Punctuation Part 1

In this post, I will reflect on three functions of punctuation as found in Rules for Writers.

1. Use a comma after an introductory clause.
This function is nothing new to me personally, however, many people including myself at points tend to struggle with this. It is very important to understand the function of this. It creates a sense of clarity and separation between the introduction of the sentence to the subject of the sentence. There are many different ways that this is also for the middle part of a sentence, but clarifying the introduction is far more important.

2. Avoid common misuses of the colon

I, like many people, have all fallen subject to the misuse of the colon. Misuses of the colon include creating short lists, between the preposition and the object, and after the words/phrases such as, including, or for example. BY misusing the colon, it creates incoherency and confusion between the separate parts of the sentence.

3. Use single quotation marks to enclose a quotation to enclose a quotation within a quotation

It is important to notice that within a quote, if there is another quote within it, then you do not use regular quotes. You instead use the single quote('). Using single quotes distinguishes the words your citing from words that another is citing.

None of these were new and surprising functions to me. However, they were a good refresher. They are very important to know and to be aware of.

REFLECTION

"This essentially revived the controversy, for it is still very alive today." This was taken from Isaac's rhetorical analysis paper. It is not misusing the comma after an introductory clause, but the way the sentence is phrased with the use of the comma is awkward. The use of comma placement, such as after the introductory claus, is very important all the way around. The use of this comma should be changed or taken out completely.