By Kassandra Dastardly
Introduction
Here at .: Epic :., we prize the use of proper grammar in writing very highly, because using correct punctuation and capitalization affords clarity;
and when your writing is clear, it makes reading and understanding easier. This is significant, because if we as readers cannot understand what is written, than it is impossible for us to enjoy it, or even appreciate the imaginative effort behind it.
However, in these times, with the use of proper grammar declining in common written speech, it can be hard to remember all of these rules (or even to summon up the energy to bother with them).
To solve this problem, we at have provided a small guide to using grammar in your writing, as a reference for the authors of our community to keep their writing in tip top shape.
While this is not a complete writing manual (nor a perfect one), it is, we hope, at least somewhat useful to your writing endeavors. Enjoy, and write on!!
Table of Contents
Basics
Period/Exclamation Mark/Quotation Mark
Commas
Apostrophes
Quotation Marks
Other Marks of Importance
Semicolons/Colons
Dashes/Hyphens
Ellipses
Brackets
Italics
Words Commonly Confused
List of words mixed up frequently.
Writing References
List of Writing guides that are (I think) handy tools for the writer.
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Basics
Punctuation marks, and their functions.
Periods, Exclamation Marks, and Question Marks
Period: A mark that goes at the end of a sentence that is declarative. Also known as a full stop.
Example: The panda bear convention ended three hours prior.
It also functions as the end of an abbreviated word.
Example: Dr. Lebowitz gave Marty Jr. the bad news.
Exclamation Mark: Also known as the Exclamation Point, it goes at the end of a shout or loud outcry.
Example: Look out for the army of rabid squirrels!
Question Mark: A mark that ends a statement that is meant to inquire, or ask a question.
Example: Are there eggshells in this pie?
Commas
A Comma is used in a sentence in several ways, including:
Listing more than two objects.
Example: The recipe requires flour, water, salt and gusto.
When introducing speech (usually in quotation marks).
Example: Marcus exclaimed, "But I'm allergic to mussels!"
Combining two sentences with a conjunction, such as: and, or, but or yet.
Example: She tried to like him, but she found his breath too offensive.
Another use of the comma is to fill in for an omitted, but implicitly understood word or phrase in a sentence that is parallel to another part of the sentence (these are usually used with a semicolon; see below for an example).
There are many other functions of the comma that are not here listed, as we are covering the basics. Other more interesting uses can be found in the references listed below.
Apostrophes
The Apostrophe is used primarily in two ways:
To indicate possession.
Example: Sarah's parents were in an uproar over the state of her clothing. (Singular)
Example Two: The boys' locker room was, to her dismay, closed to the public. (Plural)
To create a contraction, or conveniently join two words into one.
Example: They're making a mess of everything.
Quotation Marks
We use Quotation Marks primarily to indicate speech; they come before AND after the spoken passage.
Example: Mother shouted, "Make sure not to forget your galoshes, dear!"
When quoting within a quote, single quotation marks surround the quoted passage in the speech.
Example: Taryn said angrily, "The line isn't 'Luke, I am your father.' Did you even WATCH the movie?!"
It is also important to note that when writing dialogue, there should be a new line started for each new, spoken response.
Quote:
Cathleen asked, "Why do you listen to that song so often? You don't even like that band."
Xavier responded, "Because it reminds me of you."
"...What are you trying to say, Xavier?"
"I'm in love with you, Cathleen."
Xavier responded, "Because it reminds me of you."
"...What are you trying to say, Xavier?"
"I'm in love with you, Cathleen."
This keeps your writing clear, and helps the reader keep track of who's talking, and when.
And that's what you need to know about the very basics of punctuation. Now, onto the more complex (and interesting) uses of punctuation in writing. biggrin
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Other Marks of Importance
A Continuation on Punctuation.
Semicolons/Colons
Semicolon: The semicolon is one of the more artful marks in punctuation; unfortunately, it is not often seen, and is even less often used correctly. Its functions include the following:
To connect closely related independent clauses (i.e. complete, simply-structured sentences) in a way that emphasizes their connection to each other.
Example: Ennis was on his way to court; he was being tried for the murder of the supreme jellyfish of the land.
When connecting independent clauses with conjunctions like hence, therefore, however, and thus.
Example: Clara lacked true skill in football; however, she more than made up for it in courage.
When using explanatory abbreviations or language like i.e., e.g., that is, for example, etc. to connect two independent clauses.
Example: Dorothy hated babies; that is, she hated the smell of them.
To connect closely related elements that you could not do with a comma.
Example: Lazarus was kind; his brother, horrid.
Colon: We use a colon in the following manner:
- When introducing a list, or series of objects.
Example: Their options were as follows: run, hide, or be brutally tickled to death.
To indicate further explanation of an independent clause (similar to the combination of a semicolon and i.e./e.g./that is).
Example: The house was in a shambles: the kitchen was overrun by dishes, all the furniture had been overturned, and the roof was very near caving in.
When telling time:
Example: Gregory said impatiently, "It's 11:45, Ruby. Get a watch.
When writing plays, we place it after the name of the speaker.
Quote:
Roger: Have you been eating my yogurt?
Marianne: No, I would never.
Marianne: No, I would never.
Dashes/Hyphens
Dash: The dash (—), longer than the hyphen, has three central uses in fiction writing.
To imply stuttering in speech.
Example: "It's f—f—f—freezing in here!" she said, shivering violently.
To insert parenthetical information (information that is explanatory, appositive, or supplementary) inside of an already complete sentence.
Example: Margaret—who was not a favorite with anyone in the room to begin with—was kicked out of the party for her rude behavior.
To mark an abrupt change in thought in the middle of a sentence (usually speech).
Example: "So there I was in Antartica when—oh my gosh, is that a spider on the wall?!"
Hyphen: The hyphen (-), shorter than the dash, has the following functions:
- When writing certain compound nouns.
Example: city-state, cease-fire, do-gooder, etc.
When adding a prefix that ends in the same letter as the word you are trying to attach it to begins with.
Example: pre-existing, de-emphasize, re-evaluate, etc. (It is important to note that most prefixes are attached to common nouns without hyphenation, with few exceptions.)
To spell out words or names, or divide a word into syllables.
Example: Hydrogen. H-y-d-r-o-g-e-n.
or
Example: Su-per-cal-i-frag-i-list-ic-ex-pi-al-i-do-cious.
Ellipses
The Ellipses (...) can be used in the following ways:
When quoting a text/speech, it is used to indicate omission of text that is unnecessary within the context of your writing (these are sometimes surrounded by square brackets).
Quote:
My great miseries in this world have been Heathcliff’s miseries, and I watched and felt each from the beginning: my great thought in living is himself. If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained, and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger: I should not seem a part of it.—My love for Linton is like the foliage in the woods: time will change it, I’m well aware, as winter changes the trees. My love for Heathcliff resembles the eternal rocks beneath: a source of little visible delight, but necessary. Nelly, I am Heathcliff!
--Wuthering Heights
Emily Bronte
Emily Bronte
Example: Her idea of love could be summarized by her favorite heroine, Cathy: "If all else perished, and he remained, I should still continue to be; and if all else remained and he were annihilated, the universe would turn to a mighty stranger: I should not seem a part of it... Nelly, I am Heathcliff!"
In fiction writing, it can indicate silence, or a significant pause (sometimes awkward) in speech.
Example: "...No, I would not like margarine in my mittens, thank you."
Brackets
There are four types of brackets that are used in writing:
Parentheses: () Used to include supplementary information in a sentence that could be omitted without confusing or altering its meaning; dashes are also used for this purpose.
Example: The green dress fit her rather nicely (it made her hips look much slimmer than they were), but it was too expensive for her to purchase.
Box Brackets: [] Used to insert missing text into a quotation in order fit the context of your own writing; also used to correct an error in a quotation, or to acknowledge that the error was made, and that you didn't do it.
Example: The books rules stated: "If these guidelines are not strictly followed [by members of this organization], then crew members are authorized to begin beheading as punishment.
or
Example: She is reported to have said, "The robot can handle it's [sic] problems without my help."
In plays, brackets are also used to surround stage directions, which are usually (if not always) italicized.
Example: Bart: [Runs desperately to the door.] Leave my lawn gnomes alone, you b*****d!
Other brackets are Braces ({}) and Cone Brackets (<>). These are more often seen in mathematics than in literature, and therefore have not been elaborated on.
Italics
In fiction writing, italics are most often used for the following reasons:
To create emphasis.
Example: I shall never go to Netherfield again as long as I live.
When writing a flashback, or dream sequence.
Example: Anthony remembered the day perfectly. The sun bore down on them mercilessly...
When using a foreign language. This can be a single word:
Example: Would you mind passing me a croissant, dear?
Or an entire phrase:
Example: ¡No me gusta! ¡No puedes tener amigos, Maria! That's final!!!
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Words Commonly Confused
List of words mixed up frequently.
there/their/they're
there: refers to the location of an object.
Example: The pineapple is over there.
their: possessive form of they.
Example: Their pet iguana has gone missing.
they're: contraction of the words they and are.
Example: They're fishing for piranhas in shallow water.
your/you're
your: possessive form of you.
Example: Sir, I believe your hair has caught fire.
you're: contraction of the words you and are.
Example: You're looking very charming, today, Mrs. Robinson.
its/it's
its: possessive form of it.
Example: The rhinoceros was distraught to part with its bouquet.
it's: contraction of it and is
Example: It's too hot today to make a pie.
than/then
than: word used usually in comparison of two separate objects.
Example: Marie liked the beach ball better than the buffalo.
or
Example Two: Janet was taller than Waldo, her dog.
then: word used to describe something in the past; also used to indicate something that comes next in a sequence; can also mean, in that case
Example: Back then, Alice was a much thinner girl, and could fit in the hole easily.
or
Example Two: First we decided to go for a swim, then we remembered that none of us knew how to hold our breath.
or
Example Three: If you neglect to bring your umbrella, then you'll risk losing an arm in the fray.
to/too/two
to: toward a given state, person or direction; in contact with.
Example: She walked to the temple in hope of gaining enlightenment and Karma points.
or
Example Two: The pig reluctantly gave his last brick to his mother-in-law.
or
Example Three: As Larry pressed his face to the shop window, he wished fervently that he had the means to buy himself a Wonka bar.
too: word that means also or as well; can also imply excess.
Example: Alexandra wanted to attend the execution, too.
or
Example: There was too much salt in his soup.
two: the number 2.
Example: I only have two things in my pocket today: a paperclip and a stale piece of pumpernickel bread.
who's/whose
who's: contraction of the words who and is.
Example: Who's that fine, scaly thing in the corner of the room?
whose: possessive form of who.
Example: Whose pantyhose are hanging on our laundry line?
through/threw
through: among, or between two or more objects; to go in one way and out another; can also mean from beginning to end.
Example: She made her way through the crowd of people to get to the snack table.
or
Example Two: He was proud to have made it through the entire Twilight series without crying once.
threw: past tense of the word throw.
Example: Gerard threw the ball into the jellyfish lagoon, and it was never seen again.
affect/effect
affect: verb, meaning to impress, or produce an effect, or change in; can also mean to pretend, or feign.
Example: Looking at the sunset affected him greatly; it almost moved him to tears.
or
Example: Patricia tried to affect interest, but she could not help yawning loudly once or twice through his speech
effect: noun, something that was produced, or is the direct result of an action.
Example: The music had the desired effect: everyone was dancing in merriment.
This is, of course, not a complete list of all the words that are frequently mistaken for another, similar sounding word. If you think you are in danger of misusing a word the way these often are, you can go to the following websites for guidance:
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Writing References
List of Writing guides that are (I think) handy tools for the writer.
Strunk & White's Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White heart
Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss heart
Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language heart
Melo Edit (June 24): Made it a sticky! ^^
