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- General Remarks
Book titles are now set without points. This fashion was introduced by
Pickering of London about 1850. This method is generally to the
advantage of the title page thus treated. It is possible, however, to
carry it too far and so to obscure the sense.... - Introduction
Punctuation is a device by which we aid words to tell their story. Words
have done this at times without such aid, and may now do so, but at
constant risk of serious misunderstanding. This can be easily seen by
reading the following lines printed as... - Quotation Marks
Quotation marks are signs used to indicate that the writer is giving
exactly the words of another. A French printer named Morel used a comma
in the outer margin to indicate a quoted line about 1550. About a
century later another Frenchman, Menage,... - Summary
1. A comma separates clauses, phrases, and particles.
2. A semicolon separates different statements.
3. A colon is the transition point of the sentence.
4. A period marks the end of a sentence.
5. A dash marks abruptness or irregularity.
6.... - The Apostrophe
The apostrophe is primarily the sign of the possessive case, but it has
several other uses.
_Rules for the Use of the Apostrophe_
1. The apostrophe for the possessive case is added only to nouns, not to
the pronouns, which have their distinct... - The Bracket
Brackets are used in pairs, like the parentheses. In Job composition
either brackets or parentheses may be used, as suits the fancy or is
convenient. In descriptive text matter, however, brackets should not be
used where parentheses are clearly indicated.
_Rules... - The Colon
The colon marks the place of transition in a long sentence consisting of
many members and involving a logical turn of the thought. Both the colon
and semicolon are much less used now than formerly. The present tendency
is toward short, simple, clear... - The Comma
The comma is by far the most difficult of all the punctuation marks to
use correctly. Usage varies greatly from time to time and among equally
good writers and printers at the same time. Certain general rules may be
stated and should be learned. Many... - The Dash
The dash is a very useful mark which has been greatly overworked by
careless writers. It is very easy to make in manuscript and serves as a
convenient cover for the writer's ignorance of what point should
properly be used.
The conspicuousness of... - The Exclamation
The exclamation mark is the mark of strong emotion.
_Rules for the Use of the Exclamation_
1. After every expression of great surprise or emotion.
Look, my lord! it comes!
Angels and ministers of grace defend us!
Alas! my father.
2....
- The Interrogation
The interrogation is the point that asks questions. It should always be
placed outside quotation marks unless it is a part of the quotation
itself.
_Rules for the Use of the Interrogation_
1. The interrogation point is used at the end of every... - The Parenthesis
The parenthesis, commonly used in pairs, encloses expressions which have
no essential connection with the rest of the sentence, but are important
to its full comprehension. It is liable to be neglected by writers
because the dash is easier to make,... - The Period
The period, or full stop, marks the end of a declarative sentence. As a
sign it has several other uses which will appear in the paragraphs
following.
_Rules for the Use of the Period_
1. At the end of every sentence unless interrogative or exclamatory.
2.... - The Semicolon
The semicolon is used to denote a degree of separation greater than that
indicated by the comma, but less than that indicated by the colon. It
prevents the repetition of the comma and keeps apart the more important
members of the sentence. The semicolon...
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