The document outlines punctuation rules to enhance reader comprehension and improve communication in writing. It highlights the importance of correct punctuation in conveying meaning, emphasizing clarity, and maintaining professionalism. Key punctuation marks are discussed, including commas, semicolons, colons, ellipses, dashes, and quotation marks, along with their proper usage in business writing.

1. Pearson Business Reference and Writer’s Handbook Section Two Punctuation

2. This section provides Rules for using correct punctuation to heighten the understanding of the reader.

3. Objectives Correctly punctuate sentences and parts of sentences Achieve understanding on the part of the reader

4. Punctuation makes writing understandable It connects ideas and signals pauses, emphasis, and full stops. It tells the reader whether you are commanding, questioning, exclaiming, or simply stating.

5. Incorrect punctuation can Change the meaning of a sentence Create serious miscommunications Create a poor image of the writer

6. Use commas to Set off elements of a sentence Clauses Phrases Transitional expressions Numbers or words that could be confusing if run together Separate elements listed in a series In business writing use a comma before “and”

7. Use the semicolon to connect ideas in sentences You connect ideas in sentences To show a strong connection between two independent clauses without using a conjunction To show an equal emphasis on the two ideas

8. Also use the semicolon To connect parts of sentences that have commas To connect clauses with transitional words or phrases

9. Use the colon To connect two sentences To introduce a list

10. Use the ellipsis … To indicate that parts of a quote or paraphrased words have been omitted from a sentence

11. Use the dash To set off words that are nonessential To emphasize part of a sentence. To insert important information as an aside

12. Use quotation Marks “ ” To enclose a direct quotation: Words that are the exact spoken or written words of someone other than the writer.

13. Do not use quotation marks With indirect quotations when you are paraphrasing—summarizing or using your own words instead of the speaker’s exact words.

14. Always check punctuation in the final stage of proofreading Carefully crafted, error-free writing creates an image of competence and polish that carries over to the ideas behind the words.