English language learners: This is an eleven-slide presentation with additional information and examples to help you revisit information on punctuation, so you can apply the skill in your personal, academic, and professional life (RZP - March 2020).

1. MECHANICS
Punctuation
Created by: RZP
Topic: Mechanics: Punctuation - OER
Audience: English language learners
Date: February 2020
1
Images: courtesy of ClipArt
o Period
o Comma
o Colon
o Semicolon
o Question mark
o Exclamation mark
o Quotation marks
o Apostrophe

2. 2
Period
Comma
Colon
Semicolon
Question mark
Exclamation mark
Quotation marks
Apostrophe
.
,
:
;
?
!
“ “
‘
Punctuation
Adapted from: http://www2.actden.com/writ_den/tips/sentence/puctuate.htm

3. Period
3
.
Use a period at the
end of each sentence.
o Louis Riel and Terry
Fox are considered
Canadian icons.
o Both Riel and Fox
are from Manitoba.
Use a period after abbreviations.
o Our learning centre is located on Main St. in Winnipeg.
o Their face-to-face sessions start at 8:00 a.m. daily.

4. Comma
4
,
Use a comma to join two independent clauses connected by a
conjunction.
o We aim to succeed, so we work hard every day.
Use a comma to show a pause in your sentences.
o I said, well, what’s wrong with that?
Use a comma with “quotation marks” to show what someone said.
o “Every day is a great day to learn,” our instructor told us.
Use a comma to emphasize clauses and added (non-essential)
information in your sentences.
o Riel and Fox, who are both Canadian icons, left us a great legacy.
Use a comma to separate items in a sentence.
o Pens, books, and computers are all examples of technology.
Note: The Oxford comma is placed before the coordinating conjunction in a list of three items or more (APA).

5. Colon
5
:
Use a colon to introduce lists.
o These are examples of Canadian values: equity, fairness, and
inclusion.
Use a colon to introduce long quotes.
o Terry Fox once said: “Anything is possible if you try.”
o Louis Riel said, and I quote: “I have nothing but my heart and I
have given it long ago to my country.”
Use a colon to show that something important is following
o Listen carefully: You must always follow the instructions.

6. Semicolon
6
;
Use a semicolon to connect two complete sentences that are
close in thought.
o Online learning is transformative; it helps us self-regulate
and become independent learners
Use a semicolon to join two independent clauses separated
by a conjunctive adverb
o She wants to buy a car; however, she doesn’t have enough
money.
Use a semicolon to separate items in a sentence when each
item consists of several words or complete sentences.
o The three main areas of difficulty for me as a language
learner are pronunciation in my presentations; grammar in
my paragraph writing; and vocabulary in my reading and
comprehension.

7. Question mark
7
?
Use a question mark at the end of your sentences
to show direct questions.
o What are the four types of questions?
o How can we identify the main idea?
o What are the pros and cons of online learning?
o What would you do if you did not have a
computer at home?

8. Exclamation mark
8
!
Use an exclamation mark at the end of a sentence to show
surprise, excitement, happiness, or any strong emotion.
o Congratulations!
o She won the election!
o Wow!
o Hooray!
o Oh, my goodness!
Note: Exclamation marks are not common in academic or formal writing.

9. Quotation marks
9
“ “
Use quotation marks in your sentences to show the exact
words of the speaker
o The librarian said, “there is a drop-off box for returns
outside all library branches.”
o I fully understand when John Dewey says: “If we teach
today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of
tomorrow.”

10. Apostrophe
10
‘
Use an apostrophe to
show the use of a
contraction in a sentence.
o He’s a very controversial
figure in the history of
Manitoba.
o They’re considered
Canadian icons.
Use an apostrophe to show ownership of something.
o I would like to borrow your friend’s books (singular).
o I would like to borrow your friends’ books (plural).
o She respects her children’s playtime (irregular plural).

11. MECHANICS
Punctuation
Created by: RZP
Topic: Mechanics: Punctuation - OER
Audience: English language learners
Date: February 2020
11
Images: courtesy of ClipArt
Period
Comma
Colon
Semicolon
Question mark
Exclamation mark
Quotation marks
Apostrophe