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Importance of Punctuation Marks in Academic Writing

One of the main things that any editor or proofreader looks out for while editing a piece of text is punctuation marks. The reason is simple — they can alter the meaning of your text if you do not use them correctly. It becomes even more prominent when you are writing an academic paper. In academic writing, an author may be easily misunderstood when ambiguous sentences are used. Punctuation marks mainly serve the purpose to disambiguate sentences. While literary or other types of writing will have a certain degree of freedom for using punctuation marks, academic work needs to be precise and correct. This article will cover the importance of punctuation marks in academic writing.

This article discusses the importance of punctuation marks in academic writing . To give you an opportunity to practice proofreading, we have left a few spelling, punctuation, or grammatical errors in the text. See if you can spot them! If you spot the errors correctly, you will be entitled to a 10% discount.

One of the main things that any editor or proofreader looks out for while editing a piece of text is punctuation marks. The reason is simple — they can alter the meaning of your text if you do not use them correctly.

Imagine texting your colleague ‘‘Let’s eat Carla’’ or ‘‘Let’s eat kids’’ without a comma after ‘‘eat.’’ Here, you are implying that you eat Carla or kids, not eat with Carla or with the kids. The correct sentence here is ‘‘Let’s eat, Carla’’ and ‘‘Let’s eat, kids.’’ Thus, it is extremely important to look out for the correct use of punctuation marks.

It becomes even more prominent when you are writing an academic paper. While literary or other types of writing will have a certain degree of freedom for using punctuation marks, academic work needs to be precise and correct.  In academic writing, an author may be easily misunderstood when ambiguous sentences are used.  Punctuation marks mainly serve the purpose to disambiguate sentences.  With that thought in mind, in this article, we will cover the importance of punctuation marks in academic writing.

Why punctuation marks are important?

We shall start by understanding why the correct use of punctuation marks is important. Below are the reasons why using the correct punctuation mark in the right place is so crucial. It is especially so in the case of academic writing:

Right punctuation allows your readers the perceive the right message of your text.

In academic writing, punctuation marks can help strengthen your arguments and reasoning in the text form.

Missing punctuation marks or misused ones can completely alter the meaning of a sentence.

It helps emphasize pauses, thoughts, ideas, and even the tone and emotion of the text.

Different types of punctuation marks

Now that we have understood the reason why punctuation is so important, we shall now move on to discuss the different types of marks out there. We will also provide you with relevant examples so that you understand the differences.

If you are ready, let us start!

Periods (.)

A period is one of the most commonly used punctuation marks and is popularly known as a full stop. As its name suggests, it is mostly used at the end of a sentence to denote that it has ended. It is placed after a declarative sentence and a statement. It is also used after abbreviations.

For example:

The next most commonly known and used among the punctuation marks is the comma. The comma denotes a small pause or gap anywhere in the middle of a sentence to provide more clarity. A comma can be used for various instances, like grouping items, separating phrases, and so on. However, misusing commas or overusing them can be a huge issue.

Incorrect: We will learn how to cut and paste children!

This can imply a pretty horrific meaning. However, the right sentence is:

Correct: We will learn how to cut and paste, children!

Incorrect: I was ready to leave, but it started raining, so I called a taxi, but it was late, so I was late.

There is no need for so many commas. Instead, you can break down the sentence.

Correct: I was ready to leave when it started raining. So I called a taxi, but because it was late I was late too.

Other examples:

There’s also a type of comma known as the ‘‘ Oxford Comma .’’ This type of comma is mainly used when talking about three items or more in a sentence. It is placed before the last item that you listed. Without an Oxford comma, you may confuse your audience.

Incorrect: I love my parents, Mother Teresa and Barack Obama

Here, your audience might think that your parents are Mother Teresa and Barack Obama.

Correct: I love my parents, Mother Teresa, and Barack Obama.

We need to choose between samples A, B, or C.

The survey depended on the age, gender, and location of the participants.

Commas (,) vs. semicolons (;)

One of the common punctuation errors in academic writing is the use of commas and semi-colons. As mentioned above, a comma separates items in a list but does not distinguish two independent sentences from each other. For example:

Smith had never ridden on the back of a camel, he tried out of curiosity.

A semi-colon is the correct punctuation mark to use in place of the comma as both clauses are independent, with the second clause providing an explanation for the first. A comma is only appropriate in this instance if conjunction follows the comma. In which case, there would not be a need for a semi-colon.

Correct : Smith had never ridden on the back of a camel; he tried out of curiosity.

Correct : Smith had never ridden on the back of a camel, so he tried out of curiosity.

Exclamation marks (!)

An exclamation mark is used at the end of a sentence that either expresses surprise or exclamation and in a direct speech that denotes that the speaker is either speaking loudly or shouting. It is also used when the author finds something amusing and is usually written within brackets like this: (!)

Here are some examples:

Question marks (?)

The question mark is another punctuation mark that is used often, and the meaning is well understood. It is used after a question is asked in direct speech.

When will you return home?

Colons (:) and semicolons (;)

The next punctuation marks to discuss are colons and semicolons. A colon is a mark used after a word to introduce an explanation, example, or another phrase that explains the first one.

There were three variants: green, blue, and red.

We did not go to the fair: we were already late.

A semicolon serves the purpose between a period and a comma. It is used as a pause which is a little stronger than a comma but not as definitive as the period. It is used where two clauses are related to one another and can be written in one sentence.

We experimented for three days; it was successful.

A lot of times, people tend to confuse semicolons and colons with each other. However, please pay attention to such mistakes.

Incorrect : He bought the following food items; burger and coke.

However, this sentence is wrong because the phrase ‘‘burger and coke’’ is a dependent clause. Therefore, the correct sentence would be:

Correct: He bought the following food items: burger and coke.

Wrapping up: Are punctuation marks really important?

Now that we know what punctuation marks are and why they are important, you can understand why the academic field is so stern about them. After all, the wrong punctuation marks can completely alter the meaning of your sentence or even convey the wrong message. Therefore, make sure to learn about punctuation marks and use them appropriately.

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The Importance of Punctuation

| Danielle McLeod

| Punctuation

Danielle McLeod

Danielle McLeod is a highly qualified secondary English Language Arts Instructor who brings a diverse educational background to her classroom. With degrees in science, English, and literacy, she has worked to create cross-curricular materials to bridge learning gaps and help students focus on effective writing and speech techniques. Currently working as a dual credit technical writing instructor at a Career and Technical Education Center, her curriculum development surrounds student focus on effective communication for future career choices.

Basic language rules are taught to all emerging English language learners, and most students already have a good grasp of punctuation before moving into a higher level of language learning. More advanced writing and the development of  writers’ voices call for a better understanding of how to organize complex sentence structures.

Convincing my students to take that plunge and attempt more difficult sentences does take some effort, but a good review of basic grammar rules generally helps. So does showing them how poor punctuation leads to confusing sentences and a misunderstanding of their own work.

Why We Use Punctuation

The English language and all its rules can create ambiguous sentences for emerging writers, and it is easy to become overwhelmed or even lazy when it comes to making sure your punctuation is correct. After all, what does it matter if you overuse a comma or misplace an apostrophe?

Actually, it matters a lot.

Punctuation adds precision and clarity to your writing and is essential to the meaning of written language . A misplaced end mark, misuse of a comma, or ignoring quotation marks can be the difference between a confused reader or even an accusation of plagiarism.

When you communicate through writing, you want your reader to understand what it is you are conveying. Punctuation provides structure to your words and highlights the tone you are taking to convince your audience of your message.

Your writing is often the first impression your audience receives of you, whether it be for a job, college application, or award. Making sure you present yourself through your writing in an accurate and presentable way is very much dependent upon your use of grammar and punctuation.

The Importance of Punctuation with Examples

Avoid confusing sentences with a review of some basic punctuation rules that will help clarify your sentences.

End Marks: Avoid Run-Ons and Fragments

Periods, question marks, and exclamation points are all end marks and indicate the end of a complete sentence. Without them, your sentences will run together, and so will your subjects and ideas. If they are used too often, your sentences will be incomplete and won’t make sense.

Declarative and Imperative sentences mostly end with a period. Question marks are used for interrogatory (questioning) sentences, and exclamation points are used for exclamatory (emotional) sentences.

For example:

• Please go to the store for me after work.
• Did you learn that from the blog post?
• Wow! Now I can’t wait until summer!

Commas: Combine Sentences, Introduce Phrases, and Separate Items in Lists

Commas are commonly misused despite the very straightforward comma rules that exist. When ignored or put in the wrong place, you could change the entire meaning of the sentence.

One of the most important rules of commas use is to join together independent clauses to form compound sentences. The comma is placed before the coordinating conjunction.

• Tomorrow is an important day for me, and I want to make sure I get enough sleep tonight.

Commas are also used after an introductory clause or long prepositional phrase. The part of the sentence that follows the comma is necessary for the understanding of the sentence.

• After the sun sets this evening, I want you to ensure all the gates are latched before coming in for dinner.

Without commas, your list of words, phrases, or clauses would all jumble together and be confusing to your reader. Use commas to separate items in a list and provide parallel sentence structure.

• I have a long morning in front of me since I have to put in grades, post lessons, and make it to a meeting before 8 am.

Commas offset interrupting information as well. Use them to enclose detailed information when it interrupts an independent clause.

• All of my students, including last year’s class, will be coming to the spring Field Day events.

Apostrophes: Show Ownership and Create Contractions

An apostrophe is added to a word to indicate the singular possession or ownership of something by that word. If the apostrophe is placed after the -s of a plural word, it indicates that more than one thing owns the same object or item.

Misuse of the apostrophe commonly occurs when people try to make a word plural with its use, confusing readers into thinking something is owned.

• I need you to pick up Dave’s new shirts so he can wear one of them tomorrow.
• The students’ new books came in yesterday, and I will pass them out during the homeroom period.

Apostrophes also indicate the omission of a letter when forming contractions.

• We are = we’re
• It is = it’s

Semicolons: Separate Related Independent Clauses and Separate Items in Lists

Semicolons are easy to use yet are often forgotten about altogether or used incorrectly. When misused in list separation, it can lead to confusion and a misinterpretation of the items you are trying to order.

Semicolons work to separate two complete sentences without the use of a conjunction.

• This summer went by way too fast; we weren’t ready for school to get started again.

Semicolons also are used to separate clauses and phrases that may already be punctuated.

• We went on a road trip this summer, stopping in Michigan, where we went sailing; Tennessee, where we went ziplining; and Florida, where we visited family.

Quotations: Indicate Direct Quotes

If you are quoting directly from another source, you must provide a reference to indicate that the words are not yours. If you leave out quotation marks, you are claiming the words as your own and could be accused of plagiarism.

Place quotation marks around all direct quotes taken from text and speech.

• In this day of age, I think of Gandhi’s words, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Parentheses: Offset Nonessential Information

Parentheses offset nonessential information from a complete sentence. When used incorrectly, that can indicate that the information is more important than it actually is. The text contained within parentheses should provide detail but not change the meaning of the sentence.

• The weather forecast is calling for cloudy weather this week (after a long hot summer), and the cooldown will be most welcome.

Let’s Review

Using proper punctuation is important if you want your writing to be understood and taken seriously. Writing develops with practice, and applying the rules of grammar, punctuation, and basic conventions is a necessity when you have a point to make.

Often, your writing may be the first impression you give to a potential employer or educational recruiter. Making sure the information you have to share is clear and concise to your reader is important, so be sure to proofread and correct your writing for punctuation.

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Academic writing

• Thinking about grammar
• Introduction

Punctuation in brief

Using commas, using the semi-colon, using the colon, using apostrophes.

• Writing in an academic style
• Descriptive, analytical and reflective writing
• Effective proof reading

Useful links for academic writing

• Study Advice Helping students to achieve study success with guides, video tutorials, seminars and one-to-one advice sessions.
• Improve your understanding of grammar and punctuation an excellent site with clear explanations and plenty of online exercises to test your understanding (University of Bristol).
• Academic Phrasebank Use this site for examples of linking phrases and ways to refer to sources.
• Learn English (British Council) High quality resources to help improve your English
• English for Uni (University of Adelaide) Engaging learning resources which aim to make difficult grammar and academic writing concepts easier to understand
• Grammar Resource Course on aspects of English grammar which are often a problem for students (University of Hull)
• English for Academic Purposes: Grammar Detailed explanation of how English grammar works with lots of exercises to put your knowledge into practice.

This guide includes advice on using some of the most common types of punctuation. If you would like more detailed advice, or if English is not your first language, there are links below to other websites which include more detailed advice and interactive exercises. If you are a University of Reading student and English is not your first language, the Academic English Programme (AEP) provides training courses in academic writing skills, speaking skills, and pronunciation practice.

• Academic English Programme (AEP) If you are studying in English as a second or additional language, the Academic English Programme offers courses, webinars and 1:1 consultations to help you improve your academic English while you study. The Academic English Programme (AEP) is free to all fee-paying international/EU students.
• Use a comma to create a pause , to separate ideas in that sentence.
• Use a semi-colon  to create a break , but recognises connection of ideas
• Use a colon  to connect two sentences  thematically
• Use a full stop  to create the end  of that sentence.
• Use an apostrophe  to indicate ownership or missing letters/numbers .

To separate words in a list:

He lost his house, his heritage, his hair, and his handkerchief.

To separate parts of a sentence :

Firstly, I would like to consider the merits of supplementing the diet with zinc extract. Secondly, vitamin C can be introduced to combat infection.

Here the comma separates the first word from the body of the sentence, to indicate that this idea is only the first.

To separate two parts of a linked idea:

After the French Revolution had taken place, many other European countries were concerned about civil unrest. Many scientists believe in evolution, although some are trying to disprove Darwin's Theory of Evolution.

To separate a final phrase, which is an afterthought:

Few people enjoy arduous and demanding exams, especially on Saturdays. I would like to run the London Marathon, if I were fit.

To link sentences that are closely related:

The night sky was the deepest sapphire; Claire realised that she had not observed its beauty until now.

A full stop between the two sentences would detract from Claire's observation, and a comma would not make enough of a break to allow the reader to make sense of the two ideas.

To link sentences that are in opposition to each other:

His research methods were fundamentally flawed; nonetheless, he collected the data.

In each of the examples above, the set of words after the semi-colon must be able to stand as a sentence on its own. However, there is a very common use of the semi-colon where this is not the case:

To separate items in a list:

Mrs Brown was assisted by other members of staff: Dr Benham from Animal Husbandry; Mr Gleeson from Botany; and Dr Chalk from Soil Science.

To introduce a list:

The results of the indoor team games were as follows: Wessex came first, Bridges and Wantage were joint second, and Sibly came last.

To link two sentences thematically:

Psychological studies into domestic violence are usually centred on an idea of the nuclear family: Henry Davis decided that he should undertake a more radical approach to research in this area.

Here the two sentences could exist separately, but by connecting them with a colon the reader is led from one idea to the next.

To draw out a conclusion:

Language acquisition is a difficult but immensely rewarding task: without it, there is little hope for global communication.

Here, what is said in the first sentence is contextualised by what is said in the second sentence.

• To show that letters are missing. This is known as  contraction.
• To indicate ownership. This is known as  possession.

Contractions

When letters are missing in a word, and the word becomes shorter, the apostrophe is used to show where the missing letters belonged.

For example:

• I am becomes I'm
• You will becomes you'll
• They would becomes they'd

Contractions are used in informal writing. Essays and reports should not contain informal writing.

Apostrophes are also used to show that something belongs to something else.

• The girl's hat - means that the hat is owned by the girl.
• The girl's hats - means that the girl owns more than one hat.
• The girls' hat - means that the girls all share ownership of one hat.
• The girls' hats - means that the girls own several hats (or one each).

As you can see, the apostrophe usually comes before the 's' if the subject is single ('the girl'), and after the 's' if it is plural ('the girls'). However it may be different if the word for a single subject ends with 's' like princess, Venus or Socrates. One useful way to deal with this is to see if the 's' is pronounced.

• Venus's arms or the princess's coronet

In both of these examples the 's' is pronounced, so there is an additional 's' with the apostrophe before.

• Socrates' wife

In this example the 's' is not pronounced, so there is no additional 's' and the apostrophe goes after the final 's' in Socrates.

Its/it's

The cat licked its paws.

There is no need for an apostrophe, because 'its' is a pronoun in its own right which stands in for 'the cat's' and indicates ownership.

It's an amazing idea.

A missing letter has been replaced by the apostrophe, so it really means 'it is':

Whose/who's

Whose shoes are they?

Here whose is a special kind of pronoun (like its) which indicates ownership already, so there is no apostrophe.

Who's coming to dinner?

A missing letter has been replaced by the apostrophe, so it really means, 'who is'.

The 1960s were a period of radical changes in morality.

In the '60s, public morality underwent radical changes.

1960s' morality was quite different to that which had gone before.

- In the first sentence, '1960s' is a plural referring to all the years between 1960 and 1969, so there is no apostrophe.

- In the second sentence there is a contraction with '19' missed off. The apostrophe replaces the missing numbers.

- In the third sentence, what is being referred to is the morality of the 1960s, so the apostrophe indicates possession.  

It is worth remembering that words may end with 's' because they are plurals, and not because they indicate ownership or contraction. Look at what the word is doing and apply an apostrophe only if appropriate.

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• Last Updated: Apr 30, 2024 10:24 AM
• URL: https://libguides.reading.ac.uk/writing

Punctuation Marks: All You Ever Wanted to Know About Them!

There are three principles which can lead you to success in writing — style, meaning, and grammar. Clarity and precision are things that always impress those who read and evaluate your texts, and demonstrate your educational and personal qualities. Grammar and punctuation are vital not only for your academic success, but also when you text a date you want to impress, correspond for a job interview, chat with your colleagues, and so on.

There are 14 punctuation marks used in English grammar. You probably know most of them, but it does not hurt to repeat them. They are the period, question mark, exclamation point, comma, semicolon, colon, dash, hyphen, parentheses, brackets, braces, apostrophe, quotation marks, and ellipsis. If you use them correctly, your writing will be much easier and appealing to read.

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Of course, there are certain differences between punctuation in British and American English. They are not major, but they are still important. For example, in American English, such popular abbreviations like Mr., Ms., and Mrs. have periods. In British however, no periods are used. When writing the time, British English employs periods—where noon would be 12.00. In the same case, the American system uses colons (12:00). The names of the punctuation marks can also be different. Look at the table before we move on to find out how to use them. Let's go deeper with our coursework writing service .

Sentence Endings: The Period, Question Mark and Exclamation Point

Let's begin with sentence endings. Sentences are an integral part of any text or message. You can end a sentence with the period, question mark, or exclamation point. The period (.) is usually used to end simple declarative sentences. In most cases, they complete statements that do not carry any special emotional meaning and do not infer a question.

Examples: Mary and Tom got married in 2020. He loves playing baseball.

A question mark (?) usually indicates a direct question and is also placed at the end of a sentence.

Examples: When did Mary and Tom marry? Does he love playing baseball?

The exclamation point (!) is used to showcase an emotion or to add special emphasis.

Examples: Wow, Mary and Tom are getting married! He loves playing baseball so much!

Comma, Semicolon, and Colon

Inside a sentence, there are also plenty of punctuation marks to be used. The most common ones are the comma, semicolon, and colon. They all indicate a pause in the sentence, so they are often misused among each other. Here is how to know when to use each of the symbols:

The comma is used to separate logical parts of a sentence. It includes ideas or elements that are inside the structure of a sentence. A comma can also be used to separate repetitive parts of a sentence, such as numbers, dates, or objects that are similar to each other. A comma is also used after a greeting and the end of a letter, before and after mentioning someone's name.

Examples: To separate logical parts of a sentence: When he came home, the sun was shining. To separate repetitive parts: I love movies such as “Pretty Woman”, “When Harry met Sally”, and “You've got mail”. To indicate a salutation: Thanks for all your help, Mark.

The semicolon (;) is usually used when connecting independent clauses. How will you know when to use commas or semicolons? A semicolon connects extra independent parts of a sentence. If you put a period between them, the sentence will still work. This will not be the case with a comma, where clauses depend on each other.

Examples: Sylvia was happy; she knew that he would fall in love with her pretty soon. As you can see, these two sentences can be easily separated.

A colon (:) can be used in three cases.

• When you introduce a quotation, an explanation, an example, or a series.

Example: It was up to her to take the following actions: graduate, find a job, and become a partner at her law firm.

• You can put a colon between independent clauses. It's like the case with a semicolon, but here the second part of the sentence explains the first.

Example: I didn't want to go to Brazil: I already had plans to go to Italy with my husband.

• The colon can also be used for emphasis when you want to single out one particular part of your sentence:

Example: She was sure of one thing: her friends.

Time, ratio, business correspondence and references — these are other cases where a colon can be used.

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Dash and Hyphen

The dash and hyphen are also quite common punctuation marks. Although they look similar, they are very different.

A dash is used to separate words into statements, and also to indicate range or connections.

Example: She said explicitly — Yes!

A hyphen is used to join two or more words together into a single concept. This way we get a compound term.

Examples: She is a well-known doctor working part-time. I went on a Rome-Paris flight.

Brackets, Braces, and Parentheses

Symbols like brackets, braces, and parentheses are used to include words that are a further explanation of the following part of a sentence or are considered a group. Brackets ([ ]) are notations which are mostly used for technical explanations, or to clarify meaning. The important part about brackets is that if you remove the information in the brackets, the sentence will still make sense.

Example: He [John] was the first one to graduate in the family.

Braces ({ }) look similar but they are mostly used in Math and computer programming to show units.

Example: 2{1+[23-3]}=x.

Parentheses ( ( ) ) are curved notations which are used to showcase thoughts or qualifying remarks. An important point about parentheses is that they can be replaced by commas without changing the meaning—in most cases.

Example: Mary Stuart (whose maiden name was Lockhart) went to buy a bottle of milk.

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Apostrophe and Ellipsis

The final and less used three punctuation forms are the apostrophe, quotation marks, and ellipsis. An apostrophe (') is mostly used when: there is an omission of a letter or letters from a word, in the possessive case, or for plurals of lowercase letters.

Examples: Omission of letters: I've wanted to do it for a long time. Possessive case: Kate's dog is a Golden retriever. Plural for lowercase letters: There are 3 p’s in the word “hippopotamus”.

‍ The ellipsis includes three periods (...) and is used in writing or printing to indicate an omission or pause in the thoughts of the writer. Ellipses are also useful for omitting unnecessary words that do not interfere with the meaning of the overall sentence.

Examples: I do not know about that… She was counting — one, two, three…

Quotation Marks

Quotation marks (" ") are primarily used to quote the words of another person.

Example: “Everything happens for a reason,” she said.

There are several instances in which you can use quotation marks. You can use them with direct quotes to quote someone’s message, with titles of certain works, to show other meanings from what was said literally, and to write words as words.

Quotation marks are usually used for a direct quote. When you change the sentence into the indirect quote, the quotation marks become unnecessary.

Examples: Direct quote: “I like the snow,” said Alice. Indirect quote: Alice said that she liked the snow.

So the important rule to remember is: “Quotation marks are used only with direct quotes”. You can quote not only a person, but also a written source.

There are two forms of direct quotations: run-in and block quotations. What are they and what is their difference? Run-in quotations are usually shorter. Their format is the same as the surrounding text. Block quotes are longer quotes that are separated from the surrounding text. Block quotations can even appear as a separate paragraph (or a series of paragraphs). They can also have a different font, a change in the line spacing, or have a wider margin.

Examples: The Father said, "Prospects for growth are really good." In "American History," the writer supposes, From the revolutionary war... (3)

So, the main rules about quotation marks are that if you open them, you need to close them as well. Where the quote starts and where it ends should be clear. Sometimes, the text inside quotation marks is capitalized, in other cases, it's not. So if you’re quoting a complete sentence, you should start the quote with a capital letter. This is the case even if you start the sentence, not the quote itself.

Example: She used the following phrase: “My life is a miracle.”

But, if you’re quoting a phrase or part of a sentence, you don't have to start with a capital letter:

Example: She considered them “rich and successful, like Hollywood stars.”

There are also single quotation marks. They look like this – ‘good day’ – and can be used instead of parentheses for translations.

Examples: Her ‘good day’ was Bonjourno in reality. He considers the word “Stars” lucky for his company.

There are also differences in formatting quotations in America and British style. Please, see the main differences for yourself.

*Place other punctuation inside quotation marks when that punctuation is part of what is being quoted, such as a quoted question.

We recommend reading about Jem Finch character traits , our readers find it very interesting.

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So these are the main rules for using punctuation and quotation marks in the English language. We hope this material was useful to you. If you want to order an academic paper where you do not have to worry about all the punctuation and grammar rules, we invite you to use EssayPro. By getting a paper from a professional writer on any topic, you are sure to get a good grade. We make the process of writing a research paper fast.

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Punctuation

Punctuation fills our writing with silent intonation. We pause, stop, emphasize, or question using a comma, a period, an exclamation point or a question mark. Correct punctuation adds clarity and precision to writing; it allows the writer to stop, pause, or give emphasis to certain parts of the sentence.

This section of the tutorial covers the most general uses of punctuation marks. Special attention is given to the most common mistakes that occur when punctuation does not follow standard written English conventions. The guidelines and examples given here do not offer a comprehensive analysis of all punctuation uses, rather a quick overview of some of the most frequent punctuation mistakes students make in writing. The section also covers the use of apostrophes and capital letters; these do not directly refer to punctuation but more to mechanics and spelling. However, just as with punctuation marks, knowledge of their proper use is intrinsic to good writing.

Take the Quick Self-Test to identify the common punctuation mistakes you may encounter in your writing. Follow the links included in the answers to the quiz questions to learn more about how to correct or avoid each punctuation mistake. If you prefer, you may review the entire punctuation section.

Quick Self-Test

Review Punctuation

• Capitalization
• Parentheses
• Comma Splice
• Run-on Sentences
• Sentence Fragments
• Organization

Gordon-Conwell Writing Center

• Understanding Writing Expectations
• Brainstorming and Writer's Block
• Outlining for Successful Writing
• Writing a Strong Introduction
• Creating a Clear Thesis Statement
• Developing Body Paragraphs
• Connecting Ideas with Transitions
• Choosing the Best Sources
• Using Sources Effectively
• Avoiding Plagiarism
• Paraphrasing without Plagiarizing
• Addressing Counterarguments
• Ending with a Strong Conclusion
• Using Words Wisely

Punctuating Correctly

• Revising, Editing, & Proofreading
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• Recorded Writing Workshops
• Return to GCTS Library Home Page

Punctuation can seem tricky and tedious, but it is so important! Punctuation helps writers connect and separate ideas to form easily readable sentences and paragraphs. Incorrect or confusing punctuation can be a distraction for readers, which takes away from the important ideas a writer is trying to communicate. Furthermore, incorrect punctuation can make one's writing seem unprofessional or unpolished, which reduces a writer's credibility.

Summary Explanation

• Do not use a comma to join two complete ideas; instead, a semicolon or a period must be used.
• Use a comma after most introductory words, phrases, and clauses.
• Use a comma to join two complete ideas with a connecting word such as and/but/or.

Detailed Explanation

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Brief Overview of Punctuation

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When speaking, we can pause or change the tone of our voices to indicate emphasis. When writing, we use punctuation to indicate these places of emphases. This handout should help to clarify when and how to use various marks of punctuation.

Use a comma to join two independent clauses and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, for, nor, so).

Use a comma after an introductory phrase, prepositional phrase, or dependent clause.

Use a comma to separate elements in a series. Although there is no set rule that requires a comma before the last item in a series, it seems to be a general academic convention to include it. The examples below demonstrate this trend.

Use a comma to separate nonessential elements from a sentence. More specifically, when a sentence includes information that is not crucial to the message or intent of the sentence, enclose it in or separate it by commas.

Use a comma between coordinate adjectives (adjectives that are equal and reversible).

Use a comma after a transitional element (however, therefore, nonetheless, also, otherwise, finally, instead, thus, of course, above all, for example, in other words, as a result, on the other hand, in conclusion, in addition)

Use a comma with quoted words.

Use a comma in a date.

Use a comma in a number.

Use a comma in a personal title.

Use a comma to separate a city name from the state.

Avoid comma splices (two independent clauses joined only by a comma). Instead, separate the clauses with a period, with a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction, or with a semicolon.

Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses when the second clause restates the first or when the two clauses are of equal emphasis.

Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses when the second clause begins with a conjunctive adverb (however, therefore, moreover, furthermore, thus, meanwhile, nonetheless, otherwise) or a transition (in fact, for example, that is, for instance, in addition, in other words, on the other hand, even so).

Use a semicolon to join elements of a series when individual items of the series already include commas.

For more information on semicolons, please see the "90-Second Semicolon" vidcast series on the Purdue OWL YouTube Channel .

Use a colon to join two independent clauses when you wish to emphasize the second clause.

Use a colon after an independent clause when it is followed by a list, a quotation, an appositive, or other ideas directly related to the independent clause.

Use a colon at the end of a business letter greeting.

Use a colon to separate the hour and minute(s) in a time notation.

Use a colon to separate the chapter and verse in a Biblical reference.

Parenthesis

Parentheses are used to emphasize content. They place more emphasis on the enclosed content than commas. Use parentheses to set off nonessential material, such as dates, clarifying information, or sources, from a sentence.

Dashes are used to set off or emphasize the content enclosed within dashes or the content that follows a dash. Dashes place more emphasis on this content than parentheses.

Use a dash to set off an appositive phrase that already includes commas. An appositive is a word that adds explanatory or clarifying information to the noun that precedes it.

Quotation Marks

Use quotation marks to enclose direct quotations. Note that commas and periods are placed inside the closing quotation mark, and colons and semicolons are placed outside. The placement of question and exclamation marks depends on the situation.

Use quotation marks to indicate the novel, ironic, or reserved use of a word.

Use quotation marks around the titles of short poems, song titles, short stories, magazine or newspaper articles, essays, speeches, chapter titles, short films, and episodes of television or radio shows.

Do not use quotation marks in indirect or block quotations.

Underlining and italics are often used interchangeably. Before word-processing programs were widely available, writers would underline certain words to indicate to publishers to italicize whatever was underlined. Although the general trend has been moving toward italicizing instead of underlining, you should remain consistent with your choice throughout your paper. To be safe, you could check with your teacher to find out which he/she prefers. Italicize the titles of magazines, books, newspapers, academic journals, films, television shows, long poems, plays of three or more acts, operas, musical albums, works of art, websites, and individual trains, planes, or ships.

Italicize foreign words.

Italicize a word or phrase to add emphasis.

Italicize a word when referring to that word.

Library Guides

Academic english: grammar and punctuation.

• Academic Voice and Language
• Grammar and Punctuation
• Editing and Proofreading Assignments

This page provides the basic foundations of English grammar and punctuation, which are necessary to all academic writing. Here you will find a review of punctuation, details on common mistakes, such as sentence fragments, run-ons and comma splices, along with useful resources to further your skills in written English. 

Punctuation and academic writing

Have a look at our punctuation video to see how punctuation is essential to the 'sense' of a sentence. Tina Onur explains how different punctuation marks work and demonstrates how meaning depends on good punctuation. 

Video on Punctuation and Academic Writing

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Punctuation

• Review of punctuation A printable guide to help you with all aspects of punctuation

Common problematic sentences

Fragment sentences

A sentence fragment consists of a group of words that appear to be a sentence but are in fact not. In order to be a sentence, there needs to be at least one independent clause - a group of words that contain both a subject and a finite verb and can therefore stand on their own.  

"Gone to the supermarket to buy apples." → "I went to the supermarket to buy apples."

Run-on sentences

A run-on sentence, also known as a fused sentence, occurs when you put two complete sentences (a subject and its predicate and another subject and its predicate) together in one sentence without connecting them properly, such as with a conjunction (and, but, if). 

"The football match was cancelled however many fans turned up to the stadium" → "The football match was cancelled; however, many fans turned up to the stadium", or "The football match was cancelled. However, many fans turned up to the stadium."

Comma splice

A comma splice is a particular type of run-on sentence in which two independent sentences are connected by only a comma. When you use a comma to connect two independent sentences, it must be followed by a conjunction (connecting word), such as "and", "or", "yet", "so", and "but". Alternatively, you can separate the independent clauses using a full stop "." or semi-colon ";". The comma splice is a common mistake in English writing. It has to be noted that commas can join independent clauses in many other languages, and this can lead non-native English speakers to make this mistake.

"The desk needs cleaning, the computer needs updating" → "The desk needs cleaning, and the computer needs updating", or "The desk needs cleaning. The computer needs updating". 

Rambling sentences

Unlike the types of problematic sentences discussed above in this box, rambling sentences are not grammatically wrong; nonetheless, they are highly undesirable, and should be avoided. Always try to write short and clear sentences. 

"Writing long sentences can impair the clarity of your writing, therefore rendering your text unaccessible and difficult to follow, which is not a desirable thing as you should aim at helping the assessor engage with the text, or s/he may mark you down, while all you need is to write shorter sentences, although it can be difficult if the ideas relating to your text are confused, and you should therefore first work to clarify them."

"Short sentences contribute to make a text accessible, easy to follow and engaging. Failure to do so in an assignment may compromise its mark. In order to write short and clear sentences you need to first clarify your ideas."

• Fragment and Run-on Sentences A useful guide developed by The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
• Fragment and Run-On Sentences Activity An activity on fragment and run-on sentences which will dissipate doubts on these sentences! Activity developed by English Current.

Our "Run-on sentences" video will help you to understand what run-on sentences are and how to avoid them in your writing.

Run-on sentences video

Grammar foundations and advanced grammar videos

For full access, log in with your University of Westminster  username and password

Passive and active tenses

Have a look at our video on active and passive tenses to understand how and when to use these tenses in your writing.

Video on passive and active tenses

Confusing Words

The English language can be a difficult one when certain words can sound the same but have very different spellings and in turn different meanings.

The link below helps to demystify a few of the most common confusing words that you may mistakenly use in your assignments. 

• List of commonly misused English words

Proofreading

Proofreading is a valuable part of the writing process and time should be put aside to ensure this stage is effectively undertaken. It is best to proofread a few times, focusing on a particular aspect each time, such as critical analysis, then coherency and fluidity of the essay structure, and lastly grammar and punctuation. 

Here is a handout out to help in proofreading for common grammatical errors:

• Proofreading for common gramatical errors

Resources: websites and apps

English Grammar for Second Language Learners : comprehensive guide to a wide range of grammatical concepts including articles, prepositions, pronouns and much more. Provided by the University of Wisconsin at Madison (US).

Guide to articles in English ('the', 'a', 'an')  : detailed guide with exercises

Prepositions, English Grammar Online :  The use of prepositions (e.g. in, at, on) can be confusing, especially for non-native speakers. This website provides examples and exercises on the use of prepositions. 

Verb Tenses, Englishpage.com :  Clear explanations of verb tenses, accompanied by diagrams and exercises.

Guide to Punctuation, University of Sussex :  Includes thorough explanations on the following topics: why learn to punctuate; the full stop, the question mark and the exclamation mark; the comma; the colon and the semicolon; the apostrophe; the hyphen and the dash; capital letters and abbreviations; quotations; miscellaneous (includes font styles; brackets; slashes; numbers); and punctuating essays and letters. 

Better Writing, Oxford Dictionaries :  In this comprehensive website you can find resources on grammar; spelling; punctuation; practical writing; how to improve your English; and abbreviations.

English Sentence Structure, Frankfurt International School :  This page contains information about sentence structure and types of sentences, as well as examples of common sentence problems in written English. Useful exercises are also provided.

Improve Your Writing, University of Bristol :  Includes explanations and exercises on the following: why you should improve your understanding of grammar and punctuation; the colon; the semicolon; the comma; the comma splice; the hyphen; the dash; the apostrophe; common confusions; using quoted material; other pitfalls and problems; and style.

Learn English by British Council :  If English is not your first language, you may find the resources and activities on the British Council's website Learn English useful. 

The Interactive Grammar of English

Vocabulary Builder

Exam Vocabulary Builder

Book Resources

• Cottrell. S. (2003).  The Study Skills Handbook , 2nd Edition. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan
• King G. (2009).  Improve Your Grammar , Glasgow: Harper Collins
• Metcalfe J. E. and Astle C. (1993).  Correct English , Clarion
• Osmond, A. (2013).  Academic Writing and Grammar for Students . London: Sage Publications Ltd.
• Thomson A. J. and Martinet A. V. (1986).  Practical English Grammar: A Classic Grammar Reference with Clear Explanations of Grammatical Structures and Forms , 4th Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press
• Truss L. (2009).  Eats, Shoots and Leaves , London: Fourth Estate

Workshop Slides

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• Last Updated: Nov 19, 2023 12:40 PM
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Importance of Punctuation in Research Papers (Part 1)

Why is Punctuation Important?

Writing formally in English is more than just choosing the right words in the right order.

• Using punctuation in your writing helps the reader to clearly understand the message that is being conveyed.
• A wrongly used punctuation or a missing punctuation can change the entire meaning of a sentence.
• Punctuation primarily helps to indicate the pauses and the emphasis on certain ideas or thoughts that are discussed in the text.
• Particularly, in academic writing , it is essential to accurately use punctuation as it helps to strengthen arguments that are made in the text.

One way of using punctuations correctly in writing is by taking help of grammar checker tools . While there are various such tools available online, Trinka is our recommended choice. Reason being its robust AI-powered language enhancement ability is uniquely designed for academic writing. Trinka understands the specific requirements of academic writing and helps you write better, right from correcting advanced English grammar errors to fixing scientific tone and style.

However, even with such smart assistance, it is helpful for authors to know about the correct usage of punctuations. Here, we give you an overview of two of the most common punctuation marks: the period and comma.

In British English, the period is known as the “full stop,” which neatly summarizes its major purpose: to help end a sentence. While most other punctuation marks in formal English mark a pause in a sentence or add emphasis, the period completes a sentence.

Related: Not entirely sure about the punctuations in your journal manuscript? Check out these posts now!

In academic writing , periods are also used to denote an abbreviation has been used. In science, the most commonly used abbreviation form is “et al.,” which is an abbreviation of the Latin et alii . A list of Latin abbreviations that are used in academic writing is as follows:

• et cetera = etc.
• nota bene = n.b.
• conferre = cf.
• ibidem = ibid.

For those who find such abbreviations difficult to remember and use, try out Trinka . It can help you in using periods correctly.

Finally, three periods in a row are called an ellipsis and this indicates that entire words have been cut out of a quote. For example, here is a full quote from a newspaper article:

• “I hope it’s only a matter of time before, in the same spirit, we reimagine zoos.”

However, in our work, we do not need the complete subordinate clause, so we can use an ellipsis to cut it out while demonstrating academic rigor by acknowledging that we have edited the quote:

“I hope it’s only a matter of time before…we reimagine zoos.”

The comma is one of the most misused of the common punctuation marks, probably because it has so many technical uses: a comma acts to separate subordinate clauses from the main sentence clause. The three primary functions of comma in academic writing are as follows:

1. Separating Adverbial or Introductory Phrases from the Main Clause

This is a very common use in academic writing , which relies on transitional and adverbial phrases to develop a line of argument. Some very common examples are:

• However, the…
• Therefore, researchers argue…
• As a result, participants…
• After this occurred, the…

2. Separating Dependent Clauses from the Main Clause

This is common in complex academic writing, where certain concepts often require nuance or additional information. The purpose of such commas is to clearly demonstrate to the reader the essential information that is part of the main clause and the non-essential information that provides additional information.

The subordinate clause can be in the middle of the sentence, which requires a comma before and after it. For example:

• This issue is, as described previously, central to this work.
• The book, claimed Smith, was found in an attic.

It can be placed at the beginning or end of the sentence, requiring just one comma. For example:

• In the same spirit, I hope it’s only a matter of time before we reimagine zoos.
• This issue is central to this work, as described previously.
• The book was found in an attic, claimed Smith.

3. Separating a List of Items

This is the most well-known use of the comma; however, there is a point of contention around what is known as the o xford comma or the s erial comma . In American English, it is mandatory to have the Oxford comma, whereas, in British English, this comma is required only when you require clarity in a given list of items. Thus, using the Oxford/Serial comma helps improve clarity in a given list although it may simply be a matter of style. For example:

• The organization has recently expanded into China, Brazil, India, and Russia.
• The application can be downloaded to PCs, smartphones, tablets, and iPods.
• The mice demonstrated higher fecundity, improved appetite, and increased activity.

Common Comma Mistakes

Commas have many uses, and, as a result, there are many ways that they can be used incorrectly. Three issues which appear regularly in academic writing are the comma splice, the missing comma, and the extra comma.

The Extra Comma

A comma splice is a comma that is placed randomly in a sentence. It often appears because writers feel that the sentence requires a pause, as a common way of teaching comma use is to describe them as a pause or a place to take a breath. While this is useful for school children, it leads to many mistakes in formal writing. A comma should never come between the main clause and its subordinate clause, a verb and its direct object or objects joined by a conjunction. These commas are all used incorrectly:

• One should never, argue with a deconstructionist.
• The song refers to holly and ivy.
• It is important to remember to, feed the mice.

The Missing Comma

Missing commas are common because writers are often afraid of overusing them, or using them incorrectly, and so they avoid them altogether. This results in sentences that make little sense or have an ambiguous meaning. These sentences all require commas:

• However, the penny fell onto its side.
• The executive director who was known to be short-tempered told his subordinates that they needed to do better.
• The application can scan print save send and edit documents.

The Comma Splice

A comma splice is a comma which separates two independent clauses which should be separated by another form of punctuation, such as a period, a semicolon or a subordinating or coordinating conjunction. The use of a comma is incorrect in English because it combines two independent thoughts that should be clearly and distinctly separated. Here we see some comma splices and ways to correct them:

• The audience did not enjoy the movie, they felt the story was unrealistic.
• The audience did not enjoy the story because they felt the story was unrealistic.
• 87% of participants agreed that they were satisfied, the test was successful.
• 87% of participants agreed that they were satisfied, therefore the test was successful.
• Participant A did not understand the computer, he had not read the manual.
• Participant A did not understand the computer. He had not read the manual.

I hope this article helped you learn the difference between a period and a comma and how to use each of them correctly in your writing. You can also check out Trinka , to improve your writing for punctuation usage and all other grammar and language corrections. It is a one-stop solution to all your writing enhancement needs. Now that you have explored a period and a comma so closely, test your knowledge by attempting a fun exercise here: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/arts/exercises/grammar/grammar_tutorial/page_55.htm .

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