Technical Style: PunctuationSlide 2Commas separate certain words.Commas mark modifying phrases.Commas indicate whether information is restrictive (essential to meaning) or not.Why do we need commas to tell us whether a word/phrase is restrictive?What’s the difference between Which and That?Do not do this!Punctuate these!Semi-Colons: Their most important roleSemi-colons . . .That’s two independent clauses . . .Conjunctive adverbs are not the same as subordinating adverbs!This is a comma splice.Semi-colons also . . .Colons: one main roleListsPunctuate these.Too many bullets spoil the document!Vertical ListsVertical Lists (non-bulleted)Lists Within a SentenceHyphens . . .Dashes . . .Quotation MarksPunctuate this . . .Parentheses (the shy notation)Technical Style: Technical Style: PunctuationPunctuationUnlocking the Unlocking the mysteries!mysteries!Technical Style: PunctuationTechnical Style: PunctuationThe punctuation you The punctuation you use most:use most:commascommas,,semi-colonssemi-colons;;colonscolons::The supporting players:The supporting players:hyphenshyphens--dashesdashes----quotation marksquotation marks““xx””parenthesesparentheses( )( )Commas Commas separateseparate certain words. certain words.items in a series:items in a series: •I bought onions, peppers, celery, and beans.I bought onions, peppers, celery, and beans.•Do you have to put a comma before the final “and” Do you have to put a comma before the final “and” in a series?in a series?main clauses joined with a coordinating conjunction:main clauses joined with a coordinating conjunction:•The data were conclusive, and the results were The data were conclusive, and the results were correct.correct. The coordinating conjunctions areThe coordinating conjunctions are these:these: and, and, yet, so, for, but.yet, so, for, but.coordinate adjectives:coordinate adjectives:•The sparkling,valuable, antique crystalThe sparkling,valuable, antique crystal . . . . . .Commas mark modifying phrases.Commas mark modifying phrases.modifying phrases and clauses (non-restrictive modifying phrases and clauses (non-restrictive information):information):•The table in the cornerThe table in the corner, , which had just been which had just been overturnedoverturned,, was set upright again. was set upright again.introductory phrases:introductory phrases:•Having searched the literatureHaving searched the literature, , we then set we then set about synthesizing our material.about synthesizing our material.Commas indicate whether information is Commas indicate whether information is restrictive (essential to meaning) or not.restrictive (essential to meaning) or not.Non-restrictive clauses are surrounded by commas (or Non-restrictive clauses are surrounded by commas (or dashes). Think of the commas as little hinges: if the dashes). Think of the commas as little hinges: if the enclosed phrase is cut from the sentence, would the enclosed phrase is cut from the sentence, would the meaning really change? meaning really change? The three model runsThe three model runs,, all performed on Saturday all performed on Saturday,, produced varying results.produced varying results. RestrictiveRestrictive information should have information should have nono surrounding surrounding commas because this info. is vital to the meaning of the commas because this info. is vital to the meaning of the sentence.sentence.The three model runs performed on Saturday produced The three model runs performed on Saturday produced varying results.varying results.Why do we need commas to tell us Why do we need commas to tell us whether a word/phrase is restrictive?whether a word/phrase is restrictive?Under what circumstances should the name Under what circumstances should the name “Margaret” be enclosed in commas?“Margaret” be enclosed in commas?Lynn’s sisterLynn’s sister,, MargaretMargaret,, was impressedwas impressed..TThis is correct ONLY if Lynn has only one sister.his is correct ONLY if Lynn has only one sister.The meaning does not change if the name Margaret The meaning does not change if the name Margaret is taken out of the sentence (the name is non-is taken out of the sentence (the name is non-restrictive).restrictive).The commas tell us Lynn has only one sister and her The commas tell us Lynn has only one sister and her name is Margaret. name is Margaret.What’s the difference between Which What’s the difference between Which and That?and That?He buried the evidence that was incriminating.He buried the evidence that was incriminating.He buried the evidenceHe buried the evidence,, which was incriminating. which was incriminating.The presidential candidate gave an acceptance The presidential candidate gave an acceptance address that was a sure sign he would run an address that was a sure sign he would run an aggressive campaign. aggressive campaign. The presidential candidate gave an acceptance The presidential candidate gave an acceptance addressaddress,, which was a sure sign he would run an which was a sure sign he would run an aggressive campaign. aggressive campaign. Generally, use a comma before “which.” Generally, use a comma before “which.”Do not do this!Do not do this!Don’t use a comma alone to join two Don’t use a comma alone to join two independent clauses:independent clauses:The equipment was brokenThe equipment was broken,, the students were the students were refusing to come to class.refusing to come to class.Don’t let one comma chop a subject off from Don’t let one comma chop a subject off from its verb or verbs:its verb or verbs:The final criterionThe final criterion,, acceptability addresses the acceptability addresses the approval of the public.approval of the public.,,andPunctuate these!Punctuate these!1.1.John who should have known better erased John who should have known better erased all the disks on the computerall the disks on the computer2.2.Any employee who works overtime this Any employee who works overtime this week may have Friday off.week may have Friday off.Semi-ColonsSemi-Colons: Their most important role: Their most important roleLink two Link two independentindependent clauses clausesThe evidence was convincingThe evidence was convincing;; neverthelessnevertheless,, the jury the jury found him innocent.found him innocent.In this use, semi-colon may always be replaced