punctuation

Why use it?
* A handy list of punctuation marks with examples of their use
* A rough guide to commas, their use and misuse
*The colon
*The semi-colon
*Avoiding run-on sentences
Why should you use punctuation in your writing? The simple answer is that it helps your reader – who is possibly also your marker - to understand your message easily. When you speak, you frequently pause, your voice rises or drops and often your face and hands add non-verbal information through “body language”; all this assists in communicating your message clearly. In writing you have to remember that the readers have only what is on the paper or screen in order to understand your message. Punctuation basically helps to indicate the pauses, rises and falls etc. which are important for understanding.
Different punctuation marks are used in different situations but all help with conveying your message with clarity. It is therefore essential, in academic writing in particular, to use punctuation accurately. Your tutors will expect this and you will lose marks for not doing so. On the other hand, correctly used punctuation can help to strengthen your arguments
and improve marks.