Punctuation is often seen as something… pretentious, something elite. It’s annoying when one is forced to use it; it’s horrifying when used improperly.
Not so.
Punctuation works just like words do. The perfect word can create the perfect sentence; the perfect punctuation can turn that sentence into the literary equivalent of chocolate. Punctuation should be used to force the reader to read your sentence the way you want it read. If properly used, the reader will organise his/her thoughts the same way the writer does, pause in the same places the writer pauses, and breathe in the same places the writer breathes. Punctuation ensures emotions, which are generally understood by tone and facial expression, are still understood when reading.
For example: “Would you like some coffee?”
“Yes.” (as in, “Yes, thanks.”)
“Yes…” (as in, “Yes, but I have to leave soon, so I may not have time to finish it.”)
“Yes?” (as in, “Am I going to need it? Will this be a very long meeting?”
“Yes!” (as in, “GIVE ME COFFEE NOW!”)
Learning to use punctuation is like learning to walk, in that the only way to learn is by doing it. Falling down a few times is also part of the learning process, so it’s nice to have someone hold your hand when venturing into punctuation use. ( I once had a student shove her essay towards me, saying, “I need to use a semi-colon, but I’m afraid to put it in there. You write it!”) There are several good hand-holders available for those who fear punctuation:
Eats, Shoots and Leaves; The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation
Lynne Truss
Gotham Books, 2004
http://www.lynnetruss.com/pages/content/index.asp?PageID=8
Lynne Truss wrote this wonderful book about punctuation. The book gives the history of punctuation, demonstrates its uses (note the title: what happens if you remove the comma? Are panda bears eating bamboo shoots and leaves, or are they eating, shooting things, and then leaving?) If you like reading, like trivia, and love rants, this is a great book for you. If you’re not inclined to such things, at least read the forward by Frank McCourt, which will enlighten you to the delights, and the perils, of punctuation.
OWL at Purdue
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/
Purdue’s Online Writing Lab is an excellent source for all things English. Their punctuation section is amazingly thorough.
University of Ottawa
http://www.uottawa.ca/academic/arts/writcent/hypergrammar/punct.html
A good place for quick-and-dirty look-ups, such as where do you need a comma, and when will a comma create a comma splice?
Virginia Woolf
If ever there was an intrepid punctuation user, it was Virginia Woolf. Her fiction and non-fiction are brilliant examples of a fearless punctuator. Many of her essays are available online, and her classic works are available in all libraries. Even if you are not fond of her writing, spend a little time glancing at a page or two and marveling at her sentences. Her style is not recommended for formal writing, but demonstrates the potential uses, particularly of colons and semi-colons.
Explore and revel in the power of punctuation. Please send us your brilliantly-punctuated sentences!
