least 5 of them?
Punctuation
Dash — Hyphen - Question Mark ?Double quotation " Single quotation (apostrophe ) ' Slash /
Ernest Hemingway
My attitude toward punctuation is that it ought to be as conventional as possible. . . . You ought to be able to show that you can do it a good deal better than anyone else with the regular tools before you have a license to bring in your own improvements.(Ernest Hemingway, letter to Horace Liveright, May 22, 1925)
Cost of a Misplaced Comma: $2.13 Million
(Canadian) “shall continue in force for a period of five years from the date it is made, and thereafter for successive five year terms, unless and until terminated by one year prior notice in writing by either party.”
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/article838561.ece
It matters!
Rogers' intent in 2002 was to lock into a long-term deal of at least five years.
“ Based on the rules of punctuation,” the comma in question “allows for the termination of the [contract] at any time, without cause, upon one-year's written notice,” the regulator said.
Punctuation
Team work: Look at the above sentence, and try to
decide what it's supposed to mean.
We had one problem only Janet knew we faced bankruptcy
How about?
*We had one problem only, Janet knew we faced bankruptcy.
Usually, an asterisk is used to mark a sentence which is poorly punctuated.
Question markThe question mark ( ? ), used at the end of a sentence, suggests an interrogatory remark or inquiry.
Exclamation point
The exclamation point (exclamation mark, shout mark)( ! ) suggests excitement or emphasis in a sentence.
Semicolon
Use a semicolon to separate two related but independent clauses. Use a semicolon to separate a complex series of items, especially those that contain commas.
ColonUse the colon to introduce a list. Be careful not to use a colon when denoting a regular series.
HyphenUse a hyphen when adding a prefix to some words. Use hyphens when creating compound words from separate words.Use a hyphen when writing numbers out as words.
DashThe dash ( -- or — ) should be used when making a brief interruption within a statement, a sudden change of thought, an additional comment, or a dramatic qualification.
Double quotation
The double quotation ( " ) encloses a direct quotation, whether made by a person or taken from a piece of literature.
Single quotation (Apostrophe)
Use the apostrophe together with the letter s to indicate possession. Use the apostrophe to combine two words to make a contraction. Use the v mark within a regular quotation to indicate a quotation within a quotation.
Parentheses
Use parentheses ( ( ) ) to clarify, to place an afterthought, or to add a personal comment.
Review sentence structure
SimpleCompoundComplexCompound-Complex
Can you tell a sentence structure by reading its punctuation?
Sentence Punctuation Patterns
Simple
Independent clause [ . ]Example: Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma.
Sentence Punctuation Patterns
Compound 1
Independent clause [ , ] coordinating conjunction independent clause [ . ] Example: Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma, but they don't know the reasons for it.
Sentence Punctuation Patterns
Compound 2
Independent clause [ ; ] independent clause [ . ] Example: Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma; they don't know the reasons for it.
Sentence Punctuation Patterns
Compound 3
Independent clause [ ; ] independent marker [ , ] independent clause [ . ] Example:Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma; therefore, they have called for more research into its causes.
Sentence Punctuation Patterns
Complex 1
Dependent marker dependent clause[ , ] Independent clause[ . ] Example: Because doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma, they have called for more research into its causes.
Sentence Punctuation Patterns
Complex 2
Independent clause dependent marker dependent clause [ . ] Example: Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma because it is a common, treatable illness.
Sentence Punctuation Patterns
First part of an independent clause [ , ] non-essential clause or phrase, rest of the independent clause [ . ] Example: Many doctors, including both pediatricians and family practice physicians, are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma.
Sentence Punctuation Patterns
First part of an independent clause essential clause or phrase rest of the independent clause [ . ] Example: Many doctors who are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma have called for more research into its causes.
Independent Marker
Example:therefore, moreover, thus, consequently, however, also.
What is this called based on the parts of speech that we learned in the previous session?
Adverbial Conjunctions
http://www.riohondo.edu/commlang/workshop/Adverbial%20Conjunctions.pdf
Adverbial Conjunctions
Contrast: however, instead, on the contrary, on the other hand, in contrast, rather
Watch Out!
Do not use a question mark at the end of an indirect question.Use an internal question mark (?) to show that something is uncertain.
Watch Out!
A fragment is a word or a phrase which stands by itself but which does not make up a complete sentence. Fragments are very common in ordinary speech, in advertisements and even in newspapers.