Punctuation Marks And Their Uses

Question 1

Colon :

Answer 1

INTRODUCES a quote , a list or an expansion or explanation of the previous statement

Question 2

Semi- colon ;

Answer 2

JOINS or SEPARATES two statements which are closely connected, or which balance or contrast one other ( a technique know as antithesis). May also be used to separate a list of phases.

Question 3

Parenthesis - - ( ) , ,

Answer 3

Parenthesis is extra information within a sentence ; enclosed by dashes , brackets or commas. The meaning of the sentence remains the same if the parenthesis is removed. ( Remember to EXPLAIN WHAT THE INFORMATION ADDS TO THE SENTENCE ).

Question 4

Ellipsis…

Answer 4

Used to indicate a pause , create suspense or show that words have been missed out ( in a quotation ).

Question 5

Inverted commas ‘ ‘ “ “

Answer 5

Are used to enclose : direct speech ; quotations ; titles of books , films , etc ; enclose unfamiliar terms , slang or foreign impressions OR to show irony.

Question 6

Italics or italic type

Answer 6

Can be used for titles of books , films etc or to show that a word should be emphasised. Also sometimes used to show a characters inner thoughts .

Question 7

Single dash -

Answer 7

A single dash shows a pause longer than a comma. It can also produce emphasis of the words following the dash.

Question 8

Hyphen

Answer 8

A hyphen links two words together to form a compound word.