Punctuation is important in academic writing to avoid confusing readers and hindering understanding. This document explains the proper uses of various punctuation marks, including colons, semicolons, commas, hyphens, dashes, and apostrophes. Colons can introduce ideas, lists, and quoted material. Semicolons join closely related independent clauses or are used in complicated lists. Commas separate elements in a list or introduce clauses. Hyphens join prefix-noun or adjective combinations. Dashes set off groups of words, while apostrophes show possession. Mastering punctuation avoids ambiguity and improves clarity.

1. Punctuation

2. Why learn to punctuate properly?
◦ Inappropriately punctuated sentences can often confuse your readers and
hinder their understanding of what you have written.
◦ Improving your punctuation does not require an enormous effort and yet
being able to punctuate properly can be powerful and effective.

3. Punctuation marks
Colon : 1. To introduce an idea
2. To introduce a list
3. To introduce quoted material
Semicolon ; 1. To be used in complicated lists
2. To separate closely-related independent clauses
Comma , 1. To separate the elements in a list of three or more items
2. To be used before certain linking words
3. To separate introductory elements in a sentence
4. To separate elements in a sentence without brackets (refer to slide 10)
Hyphen - 1. To be used in all words consisting of a prefix combined with a noun
2. To be used in adjectives/nouns that have been formed by combining two words.
Dash - - To use to separate groups of words
Apostrophe ‘ 1. To show possession
2. To contract words (this will not be detailed in this resources since contraction
should be avoided in academic writing)
Refer to additional
resources for
independent clauses,
linking words, noun and
adjectives.

4. Colon
1. To introduce an idea
About academic writing: it should not have informal language.
There is one thing you need to know about academic writing: it should not
have informal language.
2. To introduce a list
In an essay there are: introduction, main body, and conclusion.
In an essay are the following: introduction, main body, and conclusion.
3. To introduce a quoted material
Samson (2010, p.214): ‘Mirror neurons allow for imitation and empathy’
Smith (2019) often refers to this quotation from Samson (2010, p.214): ‘Mirror neurons allow for
imitation and empathy.'
The phrase before the colon makes sense on its own.
The phrase before the colon makes sense on its own.
The phrase before the colon makes sense on its own.

5. Semicolon
1. To be used in complicated lists
Among the distinguished delegates were Professor Jones University of
Liverpool Professor Smith University of Manchester Dr Williams Professor of
Calligraphy University of Cleethorpes and Dr Brown University of Dorchester.
Among the distinguished delegates were Professor Jones, University of
Liverpool; Professor Smith, University of Manchester; Dr Williams Professor of
Calligraphy, University of Cleethorpes and Dr Brown, University of Dorchester.

6. Semicolon
2. To separate closely-related independent clauses
Punctuating properly is crucial; despite its complexity.
Punctuating properly is crucial; although it is always neglected by students.
Punctuating properly is crucial; a poorly punctuated passage can impede
understanding.
Punctuating properly is crucial; a well written assignment has limited
punctuation errors.
The two clauses are independent and related.
The two clauses are independent and related.
‘despite its complexity’ is not an independent clause.
‘although it is always neglected by students’ is not an independent clause.

7. Comma
1. To separate the elements in a list of three or more items
An essay should have an introduction, a main body, and a conclusion.
2. To be used before certain linking words
Punctuating properly is crucial, and a poorly punctuated passage can impede
understanding.

8. Comma
3. To separate introductory elements in a sentence
Understanding grammar is important, it can help you write well.
e.g. Understanding grammar is important. It can help you write well.
e.g. Understanding grammar is important because it can help you write well.
Writing up the dissertation, time management is important.
e.g. When writing up the dissertation, time management is important.
e.g. Time management is important when writing up the dissertation.
You should not put a full stop between the clauses because ‘writing up the
dissertation’ is not an independent clause.
A linking word is needed between the two clauses.
A linking word or a full stop is needed between the two clauses.

9. Hyphen
1. To be used in all words consisting of a prefix combined with a noun
Meeting the deadline of your assignments requires self-discipline.
2. To be used in adjectives/nouns that have been formed by combining two
words.
This book was written in the seventeenth century.
This is a seventeenth-century book.
This is a set-up.
Anything with a combination of self or any other prefixes and a noun or an adjective needs a
hyphen.
Seventeenth century is an adjective, describing the noun (book) so a hyphen is needed.
Set up is a noun here and so it needs a hyphen.
Seventeenth century is an adjective-noun combination here so a hyphen is not needed.

10. Dash
To use to separate groups of words
The words - academic, analytical, critical, and descriptive - are all adjectives.
The words, academic, analytical, critical, and descriptive, are all adjectives.
The dash can be used to separate groups of words. However, it is recommended
that it should be avoided in academic writing. Therefore, the same sentence can be
written as below using commas.

11. Apostrophe
To show possession
This lecturer’s talk is considered the best in the faulty.
The two lecturers’ talks have been highly inspiring.
David’s student accommodation is not far away from his two lecturers’
houses.
Singular possessive
Plural possessive
Singular possessive (David’s); plural possessive (lecturers’)