Ws/E3.

Using basic punctuation

A capital letter is used to start a sentence. (as you see here) At the end of every sentence a full stop is used. (a question mark or an exclamation mark can be used instead). A sentence is a group of words that makes sense on its own. (It is a complete thought) For example: Ben went to the shops.

A sentence always has a subject (in this case Ben) and a verb (or action word) (went).

Full stops are used much more often than the other punctuation marks. They are placed at the end of a statement. For example: Sentence 1 - He drove a red car. Sentence 2 - He returned with some milk for our coffee.

Question marks are placed after a question. For example: Is this true? When will you go?

Exclamation marks are much less common and are often placed after a spoken command. For example: Come here! Or Sit down! Or Close the door!

Adapted by Pauline B from BBC Skillswise for delivery by NAP SA NotSchool Pilot in South Australia 2012 GRAMMAR INFORMATION SHEET Using Basic Punctuation No 1

Ws/E3.3

Using basic punctuation

NOTE: commands dont always need a subject. Exclamations marks can also be used to show surprise or that someone is shouting loudly. For example: Let me out! Or Never!

Speech marks (also called inverted commas or quotation marks) like this are used to show that these words are being spoken by someone in the piece of writing. For example: Hello, said Mary, how are you today?

Did you notice that only the spoken words have the speech marks.. Hello (Mary is speaking) said Mary are the words of the writer how are you today? Mary is speaking these words again, so the speech marks are used at the start. She has finished after the word today, therefore, we indicate when the spoken words are finished by closing off again with the speech marks

Adapted by Pauline B from BBC Skillswise for delivery by NAP SA NotSchool Pilot in South Australia 2012 GRAMMAR INFORMATION SHEET Using Basic Punctuation No 1