Webmasters may take any article for use on their site. Leave the link back to us intact and advise us of the site where you are placing the article. Thank you.
How to Write a Novel – 3 Quick Tips
Grammar and Punctuation
The aim of using punctuation correctly is to give structure and form to your writing. It also allows your work to be noticed for the right reasons!
Full stop (Americans call it a period) The full stop has three main uses. A full stop is used at the end of a sentence. The next sentence starts with a capital letter. A full stop is used is used in website and email addresses. Failure to do so will mean that they will not work. They are also used in abbreviations. Examples: etc. e.g. i.e.
Question mark ( ? ) A question mark is used at the end of a sentence that is a direct question. If the question appears within quotation marks or brackets then the question mark occurs within these. After the quotation marks or brackets have ended then a full stop should be placed.
Colon ( : ) A colon is used commonly before a list. The items in the list are separated by commas except for the final two items which are separated by and.
Semicolon ( ; ) Semicolons show pauses and identify independent parts of a sentence. As discussed in a previous article lists are a common use for commas. Semicolons can also be used in lists. In such a list a colon is used before the list starts and then semicolons are used to separate each word. Using semicolons you do not use a linking word between the last two words.
Slash ( / ) The slash is used sometimes to replace or and the word and. It is also commonly used in a non-discriminatory form e.g. him/her he/she. An additional use for the slash is in website addresses.
Please try to remember these basics of punctuation. It will keep your reader focused on the story!
Direct article link: http://www.iwantabookpublisher.com/articles_for_writers/Grammar+and+Punctuation/#article