Punctuation

Where do the periods go? (I say “periods” instead of “end punctuation” for simplicity, and because “punctuation” can be difficult to pronounce or read. However, I explain that they may substitute a question mark or an exclamation mark for a period, depending on the context.)

I give learners three methods for figuring out where the periods go:

• Use your ears.
• Use your shoulders.
• Use your brain.

The Where do the periods go? poster captures all three methods and is a great resource for learners in and out of the writing group. 

Use Your Ears

Read your writing out loud, slowly, and with expression. Your ears may hear a definite pause. That’s where the period goes. Your ears may hear your voice go up or down. That’s where the period goes. Your ears may hear you take a breath in. That’s where the period goes.

Use Your Shoulders

Read your writing out loud, slowly, and with expression. Pay attention to your shoulders. When you feel them go up as you take a breath, that is where the period goes. You may feel your shoulders go up, or you may feel it more in your back or chest.

Use Your Brain

Use your brain to think about the meaning. If you are talking about one thing, then start talking about something else, those two things have to be separated by a period or joined by some word. (You can leave the option of a semi-colon for more advanced learners, unless someone asks about it.)

Example: “Marie is good at math her sister is better at English.”

First you tell us about Marie, and then you tell us about her sister.

You can separate those two things with a period: “Marie is good at math. Her sister is better at English.”

If you like, you can join them together with a word. You have many choices of words to use to join them together: “Marie is good at math, but her sister is better at English.” “Marie is good at math, and her sister is better at English.” “Marie is good at math, although her sister is better at English.” “Although Marie is good at math, her sister is better at English.”

Notice that, in the last two examples, “although” is the word that lets you join the two ideas together, but it does not always come at the same place in the sentence as “but” and “and” usually do.