LEC052002- Afina Shamsudeen- mechanics of academic writing

/ LEC052002/ AFINA SHAMSUDEEN / MECHANICS OF ACADEMIC WRITING. /

          In composing a meaningful, grammatically correct piece of writing , writing mechanics are the conventions governing the technical aspects of writing , including spelling ,punctuation , capitalization and abbreviations. Although there are many required uses , punctuation is, to some extend ,a matter of personal preference.  But, while certain practices are optional, consistency is mandatory. 

Punctuation marks is the system of signs or symbols placed along a sentence to control speed ,provide directions,  and prevent head - on collisions.  It gives the reader the idea of how it should be read. It also shows the divisions between phrases and sentences and also makes the sentences clearer and more understandable to the reader.

There are 14 punctuation marks which are commonly used in English grammar. They are the 'period', 'question mark','exclamation point,'comma','semicolon ','colon','dash','hyphen ','parenthesis ','brackets ','braces','apostrophe','quotation marks' and 'ellipsis '.

 Out of the 14 punctuation marks, three are used as sentences endings. They are:

 Period(.)

A period marks the end of a sentence.  While reading a sentence we need to pause after a full stop. Period end sentences that are not questions or exclamations. A period is used after every telling sentence.  It is also used at the end of an abbreviated word or between the letters of an abbreviated word. We do not  use a full stop with abbreviations formed from the first capital letters. 

Question mark (?)

It is to indicate a direct question when placed at the end of a sentence. 

Exclamation point (!)

It is used after a strong interjection and after a strong imperative sentences which mark certain direct commands. Exclamation point end a sentence that is an exclamation.

The comma, semicolon and colon are often misused since they all can indicate a pause in a sentence. 

Comma(,)

The comma is used to show a separation of concepts or ideas in a sentence. It is commonly used  in separating numbers, dates and letter writings after the salutation and closing.  It separates items in a list and also adjectives in a series. 

Colon(:)

A colon introduces lists including examples, summaries  direct quotations and also a second  clause that expands or illustrates the meaning of the first. 

Semicolon (;)

It represents a pause greater than a comma. It is often used to separate the independent clauses of a compound sentence.  Such clauses are not joined by a coordinating conjunction.

      In separating the two clauses of a compound sentence, the semicolon is slightly stronger than a comma,  but weaker than a period.  It is used to separate two closely linked clauses and shows that there is a link between them, also it separates the items in a complex list. 

The other two common punctuation marks are the dash and hyphen. These marks are seemingly similar but different in their functions.  It includes additional information with more emphasis than a comma.

Dash(_)

A dash is used to separate words into statements.  There are two different dashes. En dash and an em dash. 

En dash: which joins numbers in a range, such as “1914-1918" also it joins words that describe a range, like January- June. 

Em dash : It is longer than the en dash, the em dash is used in the place of a comma, parentheses or colon to enhance readability or emphasize the conclusion of a sentence. It works better than commas to set apart a unique idea from the main clause of a sentence. It also separates  an inserted thought or clause from the main clause and shows when dialogue has been interrupted.

Hyphen (-)

It is used to indicates breaks within words that wrap at the end of a line. Connects compounded words like “mass-market ". It also connects grouped numbers like a phone number. The hyphen does not indicate a range of numbers, like a date range, which is the job of an en dash.

                                  Brackets, braces and parentheses are symbols used to contain words that are a further explanation or are considered as a group. 

Brackets ([])

Brackets are the squared off notations used for technical explanations or to clarify meaning. The sentence will do make sense even if the brackets removed. 

Braces({})

Braces are used to contain two or more lines of text or listed to show that they are considered aas a unit. They are not common in writing,  but it can be seen in computer programming.

Parentheses (<>)

These are curved notations used to contain further thoughts or qualifying remarks.  However, parentheses can be replaced by commas without changing the meaning.

Quotation marks (" ")

The quotation marks are a pair of punctuation marks which  will enclose direct speech. It can be single or double. The quotation marks are used at the beginning and end of phrases to show that it is being written exactly as it was originally said or written. Commas and periods are always placed  immediately before the closing quotation marks. They are also used to indicate meanings and to indicate the unusual or dubious status of a word. Single quotation marks are used most frequently for quotes within quotes . 

Ellipsis (...)

This is most commonly represented by three periods, although it is occasionally demonstrated with three asterisks(***) . The ellipsis is used in writing or printing to indicate an omission,especially of letters or words. Ellipsis are frequently used within quotations to jump from one phrase to another omitting unnecessary words that do not interfere with the meaning.