Week Five: Punctuation

<--- back to Week 4: Sentence Structure

What is Punctuation? 

When we say things aloud, we can change the tone or volume of our voices to indicate emphasis. However, in writing we use punctuation to do this. So, this week we'll be looking at different types of punctuation and how to use them appropriately.

Imagine a world where we didn't use punctuation; how would you read this paragraph?

stripping away the popular image of serene silver bearded wisdom rita skeeter reveals the disturbed childhood the lawless youth the lifelong feuds and the guilty secrets dumbledore carried to his grave why was the man tipped to be the minister of magic content to remain a mere headmaster what was the real purpose of the secret organization known as the order of the phoenix how did Dumbledore really meet his end

Go ahead and put in all the punctuation you think the paragraph needs.

Here's the original punctuation from the novel:
"Striping away the popular image of serene, silver-bearded wisdom, Rita Skeeter reveals the disturbed childhood, the lawless youth, the life-long feuds, and the guilty secrets that Dumbledore carried to his grave, WHY was the man tipped to be the Minister of Magic content to remain a mere headmaster? WHAT was the real purpose of the secret organization known as the Order of the Phoenix? HOW did Dumbledore really meet his end?"

See how much easier that is to read and understand? Now let's review the different types of punctuation marks.

Punctuation for Ending Sentences:

• Periods: a period is a neutral ending to a sentence, so it is the most commonly used punctuation mark.
• Example: You're a wizard, Harry.

• Questions: a question mark indicates that the sentence is a question. The subject or speaker of the sentence is asking something.
• Example: Why is it when something happens it is always you three?

• Exclamations: an exclamation mark shows the sentence has an emotional energy. It usually indicates anger, fear, or excitement.
• Example: My father will hear about this!

Practice: Write three sentences utilizing each of these punctuation marks.

Punctuation for a Pause:

There are three types of punctuation marks that are used to indicate the reader should pause. They also can separate the sentence's information which helps the reader indicate rank or emphasis of different clauses.

• Commas: 
• a comma indicates a dependent clause. Also, it can be used to separate items in a list, as well as provide additional information within the sentence.
• Example:
• "Harry glanced toward Hermione and Ron, both of whom were clutching the Extendable Ears as tightly as lifelines."
• Semicolons: 
• a semicolon can be used to connect two independent clauses into one compound sentence.
• Examples:
• “The Order is eschewing any form of transport that is controlled or regulated by the Ministry; they mistrust everything to do with the place."
• Colons: 
• a colon is used to introduce a list or for emphasis.
• Examples:
• Hogwarts first-years will require: a wand, a cauldron, a set of black robes, and one plain pointed hat.
• Harry then realized what he needed to do: he was to die.

Punctuation for Additional Information:

Two types of punctuation marks exist as a way to insert supplementary information into a sentence or paragraph. 

1. Parentheses:
• Parentheses are used to indicate that the information inclosed is secondary, and related but not paramount to the meaning of the sentence. 
• Often they are used to include an explanation.
• Parentheses are also used for including in-text citations in your writing. (When using them for citations, they go inside the sentence ending punctuation mark.)
• Remember they can only be used in pairs, so you must always close your parentheses!
• Example:
• "Let us step into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure" (Rowling 527).
• Harry (having taken liquid luck) had become quite sassy.

1. Em Dashes:
• Em dashes are another way to insert extra information into a sentence, but they are more abrupt and interruptive. 
• They can be used to replace commas, colons, or parentheses.
• Em dashes—while similar to parentheses, don't need to be used in pairs.
• Example:
• Harry—having taken liquid luck—had become quite sassy.
• "If you want to know what a man's really like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors—not his equals." - Sirius Black

Other Important Punctuation

• Quotation Marks: 
• Quotations are usually used to distinguish what is dialogue or a quote. 
• They can also be used to show irony, emphasis, or sarcasm.
• "Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic."
• "The ones that love us never really leave us."

• Apostrophes:
• Apostrophes are used to contract words or to show possession.
• Example:
• Harry's owl was named Hedwig.
• You don't have to be a child to enjoy the Harry Potter Series, adults love them too.
• Other common contractions that can be made using an apostrophe:

Assess Your Understanding:

That concludes week 5 of our grammar unit! Now that you're all punctuation experts, challenge yourself by inserting the correct punctuation to the sentences below. Look closely because many of the sentences have a few punctuation marks missing!

1. Hedwig is a beautiful intelligent caring Snow Owl
2. Weve all got both light and dark inside us What matters is the part we choose to act on Thats who we really are said Sirius
3. Ron asked were not going to use magic
4. Many people were staring at her and few people openly laughing and pointing she had managed to procure a hat shaped like a life size lion's head which was perched precariously on her head
5. The seven horcruxes were Tom Riddles diary Gaunts ring Slytherins locket Hufflepuffs cup Ravenclaws diadem and Voldemorts pet snake Nagini

Answers:

1. Hedwig is a beautiful, intelligent, caring Snow Owl.
2. "We've all got both light and dark inside us. What matters is the part we choose to act on. That's who we really are," said Sirius.
3. Ron asked, "we're not going to use magic?"
4. Many people were staring at her and few people openly laughing and pointing; she had managed to procure a hat shaped like a life-size lion's head which was perched precariously on her head.
5. The seven horcruxes were: Tom Riddle's diary, Gaunt's ring, Slytherin's locket, Hufflepuff's cup, Ravenclaw's diadem, and Voldemort's pet snake, Nagini.

On to Week 6: Common Errors--->