Punctuation
Full Stop
.
To end a sentence. This sends a signal to pause before the
start of a new sentence. A sentence should always contain a verb ('doing' word).
Comma
,
To show a slight pause between words. For example,
between the start of the sentence and the next phrase. A short list of descriptive
words could also be punctuated with commas.
Example
Therefore, she said it would be all right. However, when it came to it
he wanted a dog rather than a cat. Dogs, cats, hamsters and rabbits are familiar
family pets.
Semi-colon ;
Used to separate longer lists of words or ideas, which are still
contained in one sentence.
Example
They have a high level of professional expertise in the public or
private sector in one or more of a number of activities, which include research in the
relevant technical or scientific fields; administration, management or evaluation of
research or technological development projects; technology transfer and innovation;
international cooperation in science and technology; and development of human
capital.
Colon
:
The main use of the colon is to introduce a list or series (as
seen in the example above) which could have read as follows:
Example
They have a high level of professional expertise in the public or
private sector in one or more of a number of activities, which include:





research in the relevant technical or scientific fields;
administration, management or evaluation of research or technological
development projects;
technology transfer and innovation;
international cooperation in science and technology;
development of human capital.
Sometimes to introduce a list you will see the colon used with a dash (:-). This is fine.
You see that I have added bullet points to emphasise the list. Be consistent with the
style you use throughout your writing. Other ways of creating lists include numbering
(1. 2. 3….) (i, ii, iii, iv) or using letters (a, b, c, d).
Colons can also be used to separate two closely related but contrasting sentences:
Student numbers in Birmingham have risen: those in London have been declining.
Apostrophe '
Apostrophes are the most misused punctuation mark in the
language, especially in signwriting (and student essays!). For example:
Potatoe's
Two thousand car's for sale
Second hand electric fire's
In the above examples the writer is saying that more than one item is for sale. No
ordinary plural needs an apostrophe. Plurals such as 1990s, VDUs and MPs don't
need apostrophes.
Apostrophes have two main uses:
1.
To show possession of something. Usually you add 's to the person(s)
possessing. For example:
The electrician's tools
The Board's equipment
The meter reader's uniform
The student's books
The lecturer's materials
If the person or people possessing the item already end in s, just add an apostrophe
to the end of the word, for example:
The ladies' hats
Five electricians' toolboxes
There are some exceptions to this rule:
Where the persons name ends in s you need to put 's after the name. For example:
Mr Rees's overcoat
The boss's laptop computer
However, if too many 's' sounds would result, it is customary to use only the
apostrophe;
Moses' cloak
2.
To show that a letter (or letters) has (have) been left out.
It's a holiday tomorrow (It is…)
Don't wait for me again (Do not …)
The sky's the limit (the sky is …)
You're next (You are…)
They're in front of you (They are …)
Pronouns (words in place of nouns) like 'hers', 'ours', 'yours', and 'its' don't need
apostrophes. For example:
The concert reached its climax with a vigorous performance of Beethoven's
Ninth Symphony.
It is customary to use apostrophes in some expressions of time and measurement:
We will call at your home in a fortnight's time.
She is on a week's holiday.
He will return in three weeks' time.
Quotation Marks
" "
Used when you quote directly from the work of others.
For example:
Andrew Northedge says, " There is no great mystery about what good writing
is. We can spot it just by reading it. The mystery is how to produce it." (1990,
p155)
In referencing guidance you will see that a long quotation doesn't need quotation
marks. Instead you make it into an indented paragraph. For example:
There is no great mystery about what good writing is. We can spot it just by
reading it. The mystery is how to produce it. However, since there are
different facets to writing well, you will find it useful to return to the criteria of
good essay writing on page 148 from time to time and to consider how your
writing is developing.
(Northedge, 1990, p155)
Single quotation marks ' '
Used to indicate words which you need
to highlight. See the section on using apostrophes where I've (I have) used 'ours',
'hers', etc. This should be used sparingly.
Brackets
()
Used to add a comment, which is an aside to the main point.
In the example above I used brackets to show what I've should have been if written
out in full. Again, use very sparingly. Generally, the advice is, if you can't say it in
the sentence, think carefully about why you need to say it.
Punctuation and addresses
It is usual not to punctuate addresses any more. This includes titles, 'Mr', 'Mrs', 'Dr',
etc.
For example:
Mr D and Mrs V Beckham
32 Any Avenue
Cheshiretown
CH22 2AA
Reference
Northedge A, 1990, The Good Study Guide, Open University Press, Milton Keynes
Dealing with Repairs and
Maintenance
Anne Hill | [Course Title] |