Punctuation is the system of signs or symbols given to a reader to show how a sentence is constructed and how it should be read. Sentences are the building blocks used to construct written accounts. They are complete statements. Punctuation marks for business writing show how the sentence should be read and makes the meaning clear. Hence, it is important to note that every sentence that is a part of business writing should include at least a capital letter at the start, and a full stop, exclamation mark or question mark at the end. This basic system indicates that the sentence is complete.

1. Kinds of Sentences and
Their Punctuation

2. A sentence may be one of four kinds, depending upon the number and type(s) of clauses it contains.
Review:
An independent clause contains a subject, a verb, and a complete thought.
Example: I wrote a blog last year.
A dependent clause contains a subject and a verb, but no complete thought
Example : after I wrote my first novel last year

3. Dependent clause Independent clause

4. 1.A SIMPLE SENTENCE has one independent clause
Tom reads novels
Tom reads newspaper
Tom reads novels and newspaper (Compound direct object)
Tom reads and enjoys novels (Compound verb)
Tom and Harry read novels (Compound subject)
Tom and Harry read read and enjoy novels and newspapers(Compound subject , verb ,direct object)
Note
NO commas separate two compound elements (subject, verb, direct object, indirect object, subjective
complement, etc.) in a simple sentence

5. 2. A COMPOUND SENTENCE has two independent clauses joined by
A. a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so),
B. a conjunctive adverb (e.g. however, therefore), or
C. a semicolon alone.
Examples : To match A ,B , and C above
A.Tom reads novels ,but Jack reads comics.
B. Tom reads novels ; however ,Jack reads comics
C.Tom reads novels ; his friends reads comics.
Punctuation patterns (to match A, B, and C above):
A. Independent clause, coordinating conjunction independent clause.
B. Independent clause; conjunctive adverb, independent clause.
C. Independent clause; independent clause

7. The FANBOYS
The fanboys operate under two basic rules:
(1) when the fanboys connect two ideas that could each be a
sentence on its own, then we put a comma in front of the
fanboys
(2) when the fanboys do not connect two ideas that could each
be a sentence, then we do not put a comma in front of the
fanboys.
The fanboys consist of seven
words: for, and, nor, but, or,
yet, so. Using these seven
words in a sentence can
connect independent clauses
that could each be a sentence
on its own. With fanboys, the
writer can show readers how
the ideas in the two clauses
relate to one another

9. Conjunctive
Adverbs
Conjunctive adverbs are adverbs that are used to either tie
two independent clauses together or interrupt a single main
clause. By using conjunctive adverbs, one can allow for the
smooth transition from one idea to another, even if these ideas
conflict. They explain the connection that these ideas have to
each other: whether or not they work together, conflict, occur
simultaneously or occur one after the other in a specific
sequence of events may determine which conjunctive adverb
will properly convey the sentence’s meaning.
Punctuation pattern
. Independent
clause; conjunctive
adverb, independent
clause.

12. 3. A COMPLEX SENTENCE has one dependent clause (headed by a subordinating conjunction or a
relative pronoun ) joined to an independent clause.
Examples :
A . Although Tom reads novels ,Jack reads comics .
B. Jack read comics although Tom reads novels .
C. Jack Smith ,who reads comics ,rarely reads novels
D. People who read comics rarely read novels .
Punctuation patterns (to match A, B, C and D above):
A. Dependent clause, independent clause
B. Independent clause dependent clause
C. Independent, nonessential dependent clause, clause.
D. Independent essential dependent clause clause.

13. subordinate
conjunction
The Wabbits
The wabbits include
when ,where ,while
,after ,although
,before ,because ,if ,
though , and since.
These are a sample
of subordinate
conjunction

23. 4. A COMPOUND-COMPLEX SENTENCE has two independent clauses joined to one or
more dependent clauses.

24. Source: Open source /Google