Punctuation Marks: An Overview
Punctuation marks are often likened to traffic signs in writing. They tell the reader how to interpret the flow of words on a page. See a period? Stop. Quotation marks? Someone might be trying to say something. Parentheses? This part may not be quite as important, but it’s still relevant enough that it exists. The presence or absence of a single punctuation mark can affect how the reader interprets a sentence. There are commas spliced, brackets separated from their partners, or apostrophes squished into plurals unnecessarily. In this post, I provide an overview of punctuation marks most often found in writing, as well as their primary functions. For this, we travel to Springfield.
Most people probably say that Homer is their favorite character in The Simpsons My favorite though is Lisa because I could relate to her the most when I was a kid In fact my old AIM screen name was inspired by a Lisa moment in one of my favorite episodes The PTA Disbands The teachers go on strike so the school uses substitute teachers like Jasper and Moe Lisa is panicking at the dinner table and Marge tells her to relax Lisa responds Relax I cant relax Nor can I yield relent or only two synonyms Im losing my perspicacity
Phew! That was hard for me to even type. I had to go back and delete some punctuation marks I typed out of habit. The capital letters clue you in on where sentences may start, but it’s definitely hard to read. Here’s the same paragraph with proper punctuation:
Most people probably say that Homer is their favorite character in The Simpsons. My favorite, though, is Lisa because I could relate to her the most when I was a kid. In fact, my old AIM screen name was inspired by a Lisa moment in one of my favorite episodes, “The PTA Disbands.” The teachers go on strike, so the school uses substitute teachers like Jasper and Moe. Lisa is panicking at the dinner table, and Marge tells her to relax. Lisa responds, “Relax? I can’t relax! Nor can I yield, relent, or . . . only two synonyms? I’m losing my perspicacity!”
This is an example of how important punctuation is in writing. Without it, the reader has to struggle to understand what the writer is trying to say. With proper punctuation, the reader flows through it without giving a second thought to all the traffic signs throughout.
Period ( . )
The period is most commonly used to mark the end of a sentence or statement. Most sentences end in periods, unless they are exclamations or questions. Periods are also used to punctuate abbreviations and acronyms.
Marks the end a sentence: They'd squozen their whole supply of lemons.
Punctuates an abbreviation: Bart learns that there’s a 4:30 a.m. when he has to help Principal Skinner with his amateur astronomy.
Separates letters in acronyms or initialisms: The extra “B” in B.B.B.Q. stands for B.Y.O.B.B.
Question mark ( ? )
A question mark is used to punctuate the end of a question.
“Who needs the Kwik-E-Mart?”
“Me fail English? That's impossible!”
Exclamation point ( ! )
An exclamation point is used at the end of a sentence to indicate strong emotion, such as excitement, fear, anger, or surprise. In dialogue, the exclamation point is set inside the quotation mark.
Expresses excitement: “Everything’s coming up Milhouse!”
Expresses anger: “AW, HELL-DIDDLY-DING-DONG-CRAP!”
Comma ( , )
The comma is, in the most general of senses, used to separate parts of sentences. I think most editors would say that commas cause the most consternation out of all the punctuation marks because there is quite a bit of subjectivity to them. I tend to use commas frequently in my own writing, but when I edit, I have to take into consideration what the writer’s style is. Even if I may have placed a comma where the writer didn’t, that doesn’t mean I automatically add one. The key is to determine whether the addition of a comma is necessary or simply preference. Even that’s subject to interpretation, though.
Separates two independent clauses (sentences) with a coordinating conjunction (and, but, so, etc.): Bart accidentally vandalizes the brothel, so he has to compensate for the damages by volunteering.
Sets off a nonrestrictive clause: Homer steals the rarest gummy of them all, the gummy Venus de Milo.
Separates elements in a series: Lyle Lanley built monorails in Brockway, Ogdenville, and North Haverbrook. It put them on the map.
Introduces or concludes lines of dialogue: Ralph said, “My cat’s breath smells like cat food.” OR “The noblest spirit embiggens the smallest man,” the video declares.
Punctuates the vocative case (more on this in this blog post on vocatives): “All right, pie. I’m just going to do this, and if you get eaten, it’s your own fault.” (Not as funny without the visual, but I had to include it.)
Semicolon ( ; )
A semicolon is used to join two independent clauses, typically when they are closely related. It can also be used to punctuate a series when only using commas would be confusing.
Joins two independent clauses: Homer realizes a nuclear meltdown is imminent; the drinking bird fell down on the job.
Separates elements in a series when commas would be too confusing: The Simpsons travel to New York, New York; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Knoxville, Tennessee.
Colon ( : )
A colon is used to introduce a series or explanation.
Introduces a series: A wonderful, magical animal produces the best meat: bacon, ham, pork chops.
Introduces an explanation: The citizens of Springfield finally find out who the alien is: Mr. Burns’s longevity treatment was making him radioactive.
Hyphen ( - )
A hyphen is used in compound words or phrases. It can also be used to indicate that words are being spelled out letter by letter.
Joins words into a compound phrase: Fleet-A-Pita
Denotes spelling: Homer is so smart. S-M-R-T! I mean S-M-A-R-T.
Em dash ( — )
An em dash, like a comma, is used to offset information from the rest of the sentence. It also has a few other functions. For a more detailed explanation, refer to my blog post on hyphens, em dashes, and en dashes (not discussed here).
Introduces a series: Homer tries to get his friends to confess while he’s wearing a wire, but instead they list his past crimes—running moonshine, pulling a telemarketing scam, and beating up Bush Sr.
Sets off a nonrestrictive clause: Bart chooses the wrong store-bought snack cake—a pink Hostess Sno Ball—much to Homer’s chagrin.
Indicates interruption or abrupt stops in action or dialogue: “You have selected regicide. If you know the name of the king or queen being murdered, press one—”
Attributes a quote to its source:
You’ll have to speak up. I’m wearing a towel.
—Homer J. Simpson
Apostrophe ( ’ )
An apostrophe is used to show possession, form contractions, or indicate omissions of letters or numbers. For more details on apostrophes, please see my blog post on plurals and possessives.
Creates a possessive: Moe’s Tavern, Bart Simpson’s soul
Forms a contraction (can’t, won’t, etc.): Like, y’know, whatever.
Indicates an omission: Grampa recounts the story of how, in the ’40s, his unit called The Flying Hellfish secured German treasure.
Quotation marks ( “ ” or ‘ ’ )
Quotation marks are used to indicate dialogue, indirect speech, unusual words or terms, or sarcasm. In US English, the convention is to use double quotation marks in these instances and to use single quotation marks when directly quoting something within a quote/dialogue. The opposite is true in British English, where single quotation marks are primarily used.
Denote dialogue: “My eyes! The goggles do nothing!” shouted Radioactive Man as he was burned by acid.
Denote indirect speech: The audience was saying “boo,” not “Boo-urns.” Except Moleman. Always only Moleman.
Call attention to unusual words: The cafeteria serves “malk,” which is chock full of Vitamin R.
Create sarcasm or scare quotes: “Nachos” made Flanders-style are cucumbers with cream cheese.
Denote certain titles of works (songs, TV episodes): One of my favorite songs in the show is “Kids vs. Adults” from the episode “Wild Barts Can’t Be Broken.”
Parentheses ( )
Parentheses enclose additional information. The information is usually an explanation, aside, or interruption. It can also either be part of the sentence or stand alone as its own sentence.
Explanation: Homer leads the power plant workers to strike, so they don't lose their dental plan (Lisa needs braces).
Aside: The houses are small (cozy), dilapidated (rustic), and on fire (motivated seller).
Interruption: Homer's dream is to own the Dallas Cowboys (ew, the Cowboys), but he gets the Denver Broncos instead.
Ellipsis ( . . . )
An ellipsis is used in dialogue or narrative to indicate that the speaker or narrator is pausing or that their speech is trailing off. An ellipsis can also be used to indicate that part of a quote has been omitted.
Indicates a pause: “Hmm . . . in our 185 years, we have never had a female cadet. Hmm . . . but that seems to be the way the wind is blowing these days. After all, we have female singers, female motorists.”
Indicates trailing off in speech:
Kirk Van Houten: But will they just find Milhouse? Or will they find him and kill him?
Chief Wiggum: Well, they’ll . . . when they find him, they’ll, um, they’ll . . . *incoherent mumbling*
Kirk Van Houten: Excuse me, you didn’t answer me. You just kind of trailed off.
Chief Wiggum: Yeah, I did kind of trail off there, didn’t I.
Final thoughts
Twelve different marks, and most can serve multiple functions. It's no wonder punctuation can be tricky to master. Reading and writing are the best ways to practice, and even then, POBODY’S NERFECT (in Australia). And that's okay.
As a follow-up to this post, I have another where I share the punctuation-related mistakes I encounter most often while editing.
