LEC052019 Devikiran mechanics of academic writing

            

 [ ] BRACKETS

 Brackets ([]) are the squared off notations used for

technical explanations. Dictionary uses them when you

look up word definitions. At the bottom of each definition

page, brackets surround a technical description of where the

word originated.

And also in academic writing the writers use the brackets to provide more explanation to the quoted sentence.

Example “If there is a will, there is a way.” [APJ Abdul Kalam.]

ELLIPSIS

The ellipsis mark (. . .) is generally

represented by three periods, although it is

occasionally demonstrated with three asterisks (***).

Ellipses are used:

• In writing or printing to indicate an omission,

especially of letters or words.

• Within quotations to jump from one phrase to

another, omitting unnecessary words that do not

interfere with the meaning.

•writing research papers or newspapers

quoting parts of speeches will often employ ellipses

to avoid copying lengthy text that is not needed.

COLON

A colon (:) has two main uses:

After a word introducing a quotation,

an explanation, an example, or a

series. It is also often used after the

salutation of a business letter. Within

time expressions. Within time, it is used

to separate out the hour and minute:

12:15 p.m.

2, You have 2 option to choose from: quit or stay-on.

HYPHEN

A hyphen (-) is used

between the parts of a compound

word or name or between the

syllables of a word, especially

when divided at the end of a line

of text. Examples of a hyphen in

use include:

Between a compound name:

Mrs. Smith-Reynolds

Within a compound word:

back-to-back, time-to-time etc.

BRACES

Braces ({}) are used to contain two or

more lines of text or listed items to show that

they are considered as a unit. They are not

commonplace in most writing, but can be seen

in computer programming to show what should

be contained within the same lines.

QUESTION

MARK

Use a question mark (?)

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

When did Jane leave for the

market?

How is the movie?

Why are you sad? Etc.

EXCLAMATIONPOINT

The exclamation point/mark (!)

is used when a person wants to express a sudden

outcry or add emphasis.

Within dialogue: “Holy cow!” oh no!

To emphasize a point: my brother makes me curious!

 

PERIOD

The period (.) is

placed at the end of

declarative sentences,

statements thought to be

complete and after many

abbreviations.

As a sentence ender:

Kishor and Kiran played cricket.

After an abbreviation:

Dr. Anila is very good.

COMMA

The comma (,) is used to show

a separation of ideas or elements

within the structure of a sentence.

Additionally, it is used in letter writing

after the salutation and closing.

Separating elements within sentences:

He  wanted the black, green, and blue shirts.

Example for Letter Salutations: Dear friend,

Separation of two complete sentences:

We went to the movies, and we went to

the beach.

SEMICOLON;

The semicolon (;) is used to connect

independent clauses. It shows a closer relationship

between the clauses than a period would show.

Kiran lost; he knew he would surely  loose.

DASH

An endash (–) is a symbol that

is used in writing or printing to connect

numbers or to connect elements of a

compound adjective, such as 1880–1945

or Princeton–New York trains.

The emdash (—) is twice as long

as the endash and has a more

complicated grammatical use. The

symbol is used to:

• Indicate a break in thought or

sentence structure

• Introduce a phrase added for

emphasis, definition, or explanation

• Separate two clauses

We only wanted to get two birds—but

the clerk talked us into four pregnant

parakeets.

QUOTATIONS

MARKS

Quotations marks ( “” ) are a pair

of punctuation marks used primarily to mark the

beginning and end of a passage attributed to

another and repeated word for word. 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.

 

( ) PARENTHESES

Parentheses ( () ) are curved notations used

to,  contain further thoughts or qualifying remarks.

However, parentheses can be replaced by commas

without changing the meaning in most cases.

John and Jane (who were actually half brother

and sister) both have red hair.

 

 

APOSTROPHE

An apostrophe (‘) is used to indicate

the omission of a letter or letters from a word, the

possessive case, or the plurals of lowercase letters.

Examples of the apostrophe in use include:

Omission of letters from a word:

An issue of nat’l importance.

Possesive case: Sara’s dog bites.

Plural for lowercase letters:

Six people were told to mind their p’s and q’s.

It should be noted that, according to Purdue University,

some teachers and editors enlarge the scope of the use

of apostrophe, and prefer their use on symbols (&’s),

numbers (7’s) and capitalized letters (Q&A’s), even

though they are not  necessary.