1. Punctuation
Punctuation marks - are symbols that indicate the
structure and organization of written language, as
well as intonation and pauses to be observed
when reading aloud.

2. Punctuation is the system of symbols (. , ! - : etc)
that we use to separate sentences and parts of
sentences, and to make their meaning clear. Each
symbol is called a "punctuation mark".

3. In written English, punctuation is vital to
disambiguate the meaning of sentences.

4. For example:
●
“woman, without her man, is nothing”
●
(emphasizing the importance of men)
●
“woman: without her, man is nothing”
●
(emphasizing the importance of women)
●
“eats shoots and leaves” (to mean "consumes
plant growths")
●
"eats, shoots and leaves" (to mean "eats firstly,
fires a weapon secondly, and leaves the scene
thirdly")

5. Period
Use the period (full stop) to denote a full stop at the end of a
statement.
Example:
The accessibility of the computer has increased tremendously
over the past several years.

6. Question mark (?)
➢
used at the end of a sentence, suggests an
interrogatory remark or inquiry.
➢
Example: What has humanity done about the growing
concern of global warming?

7. Exclamation point (!)
➢
suggests excitement or emphasis in a sentence.
➢
Example: I can't believe how difficult the exam was!

8. Semicolon ( ; )
➢
Use a semicolon to separate two related but independent
clauses. Note that, if the two clauses are very wordy or
complex, it is better to use a period (full stop) instead.
➢
Example: People continue to worry about the future; our
failure to conserve resources has put the world at risk.
➢
Use a semicolon to separate a complex series of items,
especially those that contain commas.
➢
Example: I went to the show with Jake, my close friend; his
friend, Jane; and her best friend, Jenna.

9. Colon ( : )
➢
The most common use of the colon is to inform
the reader that what follows the colon proves,
explains, or lists elements of what preceded it.
➢
The professor has given me three options: to retake
the exam, to accept the extra credit assignment, or to
fail the class.

10. Hyphen
➢
Use a hyphen when adding a prefix to some words.
➢
Use a hyphen when adding a prefix to some words.
The purpose of this hyphen is to make the word easier
to read.
When you use a hyphen, the two words have to rely on
each other. Example:re-arrange.
-Cara is his ex-girlfriend.
Use hyphens when creating compound words from
separate words.
-The up-to-date newspaper reporters were quick to jump
on the latest scandal.

11. ➢
Use a hyphen when writing numbers out as words.
Separate the two words of any number under one
hundred with a hyphen.
-There are fifty-two playing cards in a deck.