informal letter

3. THE PERIOD HAS THREE PRIMARY FUNCTION
1) To show that a sentence has
ended.
2) To show that an abbreviation
has ended,
3) As a decimal point.
Example: We are going to the
mall today.

4. COMMAN RULES
Directions After each rule and example, add commas to the sentences where needed.
1) Use commas to separate items in a list of three or more .
Remember that an “item” may refer to a noun, verb or adjective phrase
Example: I need to buy eggs milk lettuce and bread.
I need to buy eggs, milk, lettuce and bread.

5. EXCLAMATION POINTS
Exclamation points are used to show strong emotion.
Directions: decide if the following sentences should end with an exclamation point.
Example:
I am so happy! We won the game
Ouch! Ihurt my knee
I am tired
Good morning everyone
Hooray! We are finally free

6. QUESTION MARKS
Question Marks are used to end a question
Note: some sentences may seem like they are questions when they are actually
statements that appear like questions.
Directions: Decide if the following sentences should end with a question mark.
Example:
What time is it
Was the movie scary
Was the trip long
Do you want another piece of cake

7. The colon
Before a list that is
introduced by a complete
sentence
The reporter interviewed
the followin people
To introduce the effect
There was only one way
he could win
Before a quotation
This is what plato had to
say about
mathematicians
After the salutation in a
business letter or memo
Dear senator harkin
To separate chapter and
verse in scipture
The Sunday school class
studied james 4:10
To separates hours from
minutes
Our soccer game starts
at 7:30
To show ratios
Pour in the milk and
water at a 3:1 ratio

8. semicolons
To combine two closely
related completed
sentences.
To separated complete
sentences.
To separate items in a
list when commas alone
would be confusing.