Chapter 12 Other Punctuation 2014 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website or school-approved learning management system for classroom use.
Period Hyphen Quotation Marks Question Mark Dash Italics Apostrophe Exclamation Point Parentheses Brackets 12-2
Uses for the Period Use periods at the end of statements, commands, and indirect questions. 12-3
Uses for the Period Statement Business usually improves in the fall. Command Place an order for printer paper now. Indirect Question She asked whether we ship c.o.d. 12-4
Uses for the Period Use periods (not question marks) to punctuate polite requests. A polite request Is actually a command Asks the reader to perform a specific action Is usually answered by an action rather than a yes or no Would you please send me your latest catalog. 12-5
Uses for the Period If you feel uncomfortable using a period in polite requests, rephrase the statement: Please send me your latest catalog. 12-6
Uses for the Period Use periods to punctuate abbreviations. A. Lowercase. Use periods after most abbreviations beginning with lowercase letters. a.m. (ante meridiem) p.m. (post meridiem) i.e. (that is) e.g. (for example) 12-7
Uses for the Period Upper and lowercase. Use periods for most abbreviations containing capital and lowercase letters. Dr. (Doctor) No. (number) Mr. (Mister) Fri. (Friday) Exceptions: PhD (doctor of philosophy) and EdD (doctor of Education) 12-8
Uses for the Period All capitals. For most abbreviations shown in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, use no periods or internal spaces. This includes abbreviations for many business and nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, government agencies, radio and television stations, professional organizations, sports associations, job titles, professional designations, stock symbols, airport codes, and business and technology terms. 12-9
Uses for the Period IBM (International Business Machines) MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) ABC (American Broadcasting Company) AMA (American Medical Association) NFL (National Football League) CFO (Chief Financial Officer) LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse) HOG (Harley-Davidson Stock Symbol) SFO (San Francisco International Airport) HDTV (high-definition television) 12-10
Uses for the Period Geographical areas. Use all capital letters without periods or internal spaces for the abbreviations of geographical areas, countries, two-letter state abbreviations, and Canadian province abbreviations. USA (United States of America) UK (United Kingdom) MI (Michigan) BC (British Columbia) 12-11
Uses for the Period Use periods (decimal points) to punctuate numerals. To separate dollars from cents The bill showed items at $56.90, and $169.80. To mark decimal fractions A total of 48.9 percent voted for the new tax. 12-12
Uses for the Question Mark Use question marks to punctuate direct questions. Is this the order for Lamson, Ltd.? Have you booked our flight yet? 12-13
Uses for the Question Mark Use question marks to punctuate questions with added statements. You understood me, didn t you? The meeting is at 9:30 a.m., isn t it? 12-14
Uses for the Question Mark Use question marks to indicate doubt. The Philadelphia Stock Exchange was founded (1790?) before the New York Stock Exchange. 12-15
Uses for the Exclamation Point Use exclamation marks after words, phrases, or clauses to express strong emotion. What In a fantastic business idea! writing Stop! exclamation That door is not points an exit! Oops! are I forgot used the sparingly. attachment! 12-16
Some sound advice for using exclamation marks Cut out all the exclamation points. An exclamation point is like laughing at your own joke. --F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940) 12-17
Try Your Skill Indicate which of these sentences is correctly punctuated. 1. (a) Our team leader wanted to know whether you sent the report? (b) Our team leader wanted to know whether you sent the report. 12-18
Try Your Skill Indicate which of these sentences is correctly punctuated. 2. (a) Would you please answer all e-mails within 24 hours. (b) Would you please answer all e-mails within 24 hours? 12-19
Try Your Skill Indicate which of these sentences is correctly punctuated. 3. (a) Dr. Spicer said she would be here before 4 p.m.. (b) Dr Spicer said she would be here before 4 PM. (c) Dr. Spicer said she would be here before 4 p.m. 12-20
Try Your Skill Indicate which of these sentences is correctly punctuated. 4. (a) We heard that IBM is hiring PhDs for its research program. (b) We heard that I.B.M. is hiring Ph.D.s for its research program. 12-21
Try Your Skill Indicate which of these sentences is correctly punctuated. 5. (a) That CEO who is from the UK is most interested in HDTV. (b) That C.E.O. from the U.K. is most interested in H.D.T.V. 12-22
Try Your Skill Indicate which of these sentences is correctly punctuated. 6. (a) Tyler wondered whether he should send an e-mail or call? (b) Tyler wondered whether he should send an e-mail or call. 12-23
Try Your Skill Indicate which of these sentences is correctly punctuated. 7. (a) Mr. Milburn didn't call, did he? (b) Mr Milburn didn't call did he? 12-24
Uses for the Hyphen Use hyphens to form compound words. The air-conditioning in our building works well. (Compound noun) The attorney will cross-examine the witness. (Compound verb) She is looking for a full-time job. (Compound adjective before the word it is modifying) 12-25
Uses for the Hyphen Use hyphens to form words with prefixes such as ex, self, or quasi. His ex-wife remains his business partner. This book offers many self-help exercises. Do not use hyphens with most prefixes, including re, co, non, and pre. Please rewrite the executive summary. She and her coworkers took Friday off. 12-26
Uses for the Hyphen Use hyphens to form compound numbers. Eighty-six applicants passed the entrance exam. Use hyphens to divide words over two lines. We hope to hear soon from the superintendent of the school district. 12-27
Uses for the Dash Use dashes (not hyphens) to set off parenthetical elements and appositives. Three employees Ann, Mike, and Ramon were honored. Some equipment computers, telephones, and printers may have to be upgraded. 12-28
Uses for the Dash Use dashes to indicate an abrupt change of thought, interruption, afterthought. All assistants and that includes Tiffany are invited. You do all the work she gets all the credit! 12-29
Uses for the Dash Use dashes (not colons) to set off summarizing statements. Full names, e-mail addresses, and job titles these are the items we need immediately. 12-30
Uses for the Dash Use dashes to attribute quotations. A little learning is a dangerous thing. Alexander Pope 12-31
How is the dash constructed on the keyboard? Answer: Type two hyphens or allow your word processing program to insert an em-dash automatically. 12-32
Uses for Parentheses Use parentheses to set off nonessential sentence elements. Parentheses de-emphasize nonessential sentence elements. Explanations, references, and directions are often enclosed within parentheses. 12-33
Uses for Parentheses Assembly of the bookcase (see the instruction manual) is easy and quick. Our income statement (see Appendix A) shows a substantial increase in revenue this year. Our luggage went to St. Louis (can you believe it?) by mistake. 12-34
Uses for Parentheses Use parentheses to show numerals and enclosed enumerated items. Your health insurance benefits will be extended for sixty (60) days. Many companies are using social media tools for marketing including (1) Facebook, (2) Twitter, and (3) LinkedIn. 12-35
Punctuation With Parentheses Punctuation marks that would normally occupy the position already occupied by a second parenthesis are placed after the parenthesis. If you attend (April 3), we will vote on the issue. Forms were filled out for just one individual (James Foster); however, they must be approved. 12-36
Try Your Skill Indicate which of these sentences is correctly punctuated. 1. (a) Our sales have increased steadily over the past year see Table 5. (b) Our sales have increased steadily over the past year (see Table 5). 12-37
Try Your Skill Indicate which of these sentences is correctly punctuated. 2. (a) I ll ask my co-workers how they feel about the issue. (b) I ll ask my coworkers how they feel about the issue. 12-38
Try Your Skill Indicate which of these sentences is correctly punctuated. 4. (a) Fifty-six employees declined health insurance benefits. (b) Fifty six employees declined health insurance benefits. 12-39
Try Your Skill Indicate which of these sentences is correctly punctuated. 5. (a) I purchased a first class ticket for my flight to Amsterdam. (b) I purchased a first-class ticket for my flight to Amsterdam. 12-40
Try Your Skill Indicate which of these sentences is correctly punctuated. 6. (a) ABC, NBC, CBS these are the three most well-known television networks. (b) ABC, NBC, CBS: these are the three most wellknown television networks. 12-41
Add or revise punctuation as needed. Try Your Skill 7. (De-emphasize) Fill out the form see page 3a for directions and submit it with your check. Fill out the form (see page 3a for directions) and submit it with your check. 12-42
Uses for Quotation Marks Use double quotation marks to enclose direct quotations (the exact words of a speaker or writer). Jack Welch said, I've learned that mistakes can often be as good a teacher as success. On the first of the month, remarked Ms. Simmons, we send statements. 12-43
Uses for Quotation Marks Use double quotation marks to enclose the titles of subdivisions of literary and published works. Magazine and newspaper articles Short stories (part of a collection) Book chapters Television program episodes Poems (part of a collection) Paintings and sculptures (parts of a body of work) Songs (one of many written or sung) 12-44
Uses for Quotation Marks Over the Rainbow was performed in The Wizard of Oz. Our favorite link at Monster.com is Career Tips. She wrote a chapter called Effective E-Mail Techniques in the book Writing That Works. 12-45
Punctuating Around Quotation Marks Periods and commas are always placed inside closing quotation marks. I enjoyed very much, said Mr. Dornan, your article entitled Economics and Recession. Memory jogger They are small marks of punctuation; therefore, they fit inside the quotation marks. 12-46
Punctuating Around Quotation Marks Colons and semicolons are always placed outside quotation marks. Our supervisor said, We are eliminating all overtime this month ; therefore, employees must be informed. Memory Jogger A semicolon is a large punctuation mark; therefore, it does not fit inside quotation marks. 12-47
Punctuating Around Quotation Marks Quotation marks and exclamation points may go inside or outside closing quotation marks, depending on the quotation. Quotation asks a question Professor Dooley said, How many have completed the assignment? 12-48
Punctuating Around Quotation Marks Sentence, not quotation, asks a question Do you know who first used the expression the almighty dollar? Both sentence and quotation ask questions Why did Mr. Sims say, Who used the copier last? 12-49
Uses for Italics Use italics for the titles of complete published or artistic works that contain subdivisions. Books Magazines and newspapers Movies and television shows Pamphlets Music albums Plays and musicals 12-50
Uses for Italics America at Work, a new research book, was reviewed positively in The Wall Street Journal. Whoopi Goldberg won an Oscar for the film Ghost, an Emmy for the TV show The View, a Grammy for the album Whoopi Goldberg Original Broadway Show Recording, and a Tony for the play Thoroughly Modern Millie. 12-51
Uses for Italics Use italics to enclose short expressions, words being defined, and special words. Jargon (argot) Slang Words used in a special sense (humor or irony) Words following stamped or marked Some writers enclose these words in quotation marks, but be careful not to overuse quotation marks in this way. 12-52
Jargon-in this case, from the legal field We were surprised to learn that the defendant met with the judge ex parte (OR ex parte ). Slang Uses for Italics Her teenagers thought the new James Bond film was a killer (OR killer ) movie. Words Following Stamped or Marked Your letter is stamped Confidential (OR Confidential ). 12-53
Uses for Brackets Use brackets to insert remarks. Within quotations, writers use brackets to enclose their own inserted remarks. These remarks may be corrective, illustrative, or explanatory. Our current budget deficit [$187,000], said Ms. Holmes, prevents the declaration of dividends. 12-54
Uses for Brackets Within quotations, brackets enclose the word sic, which means thus or so. This Latin term is used to emphasize that words quoted actually appear thus in the quoted matter. In the newspaper article, Dr. Sims is quoted as saying, "I demand payment irregardless [sic] of the outcome. Really means not my mistake. 12-55
Uses for the Apostrophe Use apostrophes to form noun possessives. Jimmy Wales s goal was to make knowledge available to every person on the planet. (Singular possessive) The doctors offices will be remodeled next month. (Plural possessive) See Chapter 3 for fuller explanation of apostrophe use. 12-56
Uses for the Apostrophe Use apostrophes to form contractions. You re expected to understand the contract. (Contraction for you are) It s going to feel like spring this weekend. (Contraction for it is) 12-57
Uses for the Apostrophe Use apostrophes to take the place of omitted letters or figures. He stops by Dunkin Donuts every morning. (Taking place of missing letter g) Job prospects for the class of 14 look promising. (Taking place of figures 20) 12-58
Uses for the Apostrophe Use apostrophes to serve as the symbol for feet. (Note that a double quote serve as the symbol for inch.) At 6 3 he towered over everyone in the room. 12-59
Add or revise punctuation as needed. Try Your Skill 1. Did Jon complete his B.A. degree before taking a job with QuadCom, Inc Did Jon complete his BA degree before taking a job with QuadCom, Inc.? 12-60
Try Your Skill Add or revise punctuation as needed. 3. (Emphasize) The committee favored three cities Scottsdale Tucson and Phoenix but could not reach a final decision. The committee favored three cities Scottsdale, Tucson, and Phoenix but could not reach a final decision. 12-61
Try Your Skill Add or revise punctuation as needed. 4. Palm Beach, Tampa, and Naples these were our favorite places to visit in Florida. Palm Beach, Tampa, and Naples these were our favorite places to visit in Florida. 12-62
Try Your Skill 5. Do you think its time to consider a merger. Add or revise punctuation as needed. Do you think it s time to consider a merger? 12-63
Try Your Skill Add or revise punctuation as needed. 6. The term red herring means a distraction from the real issue. The term red herring means a distraction from the real issue. 12-64
Add or revise punctuation as needed. Try Your Skill 7. Did you read the chapter titled Quick Tips that appeared in the book Stock Investing Did you read the chapter titled Quick Tips that appeared in the book Stock Investing? 12-65
Try Your Skill Add or revise punctuation as needed. 8. The manager said "Whose cell phone is ringing The manager said, "Whose cell phone is ringing? 12-66