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Detective Agency
Become an expert on the written underworld
Cut out punctuation crime
Make punctuation marks work harder

Complete this course, in order to

become a punctuation detective.

1
TASK 1: you are going to see some Punctuatio
punctuation marks. n
As you read, match the right name to
each one. Click to check you are right.

hyphen or question
brackets
dash mark

exclamation semi- comma

colon
mark colon

2
 Punctuatio
n

colon exclamation You have five

semi- Did you
mark seconds to
colon
remember full
think of 3
stops,
more
apostrophes
punctuation
Here they are again. and speech
comma marks.
marks?

hyphen or
brackets dash
question
mark
3
TASK 2: Now see if you can match up Punctuatio
the name and one of the jobs of each n
of these punctuation marks.
comma This can be used to show a loud voice or
strength of feeling.
hyphen This can introduce an idea, a list or a
quotation.
exclamation
You can use this to link two sentences about
mark
the same topic.

brackets This can be used to separate a main clause

and a subordinate clause.
colon These may be used to add stage directions
or asides in a script.
semi- This can be used to join two words
colon together.

4
TASK 3: You must now investigate some Punctuatio
punctuation crime. Read each sentence n
in turn and see if you can spot the
missing punctuation before the answer
appears.

,
It was a very dingy dirty place.

comma

,
Indeed said Holmes.

comma

5
(See if you can spot the missing Punctuatio
punctuation before the answer n
appears.)

apostrophe

,
Whats the matter with that?

!
Minnie he shouted hoarsely.

Exclamation
mark

6
(See if you can spot the missing Punctuatio
punctuation before the answer n
appears.)

-
The pale faced man nodded.

hyphen

,
However here I felt safe.

comma

7
 Punctuatio
Punctuation Casebook n
You must now complete a casebook on
punctuation. Your casebook should:
explain when to use the punctuation
mark
give examples, from prominent texts, After this task,
of it being used effectively. click here to
go to the
Now click on your punctuation mark. effects of
punctuation.

: ; ,
8
The colon Punctuatio

: n
Click here
You have chosen the colon. for an
explanation
of colons.
In your casebook: Click here
1. explain the functions of the for examples
colon of colon use.
2. give three examples of how it
might be used.
Go to end of
Go back to
presentation.
casebook.

9
 When to use colons Punctuatio
n
A colon is used to introduce things:
ideas, items in a list, a quotation or an
explanation. Hed lost everything: his
friends, his happiness and his pride.

A colon can also be used between a

statement and an explanation of the
statement. This time hed win: he
couldn't afford to lose.

A colon can also be used between two

halves of a sentence balancing the
two halves. Time is a great teacher:
unfortunately it kills all its pupils.
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 Punctuatio
n
Examples of colon use:

1. She had a clear set of demands: a new

computer, a new car and more pay.
2. His intentions were clear: no one would be
going anywhere.
3. The teacher demanded: Why are you here?
4. The coach announced the squad: Jones, Hill,
Bennett and Welsh.
5. His words were powerful: the message
unforgettable.

11
THE SEMI-COLON Punctuatio

; n
Click here
You have chosen the semi-colon. for an
explanation
of semi-
In your casebook: colons.
Click here
1. explain the functions of the for examples
semi-colon of semi-colon
use.
2. give three examples of how it
might be used.
Click here to
go back to
casebook.

12
 When to use semi-colons Punctuatio
n
A semi-colon can be used to separate main
clauses in a compound sentence. It often
replaces and or but.
(The semi-colon is useful as it can:
help to maintain the theme of a sentence
avoid abrupt short sentences
avoid too much use of and or but.)

Semi-colons can also be used to

punctuate lists of long items (instead of
commas).

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 Punctuatio
n
Examples of semi-colon use:

1. Plenty of girls had signed up for the team;

Jody wanted to be one of them.
2. Girling won the ball in the penalty area; he
turned quickly, almost losing control; he shot
and scored.
3. Her folder contained a letter to her MP; a
short story about a kidnap; three poems
about her holiday and a study of Macbeth.

14
INVERTED COMMAS Punctuatio

n
Click here for
You have chosen the inverted an explanation
commas. of inverted
commas.
In your casebook:
Click here
1. explain the different names for
for examples
and functions of inverted
of inverted
commas
commas
2. give three examples of how they being used.
may be used in different ways
Click here to
go back to
casebook.
15
When to use inverted commas Punctuatio
n
Inverted commas can be used to show
words which are spoken.

They can also be used around words or

quotations from a written text.

Inverted commas are sometimes used

around words to show that the words are
not true, or to show irony or sarcasm.

They can be used to show the title of

a book, poem or story.

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 Punctuatio
n
Examples of inverted commas:

1. Josh said, You have no right to be here.

2. What, he asked, is the meaning of this?
3. My favourite story is The Lion, the Witch
and the Wardrobe.
4. When shall we three meet again? are the
opening words to the play.
5. My dad thinks hes so cool when he dances,
but really hes an embarrassment.

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COMMAS Punctuatio

, n
Click here for
You have chosen commas. an explanation
of commas.
In your casebook:
1. explain the different uses for
Click here
commas
for examples
2. give three examples of how they of commas
may be used in different ways being used.

Click here to
go back to
casebook.

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 Punctuatio
Commas can be used after an adverb or n
adverbial phrase or clause which opens a
sentence. Slowly, the door opened.
They are used after a non-finite clause at
the start of a sentence. Having finished,
she left the table.
Commas are often used when addressing
someone. Keep going, Joe.
Commas can be used around additional
information. The film, a classic, was
enjoyed by everyone.
Commas can divide items in a list. The
rock was cold, rough, scarred and mossy.
Commas are used to help punctuate 19
speech. She muttered, See you.
 Punctuatio
Examples of commas: n

1. Above, the clouds drifted.

2. Swelling with pride, he walked away.
3. How nice to see you, Kay.
4. She turned the key and, smiling to herself,
walked in.
5. He thought about the lies, the insults, the
meanness and the hurt hed suffered.
6. Come here, she said, and tell me again.

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APOSTROPHES Punctuatio

n
Click here for
You have chosen apostrophes. an explanation
of
In your casebook: apostrophes.
1. explain the different uses for
Click here
apostrophes
for examples
2. give examples of how they may of
be used in different ways apostrophes
being used.

Click here to
go back to
casebook.
21
 When to use apostrophes Punctuatio
n
Apostrophes can be used in the place of
missing letters. They help us to translate
spoken words into writing.
E.g.
dont, isnt, hes, wouldnt
Apostrophes are also used to show
possession. They show if something
belongs to a noun e.g.
the babys rattle, the dogs eyes
When the noun is plural, the apostrophe
comes after the plural form, e.g.
The boys bicycles, the childrens teacher 22
 Punctuatio
n
Examples of apostrophe use:

1. Theres Kris at the door.

2. She couldnt stomach any more lies.
3. Hes got a nerve.
4. Its coming for us!
5. He met Millys gaze.
6. They looked like actors clothes.
7. He listened to his fathers reply.
8. It was a womens meeting.

23
 Punctuatio
The effects of punctuation n

Read the sentence, then choose the correct

option
Beforebefore thecomplete
you can answer appears.
this course, you have
Identify
one the effects of some uses of punctuation.
final assignment.
We knew: he was dead.
1. The colon introduces a list.
2. The colon is not really needed.
3. The colon introduces an idea with a dramatic pause.
Jus get goin.
1. Apostrophes help to show how the words are spoken.
2. Apostrophes are used to show possession.
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3. Apostrophes make the words simpler.
 Punctuatio
n

I told her (I could not lie) that she was not welcome.
1. Brackets help us to understand why she was not welcome.
2. Brackets reveal the narrators thoughts.
3. Brackets give essential information.
Oh, yes. She was friendly all right.
1. Inverted commas are used to quote words.
2. Inverted commas suggest she was very friendly.
3. Inverted commas suggest she was not friendly at all.
25
 Punctuatio
n
Look at how this writer uses punctuation for effect.

An explosive Oh! but he was a tight- Another

exclamation fisted hand at the exclamation mark, in
mark after the the middle of a
short Oh
grindstone, Scrooge! a sentence, draws
expresses squeezing, wrenching, attention to name of
outrage. The grasping, scraping, the outrageous
writer is almost clutching, covetous old character.
lost for words. sinner! Hard and sharp as A long list
flint, from which no steel punctuated by
A semi-colon is had ever struck out commas, expresses
used to the depth of his
generous fire; secret, and
separate out greed.
and balance out self-contained, and
descriptions solitary as an oyster.
about two sides
of him.
26
 Punctuatio
n
Now see if you can comment on the effects of any of
the punctuation in this passage.

What is the True!nervousvery, very What is the

effect of the dreadfully nervous I had effect of the
dashes? Think exclamation
about how
been and am! but why will marks? Where
smoothly the you say that I am mad? The do they come in
passage reads. disease had sharpened my the sentence?
How would it sensesnot destroyed Why? How do
affect the text not dulled them. they affect the
if they were tone of the
not there? text?

27
 Punctuatio
n
Course complete
Well done. You have completed the course.
You are ready to:
Cut out punctuation crime
Make punctuation marks work harder
There are other punctuation marks to look out
for. Make sure you make them work for you.

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