Examples of Correct Punctuation in High School Essays

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 📝 Commas: Use commas to separate items in a list, after introductory phrases, and to set off nonessential information.
• 🛑 Periods: Use periods at the end of declarative sentences and after abbreviations.
• ❓ Question Marks: Use question marks at the end of interrogative sentences.
• ❗ Exclamation Points: Use exclamation points to show strong emotion or emphasis. (Use sparingly in formal essays!)
• 's Apostrophes: Use apostrophes to indicate possession (e.g., John's book) and in contractions (e.g., can't).
• “ ” Quotation Marks: Use quotation marks to enclose direct quotations and titles of short works (e.g., poems, short stories).
• – Em Dashes: Use em dashes to indicate a sudden break in thought or to set off an explanatory phrase.
• ; Semicolons: Use semicolons to connect two independent clauses that are closely related.
• : Colons: Use colons to introduce a list, an explanation, or a quotation.

✍️ Practice Quiz

1. Which sentence uses commas correctly?
   1. My favorite colors are blue green and purple.
   2. My favorite colors are blue, green, and purple.
   3. My favorite colors, are blue green, and purple.
   4. My favorite colors are blue, green and purple.
2. Which sentence uses an apostrophe correctly?
   1. The dogs bone was buried in the yard.
   2. The dog's bone was buried in the yard.
   3. The dogs' bone was buried in the yard.
   4. The dogs bone's was buried in the yard.
3. Which sentence uses quotation marks correctly?
   1. She said, "I'm going to the store".
   2. She said, I'm going to the store.
   3. She said "I'm going to the store.".
   4. She said, "I'm going to the store.".
4. Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?
   1. I went to the store; I bought milk eggs and bread.
   2. I went to the store, I bought milk, eggs, and bread.
   3. I went to the store; I bought milk, eggs, and bread.
   4. I went to the store; therefore, I bought milk, eggs, and bread.
5. Which sentence uses a colon correctly?
   1. I need the following items: milk, eggs, and bread.
   2. I need the following items; milk, eggs, and bread.
   3. I need the following items, milk, eggs, and bread.
   4. I need the following items: milk eggs and bread.
6. Which sentence uses an em dash correctly?
   1. The car -- a red convertible -- sped down the street.
   2. The car - a red convertible - sped down the street.
   3. The car – a red convertible – sped down the street.
   4. The car - a red convertible -- sped down the street.
7. Which sentence uses correct end punctuation?
   1. Is that your book.
   2. That is your book?
   3. That is your book.
   4. Is that your book!