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PUNCTUATION

. ? !  END PUNCTUATION
Every sentence must have punctuation at its end. There are three marks that can be used at the end of the sentence: A period, a question mark, or an exclamation point.
    Example: I don't understand. Do you really mean that? Wow!

,  COMMA
Use a comma if a sentence contains a list of people, things, or ideas.
    Example: Jeff, John, and Andy are in my history class.
Use a comma before conjunctions when the sentences joined by the conjunction both have a subject and a verb.
    Example: The class went on a field trip, but John stayed home.
Use a comma to separate dates:
    Example: I started school on August 1, 2007.

-  HYPHEN
Use a hyphen to make a compound word.
    Example: I got my first ten-speed bicycle as a nine-year-old.
Use a hyphen to join two or more words serving as a single adjective before a noun.
    Example: Krusty is a well-known clown.

( )  PARENTHESES
Use parentheses to enclose explanatory or supplementary material that interrupts the normal sentence structure.
    Example: I was born in Boulder (Colorado) on March 20 (the first day of spring).

:  COLON
Use a colon to direct attention to an explanation or summary, a series, or a quotation.
    Example: They brought many items to the party: chips, soda, music, gifts, and     games.
Use a colon to introduce a list, at the end of a salutation, or between numbers used to indicate time.
    Example: Dear Kaite: The party starts at 7:30.

" "  QUOTATION MARKS
Use quotation marks before and after direct quotes.
    Example: At the end of the interview she said,"You're  hired!"

;  SEMICOLON
Use a semicolon between main clauses not linked by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, or, nor,so, yet).
     Example: Listen carefully; the story gets better.
Use a semicolon to separate a series of items which themselves contain commas.
    Example: The pet store sells food, toys, cages; cats, dogs, mice; and an                 assortment of animal leashes.

{ }  BRACE
Use the brace to group information together, particularly in note taking.
    Example: {Dogs, Cats, Elephants} are all examples of animals.

[ ] BRACKETS
Use brackets around material added to someone else's quotation.
    Example: "We [citizens of the United States] have nothing to fear but fear itself."

/  SLASH
Use slash between terms to indicate that either term is acceptable.
    Example: Sometimes a nap and/or food can put me in a better mood.

'  APOSTROPHE
Use an apostrophe to show ownership or posession.
    Example: Mr. Hansen's gloves are in his car.
Use an apostrophe to show where letters have been left out of shortened words.
    Example: I'll (sha- or wi- have been omitted.)