NON-LAPTOP RETEACHING

LC 1.5 Punctuation: identify hyphens, dashes, brackets, and

semi-colons and use them correctly

• Visit this website for tips on each of the following:– hyphens– dashes– bracket– semicolonshttp://www.correctpunctuation.co.uk/index.htm

hyphens• PREFIXES AND SUFFIXES• To avoid multiple letters re-evaluate [reevaluate]• If the root word is capitalized pre-Christmas, anti-European• With specific prefixes and suffixes ex-wife, vice-chairman, president-elect• To avoid ambiguity or awkward pronunciation re-read• Where a list of words each have the same prefix or suffix. over- and under-weight

• COMPOUND WORDS• For clarity sit-in, stand-out, Mother-In-Law• In compound adjectives that modify what they precede blue-chip company, devil-may-care attitude, up-to-

the-minute news

• WITH FRACTIONS, NUMBERS AND INITIAL LETTERS• With fractions and numbers between 21 and 99 twenty-eight and three-quarters

• WORDS THAT START WITH A CAPITAL LETTER X-ray, T-shirt, U-Turn

• TO DIVIDE WORDS AT THE RIGHT HAND MARGIN

dashes

• FOR EMPHASIS• The book was great — a really good read.

• FOR EXPLANATION OR ADDITION

• IN PLACE OF BRACKETS OR COMMAS. The Colour Of Magic — the first of the series — was written in 1989.

brackets

• FOR EDITORIAL INFORMATION• To amend or supplement the given details

His first book [The Colour Of Magic] was written in 1989.

• To replace phrases for clarity or brevity [The treaty] decreed that no bear should be painted pink.

semicolons

• TO LINK TWO SEPARATE SENTENCES THAT ARE CLOSELY RELATED

• The children came home today; they had been away for a week.

• IN A LIST THAT ALREADY CONTAINS COMMAS• Star Trek, created by Gene Roddenberry;

Babylon 5, by JMS; Buffy, by Joss Whedon; and Farscape, from the Henson Company.

Not Separated at Birth: The Dash and the Hyphen

• Visit this website for differences between hyphens and dashes.

http://www.infoplease.com/cig/grammar-style/not-separated-at-birth-dash-hyphen-let-add-ellipsis-fun.html

• The dash and the hyphen are like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito: confused so often they are taken for each other. But like these two fine actors, the dash and the hyphen are not the same, no sireee.

• A hyphen is one click on the keyboard: - • A dash is two clicks on the keyboard: —

The Dash: Long and Lean

• Basically, the dash is used to show emphasis. Here's how:

• Use a dash to show a sudden change of thought.• Example: An archaeologist—of course I don't mean

you—is a person whose career lies in ruins.• Use a dash before a summary of what is stated in the

sentence.• Example: Avoiding work, getting liposuction, becoming

a finalist in the George Hamilton Cocoa Butter Open—everything depends on that trust fund.

The Hyphen: Short and Sweet• The hyphen, in contrast, is used to show a break in words.• Use a hyphen to show a word break at the end of a line.

– Example: When you finish The Complete Idiot's Guide to Grammar and Style, Sec-

ond Edition, your written work will be as sharp as your appearance.• Use a hyphen in certain compound nouns.• Example: great-grandmother• Use hyphens in fractions and in compound numbers from

twenty-one to ninety-nine.• Examples: one-half, sixty-six

• Visit this website for bracket instruction:http://cutewriting.blogspot.com/2008/06/punctuation-tip-brackets-braces-and.html

• A bracket is used to make clear some explanation, which is not normally part of the sentence. For instance:

It was the 13th chapter of the novel [John Grisham’s The Firm] I was reading.

• Use brackets to include anything normally omitted (such as a word) for good writing style.

John found Amisha in the hotel. Diana had already been with him when she [Amisha] entered.

• Use the brackets to specify the omitted part in case it causes confusion to the readers.

The school is two kilometers from the hospital, and three [kilometers from] the college.

• Within certain quotations with misspellings, as per Webster guide, you can use [sic] to indicate that the misspelling or minor error. Always italicize ‘sic’, but not the brackets. ‘Sic’ means ‘that’s how it was’.

“The rescue workers found seaven [sic] children in the pit.”

Visit this website for semicolon instruction:http://www.grammarbook.com/punctuation/semicolons.asp

• Rule 1. Use a semicolon in place of a period to separate two sentences where the conjunction has been left out.

• Examples: Call me tomorrow; I will give you my answer then.

I have paid my dues; therefore, I expect all the privileges listed in the contract.

Rule 2• It is preferable to use a semicolon before introductory

words such as namely, however, therefore, that is, i.e., for example, e.g., or for instance when they introduce a complete sentence.

• It is also preferable to use a comma after the introductory word.

• Examples: You will want to bring many backpacking items; for example, sleeping bags, pans, and warm clothing will make the trip better.

As we discussed, you will bring two items; i.e., a sleeping bag and a tent are not optional.

Rule 3

• Use the semicolon to separate units of a series when one or more of the units contain commas.

• Example: This conference has people who have come from Boise, Idaho; Los Angeles, California; and Nashville, Tennessee.