Students must realize the importance of proper punctuations when writing a term paper. This goes along with the paper's quality in terms of composition, form and style.
A faulty use of punctuation marks could result to misconception of the readers, and thus, the paper will lose its appeal.
In the advent of the internet, SMS and other electronic communication devices, people, especially students forget the proper use of punctuations. They are even guilty of misspelling words.
Here is a review of punctuatios and their usages:
1.Period ( . ) - this denotes the end of a declarative or imperative sentence. A declarative sentence states a fact, and an imperative sentence suggests order or command.
Declarative sentence: She accused him of murder.
Imperative sentence: State the points un your argument.
2.Question Mark ( ? ) - this denotes the end of an interrogative sentence. An interrogative sentence is in a form of a question.
Interrogative sentence: Did he really stab her with a knife?
3.Exclamation Point ( ! ) - is used to convey excitement.
I saw the look in his eyes!
4.Semi-colon ( ; ) - this separates two independent but related clauses in a sentence. It also denotes separation of a series of items.
I saw him holding the knife; it was stained with blood.
I saw him leave the house with his friend, Alex; our neighbor, Jake; my classmate Clyde; and his classmate, Paula.
5.Colon ( : ) - this introduces a list.
The lawyer gave the man three options: to plead guilty, to find more alibi, or to find more witnesses.
6.Hyphen ( - ) - is used on the following:
Prefix – the hyphen separates the word from its affix. Re-enact, ex-wife
Compound words – up-to-date, out-of-town
Numbers as words – thirty-four, three hundred thirty-three
Never interchange the uses of punctuation marks in the term paper. A student must be guided at all times should confusion arise amid the paper.
