Improving writing and punctuation

Punctuation
1
• Become an expert on the written underworld
• Cut out punctuation crime
• Make punctuation marks work harder
Complete this course, in order to
become a punctuation detective.
The
Punctuation
Detective Agency
A timer at the
top of the screen
indicates that
the slide may
have timed
elements.
A timer at the
top of the screen
indicates that
the slide may
have timed
elements.

Punctuation
2
hyphen or
dash
question
mark
commasemi-
colon
exclamation
mark
colon
brackets
TASK 1: you are going to see some
punctuation marks.
As you read, match the right name to
each one. Click to check you are right.

Punctuation
3
Here they are again.
comma
hyphen or
dashquestion
mark
semi-
colon
exclamation
mark
colon
brackets
You have five
seconds to
think of 3
more
punctuation
marks.
Did you
remember full
stops,
apostrophes
and speech
marks?

Punctuation
4
TASK 2: Now see if you can match up
the name and one of the jobs of each
of these punctuation marks.
hyphen
comma
semi-
colon
exclamation
mark
colon
brackets
This can be used to show a loud voice or
strength of feeling.
This can introduce an idea, a list or a
quotation.
This can be used to separate a main clause
and a subordinate clause.
These may be used to add stage directions
or asides in a script.
This can be used to join two words
together.
You can use this to link two sentences about
the same topic.

Punctuation
5
TASK 3: You must now investigate some
punctuation crime. Read each sentence
in turn and see if you can spot the
missing punctuation before the answer
appears.
It was a very dingy dirty place.
comma
,
‘ Indeed ’ said Holmes.
comma
,

Punctuation
6
(See if you can spot the missing
punctuation before the answer
appears.)
Whats the matter with that?
,
‘ Minnie ’ he shouted hoarsely.
Exclamation
mark
!
apostrophe

Punctuation
7
(See if you can spot the missing
punctuation before the answer
appears.)
The pale faced man nodded.
hyphen
-
However here I felt safe.
comma
,

Punctuation
8
: ; “ ” , ’
You must now complete a casebook on
punctuation. Your casebook should:
• explain when to use the punctuation
mark
• give examples, from prominent texts,
of it being used effectively.
Now click on your punctuation mark.
After this task,
click here to
go to the
effects of
punctuation.
Punctuation Casebook

Punctuation
9
:
You have chosen the colon.
In your casebook:
1. explain the functions of the
colon
2. give three examples of how it
might be used.
Click here for
an explanation
of colons.
Click here for
examples of
colon use.
Go back to
casebook.
Go to end of
presentation.
The colon

Punctuation
10
A colon is used to introduce things:
ideas, items in a list, a quotation or an
explanation. He’d lost everything: his
friends, his happiness and his pride.
A colon can also be used between a
statement and an explanation of the
statement. This time he’d win: he
couldn't afford to lose.
A colon can also be used between two
halves of a sentence – balancing the
two halves. Time is a great teacher:
unfortunately it kills all its pupils.
When to use colons

Punctuation
11
1. She had a clear set of demands: a new
computer, a new car and more pay.
2. His intentions were clear: no one would be
going anywhere.
3. The teacher demanded: ‘Why are you here?’
4. The coach announced the squad: Jones, Hill,
Bennett and Welsh.
5. His words were powerful: the message
unforgettable.
Examples of colon use:

Punctuation
12
;
You have chosen the semi-colon.
In your casebook:
1. explain the functions of the
semi-colon
2. give three examples of how it
might be used.
THE SEMI-COLON
Click here for
an explanation
of semi-colons.
Click here for
examples of
semi-colon use.
Click here to
go back to
casebook.

Punctuation
13
A semi-colon can be used to separate main
clauses in a compound sentence. It often
replaces and or but.
(The semi-colon is useful as it can:
• help to maintain the theme of a sentence
• avoid abrupt short sentences
• avoid too much use of and or but.)
Semi-colons can also be used to
punctuate lists of long items (instead of
commas).
When to use semi-colons

Punctuation
14
1. Plenty of girls had signed up for the team;
Jody wanted to be one of them.
2. Girling won the ball in the penalty area; he
turned quickly, almost losing control; he shot
and scored.
3. Her folder contained a letter to her MP; a
short story about a kidnap; three poems
about her holiday and a study of Macbeth.
Examples of semi-colon use:

Punctuation
15
You have chosen the inverted
commas.
In your casebook:
1. explain the different names for
and functions of inverted
commas
2. give three examples of how they
may be used in different ways
“ ”
INVERTED COMMAS
Click here for an
explanation of
inverted
commas.
Click here for
examples of
inverted
commas being
used.
Click here to
go back to
casebook.

Punctuation
16
Inverted commas can be used to show
words which are spoken.
They can be used to show the title of
a book, poem or story.
They can also be used around words or
quotations from a written text.
Inverted commas are sometimes used
around words to show that the words are
not true, or to show irony or sarcasm.
When to use inverted commas

Punctuation
17
1. Josh said, ‘You have no right to be here.’
2. ‘What,’ he asked, ‘ is the meaning of this?’
3. My favourite story is ‘The Lion, the Witch
and the Wardrobe’.
4. ‘When shall we three meet again?’ are the
opening words to the play.
5. My dad thinks he’s so ‘cool’ when he dances,
but really he’s an embarrassment.
Examples of inverted commas:

Punctuation
18
You have chosen commas.
In your casebook:
1. explain the different uses for
commas
2. give three examples of how they
may be used in different ways
,
COMMAS
Click here for an
explanation of
commas.
Click here for
examples of
commas being
used.
Click here to
go back to
casebook.

Punctuation
19
Commas can be used after an adverb or
adverbial phrase or clause which opens a
sentence. Slowly, the door opened.
Commas can be used around additional
information. The film, a classic, was
enjoyed by everyone.
They are used after a non-finite clause at
the start of a sentence. Having finished,
she left the table.
Commas are often used when addressing
someone. Keep going, Joe.
Commas can divide items in a list. The
rock was cold, rough, scarred and mossy.
Commas are used to help punctuate
speech. She muttered, ‘See you.’

Punctuation
20
1. Above, the clouds drifted.
2. Swelling with pride, he walked away.
3. How nice to see you, Kay.
4. She turned the key and, smiling to herself,
walked in.
5. He thought about the lies, the insults, the
meanness and the hurt he’d suffered.
6. ‘Come here,’ she said, ‘and tell me again.’
Examples of commas:

Punctuation
21
You have chosen apostrophes.
In your casebook:
1. explain the different uses for
apostrophes
2. give examples of how they may
be used in different ways
’
APOSTROPHES
Click here for an
explanation of
apostrophes.
Click here for
examples of
apostrophes
being used.
Click here to
go back to
casebook.

Punctuation
22
Apostrophes can be used in the place of
missing letters. They help us to translate
spoken words into writing.
E.g.
don’t, isn’t, he’s, wouldn’t
Apostrophes are also used to show
possession. They show if something
belongs to a noun e.g.
the baby’s rattle, the dog’s eyes
When the noun is plural, the apostrophe
comes after the plural form, e.g.
The boys’ bicycles, the children’s teacher
When to use apostrophes

Punctuation
23
1. There’s Kris at the door.
2. She couldn’t stomach any more lies.
3. He’s got a nerve.
4. It’s coming for us!
5. He met Milly’s gaze.
6. They looked like actors’ clothes.
7. He listened to his father’s reply.
8. It was a women’s meeting.
Examples of apostrophe use:

Punctuation
24
The effects of punctuation
Before you can complete this course, you have
one final assignment.Identify the effects of some uses of punctuation.
Read the sentence, then choose the correct
option before the answer appears.
We knew: he was dead.
1. The colon introduces a list.
2. The colon is not really needed.
3. The colon introduces an idea with a dramatic pause.
Jus’ get goin’.
1. Apostrophes help to show how the words are spoken.
2. Apostrophes are used to show possession.
3. Apostrophes make the words simpler.

Punctuation
25
I told her (I could not lie) that she was not welcome.
1. Brackets help us to understand why she was not welcome.
2. Brackets reveal the narrator’s thoughts.
3. Brackets give essential information.
Oh, yes. She was ‘friendly’ all right.
1. Inverted commas are used to quote words.
2. Inverted commas suggest she was very friendly.
3. Inverted commas suggest she was not friendly at all.

Punctuation
26
Oh! but he was a tight-
fisted hand at the
grindstone, Scrooge! a
squeezing, wrenching,
grasping, scraping,
clutching, covetous old
sinner! Hard and sharp as
flint, from which no steel
had ever struck out
generous fire; secret, and
self-contained, and
solitary as an oyster.
Look at how this writer uses punctuation for effect.
An ‘explosive’
exclamation
mark after the
short ‘Oh’
expresses
outrage. The
writer is almost
lost for words.
Another
exclamation mark, in
the middle of a
sentence, draws
attention to name of
the outrageous
character.
A semi-colon is
used to
separate out
and balance out
descriptions
about two sides
of him.
A long list
punctuated by
commas, expresses
the depth of his
greed.

Punctuation
27
Now see if you can comment on the effects of any of
the punctuation in this passage.
True! – nervous - very, very
dreadfully nervous I had
been and am! but why will
you say that I am mad?
The disease had sharpened
my senses - not destroyed -
not dulled them.
What is the
effect of the
dashes? Think
about how
smoothly the
passage reads.
How would it
affect the text
if they were
not there?
What is the
effect of the
exclamation
marks? Where
do they come in
the sentence?
Why? How do
they affect the
tone of the
text?

Punctuation
28
Well done. You have completed the course.
You are ready to:
• Cut out punctuation crime
• Make punctuation marks work harder
There are other punctuation marks to look out
for. Make sure you make them work for you.
Course complete

Improving writing and punctuation

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