. Full Stop (or) Period.
A full stop is used to end a sentence.
? Question mark.
A question mark is used at the end of a question.
! Exclamation mark.
An exclamation mark is used to promote a strong emotion (typically in dialogue) and does not need to be used with any other punctuation mark at any time (even a question mark).
, Comma.
A comma is used when the reader can take a break or breath with reading out loud. A comma can also be used for dramatic effect in some cases.
; Semicolon
The semicolon is used when the writer could have ended a sentence but chose not to.
Example
Half the class stayed behind.
Half the class stayed behind; the other half decided to leave.
: Colon.
The colon is used after a topic sentence and before listing all things in that topic. The colon can also be used like a semicolon but is less so common.
Example
The bookstore carries three main genres of books: romance, non-fiction and horror.
- Hyphen
The hyphen is used in between words that cannot be taken out of context with each other.
Example
Seventeen-years-old.
' Apostrophe
An apostrophe is used in a conjunction.
Example
It is
It's
" Quotation marks.
Quotation marks are used to signify dialogue or to quote a certain word or sentence that was previously mentioned.
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Writing Tips
Non-FictionI'm not a professional author! I love to write and I personally think I'm good at it (in some ways) and I want to be an author one day. Here are things that I can share to you that can help beginners get a little better.
