/LEC052033/NAINA.T.P/Mechanics of Writing

MECHANICS OF WRITING

Writing is an art."Art is truth and truth is art".Writing without an error is not at all an impossible phenomenon. Perfect grammatical accuracy mere cannot contribute to an error-free writing.One must use correct mechanics of writing in documenting facts.The mechanics of writing specifies the established conventions for words that are used in the process of documentation.'Grammar' and 'the mechanics of writing ' differs in it's own meaning and usage.Grammar reflects the forms of words and their relationships within a sentence, while,mechanics of writing indulge in a different perspective of the accuracy of the writing process.

The mechanics of writing includes proper capitalization ,spelling and punctuation.

Following are some of the most important aspects in the mechanics of writing, to be followed correctly in order to bring forward a perfect piece of writing.

1.Full stop ( . )

It is used at the end of a sentence that is not a question or an exclamation. And it is also used in some abbreviations and e mail addresses. 

2.Comma ( , )

It is used to separate words in a list ,though they are often omitted before 'and'.It is also used to separate clauses or phrases,to separate an introductory word or phrase ,or an adverb or adverbial phrases that applies to the whole sentence from the rest of the sentence. 

Comma has many more usages like separating a tag question from the rest of the sentence and separating main clauses especially long ones ,linked by a conjunction such as 'and' ,'as' ,'but' ,'for' etc.

3.Colon (: )

It is used to introduce a list of items and also to introduce a quotation,which may be intended.In formal writing ,a.colon is also used before a clause or phrase that gives more information about the main clause.

4.Semicolon ( ; )

It is used in writing instead of a comma to separate parts of a sentence that already contain commas and also to separate two main clauses,especially those not joined by a conjunction. 

5.Question Mark ( ? )

It is used in writing at the end of a direct question and especially with a date to express doubt. 

6.Exclaimation Mark/Exclaimation Point ( ! )

It is used at the end of a sentence expressing surprise,joy,anger, shock or another strong emotions.

7.Apostrophe ( ' )

It is used in writing with 's' to indicate that a person or thing belong to somebody and also used in short forms,to indicate that letters or figures have been omitted. 

8.Hyphen ( - )

It is used to form a compound ,from two or more other words and also from a prefix and a proper name.

9.Parentheses ( () )

It is used in writing to separate extra information or a comment from the rest of a sentence.And, the parentheses are also made use in enclosing cross references.Sometimes,parentheses are used around numbers or letters in text.

10.Square Brackets 

It is used around words inserted to make a  quotation grammatically correct.

11.Quotation Marks ( " " / ' ')

It is generally used to enclose words and puctuation in direct speech.

It is also used to draw attention to a word that is unusual for the context,for example a slang expression ,or to a word that is being used for special effect,such as irony.Quite often,quotation marks are also used around the title of articles,books,poems,plays etc.

12.Dot/Ellipsis (........)

It is used to indicate that words have been omitted,especially from a quotation or at the end of a conversation. 

13.Slash/ Oblique ( / )

It is used to separate alternate words or phrases.In the present internet era,a slash or an oblique is also used in internet and email addresses to separate the different elements.

14.Dash ( - )

It is used in informal English ,instead of a colon or semicolon,to indicate that what follows is a summary or conclusion of what has gone before.

Like adhering to the ABC (Accuracy,Brevity,Clarity) in writing ,an academic writing also stick on to the mechanics of writing in order to produce an error- free document.