ELT 207 – Advanced Creative Writing

WRITING MECHANICS: PUNCTUATION

INTRODUCTION
What is writing? Why do we write?
Writing is one of the four According to Chappell
language skills. It is the act (2011), as cited by
of expressing ideas and Klimova (2013), writing is
thoughts in a clear, easily an essential skill to learn as it offers the
understandable following:
manner using symbols such as
letters, punctuation marks, and ✓ express one’s personality;
spaces. It is a form of communication ✓ foster communication;
that enables people to communicate ✓ develop thinking skills;
with others and express themselves. It ✓ make logical and persuasive
is also an ability that may be applied to arguments;
a variety of tasks, such as composing ✓ give a person a chance to later
stories, articles, and essays as well as reflect on his/her ideas and re-
communicating through letters, emails, evaluate them;
and other written forms of ✓ provide and receive feedback; and
communication. ✓ prepare for school and employment

Writing Mechanics
The set of rules and conventions utilized when writing in a particular
language are referred to as writing mechanics. This covers
capitalization, spelling, and punctuation. Using symbols like commas,
periods, and quote marks to demarcate concepts and make text simpler
to read is known as punctuation. The ability to appropriately use words
and spell them is referred to as spelling. Capitalization involves the use of
uppercase and lowercase letters at the start of sentences and proper
nouns. These conventions are all used to make writing clear, concise, and
understandable.
Good writing mechanics are vital in order to effectively
communicate ideas through written language. This is because written
language does not have the same tools that spoken language has to
convey meaning. Tone of voice, hand gestures, and facial expressions are
all used in spoken language to convey the feelings and intentions behind
a message. Without these tools to cue the reader into the intended
meaning, it is important to write in a clear and concise manner in order to
ensure that the intended message is understood.

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 ELT 207 – Advanced Creative Writing

Assessing Your Knowledge: A Pretest

Direction: Identify what is described in each statement. Blacken the circle that
correspond to your answer.
1. Punctuation is a system of symbols that we use 6. You must put a space ______ every comma in a
when _______ a language. sentence.

o speaking o before
o writing o around
o hearing o after

2. What are the symbols used in this system 7. What's the punctuation mark indicating a
called? question called?

o punctuals o a question tag

o punctuations o a question mark
o punctuation marks o a question sign

3. Which are examples of punctuation marks? 8. Which can be used to express strong feelings in
written English?
o commas and full stops
o dollar and pound signs o an exclamation mark
o plus and minus signs o a quotation mark
o a backslash
4. "Full stops" are also called
9. Quotation marks are put _______ the words
o periods being quoted.
o endings
o points o before
o after
5. Which CANNOT come at the end of a sentence? o before and after

o a period 10. In British English, ( ) are called "round

o a colon brackets", but in American English they're
o an exclamation mark often called ___________.

o round braces
o square brackets
o parentheses

Source:
Errey, M. (n.d.). Punctuation quiz 1: Writing:
Englishclub. EnglishClub.com. Retrieved
April 1, 2023, from
https://www.englishclub.com/writing/p
unctuation-quiz-1.php

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 ELT 207 – Advanced Creative Writing

PUNCTUATION MARKS
Period Comma Colon

. , :
Semicolon Question Mark Ellipsis

; ? …
Exclamation Point Bracket Parenthesis

! [] ()
Em-dash En-dash Hyphen

— – -
Quotation Marks Apostrophe Slash

“” ‘ /
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 ELT 207 – Advanced Creative Writing

What is punctuation?
Punctuation is the use of symbols, including periods, commas, and question marks,
to help the reader understand and read written text correctly. While reading aloud or
silently, punctuation makes words and sentences flow more naturally.

PUNCTUATION RULES

Spacing Semicolons 4. Use a semicolon to

1. Use just one space 1. If the writer ; separate units of a series when
after periods, commas, wants to fill the one or more of the units contain
semicolons, colons, gap between two closely commas.
exclamation points, related sentences, he or she
question marks, and quote can use a semicolon instead Example:
marks while using a of a period. Mr. Juan dela Cruz, the
computer. The space school principal; Mrs. Miriam
Example: I love spending
required following these Rodero, the SSG adviser; and
time with my family; it always
punctuation marks is Rose Garcia, the student
makes me feel happy.
automatically proportioned. leader, attended the leadership
conference in Cebu City.
2. When a dependent
2. There should be no
clause comes before an
spaces on either side of a 5. A semicolon may be used
independent clause, do not
hyphen. between independent clauses
use a semicolon.
Example: They prepared joined by a connector, such
twenty-five copies of their ✖️ If you win the game; I will as and, but, or, nor, etc., when
research paper. buy you a new pair of shoes. one or more commas appear in
Periods ✅ If you win the game, I will the first clause.
Example:
1. A period
should be used to . buy you a new pair of shoes.
When I finish here, and I will
end a complete 3. Use a semicolon soon, I'll be glad to help you;
sentence that is a statement. and that is a promise I will keep.
before such words and
2. If the last item in the terms as namely, however,
sentence is an abbreviation that therefore, that is, i.e., for 6. Do not capitalize ordinary
ends in a period, do not follow it example, e.g., for instance, words after a semicolon.
with another period. etc., when they introduce a Example:
✖️ This is Alice Smith, M.D.. complete sentence. It is also ✅I am an elementary
✅ This is Alice Smith, M.D. preferable to use a comma teacher; you are a medical
✅ Please shop, cook, etc. We after these words and officer.
will do the laundry. terms. ✖️ I am an elementary
Example: teacher; You are a medical
3. Periods are replaced by
You may draw anything you officer.
question marks and
exclamation points at the end like; however, you must
of sentences. observe the theme.

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 ELT 207 – Advanced Creative Writing

Question Marks
1. Use a question 3a. Avoid the common trap of 4. Use a question mark when a
mark only after a ? using question marks with sentence is half statement and
direct question. indirect questions, which are half question.
statements that contain questions.
✅: Will you go with me? Example: You do care, don't you?
Use a period after an indirect
✖️: I'm asking if you will go with question.
me? 5. The placement of question
✖️I wonder if he would go with marks with quotation marks
2a. A question mark replaces a me? follows logic. If a question is within
period at the end of a sentence. ✅I wonder if he would go with me. the quoted material, a question
✅I wonder: Would he go with me? mark should be placed inside the
✖️: Will you go with me?. quotation marks.
3b. Some sentences are
Examples:
2b. Because of Rule 2a, statements—or demands—in the
o She asked, "Will you create
capitalize the word that follows form of a question. They are called
an infographic for our
a question mark. rhetorical questions because
they don't require or expect an
school’s existing projects?"
The question is part of the
Some writers choose to overlook answer. Many should be written
without question marks. quotation.
this rule in special cases.

Examples: o Do you agree with the saying,

Example: Will you
o Would you kids knock it "All's fair in love and war"?
choose me? or Sarah? or
off. The question “Do you agree with
Kimberly?
o What wouldn't I do for the saying?” is outside the
you! quotation.

Ellipsis Exclamation Points

… 1. Many writers use an ellipsis whether

the omission occurs at the beginning of
1. Use an exclamation point to show

a sentence, in the middle of a sentence,

or between sentences.
! emotion, emphasis, or surprise.
Examples:
A common way to delete the beginning of a sentence What a beautiful day it is!
is to follow the opening quotation mark with an ellipsis,
plus a bracketed capital letter: 2. An exclamation point replaces a period at the end of a
sentence. It also replaces a midsentence comma.
Example: "… [A]fter hours of careful thought, we
vetoed the bill." 3. Avoid using an exclamation point in formal business
Other writers omit the ellipsis in such cases, feeling writing.
the bracketed capital letter gets the point across.
4. Overuse of exclamation points is a sign of undisciplined
2. Ellipses can express hesitation, changes of mood,
writing. The writer F. Scott Fitzgerald once said, "An
suspense, or thoughts trailing off. Writers also use
ellipses to indicate a pause or wavering in an exclamation point is like laughing at your own joke." Do not
otherwise straightforward sentence. use even one of these marks unless you're convinced it is
justified.
Examples:
I don't know … I'm not sure.
Pride is one thing, but what happens if she …?
He said, "I … really don't … understand this."

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 ELT 207 – Advanced Creative Writing

Commas
1. Use commas to 8. If something or someone is 14. Use a comma to separate a
, separate words and sufficiently identified, the description
that follows is considered
city from its state, and remember to
put one after the state, also.
word groups in a simple
series of three or more nonessential and should be Example: I am from Naujan,
items. surrounded by commas. Oriental Mindoro, area.
Example: Life is full of Example: Mr. Salazar, the
surprises, joy, sorrow and school principal, gave an opening 15. Traditionally, if a person's
uncertainty. remark. name is followed by Sr. or Jr., a
comma follows the last name: Martin
2. Use a comma to separate 9. Use a comma after certain Luther King, Jr. This comma is no
two adjectives when the order of the words that introduce a sentence, longer considered mandatory.
adjectives is interchangeable. such as well, yes, why, hello, However, if a comma does precede
Example: Her son is a strong, hey, etc. Sr. or Jr., another comma must follow
healthy boy. Examples: No, you can’t the entire name when it appears
have another slice of cake. midsentence.
3. In sentences where two Well, there are numerous ✅Al Mooney Sr. is here.
factors to be considered in
independent clauses are joined by preparing differentiated teaching ✅Al Mooney, Sr., is here.
connectors such as and, or, but, etc., strategies. ✖️Al Mooney, Sr. is here.
put a comma at the end of the first
clause. 10. Use commas to set off
16. Similarly, use commas to
Example: Teaching is a expressions that interrupt the
enclose degrees or titles used with
rewarding profession, but it can sentence flow (nevertheless, after
names.
also be quite challenging. all, by the way, on the other hand,
Example: Al Mooney, M.D.,
however, etc.). is here.
4. If the subject does not Example: I am, by the way,
appear in front of the second verb, a nervous about this. 17. Use commas to introduce or
comma is generally unnecessary. interrupt direct quotations of dialogue
11. In general, use commas to or text.
Example: John prepared for
set off the word too midsentence. Example: Walt Disney
the exam but still did not answer
However, it is usually not necessary once said, "When you're
the questions correctly. curious, you find lots of
to precede too with a comma at the
interesting things to do."
end of a sentence.
5. When starting a sentence
Example: The learners, too, 18. If the quotation comes
with a dependent clause, use a
have needs to be addressed.
comma after it. before he said, she wrote, they
The learners have needs to
Example: If you are not sure be addressed too. reported, Dana insisted, or a similar
about this, let me know now. attribution, end the quoted material
12. Use commas to set off the with a comma, even if it is only one
6. A comma is often name, nickname, term of word.
unnecessary when the sentence endearment, or title of a person Example: “The most
directly addressed. important thing is to enjoy your
starts with an independent clause
Examples: Will you, Janna, life – to be happy – it’s all that
followed by a dependent clause. send me a copy of your report? matters,” said Audrey
Example: Let me know if you Good day, Engr. Garcia. Hepburn.
are not sure about this.
13. Use a comma to separate 19. If a quotation functions as a
7. Use commas to set off the day of the month from the year, subject or object in a sentence, it
nonessential words, clauses, and and—what most people forget!— might not need a comma.
phrases. always put one after the year, also. Example: Saying “I will be
Example: Angelique, who is a Example: It was in the Sun's a good teacher” is Kyla’s way
teacher, also conducts social of motivating herself.
June 5, 2019, edition.
works.

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 ELT 207 – Advanced Creative Writing

Brackets Parentheses • However, if the enclosed

1. Use parentheses sentence forms a
1. Use [] to enclose () complete question or
brackets to additional or exclamation, then you
insert comments or clarifying supplemental information that may punctuate it as a
information within a direct clarifies or illustrates a point. complete sentence,
quotation. The brackets In a business letter, the salutation beginning with a capital
indicate the parenthetical and body of the letter are flush left letter and ending with a
information is not included in (against the left margin). question mark or
the original text of the quotation exclamation point.
itself. 2. Use parentheses to offer a I am certain we saw a ghost (Have
digression or afterthought. you ever seen one?) on the stairs
Example: Your use of citations in the last that night.
"The 7.8-magnitude paper (which was beautifully We were all frightened (My
earthquake [the earthquake in written, by the way) offered a husband was terrified!) by the
Turkiye and Syria] killed tens of good example of how to avoid image we saw.
thousands of people.” plagiarism.
• Punctuation which applies
2. Use brackets to highlight 3. Use parentheses to enclose to the surrounding
errors in the original text of numbers or letters introducing sentence is placed outside
quoted material by immediately items in a list or outline. the parentheses.
following the error with the Latin There are five steps to cleaning Should I invite him by telephone
word sic ("thus") enclosed in an aquarium: (a) Put the fish (very politely, of course)?
brackets. This addition somewhere else; (b) drain the When Frances sat down next to
acknowledges the original error water out; (c) scrub the inside of Ducky (her cat), she was very
and lets it stand as written. the glass; (d) add dechlorinated careful not to sit on her tail.
fresh water; and (e) return the
Example: fish. • If a parenthetical
"Words of great enclosure contains a
excitement should be followed 4. Punctuate parenthetical complete sentence and it
by an explanation [sic] point." material according to the stands alone (not within
following guidelines: another surrounding
3. Use brackets to enclose • A statement (as opposed to sentence, but between
parenthetical information within a question or exclamation) that sentences), then
material that is already is contained within parentheses punctuation appropriate to
enclosed in parentheses, in inside another sentence does that sentence is placed
order to avoid confusion. not begin with a capital letter or inside the parentheses.
end with a period, even if it can For years, his brother desperately
Example: stand alone as its own wanted that car. (He finally gave it
Elizabeth served in the complete sentence. to him!) It was a 1948 Buick in
role of president (an "honorary" His family's arrival (they had mint condition.
[unpaid] position) because she never called us) was a surprise.
was sincerely concerned about
changing the direction of the
organization.

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 ELT 207 – Advanced Creative Writing

Colons
1. Use a colon after 2. Use a colon between 3. Use a colon to separate certain
: an independent independent clauses if the second elements, such as after the
clause to introduce clause summarizes, explains, or salutation in a formal letter,
or direct attention to a list, an gives an example for the first between hours and minutes to
appositive, or a quotation. clause. indicate time, between numbers
List: The winning numbers are as After the service, the women to show proportions, between a
follows: four, five, nine, and performed a graceful task: they lit title and subtitle, and between the
eleven. the tiny candles one by one. city and the publisher and date in
Appositive: Every day my mother Our committee received the bibliographic entries.
packed my lunch: a peanut butter board's recommendation: Finalize
sandwich, two cookies, and an the budget tonight! Dear Sir:
apple. • Note: When an 6:30 A.M.
Quotation: Consider carefully the independent clause The ratio of students to teachers
words of a Zen proverb: "When follows a colon, the was 22:1.
the mind is ready, a teacher second clause may begin Grammar and Style: A Handbook
appears." with either a lowercase or on College Writing
• Note: A colon is like a stop a capital letter. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1988
in function and therefore
can be used only at the Avoid common errors using the colon.
end of an independent A colon must be preceded by a full independent clause. Therefore, avoid
clause (a complete using it between a verb and its object or complement, between a preposition
statement). and its object, and after such as, including, or for example.

Dashes The en dash is shorter Hyphens

than an em dash but In formal writing, a
The em dash primarily
longer than a hyphen. hyphen’s main function is
replaces commas,
semicolons, colons, It has two main
functions. One is to
- to join two or more
separate words, as in a
ellipses, and compound noun, a
connect continuing, inclusive compound modifier, or certain terms with
parentheses to indicate
numbers. a prefix.
added emphasis, an interruption,
or an abrupt change of thought. Examples Hyphen in a compound noun: well-being,
pages 11–23 dry-cleaning, hocus-pocus, merry-go-
Examples 1969–1981 round
fiscal year 2020–21 Hyphen in a compound modifier: blue-
You are the friend—the only
green sky, much-heralded activist, true-
friend—who offered to help me. to-form performance
(The em dash replaces commas.) The other function is to punctuate
Hyphen with a prefix: self-help, self-
I pay the bills—they have the fun. compound modifiers that include an motivated, ex-Marine, mid-Atlantic
open compound or two or more
(The em dash replaces a
hyphenated compounds. Other uses of hyphens include:
semicolon.)
Throughout the game, he was Examples clarifying words that are otherwise
able to rely on his three core ice cream–flavored chewing gum (not identical: re-cover (as opposed to
pitches—fastball, slider, change- ice-cream-flavored) recover), re-form (as opposed to reform).
separating vowels that might complicate
up. (The em dash replaces a Canada–New Zealand flight (not
reading if left together: pre-empt, anti-
colon.) Canada-New-Zealand)
inflation, pro-ownership.
pseudo-scientific–pseudo-psychiatric spelling out numbers and fractions:
self-help theory (not pseudo- twenty-five, seventy-eight, one-third.
scientific-pseudo-psychiatric) separating non-inclusive numbers: 888-
555-2374, edict 74-54-293.

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 ELT 207 – Advanced Creative Writing

Quotation Marks Slash

“” 1. Quotation marks always come in pairs. Do

not open a quotation and fail to close it at the end of
1. Use a slash to indicate that a choice
can be made between paired or multiple
the quoted material.
terms. Do not use a space before or
after the slash.
2. Capitalize the first letter of a direct quote when the quoted
material is a complete sentence.
Example: Example:
An old Chinese proverb states that, “The journey of a Since our school has only three
thousand miles begins with the first step.” teachers, I serve as the finance
coodinator/ICT coodinator/feeding
3. Do not use a capital letter when the quoted material is a fragment focal person/multigrade teacher.
or only a piece of the original material's complete sentence.
Example: 2. Use a slash to indicate the division
Although Mr. Johnson has seen odd happenings on the farm,
between lines of poetry quoted within a
he stated that the spaceship "certainly takes the cake" when it
sentence. Add a space before and after
comes to unexplainable activity.
the slash.
4. If a direct quotation is interrupted mid-sentence, do not capitalize
the second part of the quotation. Example:
Example: Browning’s lines, “I love thee to
"I didn't see an actual alien being," Mr. Johnson said, "but I the depth and breadth and height /
sure wish I had." My soul can reach, when feeling out
of sight / For the ends of being and
5. Quotations are most effective if you use them sparingly and keep
ideal grace,” are my favorite.
them relatively short. Too many quotations in a research paper
will get you accused of not producing original thought or material
(they may also bore a reader who wants to know primarily what
YOU have to say on the subject).

Apostrophes
✓ Plural nouns not ending in s, add 's: ✓ Compound words, add an apostrophe or 's to the word
the children’s playground closest to the object possessed:
the living room’s ambiance
✓ Plural nouns ending in s, add only an apostrophe:
learners’ needs and abilities ✓ With compound nouns, placement of apostrophes for
possession depends on whether the nouns are acting
✓ Nouns plural in form, singular in meaning, add only an collectively or separately.
apostrophe:
mathematics' rules Jim’s and Mary's weddings were both in Kalamazoo.
They are not married to each other (two separate
✓ Singular nouns not ending in s, add 's: weddings).
the school’s fund
Jim and Mary's weddings were both in Kalamazoo.
✓ Singular common nouns ending in s, add 's unless the Jim and Mary have been married twice to each
next word begins with s: other.
the hostess's invitation, the hostess' seat.
✓ An apostrophe following the last name in a series
✓ Singular proper nouns ending in s, add only an indicates collective possession.
apostrophe:
New Issues' first publication.

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 ELT 207 – Advanced Creative Writing

Testing Your Knowledge: Take the Post Test

A. Direction: Choose the correct punctuation. Write the letter of your answer on the space before each
number.

______ 1. Poorly named animals include: the flying fox, which is really a bat ___ the electric eel, which is
really a knifefish ___ and the honey badger, which is the only member of its genus and species!
a. comma b. hyphen c. semicolon d. em-dash
______ 2. Deforestation ___ oil burning, chemical fertilizers, pollution, and the emission of industrial waste
into the atmosphere are the primary contributors to climate change.
a. comma b. semicolon c. colon d. hyphen
______ 3. "This is the best program ___ that I have ever seen," one delighted client wrote.
a. exclamation point b. hyphen c. ellipsis d. comma
______ 4. Mahatma Gandhi once said___ “If we live by ‘an eye for eye’ kind of justice, the world would be
blind today.”
a. apostrophe b. hyphen c. quotation marks d. colon
______ 5. “Get off my back___” shouted the turtle.
a. period b. exclamation point c. question mark d. comma
_____________________________________________________________________________________
B. Direction: Choose the sentence with the correct punctuation.

1.
o However elusive happiness may be, it is attainable.
o However, elusive happiness may be, it is attainable.

2.
o Toothed whales—such as the sperm whale, killer whale, narwhal, and dolphin—use their teeth to
catch food.
o Toothed whales such as: sperm whale, killer whale, narwhal, and dolphin, use their teeth to catch
food.

3.
o The preservation of all forest-dwelling animals is one of DENRs duties.
o The preservation of all forest-dwelling animals is one of DENR’s duties.

4.
o Fallowing, resting the soil for a particular period is one method of regaining the soils’ fertility.
o Fallowing (resting the soil for a particular period) is one method of regaining the soil’s fertility.

5.
o “How long have you been there?” Sheryl asked.
o “How long have you been there?”, Sheryl asked.

6.
o Education is essential, it should be accessible to all people.
o Education is essential; it should be accessible to all people.
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 ELT 207 – Advanced Creative Writing

7.
o The teacher wants to know where her students stay during weekends.
o The teacher wants to know where her students stay during weekends?

8.
o All biographical references provide crucial information—date of birth, educational background, and
occupation—and an explanation of the persons popularity.
o All biographical references provide crucial information—date of birth, educational background, and
occupation—and an explanation of the person’s popularity.

9.
o Raw cabbage, citrus fruits, strawberries, and green leafy vegetables are all sources of Vitamin C.
o Raw cabbage; citrus fruits; strawberries; and green leafy vegetables are all sources of Vitamin C.

10.
o The newly built house in our neighborhood has state of the art features.
o The newly built house in our neighborhood has state-of-the-art features.

References:

What is writing? EnglishClub.com. (n.d.). Retrieved April 1, 2023, from

https://www.englishclub.com/writing/what.php

Klimova, B. F. (2012). The importance of writing. Paripex - Indian Journal Of Research, 2(1), 9–11.
https://doi.org/10.15373/22501991/jan2013/4

Grammar and mechanics . (n.d.). Retrieved April 1, 2023, from

https://lethbridgecollege.net/elearningcafe/index.php/writing/grammar-and-mechanics

Grammar and style/mechanics and punctuation. Grammar and Style/Mechanics and Punctuation - UBC
Wiki. (n.d.). Retrieved April 1, 2023, from
https://wiki.ubc.ca/Grammar_and_Style/Mechanics_and_Punctuation

James, T. (2022, November 24). Why are writing mechanics important? (8 key reasons explained). ESL
Freeway. Retrieved April 1, 2023, from https://eslfreeway.com/why-are-writing-mechanics-
important-8-key-reasons-explained/

Punctuation. ESL Grammar. (2020, December 23). Retrieved April 1, 2023, from
https://eslgrammar.org/category/punctuation/

Punctuation rules. GrammarBook.com | Your #1 Source for Grammar and Punctuation. (n.d.). Retrieved
April 1, 2023, from https://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation_rules.asp

Parentheses - tip sheet. Butte College. (n.d.). Retrieved April 1, 2023, from
https://www.butte.edu/departments/cas/tipsheets/punctuation/parentheses.html

Prepared by:

JENNY ANN S. ROCO

MAEd – English Language Teaching

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